Tire load ratings
 

Okay, so I'm replacing my OEM tires ('08 H3). In my search for like sized alternatives to the factory tires, I've only found one with the same 'C' load rating, the Yokohama M/T Somethingorother... Everything else that I've found is either a 'D' or an 'E'. Stiffer.

So my question to all you guys that have put these stiffer sidewall tires on your H3's is this: how has it affected the ride/handling of the truck?

Many thanks...

With the name "detroit" I would hope you are not even thinking of getting rice rubber for your truck!

I run 33" Goodyear Duratracs, load range E
I also have installed Bilstein shocks.
Yes I have a stiffer ride than the stock tires & shocks, but I have driven trucks all my life and the stiffer ride is what I wanted.
The handling in my opinion is better with the slightly stiffer ride.

08 Alpha
 

Just replaced mine(originals)with sameP265/75R16 size Goodyear Wrangler Silent armour...Highway,city are both great..no noise..rated 9 or better for rain and snow traction and off road (as long as it aint a 2 foot deep mud bog) but then the most I need 'em for is the prairie gumbo of South Dakota,heavy snow and torrential rain..good to go where I want..look good also:cool:

Which tires are you replacing? Goodyear Wrangler GS/A or Duellers? 265/75R16 or the 285/75R16s?

Plenty of options available in C/D/E ratings in each size. What are yoru needs from the new tires? Street Queen, DD & some trails, OffRoad 2-3 times a month, etc.

Doc Olds, witty comment. And since you mention it, I would really prefer to stay with American made/owned rubber. We've taken a beating here the last few years. I'd like to support our economy as best as I can...

Tainter, I'm replacing the 265/75 Wranglers. My intent is to bump up to 285/75, or perhaps a bit larger if it means a better tire. That said, I'm not what one would call and off-roader. I'll take the thing to the sand dunes on the west side of the state once or twice a year or follow a mate (who IS what you would call an off-roader) around on one of his off-road excursions, but that's about it. I don't want to hamper the vast majority of my driving which is, of course, on the road. I guess that begs the question why not just use the up option OEM Dueller, and that's fair. I may do just that. If there's superior option out there, however, then all the better...

Alright we have a starting point now. American, mostly on road but some OffRoad with a good ride and tread life.

Cooper Tires - American Made AND Owned!

Discoverer A/T3- Kinda "passenger car" looking but great all around tire.

Discoverer S/T MAXX- All E rated but I have heard great things about them and they have an agressive sidewall look but a quiet all terrain tread pattern

Mickey Thompson Tires (owned by Cooper) - American Made AND Owned!

ATZs- "D" rated in both the 285 and 305 size. Great all around tire with great winter and wet performance (also sand)

The ATZs in a 305/70R16 (33x12x16) would be my personal first choice for your type of driving enviroment. Wider than the 285 but the same height. Doc has the 305 MTZs on his OEM H3 rims and they perform very well!

Thanks for the input, boys.

wow great information about the different tires

PrimeWell 285/75R/16 E rated. Chinese made, Chinese prices, Chinese performance, but at $700 installed at Firestone, its what I could get into. Ride is super stiff at tire requires minimum 50psi. Great post, I will go American next round your all making me feel like an infidel! lol