Comparing tire weight ratings

WantedWolf · Feb 13, 2009

Why are tires rated higher for a single tire then for a dual tire? Ex.

LT225/75R-16, Pro Comp Radial all terrain
Max Load 2,680 Single Tire /2,470 dual tire

more examples at:

Pro Comp Radial All Terrain Tires - Pro Comp Truck Tires, All Terrain Truck Tires

Diamondpilot · Feb 13, 2009

I believe its because you run higher pressure but not 100% sure on that.

Chris

john_bud · Feb 14, 2009

No, not the higher pressure. It's because if one goes "pop!", the other needs to be able to carry the load. Duals carrying 2470 is 4940 pounds per pair. If one pops the other is now carrying 4940 by itself. Grunt. Reading between the lines, the "safety factor" in the tire is up to 4940 where the load rating is 2680. Not to say you should run it at 4940!!, but should one have a dual go out, you will be able to put on the spare without the other one also spontaneously popping too from the sudden extra weight.

SPYDERLK · Feb 14, 2009

john_bud said:
No, not the higher pressure. It's because if one goes "pop!", the other needs to be able to carry the load. Duals carrying 2470 is 4940 pounds per pair. If one pops the other is now carrying 4940 by itself. Grunt. Reading between the lines, the "safety factor" in the tire is up to 4940 where the load rating is 2680. Not to say you should run it at 4940!!, but should one have a dual go out, you will be able to put on the spare without the other one also spontaneously popping too from the sudden extra weight.

Also that duals fight each other slightly, and even discounting that, will run hotter with equal #/tire because of a proximal warm companion.
larry

WantedWolf · Feb 14, 2009

Thanks guys, Thats all making sense. Safety
there sure are alot of things to consider with tires. and the multiple rating system only makes it worse.
At one point C,D,E, were related to plys, but now it seems its an overall quality index. I can get 3 thick plys in an "E-Class" tire but is it better than an E-Class tire with 8 or 10 thinner plys? When the weight ratings are same.

Can anyone recomend a tire?
The current rims are 16x6,
current tires are about 7" wide by 30" high(measured with trucks weight on)
I need a good balence of offroad qualitys and on highway not be to rough and noisy. Above all the weight rating is important because its for a 1.5 ton. and I need to fit rear duals so not to wide.

I like the tread and sidewall on the BFG AT KO, But was recomended a
Hankook R04 and a Nexan ATII but I dont think they are agressive enough.

Diamondpilot · Feb 14, 2009

The BFG you listed are what I have on my F-150 and F-250. Got another brand on the F-350 and they will not get through 1/2 the stuff the BFG's will. The AT KO is the best on the market for your purpose and mine also. A good second choice that is cheaper is the General Grabber. They are pretty good also but don't do as good at chucking the mud out of the tread and getting a bite as the BFG 's do. A good tire all in all just not as good as the BFG but you pay more for the BFG.

Also look at Toyo and Big O. Big O has a nice house brand made by Toyo at a good price but probably a little to aggressive for your needs.

Chris

Cacinok · Feb 16, 2009

yokohama geolander mud terrain is a great off-road tire, but as w/ all mud tires, it sings to you on road.

i'm running bfg all terrains on my gmc 3/4 ton and will add them to our excursion when it's time. they are very quite on the road and do well to shed mud, to an extent. they also work extremely well in snow and ice.