D- or E-rated tires on K20 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

johny1i · 06-26-2009, 11:24 AM

Hey guys,
My K20 is my daily commuter, and I seldomly pull a trailer--never anything more than you would pull with a C10 (4-wheelers, hopefully an 18' ski boat in the next year or two!). Question is--I've always been a believer in BFG A/Ts and the sizes I'm interested in are available as either D or E-rated. I have E-rated tires on it now, but I'm wondering if that is making the already rough ride of a 3/4-ton 4x4 unnecessarily worse. Cost isn't an issue--a 265/75-16 in those two ratings varies only by $4 each on Discount Tire.

Thoughts? I'm hoping a D-rated tire at 30-35psi will be an suitable substitute for a 45-50psi E-rated tire given what I use it for.

Thanks!!

72freak · 06-26-2009, 12:34 PM

I run mainly E on all my work trucks but I have had a few that originally came with D's and the ride was no different! On my smaller trucks that have those D or E's I dont run either fully inflated unless i am hauling and then just the rears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johny1i

Hey guys,
My K20 is my daily commuter, and I seldomly pull a trailer--never anything more than you would pull with a C10 (4-wheelers, hopefully an 18' ski boat in the next year or two!). Question is--I've always been a believer in BFG A/Ts and the sizes I'm interested in are available as either D or E-rated. I have E-rated tires on it now, but I'm wondering if that is making the already rough ride of a 3/4-ton 4x4 unnecessarily worse. Cost isn't an issue--a 265/75-16 in those two ratings varies only by $4 each on Discount Tire.

Thoughts? I'm hoping a D-rated tire at 30-35psi will be an suitable substitute for a 45-50psi E-rated tire given what I use it for.

Thanks!!

johny1i · 06-26-2009, 10:57 PM

I hate to derail my own post, but I have to post a pic of my truck because it is uncanny how similar it looks to your suburban, 72Freak! I dig your paint scheme

Thanks for the feedback--

Longhorn Man · 06-26-2009, 11:13 PM

Ihad some E tires on the back of my one ton for a while, when one popped (very loud, in the wrong part of town filled to 85 PSI) I replaced them with some tires off a lete model Tahoe or something. I don't know the rating off the top of my head, but it was instantly SO much nicer to drive. I think the max pressure on them is like 45 or so.

RED72blazer · 06-26-2009, 11:53 PM

I'd go for the e rated.

**gerfunken** · 06-27-2009, 12:04 AM

Just play with the tire pressure. When I'm running my load range D tires around town, I typically keep them between 35-40 PSI. When I drop a load in the back, I make sure that I air them up to a minimum of 60 PSI. The pressure will change the amount of "give" your tire has, and by adjusting up or down, you can change your ride significantly.

CCCC · 06-27-2009, 02:27 AM

The heavier ply rating (E) is primarily a loading factor and it sounds as though you do not deal with any loads beyond what the "D" rated tire would easily handle. Depending on the brand or manufacturer, there may be little to no difference in the ride characteristics of D and E.

But, air presssure is a different matter. If you reduce either tire from 45 psi to 30 psi (33% reduction) you will feel somewhat mushier handling with a bit more "in the road" feel, reduce fuel mileage a bit, and maybe get a little softer ride. But, IMHO with a tightly sprung 72 4x4 you are not going to soften the bumps very much by going down to 30 psi.

That is a very good looking truck.
CCCC

**special-K** · 06-27-2009, 05:23 AM

Load range D is fine,even if you haul some.Just use proper air pressure.I run my tires below max by 5 at least

06-26-2009, 11:24 AM	#1
johny1i Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 21	D- or E-rated tires on K20 Hey guys, My K20 is my daily commuter, and I seldomly pull a trailer--never anything more than you would pull with a C10 (4-wheelers, hopefully an 18' ski boat in the next year or two!). Question is--I've always been a believer in BFG A/Ts and the sizes I'm interested in are available as either D or E-rated. I have E-rated tires on it now, but I'm wondering if that is making the already rough ride of a 3/4-ton 4x4 unnecessarily worse. Cost isn't an issue--a 265/75-16 in those two ratings varies only by $4 each on Discount Tire. Thoughts? I'm hoping a D-rated tire at 30-35psi will be an suitable substitute for a 45-50psi E-rated tire given what I use it for. Thanks!! __________________ '72 3/4-ton 4x4 LWB--my daily driver

06-26-2009, 10:57 PM	#3
johny1i Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 21	Re: D- or E-rated tires on K20 I hate to derail my own post, but I have to post a pic of my truck because it is uncanny how similar it looks to your suburban, 72Freak! I dig your paint scheme Thanks for the feedback-- __________________ '72 3/4-ton 4x4 LWB--my daily driver

06-26-2009, 11:13 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: D- or E-rated tires on K20 Ihad some E tires on the back of my one ton for a while, when one popped (very loud, in the wrong part of town filled to 85 PSI) I replaced them with some tires off a lete model Tahoe or something. I don't know the rating off the top of my head, but it was instantly SO much nicer to drive. I think the max pressure on them is like 45 or so.

06-26-2009, 11:53 PM	#5
RED72blazer urban fourwheelin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,007	Re: D- or E-rated tires on K20 I'd go for the e rated. __________________ 1972 K5 Blazer with Cummins 4BT, NV4500 swap in the parts gathering stage.

06-27-2009, 12:04 AM	#6
gerfunken Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 490	Re: D- or E-rated tires on K20 Just play with the tire pressure. When I'm running my load range D tires around town, I typically keep them between 35-40 PSI. When I drop a load in the back, I make sure that I air them up to a minimum of 60 PSI. The pressure will change the amount of "give" your tire has, and by adjusting up or down, you can change your ride significantly. __________________ -Scott 1972 Chevy K20 Picture Gallery Build Thread 1930 Chevy AD Picture Gallery 1929 Ford Model-A Picture Gallery 1975 Triumph TR-6 Picture Gallery Last edited by gerfunken; 06-27-2009 at 12:05 AM.

06-27-2009, 02:27 AM	#7
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 734	Re: D- or E-rated tires on K20 The heavier ply rating (E) is primarily a loading factor and it sounds as though you do not deal with any loads beyond what the "D" rated tire would easily handle. Depending on the brand or manufacturer, there may be little to no difference in the ride characteristics of D and E. But, air presssure is a different matter. If you reduce either tire from 45 psi to 30 psi (33% reduction) you will feel somewhat mushier handling with a bit more "in the road" feel, reduce fuel mileage a bit, and maybe get a little softer ride. But, IMHO with a tightly sprung 72 4x4 you are not going to soften the bumps very much by going down to 30 psi. That is a very good looking truck. CCCC __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp Last edited by CCCC; 06-27-2009 at 02:28 AM.

06-27-2009, 05:23 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: D- or E-rated tires on K20 Load range D is fine,even if you haul some.Just use proper air pressure.I run my tires below max by 5 at least __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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