Quote:
Originally posted by cappi
Hey guys, thanks for filling in the 8 paragraphs I didn't feel like writing at the time. Seriously, good stuff. By the way, when I'm at the dealer they never check the tire pressure. I know because psi's, front to back, are flipped from what I normally keep 'em at.
Are all the tire manufactures load ratings(C, D, etc.) based on the same scale? I would assume so but thought I'd check. Thanks.
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Yeah, they are on the same scale but what matters to you bottom line is the weight rating at the max pressure. Too, there is a difference between handling weight and handling weight well.
I'm really kind of surprised that your dealer isn't checking the pressure. They should be balancing them (on the annual service) and rotating them with a pressure check. Actually, I prefer to have the rotation done by the tire dealer that sold me the tires rather than Toyota since "that's all they do" and I think they're best equipped to do their job. Too, you have to buy from a good dealer that is going to take care of you for the life of the tires. So I don't just buy on low price. I buy on overall service for the life of the tire.
C or D kind of loosely relates to the ply rating (which is the old fashoned way of rating tires). It used to be that a 3 ply tire was actually 3 plies, but that's not true any more as most tires are two plies. But a "rated" 3 ply or 4 ply tires is an increasingly heavier duty or higher load capacity tire.
However, it's only when you get into the D and E range tires that some manufacturers do indeed add another ply for a total of three on the tread and two in the sidewall unless it's a BFG all terrain which has three in the sidewall (not the rugged trails, the real AT).
Unless you're really hauling things regularly, the P rated tire will be fine and is most comfortable. If you really use it as a "truck" or go offroad (not simple firetrails and gravel roads) then bump up to a C range tire. And if you use it to haul bricks, sand, etc. bump up to a D (or more likely, E range is what you'll find) tire.
Going to an E rated tire is going to cost some in ride comfort and is really made for "heavier duty vehicles" like those offered by the big 3.
Alan