Towing with E rated tires, that DON'T go to 80psi

[FSAD]

I'm looking to get different tires soon and while I have been happy with my Hankooks (I'm on my 3rd set, albeit I only get about 25k out of them), I want to go a little bigger, and it seems all the E rated tires that have an 80psi max do not have the larger sizes.

My question is to those of you who tow with a larger tire that while being E rated, only has a max pressure of 65 (typically what I'm finding in the larger ones). I know the load rating is there in the specs, but I worry about them not being as solid as a true E, 80psi, one. Are they solid? Do you get any more sway (I, have an 8500# bumper pull), or are they "squishier"?

thanks for your input

mikey

ps, I wanna stick with 17"s since the wife will kill me if I start talking new rims

[AH64ID]

On other forums, mainly Cummins oriented, I have read that they are not as stable and run wamer.

My 0.02 is to stick with a a 285 to get the full 80 psi. You may also find poor handling if you go too wide for the tim.

[FSAD]

I think I might have not made myself clear? You are all telling me what I already KNOW (and way more than I asked).

I was simply looking for anyone who is towing with an E rated tire that only has a max of 65, and how it does towing the typical weights we tow.

That's all.

Just wondering how it tows.

That's all.

[Old-Biscuit]

christopherglenn wrote:
The E rating is weight capacity, the wider tire needs less air pressure to support the weight. Even though they are 65 psi, they are still "true" e rated tires because they support the weight.

And they get that rating due to their width.....305, 315

Look at a 285 in 17" and Max Load is at 80#

[christopherglen]

The E rating is weight capacity, the wider tire needs less air pressure to support the weight. Even though they are 65 psi, they are still "true" e rated tires because they support the weight.

[blt2ski]

I had initially LR D 256-75-16 tires on a sw rig back in the early 90's when E rated ones were not out. They towed every bit as well or better than the stock 245-75-16 LR E rated tires. Both at 3000lbs of total rating. In my case, later went to E rated tires. Frankly, I was just as well off with the D rated tires, less money, took wife out to dinner......

I've seen issues as you describe more in larger MDT/HDT tire sizes. There seem to be no longevity issues etc with them. If LARGE trucks have this issue. I am sure small trucks will have the same very few issues.

I've personally found the squishy tire side wall is more from the actual tire brand and type than the psi in the tire. A steel sidewall tire is always loaded lbs on it straighter up and down than a polyester only sidewall tire of the same size and load rating.

The worst squishy tire I have had, was a set of Michelin XRV tires, ones for motor homes in an 8r19.5. Some got put on my mdt one time, they did not last but 48 hrs on it. Even with the truck empty at 12K lbs, the tires full loaded psi at 18K lbs, were non driveable with an empty truck vs other brands and even other michelin tires of the same size etc. They were made a bit soft for a softer ride for those with lighter chassis gvw mdt based MH's. not good for one using the same chassis as a dump truck. if we want to talk the XDE M+S on the rear of my truck.....great tires! XRV suck!

Marty

[BenK]

Just referring to "E" range is out of context...the tire size is required to
complete any statement in regards to "LT" class tires

As for how much PSI...do the caulk or masking tape method. I like to
check my tires each time they run over a wet spot/puddle/etc and look
at the tread contact patch when they then roll over a dry patch

Here is a link to another thread that explains this:

Right Tires

BenK wrote:
Personally...NEVER go "CHEAP" on any safety component...both for 'me'
and my 'family'...

Price to pay in my book

Your rims are *NOT* 265, but 16" by whatever the bead to bead width is
To have a rim width of 265mm (bead to bead) is to a rim width of approx
10.44 inches, which I suspect is NOT OEM, but OEM would be somewhere
in the 6.5" to 7" range in bead to bead width

Speed rating 'K' is under what most 'LT' class tires are rated for. Most
are in the 100MPH range


B - Up to 31 mph
C - Up to 37 mph
D - Up to 40 mph
E - Up to 43 mph
F - Up to 50 mph
G - Up to 56 mph
J - Up to 62 mph
K - Up to 68 mph
L - Up to 75 mph
M - Up to 81 mph
N - Up to 87 mph
P - Up to 94 mph
Q - Up to 100 mph
R - Up to 106 mph
S - Up to 112 mph
T - Up to 118 mph
U - Up to 124 mph
H - Up to 130 mph
V - Up to 149 mph
W - Up to 168 mph
Y - Up to 186 mph
Z - 149 mph and over

Most 'ST' class tires are only rated for a max of 65MPH. Most 'LT'
class are rated for around 100MPH. 'P' class tires can go over 200MPH
and reference the above listing. Not many know that 'most' commercial
tires are only rated max 75MPH (half inch dia's)




The letter load rating is standard for 'LT' class tires. The numeric
load rating is standard for 'P' class tires, but am seeing more 'LT'
class having both ratings...so think the letter load rating might be
on the outs...as too many confuse them...as see folks referring to 'E'
out of context without the tires size...a 'E' in one size has a different
load rating for another sized tire with an 'E' rating



