Tire Question

RedRockSierra · January 22, 2008

Ok, I currently have 245/70/17 General Ameritrac, I am not thrilled with these tires, they side wall bows out when I have weight on and they seem kind of flexy. I have researched other tires and I am aware of what a D or E rating means.

However, the tires that I have considered in this size come up as D or E rated. With the stock wheels, I can't pump up to near max pressure and the stock wheels are not designed for that kind of weight. (although I do not carry near 3000 lbs) my question being is it a waste to get a D or E rated tire since the tire can't be ran at its full potenital with max air pressure?

All answers are appreciated...

deerhunter · January 22, 2008

Your info says that you have a 2008 Sierra. I don't know which model, but you can look at the sidewall of your tires to find the max load that they will carry at max PSI. Don't run tires that won't support the weight of your truck plus any cargo you may load.

Where did you get the information that the wheels won't allow max pressure on the tires? I have not seen anything specific to the wheels on my truck, load wise, but the tires will take 80 PSI max and carrry 3195 lbs per tire. I will be running the rear tires at 80 PSI when I finally load the camper on it. Mine truck is a 2500HD.

RedRockSierra · January 22, 2008

Truck is a 1/2 ton short bed, extended cab. I just wanted to have a tire that handles better and does not flatten out when I have tounge weigth and some load in the bed. OK, the tires that are on the truck are basicly passenger rated tires, (rated for 2000 lbs payload) and that is what the wheel is rated for as well.

Told to me buy a tire guy. As for your rig being a 2500, I would imagine that the wheel will accomodate for D or E rated tires.

Your info says that you have a 2008 Sierra. I don't know which model, but you can look at the sidewall of your tires to find the max load that they will carry at max PSI. Don't run tires that won't support the weight of your truck plus any cargo you may load.

Where did you get the information that the wheels won't allow max pressure on the tires? I have not seen anything specific to the wheels on my truck, load wise, but the tires will take 80 PSI max and carrry 3195 lbs per tire. I will be running the rear tires at 80 PSI when I finally load the camper on it. Mine truck is a 2500HD.

rossn2 · January 22, 2008

I have an 2007 Silverado 1/2 extended cab and run the Dueller Revos in a "P" rating. Yes, they bulge at lower air pressure for normal everyday driving. When I'm going to my hunting lease I bump them up by 5 psi to @40psi per tire. You can try going to the 265/70r/17 in a LT (truck) tire. Your local vehicle dealer can reset your speedo for you too. Manufactures put passenger car tires on the trucks to help get a softer ride. Tire Rack has a great website to compare tires and conduct research...I pulled up a quick search on 285/70R/17 "AT" style tires for you.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp...mp;x=15&y=9

Truck is a 1/2 ton short bed, extended cab. I just wanted to have a tire that handles better and does not flatten out when I have tounge weigth and some load in the bed. OK, the tires that are on the truck are basicly passenger rated tires, (rated for 2000 lbs payload) and that is what the wheel is rated for as well.
Told to me buy a tire guy. As for your rig being a 2500, I would imagine that the wheel will accomodate for D or E rated tires.

Your info says that you have a 2008 Sierra. I don't know which model, but you can look at the sidewall of your tires to find the max load that they will carry at max PSI. Don't run tires that won't support the weight of your truck plus any cargo you may load.

Where did you get the information that the wheels won't allow max pressure on the tires? I have not seen anything specific to the wheels on my truck, load wise, but the tires will take 80 PSI max and carrry 3195 lbs per tire. I will be running the rear tires at 80 PSI when I finally load the camper on it. Mine truck is a 2500HD.

jjrobo · January 22, 2008

I upgraded to a load range "C" tire on my 1/2 ton. I run them at 39 psi front and rear. If I know that I am going to have 1000 lbs or more in the back, or a heavy trailer, I pump them up to 50psi. I am really happy with them. In my experience load range "D" and "E" tires on a 1/2 ton will increase wear and tear on front end parts.

Be aware that a heavier tire will have a small negative effect on your mileage.

2004GMC1500CC · January 22, 2008

Truck is a 1/2 ton short bed, extended cab. I just wanted to have a tire that handles better and does not flatten out when I have tounge weigth and some load in the bed. OK, the tires that are on the truck are basicly passenger rated tires, (rated for 2000 lbs payload) and that is what the wheel is rated for as well.
Told to me buy a tire guy. As for your rig being a 2500, I would imagine that the wheel will accomodate for D or E rated tires.

Your info says that you have a 2008 Sierra. I don't know which model, but you can look at the sidewall of your tires to find the max load that they will carry at max PSI. Don't run tires that won't support the weight of your truck plus any cargo you may load.

Where did you get the information that the wheels won't allow max pressure on the tires? I have not seen anything specific to the wheels on my truck, load wise, but the tires will take 80 PSI max and carrry 3195 lbs per tire. I will be running the rear tires at 80 PSI when I finally load the camper on it. Mine truck is a 2500HD.

