Right Tires

[ThomasM]

I know this question must have been answered several times, but I after searching the web I can't find the answer.
I need new tires for my truck and like the right parameters so I can find the right tires.

I have a 2000 F-250 2WD 5.4L Auto towing vehicle.
The 5th wheel is a 30' 2005 Jazz Thor with a maximum weight of around 10000lb.

My best bet is that I need
- Load Range E or better
- Load Index 123 or maybe a bit less
- Speed Rating K or better.

I don't want to buy too weak tires and get in trouble,
so any comments about the right values would be appriciated.

Thanks and sorry for the repeating question

Thomas

[BenK]

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.

[ThomasM]

Thanks for all the answer, that helped.
To summerize:
I will stick with my 265 tires, since my rims are 265.
I will look for a E rating and load capacity above 120.
With these facts I will try to find a dealer in Albuquerque, where our Rig is in Storage and see what they have...

[doublenot7]

$200+ for a tire is far better $2000+ for repairing blow out damage to your unit.

[rhagfo]

Grit dog wrote:
Don't over think it. Any E rated tire and most D rated tires will fit the bill for your truck and loads. Assuming a 2k pin weight.
"standard" E load tires are index 121, for 3195lbs capacity single wheel.
So load index of 121 or greater is what you're after.
As far as type, brand, model, that is very subjective.
I typically solve that part by buying my tires used off Craigslist. Haven't paid much over 50% for new or almost new tires for years for any vehicles.

Sorry the standard 235/75-16 E's will like have a max rating of 3,042# the 265/75-16 E's will rate 3,415# if 17" tire the rating drops 220# per tire.

[Sport45]

blt2ski wrote:
I'll take a D rated 255 over an E rated 235 in tire sizes mentioned. At least from my experience with my two previous sw 3500 GM's. The D rated 265's Cary the same wt as the 235's. Same diameter, bit skinnier, so handling as not always as good. If you have RIM width, go to the wider tire!

Marty

I agree. But watch the diameters too. I ran 285/75 D's on my F-250 and they had almost the same load rating of the 265/75 E's. But I could tell I was rolling a taller tire by the earlier downshifts on grades, etc. And that was with a V-10 and 3.73 axle ratio. With a Ford 5.4 I wouldn't advise any tire with a larger diameter than stock. Maybe a 255/60R16?

[blt2ski]

I'll take a D rated 255 over an E rated 235 in tire sizes mentioned. At least from my experience with my two previous sw 3500 GM's. The D rated 265's Cary the same wt as the 235's. Same diameter, bit skinnier, so handling as not always as good. If you have RIM width, go to the wider tire!

Marty

[Grit_dog]

Don't over think it. Any E rated tire and most D rated tires will fit the bill for your truck and loads. Assuming a 2k pin weight.
"standard" E load tires are index 121, for 3195lbs capacity single wheel.
So load index of 121 or greater is what you're after.
As far as type, brand, model, that is very subjective.
I typically solve that part by buying my tires used off Craigslist. Haven't paid much over 50% for new or almost new tires for years for any vehicles.

[Sport45]

ThomasM wrote:
Thanks for the answers.
Right now I have the LT265/75-16 on the truck. The former owner did a lot of stupid thinks to the car, like installing a performance chip (the car runs great now with the chip), so I think the tires are too big too.
I will buy the standard 235 tires.
Since I drive only highways, I will stick with standard highway tires.
The E rating seems to be a fact, but I am not shure about the load index.
The cheaper tires have 116 and the better one 123. Not shure if I spend the extra money on 123, any suggestions on that?
We use the truck and trailer only 2 months per year for vacation, so I will never drive 50K miles, so the lasting of the tires is not important.
I am more concerned about the safety aspect...

265/75R16E was the OEM tire size on my '00 F-250 and the rear GAWR was the sum of the two tire load ratings. I think 235/85R16E was the base tire though. What is indicated on the sticker in your door frame?

Discount Tire has Yokohama Geolander A/T-S in 265/75R16E for $140 each if that's more in your budget. I haven't run the A/T-S, but have had good service with other Yokohama tires.

[rhagfo]

ThomasM wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

ThomasM wrote:
Thanks for the answers.
Right now I have the LT265/75-16 on the truck. The former owner did a lot of stupid thinks to the car, like installing a performance chip (the car runs great now with the chip), so I think the tires are too big too.
I will buy the standard 235 tires.
Since I drive only highways, I will stick with standard highway tires.
The E rating seems to be a fact, but I am not shure about the load index.
The cheaper tires have 116 and the better one 123. Not shure if I spend the extra money on 123, any suggestions on that?
We use the truck and trailer only 2 months per year for vacation, so I will never drive 50K miles, so the lasting of the tires is not important.
I am more concerned about the safety aspect...