Load Index Load (lbs. per tire, at max sidewall listed cold PSI)

1 102
2 105
3 107
4 110
5 114
6 117
7 120
8 123
9 128
10 132
11 136
12 139
13 143
14 148
15 152
16 157
17 161
18 165
19 171
20 176
21 182
22 187
23 193
24 198
25 204
26 209
27 215
28 220
29 227
30 234
31 240
32 247
33 254
34 260
35 267
36 276
37 282
38 291
39 300
40 309
41 320
42 331
43 342
44 353
45 364
46 375
47 386
48 397
49 408
50 419
51 430
52 441
53 454
54 467
55 481
56 494
57 507
58 520
59 536
60 551
61 567
62 584
63 600
64 617
65 639
66 639
67 677
68 694
69 716
70 739
71 761
72 783
73 805
74 827
75 852
76 882
77 908
78 937
79 963
80 992
81 1019
82 1047
83 1074
84 1102
85 1135
86 1168
87 1201
88 1235
89 1279
90 1323
91 1356
92 1389
93 1433
94 1477
95 1521
96 1565
97 1609
98 1653
99 1709
100 1764
101 1819
102 1874
103 1929
104 1984
105 2039
106 2094
107 2149
108 2205
109 2271
110 2337
111 2403
112 2469
113 2535
114 2601
115 2679
116 2756
117 2833
118 2910
119 2998
120 3086
121 3197
122 3307
123 3417
124 3527
125 3638
126 3748
127 3858
128 3968
129 4079
130 4189
131 4289
132 4409
133 4541
134 4674
135 4806
136 4938
137 5071
138 5203
139 5357
140 5512
141 5677
142 5842
143 6008
144 6173
145 6393
146 6614
147 6779
148 6844
149 7165
150 7385


Just referencing a tires section width, without the rest of it's sizing
nomenclature is out of context

That 235 referenced is out of context without the aspect ratio, and
assume 16, as that the tire dia referenced.

tireload tirespeed tirecode tirereference tirebenk benktire


Another good thread addressing the OP's question:

General rule for tire pressure?

BenK wrote:
Tire PSI is more to hole the tires shape than just holding up weight

Just 15PSI or so for most tires will 'LIFT' the vehicle corner's wheel
off the ground.

Higher than that is to maintain the tires shape for its duties. Stopping,
accelerating, directional control, shock absorber, etc, etc


Might be helpful showing what can happen to over inflated and under inflated

Did a quick search and posting several examples for others to also
see/learn about this, as this question is a constant

X2 on mower's chalk test. Add that some use masking tape. I always
check when there is a transition from wet to dry pavement and look
at the tread contact patch on dry


tireinflation


tireinflation tirecontact contactpatch

tireinflation triecontact contactpatch

underinflation tireunderinflation underinflationfailure

tireinflation overinflation underinflation

benktirecontact tirecontact tirepatch tireinflation

{edit}...here is the info on numeric vs letter load range...letter
load range now has many OEMs also list the numeric along with it.
Too many, like this thread, mixes up the letter load range without
the tire size...thinking that is all there is...nope...need the tire
size to complete that discussion

Numeric is a stand alone load rating. Does NOT need the tire size to
complete that discussion...a numeric load range number is absolute...meaning
that a xxx numeric has a yyy or yyyy weight rating

Tire Rack: Tire Tech
Load Range / Ply Rating Identification

[rhagfo]

This may not be the answer you are looking for, but due to the rating of my 265/75-16E's (3,415#) I only run them at about 65 to 70 psi when towing, as I only have about 5,550# of weight on the rear axle when towing my 5er, tires look fine and feel solid.

[Wildwilly101]

Sorry, My bad, That is the only size Nitto makes that uses 80psi. The other sizes use 65psi

http://www.nittotire.com/light-truck-tires/terra-grappler-all-terrain-light-truck-tire/

[FSAD]

There ARE tires out there that are E rated (have the load capacity), but only go to 65psi, for example:

Duratrac in 325/65/18, E, 65 psi, 3860 lbs
Terra Grappler G2 in 305/70/17, E, 65 psi, 3195 lbs
Firestone Destination AT in 315/70/17, E, 65 psi, 3195 lbs
Firestone Destination MT (same)

My main concern is the squishiness; HOW WELL DO THEY TOW?

thanks

[ChooChooMan74]

I thought D rated tires had a max pressure of 65?

[FSAD]

Thanks, but I'm looking for info from folks who have tires with max LESS than 80 (typically 65 for an E rated one)

[Wildwilly101]

I put a set of Nitto Terra Grapplers on my Ram 2500, They have a load index of 126 which equates to a load range of 3750lbs at 80 psi (as opposed to the load index of 121 on most E rated tires). I was very happy with the towing performance, and they are made in the USA. I had to go to the 285 size though.