I don't buy for one minute that the wheel won't handle the higher pressure. What exactly is supposed to happen at the higher pressure?

As far as the tires go, the higher rated tires will be heavier, which will decrease your mpg and will ride harsher, but will last much longer than the P rated tires.

Sonoma · January 22, 2008

I went to a D on my 99 for what I was doing, hauling wood, plowing, etc.

It gave me piece of mind knowing that it would stand up if I needed them.

The P tires on a truck are fine if you don't plan to overload them. (We all know how fast weight can add up... I'll just put a little more on.... !!)

pwall · January 22, 2008

I just this past month put D-rated LT tires on my YukonXL. My travel trailer comes in at 6000lbs dry...load up the truck with the family and the trailer in tow......much perfer the LT tires. ;)

RedRockSierra · January 22, 2008

Thanks for all the info, sounds like C rated tires will work, so far I have only found the Firestone Transforce,

I am trying to stay with the original size tire.

RedRockSierra · January 22, 2008

I upgraded to a load range "C" tire on my 1/2 ton. I run them at 39 psi front and rear. If I know that I am going to have 1000 lbs or more in the back, or a heavy trailer, I pump them up to 50psi. I am really happy with them. In my experience load range "D" and "E" tires on a 1/2 ton will increase wear and tear on front end parts.

Be aware that a heavier tire will have a small negative effect on your mileage.

JJRobo,

What C rated tire did you go with?

cc1999 · January 22, 2008

I bought several GM fleet trucks last year with that same 245/70/17 General tire, I have to say that is the worst tire I have ever seen GM put on a truck. So far 4 of the 6 trucks I bought last summer have not made 30,000 miles with those tires. They have always used light weight cheap tires, I am sure for 2 reasons, one being better cafe ratings , and the other being price. But I use to get at least 40k out of the oem tires.

I also recieved alot of complaints from my employees, about flats as well as short tread life, I guess that general tire is a real POS tire, from what I am seeing so far with out fleet trucks. If a tire can't make at least 40k running up and down the hyway, there is something wrong IMO.

Zembonez · January 22, 2008

You can run a D or E rated tire on any vehicle. It is just a heavier duty and more load bearing tire than a standard tire. Air pressure is a non issue either way. ANY wheel can handle the pressure. You couldn't put enough air in a tire to destroy a wheel... the tire or valve core would give up LONG before the wheel did.

D oe E rated tires will likely ride a little rougher but if run at a lower pressure, they are tolerable. You should notice a lot less "give" in them under load.

dzyuba · January 22, 2008

Ok, I currently have 245/70/17 General Ameritrac, I am not thrilled with these tires, they side wall bows out when I have weight on and they seem kind of flexy. I have researched other tires and I am aware of what a D or E rating means.

However, the tires that I have considered in this size come up as D or E rated. With the stock wheels, I can't pump up to near max pressure and the stock wheels are not designed for that kind of weight. (although I do not carry near 3000 lbs) my question being is it a waste to get a D or E rated tire since the tire can't be ran at its full potenital with max air pressure?

All answers are appreciated...

I had the exact same tires in on my truck and I changed them out last weekend to P265/70R17 Bridgestone Revos and made a big difference. The Generals had horrible wet traction and wore badly especially with any offroad driving.

I have an 2007 Silverado 1/2 extended cab and run the Dueller Revos in a "P" rating. Yes, they bulge at lower air pressure for normal everyday driving. When I'm going to my hunting lease I bump them up by 5 psi to @40psi per tire. You can try going to the 265/70r/17 in a LT (truck) tire. Your local vehicle dealer can reset your speedo for you too. Manufactures put passenger car tires on the trucks to help get a softer ride. Tire Rack has a great website to compare tires and conduct research...I pulled up a quick search on 285/70R/17 "AT" style tires for you.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp...mp;x=15&y=9

When I went from the General AmeriTrac P245/70/R17 to Bridgestone Revos P265/70R17 it actually corrected my speedometer (based on my GPS) even though the Generals came stock. I guess that is because the Revos are actually closer to a 30.5" diameter on the truck versus what the manufacturer claims to be 31.7". I never measured what the Generals were but the manufacturer states a 30.6" diameter. With the Generals the speedometer always showed faster than I was actually going. Maybe GM calculates tire size for the speedometer based on when the tire is not mounted on the truck.

As far as softness of ride and noise, I haven't noticed any difference. My local Firestone store had the Revos on sale for $135 which is cheaper than TireRack.

RedRockSierra · January 22, 2008

Dzyuba,

Any difference in mileage or performance with the bigger tire...

cc1999 · January 22, 2008

Just going from say a P245 to an LT E rated 245 will show some mileage loss. The added unsprung weight is like around 10 pounds per tire, that will show up in lossest mileage. I recently ordered some GY Silent armor ATs in P265/70/17s for my half ton and some LT265/70/17s E rated for one of our 3/4 ton delivery trucks. They came in at the same time so I put them on a scale to just to see the difference , I was a little suprised, I knew they were heaver tires but 10 pounds was more than I thought it would have been.