Does anyone tow with these tires? Nitto Terra Grappler 285/60/18. They are weight rated at 3086lbs, but I was told they are only 4 ply. The more people I talk to about ply vs. weight capacity the more I realize no one seems to know for sure. It is time for the original Fire bombs to go. This is the perfect size IMHOP. They look great, dont require the bumper cut, overall diameter is not too drastic of a change.


I tow a Rage'n 5er toyhauler around 12k all loaded with the fun stuff.

Hook up your trailer and put it on a scale (get axle weights).The 285 on anything wider than stock rim may require a bumper trim.


I didn't have my 285 on wide rims w/ my 01 or 02 trucks.


The tires have a heavier weight rating than stock.


The ply rating is different w/ radials but your tires should be D rated.

Motohead,


I'm thinking of doing the same with 285/60/18 Nittos. I tow a 33 foot 5er, about 12K also. What rims (make and size) are you going to put the Nittos on?

I would not use any tire regardless of weight rating that has less then 6 ply. The more plies there is, the more stable the truck will perform. And when you start loading it down a 3 or 4 ply tire will not be very stable.


Look at some of the swimming pools where you air up a tube at the top and then fill it up with water. The liner will support a lot of weight but I would not want the stability under my truck.

Ditto to DMAX TIM. Make sure you do all 3 axle points seperately so you know just how much is on those rear tires.

Motohead, FYI


Nitto Terra Grappler


Load range D


Single 3305 Dual 3000


Tread - 2 steel, 2 polyester, 2 nylon


Sidewall - 2 polyester


The BGF is similar with 8 ply and the D rating. However, the side wall has 3 polyester and the tread losses one polyester or nylon.


BGF - Tread is 5 ply while the sidewall is 3 ply.





Burner

I can tell you the 265 X 16 D rated Goodrich KOs I run now took some to get use to as they are less stable than the original Firestones. It may mean that a less ply tire will only be less stable.


I recommend an E rated tire.

I think it's the foot that matters, not the sidewall. Check out some of the big rig tires. Look at their plys, rating and the count in tread/sidewall. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif

I would not use any tire regardless of weight rating that has less then 6 ply. The more plies there is, the more stable the truck will perform. And when you start loading it down a 3 or 4 ply tire will not be very stable.


Look at some of the swimming pools where you air up a tube at the top and then fill it up with water. The liner will support a lot of weight but I would not want the stability under my truck.

There is little relation between the number of actual plies and the ply rating of a radial. Most LT radials have only 4 physical plies (some less) but carry a higher ply pressure and load rating. His tires are at least rated "D" range to have that capacity. Pay far more attention to the rating, not the actual contruction as pressure rating determine load capacity not the number of plies in tire. ( "C" is 45 to 50psi, "D" is usually about 60 psi though I have seen some rated 65, "E" is 80 psi and I have seen some at 85, and so on with the letter ratings) Also the less physical plies present, the cooler it tends to run at any given load due to the flexing of less "plies" and heat is the number one killer of a tire. Edited by: snoman