Just remember the tires carry the lives of your family!

The 265/75-16 E's will have a 231# greater load capacity than the 235's. The larger tires could have been part of an optional camper package.

I would be looking at Michelin LT M/S2+, shop around for the best price, Costco, might be an option.

The VIN sticker on the Drivers door jam will list the minimum size to carry the GVWR of the truck.

Can't find LT only LTX and they are more than $200 a piece, too much for my budget.

They only have a load index of 114 in 265, that is quite low. Shouldn't I shop for a higher load index?

Yes LTX and $200 each is a diecent price! Great wet traction. If you only drive the truck to pull the trailer they are a little spendy. Then again having a truck that you only drive to pull the trailer is spendy also.
My 265/75-16's have a load rating of 3,415# ea. that is 13,660# of tire capacity on a truck with a GVWR of 8,800#.

[ThomasM]

rhagfo wrote:

ThomasM wrote:
Thanks for the answers.
Right now I have the LT265/75-16 on the truck. The former owner did a lot of stupid thinks to the car, like installing a performance chip (the car runs great now with the chip), so I think the tires are too big too.
I will buy the standard 235 tires.
Since I drive only highways, I will stick with standard highway tires.
The E rating seems to be a fact, but I am not shure about the load index.
The cheaper tires have 116 and the better one 123. Not shure if I spend the extra money on 123, any suggestions on that?
We use the truck and trailer only 2 months per year for vacation, so I will never drive 50K miles, so the lasting of the tires is not important.
I am more concerned about the safety aspect...

Just remember the tires carry the lives of your family!

The 265/75-16 E's will have a 231# greater load capacity than the 235's. The larger tires could have been part of an optional camper package.

I would be looking at Michelin LT M/S2+, shop around for the best price, Costco, might be an option.

The VIN sticker on the Drivers door jam will list the minimum size to carry the GVWR of the truck.

Can't find LT only LTX and they are more than $200 a piece, too much for my budget.

They only have a load index of 114 in 265, that is quite low. Shouldn't I shop for a higher load index?

[rhagfo]

ThomasM wrote:
Thanks for the answers.
Right now I have the LT265/75-16 on the truck. The former owner did a lot of stupid thinks to the car, like installing a performance chip (the car runs great now with the chip), so I think the tires are too big too.
I will buy the standard 235 tires.
Since I drive only highways, I will stick with standard highway tires.
The E rating seems to be a fact, but I am not shure about the load index.
The cheaper tires have 116 and the better one 123. Not shure if I spend the extra money on 123, any suggestions on that?
We use the truck and trailer only 2 months per year for vacation, so I will never drive 50K miles, so the lasting of the tires is not important.
I am more concerned about the safety aspect...

Just remember the tires carry the lives of your family!

The 265/75-16 E's will have a 231# greater load capacity than the 235's. The larger tires could have been part of an optional camper package.

I would be looking at Michelin LT M/S2+, shop around for the best price, Costco, might be an option.

The VIN sticker on the Drivers door jam will list the minimum size to carry the GVWR of the truck.

[JIMNLIN]

The 265/75 or the 235/85 both have plenty of capacity.

The trucks current wheels width will determine if you use the 235/85 or 265/75 tire.

The 235/85 is a narrow tire = a narrow wheel.
The 265/75 is a wide base tire = a wider wheel.

[ThomasM]

Thanks for the answers.
Right now I have the LT265/75-16 on the truck. The former owner did a lot of stupid thinks to the car, like installing a performance chip (the car runs great now with the chip), so I think the tires are too big too.
I will buy the standard 235 tires.
Since I drive only highways, I will stick with standard highway tires.
The E rating seems to be a fact, but I am not shure about the load index.
The cheaper tires have 116 and the better one 123. Not shure if I spend the extra money on 123, any suggestions on that?
We use the truck and trailer only 2 months per year for vacation, so I will never drive 50K miles, so the lasting of the tires is not important.
I am more concerned about the safety aspect...

[JIMNLIN]

What size and load range are your present tires ?

Stick with a LT E tire.
Ford came OEM with LT235/85-16 E which takes a 6.5"-7" wide wheel for years but started using LT265/75-16 E tires with a 7.5"-8" wide wheel.

A tire dealer can help you with fitting the right tire size and load range tire for your trucks wheels.