10 ply tires for tow vehicle

[mike06081969]

When I purchased my new Blue Ridge 3705BH a few weeks ago, the dealer encouraged me to purchase a set of 10 ply tires for my Ford F250. Since then, I have been trying to find info on 10 ply tires. I've come to two conclusions: 1. they ain't cheap. 2. I don't know for sure what a 10 ply tire is. From what I can tell, a load range E tire is relative to what used to be called 10 ply tires before the days of radial tires. Is that correct? Should I actually be looking for a 10 ply bias-ply tire or a load range E radial tire? Any advice is appreciated! We are going on a couple fairly long trips this summer and I don't need a blowout.

[flyrotor]

You do not want bias tire, stay with the radials.

I found this explanation on Tire Rack, and since they are a major distributor I would tend to trust the information on this link. Tire Tech Information - Load Range/Ply Rating Identification

Hope this helps

[mike06081969]

Originally Posted by flyrotor

You do not want bias tire, stay with the radials.

I found this explanation on Tire Rack, and since they are a major distributor I would tend to trust the information on this link. Tire Tech Information - Load Range/Ply Rating Identification

Hope this helps

Thank you for the quick reply. I read over this information and it cleared up all the muddy water for me. It confirmed what I was thinking, which is that load range E is the equivalent of 10 ply. This is an awesome forum! Thanks again!

[crocus]

I have E-rated Michelins on our F250, and I think they're worth every penny. They simply don't seem to ever wear!
I would never scrimp on something so vital to my safety.

[sherdep]

Like Crocus said - never scrimp on tires - well worth it to buy the better tire

like stated above about the Michelin's
I had the Michelin LTX MS - in load range E and they wore like iron - I had 65,000 miles on them and they still had alot of meat on them before I got rid of the truck.
they balance pretty descent and will last you a long time - I had them on a 95 Dodge Ram - I towed a 21 foot boat at the time too.

[mtl4]

Originally Posted by sherdep

Like Crocus said - never scrimp on tires - well worth it to buy the better tire

like stated above about the Michelin's
I had the Michelin LTX MS - in load range E and they wore like iron - I had 65,000 miles on them and they still had alot of meat on them before I got rid of the truck.
they balance pretty descent and will last you a long time - I had them on a 95 Dodge Ram - I towed a 21 foot boat at the time too.

X2

Get the Michelin LTX M/S2 in an LT with load range E.
Best tire for heavy highway hauling period IMHO......not cheap but worth every penny!

[Santaclause]

I have load range E on my truck and what a difference with the camper hooked up.

[mike06081969]

I am going tomorrow afternoon to have a set of Michelin LTX A/T2s in load range E mounted on my truck. For whatever reason, none of the tire stores I've checked with locally or online can get their hands on a set of LTX M/Ss in load range E right now. I read several reviews on the A/Ts and they are highly recommended as well. I had a set of them (not in load range E) on an F150 4x4 in the 90s and was well pleased with them, so I expect to be with these, too.

Thanks again to everyone for your help!

[Sgt. Schultz]

OP my understanding was that the F-250's came with load range E tires as standard equipment, just curious with what yours has on it now

[prof_fate]

might just be certain F250's like HD models or something.

My expy has the michelin AT load range E's on it - rides like a truck with just me onboard but I'm sure when towing I'll be glad for the heavier tires. Previous owner put them on to sell it, bought them used off of CL for $80 for all 4. The tread is low but I'll get some use out of them before i have to spring for a new set.

[mike06081969]

Originally Posted by sreddy

OP my understanding was that the F-250's came with load range E tires as standard equipment, just curious with what yours has on it now

What is on it are load range C Continental Contitrac TRs. I assume they are the OEM tires, but I don't know for sure. It is an 08 truck, but I bought it used in 09 with 19K miles on it.

[crocus]

I have the LTX AT michelins, nice quiet ride and endless tread life.
Very stiff sidewalls virtually eliminate that "soft" squirelly feel.

[mike06081969]

Originally Posted by mike06081969

What is on it are load range C Continental Contitrac TRs. I assume they are the OEM tires, but I don't know for sure. It is an 08 truck, but I bought it used in 09 with 19K miles on it.

Well, I was wrong. Went back out and looked at the tires again and they are, in fact, load range E Continental ContitracTRs. They are worn quite a bit (but only 37K miles) and are nearly four years old, so I'm gonna go ahead and get the Michelins anyway. I am a little confused as to why the camper dealer told me I needed to get me a set of 10 ply tires, though. He may have just been talking about the age of the tires.

[wayne anthony]

My 2006 Chev 2500 came with Bridgestone 245-Es. Worked great. My '98 had 245-Es, went with some 265-Ds when replacing (3030 vs. 3000# rating). A couple of tires gave up after 40,000 miles with a fair amount of tread left yet. Wayne

[mtl4]

Originally Posted by mike06081969

Well, I was wrong. Went back out and looked at the tires again and they are, in fact, load range E Continental ContitracTRs. They are worn quite a bit (but only 37K miles) and are nearly four years old, so I'm gonna go ahead and get the Michelins anyway. I am a little confused as to why the camper dealer told me I needed to get me a set of 10 ply tires, though. He may have just been talking about the age of the tires.

In most circles if someone says 10 ply tires they really mean load rated E tires (usually C = 6 ply = 50 psi, D = 8 ply = 65 psi, E = 10 ply = 80 psi and so on, it really refers to the pressure they can run rather than a direct load rating). It's easier to use the load index for comparing actual load carrying capacity (see attached chart). So my Michelin LTX M/S2 LT265/70R17 LRE are indexed at 121 for reference.

[Sgt. Schultz]

Originally Posted by mike06081969

Well, I was wrong. Went back out and looked at the tires again and they are, in fact, load range E Continental ContitracTRs. They are worn quite a bit (but only 37K miles) and are nearly four years old, so I'm gonna go ahead and get the Michelins anyway. I am a little confused as to why the camper dealer told me I needed to get me a set of 10 ply tires, though. He may have just been talking about the age of the tires.

The dealer may have said that as just a general comment - but on a good note since the OEM 's were LRE the rims should be as well and will be rated to support the 80 PSI for max load etc. if they are. If you had C's or D's on the truck you may also have needed rims to go up the load range scale.

Cheers

[flyrotor]

Originally Posted by mike06081969

Well, I was wrong. Went back out and looked at the tires again and they are, in fact, load range E Continental ContitracTRs. They are worn quite a bit (but only 37K miles) and are nearly four years old, so I'm gonna go ahead and get the Michelins anyway. I am a little confused as to why the camper dealer told me I needed to get me a set of 10 ply tires, though. He may have just been talking about the age of the tires.

Sounds like your dealer doesn't know that tire rated in "plies' is old school, and just assumed they were not tuff enough.

[08flagvlite]

X3 or is it X4 on the Michelin LTX. Mine are LTX/AS load range E. They wear like granite! 65k on in law's Dodge truck, just now thinking about replacement, mostly because of their age! I love them, well worth the small bit extra cost. Randy

[rohlingerrv]

I just bought a set of Firestone Transforce Ht for my truck, dont really like the way they feel, they have what I can describe a "spongy" feel, does anyone else have a set of these? if so whats your opinion?

[DogandTrailer]

Hope this chart helps you.
On an F-250, you want E Range tires.