Its time for new skins on the diesel,being that its a 3/4 ton and 4x4,it rides like a brick ship house,I was hoping to find some 10-plys that ride a little softer any ideas?thanx

 

I had a '92 4X4 much as yours is. It was the roughest riding truck I've ever owned. My wife said it rode like a "buck-board". Things I did which helped a "little" was, went to a load range D tires, reduced tire pressure to 50 PSI, chose a non-Michelin & softer tire (General). I like Michelin and have them on my present truck but I think they ride rougher. If you carry big loads then you are stuck with the load range E (10 ply rating) tires and 80 PSI.

My 04 truck rides very smooth & quiet but it is a 4X2.

 

i run 285/75/16 pathfinder at's (bfg knockoff)... i run 50psi in front and 35 psi in rear when empty. seems a little low for the rear? not really. i recently did the ol'chalk across the tire and drive method. it uses the entire tread block at 50front , 35rear and rides very nice indeed. i also have rancho 9000's all around. some may say this is "unsafe" to not use the mfg's suggested pressures, but those #'s are for a maximum loaded veh.

 

I have a set of Kumhos for plowing that are 10 plys, they are little 245's, but they didn't ride that bad. I think if you go with a taller tire in a 10 ply you will get a better ride. I went with 33's for non-winter and they ride like a dream, even with the 047/048 springs up front (the stiffest that Dodge offers)!

 

I put on a set of Goodyear Wranglers. Holy H&!^. I used to have a deep voice. They are great when I have my 35" TT with me. Empty is a whole new ball game.

 

I think Kleenex makes a 10-ply now....or is 3-ply the biggest they make?

 

Lemme ask you guys something. I'm nearing replacement too and was considering the same tire that's on there now, Michelins. They've worn great, and I have no complaints. But if I don't pull anything, and just use it as I do for high speed driving, can I go with a softer "light truck" tire?

 

If you don't tow, you don't need E-rated tires. I don't even think you'd need D rating. You could get by with C as long as the weight rating of the tires covers the weight of your rig with fuel, gear, and pax.

The C rated tires will ride softer too.

 

I went from Michelin 265 E's to Michelin 285 D's - LTX M&S.
I can haul at gross wt all day long with no problem; each tire is rated over 3000 lbs. Ride is much smoother and these tires are quiet! Air pressure from 50-65 psi; I run mine at 60 for mileage and they're still pretty smooth. See http://www.michelinman.com/catalog/index_6.html

I personally would not use a AT/C rated tire on a 7000 lb truck, too weak, highest load rating = 2470 lb, especially if you should ever load it up. Not enough fudge factor here - with 6 months of 90* weather. Just my opinion.



RJ

 

Guys there is nothing wrong with running a C rated tire if you don't haul heavy. A C rated tire rides better, is cheaper and you get the same mileage out of them. I ran Mich. 265/75/16 C rated on mine and they did fine. When I started hauling I went to a E rated tire. Buy the tire for the job. If you don't haul "much" go with the C rated. If you are worried just feel the tire with your hand after a few miles if it's not hot you have enough tire.

 

Cool! So I just cut my tire budget almost in half!

 

Just remember there are legal implications if you are not running tires that are not rated to match the requirements of the truck. If you would happen to be in an accident.

 

i've heard of people separating treads on C rated tires. i , personally, will not go below D rated. most tires for a 16 rim are at least d rated tires. but thats me...

 

True, but they could only ding you if your total tire capacity (one tire x4) was less than the GVW of your vehicle at the time.

My truck is rated to 8800 GVW, but usually weighs less than 6900lb. If my axle weights are within the load limits on the side of the tire, then you are fine. The placard does NOT require e rated tires. It simply tells you what the truck came with, the most weight they can handle, and at what pressure.

jlh