Towing the tractor, weight issues

[RobertN]

From having towed, and hauled loads in the bed(gravel, cabover camper, dirt ect).

Dump the "C" rated tires. They may be ok for weight range. But the sidewalls will be squishy. You'll feel it wallow around. Find you a minimum "D" rated tire, or even better "E" rated.

I have had mostly 3/4 tons. My last truck had "D" rated tires, with good weight ratings. I could feel the tires squirm with a load though. Switched to a good "E" rated tire. Handled MUCH better. Only caveat, the "E" rated tire is 10-ply equivilant. They rode stiffer...

 

[Bird]

One other caveat, Robert. When you move up in tires; i.e., C rated to E rated, you also move up in recommended tire pressure. If you run them less than 80% of recommended maximum pressure, they may come apart, or develop "bubbles" on the sidewalls. And if you run them at the recommended pressure, that may exceed the capacity of the wheel. Of course, it's been a long time ago when an uncle of mine put heavier tires on his half ton truck and split a rim. And when I decided to put heavier tires on my fifth-wheel trailer, the wheel manufacturer told me I'd have to change wheels, too. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem in every case, but anyone considering changing tires needs to also consider the wheels.

 

[RobertN]

Ya, that could be true; have to check the rims. When I moved from D to E rated tires, it was on a 3/4 ton that had rims rated for the tire and weight. If you put 80psi in an E rated tire, on a 1/2 ton rim, it might be excessive.

This is a good point, especially since there is a move towards tires and rims of same size on 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. Used to be, 3/4 tons ran 16.5's. At least in '01 when my truck came out, you could get 1/2 or 3/4 ton, and both ran 16" rims. Now, 1/2 and 3/4 tons(at least Dodge) have 17" rims.

I have never had a rim go, or a catostophic flat( had bad leaks, but no blow-outs). That would really be a bad thing to have a rim failure /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[LarryRB]

Having an 01 Dodge diesel, I changed out the factory junk tires about this time last year. The factory set up was Michelin E's. I bought Cooper ATR's (e rated).. Even though both are E rated, the Coopers side walls runs circles around the Michelins.. Very solid, great ride, no noise. The sidewalls on the Michelins were so giving, I felt them dangerous. They didn't get over 27000 miles either, so I had to make a change. I haul a Kubota L48 TLB on a Bri-MAr 12,000 GVW trailer. THe Coopers were a great move..