Advice Wanted On Load Range E Tires (10 Ply)

[SMW]

Hello All! In need of some advice on tires. Currently have a 2015 Silverado 1/2 ton with 2" Leveling Kit on factory wheels and Nitto Terra Grappler G2. The Terra's are P Rated tires in either 4 or 6 ply (don't know which).

 

While I like the looks, ride and noise of the Terra Grappler's, I do hate one thing about them.....they sling a ton of rocks causing rock chips in my paint. I do travel down a 1/2 mile gravel road once a week. When I leave, I hear the rocks pinging the truck. I'm at the point that I'm thinking of removing the Terra's.

 

Everyone tells me that a Hybrid or Mud Terrain tire will sling less rocks due to more open grooving in tread. All hybrid or MT tire is a load range E which is 10 ply. Currently looking at a 285/55/20 Toyo RT or a 295/55/20 Nitto Ridge Grappler. These tires weigh roughly 20 pounds each more than the Terra's.

 

The advice needed is what should I expect on switching to a Load Range E? How much fuel mileage loss, stiff ride, bad idea?? Thanks for any advice.

[michigan2500hd]

FYI.. My Falken Wildpeak AT3 is a hybrid but standard load. I've had a E load tire on a half ton before.. Never again.

 

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[Waaazooo]

My KO2's are E rated. Pretty firm ride not loud or harsh. Don't seem to throw many rocks. Have you thought about flaps for the tires?

 

 

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[Spurshot]

The ride quality is heavily dependent on the tire pressure. A modern Load Range E tire is not 10 plies. That was the old cotton ply system, gone for nearly half a century. A modern LR E tire will have maybe 3 actual plies for the carcass (sidewall). What a LR E offers, in addition to more load capacity, is more puncture resistance in the sidewall from rocks and even in the tread from dried brush stubble, etc. (trust me on this). Since I hunt in some remote areas, I always buy LR E tires (ever since my bad experiences) when equipping any new truck for hunting. If your uses don't include worry about sidewall and tread punctures or carrying heavy loads, you may not want or need a LR E tire. I think your option of the taller sidewall will improve ride quality.

 

As for mileage difference LR E vs a lower rating, I don't believe there would be any notable or little difference between two tires of the same size and tread. The really big hit on mileage is from the change to a taller tire and the rolling resistance. The change to a taller tire requires more power to turn the tire to accelerate at the same rate as the shorter tire, as well as simply maintaining highway speed. Added rolling resistance comes from many things, but tread width, tread style, carcass construction, and of course, tire pressure, all play into it. So when you go from a stock skinny 31" tire to a 35" x 12.50 LR E mud tire, you hit all the points that detract from mileage.

[KARNUT]

I spent my working career on pipeline and power line ROWs (40) years. I went with highest ply I could find, my ride quality was more dependent on air pressure. I went a low as I could go depending on weight in the bed. My tread life was dependent on rotation, usually every 5K miles.

[HoosierZ]

I went from standard load (6ply) 275/65/18s to LR E (10 ply) 285/65/18s and I noticed no difference in the ride. I ran the 275s at 35psi all around. I run the 285s at 45psi front/ 40psi rear.

 

As far as mud tires picking up less rocks, they just pick up larger rocks. My running boards take a beating but they save the paint.

[SMW]

My KO2's are E rated. Pretty firm ride not loud or harsh. Don't seem to throw many rocks. Have you thought about flaps for the tires?

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Would rather have rock chips than flaps. Just not a fan.