Truck tires load rating info I discovered for BF Goodrich

[Adam-12]

Thought I'd share this for some of you that may not already know this. ... I figured it could go in the "general" section because it covers a few things.

Few years ago, I was looking to dump the factory GM piece o junk OEM tires, with a All Terain (AT) tire. I needed an AT that would be a compromise for both light off roading AND towing. A strictly classed "mud tire" with a really aggressive tread would be overkill for the streets and a "street tire" tread just wouldn't cut it for light to moderate off roading. I also needed a "E" load rating, vs the weaker "D" rating simply because I tow and load the truck up waaaaay too heavy (don't we all?) when going out in the boonies.

I've had BFG's before on smaller trucks, but BFG at the time didn't make an AT tire in my size 285/R17 with the stronger "E" rating. So, I bought another brand that although were classified as "AT," they just didn't have good traction in the dirt. The tread pattern was too "gentle" for a lack of better terms. However, the "E" load rating of those tires was the more important factor for me. As far as other brands went at the time, they were all the same.

Fast forward today... I'm shopping for new tires again and the tire dealer told me that BFG FINALLY LISTENED to customer demand and now make most of their AT tires for larger sized wheels with an E rating!!!!! YES!!!! BFG has made an E loading AT tire in the past, but it's always been for just a select few sizes of tire. So today, I bought a set in my size. He told me that BFG went to a E rating just a little over a year ago and it was one of the company's biggest customer requests. I feel that BFG pretty much makes the best general use AT tires around for "general" all around use of most camper/truck owners. They have the best tread pattern out there that doesn't go overboard, like a mud tire, when a mud tire performs terribly for general street use.

On a side note, the E rating has 10 ply sidewalls, vs the D's 8-ply sidewalls. The "D" rating sidewalls start to wobble when loaded heavy and up to speed. (Not good.). So, if you're looking for a great AT tire to use for hauling heavy loads and towing, BFG is finally on track again.

Just thought I'd pass the info on.

[GaryWT]

I currently has P tires, Michelins that came on the truck, 62,000 miles. Currently looking to get new tires if not a new truck. Looking at Michelin LT tires with an E rating. Will have to look at BFG.

[Grit_dog]

wintersun wrote:
E rated tires vary in load capacity from 3195 to 3750 lbs. per tire at 80 PSI. I swapped out the factory Transforce tires for ones from Nitto to get the extra load capacity at the rear wheels. The new tires flex less at the sidewalls so the road handling improved as well.

Some E rated Toyos are 3950lb rating as well.
To the OP, I've run the BFG 285s D rated tires on several trucks. 3195lb rating. They function equally as well as a standard E tire. Now if BFG has a tire that size close to 4 k load rating that would be sweet. Otherwise it's a re branded D tire.

[Arizona_Kid]

Check out the new Goodyear Adventure with Kevlar sidewalls. Comes in load range E, and those have a double Kevlar sidewall.
I just put 4 on our TV and wouldn't even know they were an AT tire, as they are very quiet on the highway.
This is a new tire, just came out last July, and has a 60,000 mile warranty, and has the
severe weather "Snowflake" symbol on the sidewall.
Goodyear Wrangler Adventure review.

Side note, I only got 25,000 from the OEM BF Goodrich tires here in AZ. That ruled out any BF Goodrich tires for me.

[wintersun]

E rated tires vary in load capacity from 3195 to 3750 lbs. per tire at 80 PSI. I swapped out the factory Transforce tires for ones from Nitto to get the extra load capacity at the rear wheels. The new tires flex less at the sidewalls so the road handling improved as well.

[monkey44]

Bridgestone has been around since 1930 ... and also owns Firestone Tires as well.

My personal opinion, BFG is the best tire for trucks, especially the AT versions.
These Bridgestone seem fine at the moment ... I was surprised after getting on the road with them. But, will stay with BFG whenever I change these out. One thing I don't care for is the tread pattern on water - just a personal feeling about how the tires ride - it seems more prone to hydro-planing, although it's not happened with these. More a feeling than a reality at this point.

When I drove a different Chevy 2500HD truck before buying this one, it happened to be raining that day, and the Bridgestone was less stable in my opinion on that day in the "flooded portions" of the roads ... but we were only out driving a short test drive ... so not a real driving experience under varied conditions.

[Dandy_Dan]

I am on my second set of BFG tires on the truck. Had BFG Commercials on the 5er but they had a recall. I now have Michelin XPS on the 5er. You might check who makes the Bridgestones. I know that Michelin owns BFG.

[monkey44]

I've had BFG 265 AT KO "E" on my trucks for as long as I can remember - and will put them on this new truck as soon as I wear these stock tires out a little.

Was going to change them out immediately, but these Bridgestone "E" don't ride all that bad -- I don't expect to have them on here long tho. And will go back to the BFG pretty soon. Will probably go with 275 if it's available in the "E".

[pitch]

BFG was probably just trying the one size fits all philosophy as a way to control their inventory and production costs.
AT tires are designed as an off road tire first. BFG probably figured that an E tires side walls are to stiff to provide the reduced air pressure flex that off roading needs.