Hey there...I posted this on the 3rd gen forum, but not many 3/4 ton's with hemi's there, so I figured I'd ask you guys the same question. Was looking to change tires soon, not very happy with the stock BFG Rugged Trail on my truck. Stock range is "E", but I've found some "D" rated tires that are 285's vs. the stock 265's. I run all 4 corners at 70psi right now and it's actually not all that bouncy without a load in it...my question is, will a D rated tire ride the same with similar mpg as compared to an E rated tire at the exact same pressure? Didn't know if the extra ply's would make a difference in ride quality or mpg.....both max load ratings are actually the same with both D and E tires, just different psi at max. Your thoughts?

 

here is what I have experienced is that the load d range tires are softer and if you run accross any shell rock odd road then you will chuck your tires as the d range tires are made a bit softer. There are several people here who run d range tires I for one will spend the extra coin to purchase an e range tire vs a d range. my .02

 

Deffinately E rated is the way to go, my D rated tires didnt last that long either with the weight of the truck, my new pro comps are E rated and actually am getting more miles out of a tank with them. Dont know if it has to do with the harder rubber or what.

 

The difference between the D and the E is weight carrying ability. If you are using your truck more as a car and not hauling anything with alot of weight the D should work. The E is on there from the factory for the ability to handle heavy loads up to the GVW of the truck. I personally would stick to the E rated tires.

 

I talked to my tire guy yesterday he said they have the same weight capacity D-8 ply 65#E-10 ply 85#

 

Your D tire may have the same weight capacity as an E, but those 2 extra plies make a big difference in how well it will hold that load once your moving that load down the road. If Dodge felt our trucks would be safe with D rated tires they would of came with D rated and not the E rated or better requirement they come with from the factory. My self I will not ever put a D rated tire on my truck as I've seen too many D rated tires sidewalls blow out when under load.

 

you may have the same load capasity at 55 mph with the d where the E would be rated to 65 mph. be careful with your speed when loaded with the D rated tires they will heat up and fly appart. happens all the time here in AZ

 

If you're really interested more in load capacity and long tread wear life, consider a 19.5 "G" rated tire. They are 14 ply tires that are reported lasting well over 100k miles. Amuch more stiffer tire, as the side walls flex very little.

 

well i have hankook 3510.5R16 D rated tire on my truck and im getting close to 30'000miles in a year and im about half tread left,i would probably have to change them around 50'000miles
since my truck is a dually 400$ tires get expensive pretty quickly.... mine costed 230$ each so the 1300$ bill was easier to swallow and im not pretty sure doubling that bill would double the
life expectency of my tires... my truck weight 9800lbs unloaded whit about 500lbs of tools in it and 2 people im always overloaded and i love the way those tires react and the truck dont
vibrate at all whit those big chunck of rubber...also i picked up about 60 miles out of every tank by reducing rpm from 2200 to 1800 at cruise speed around 70mph
My 2¢

 

The trucks suspension was designed around "E" tires. Spring rates, shocks, and other sonsiderations go into that design. Can you run "D" tires? Yup, lots of folks do it. WOuld I recommend it? Nope, and I won't run them on my truck. For some reason the tire shops like to push the "D" tires. My guess would be they make a higher profit margin on them. Buyer be ware.

BTW, what don't you like about the Rugged Trails. I had a set on my '04 Ferd that ran 75K miles.