Tyre load ratings
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 8:37 am
The BFG KO2s are starting to get worn so it's time to consider replacements. Having suffered with 121 E-rated KO2s that felt like hard plastic in the rain, and then moving to 116 C-rated (and higher profile) KO2s that were good, I'm looking for some nice soft similarly rated tyres. Almost everything on the Australian and NZ market in 285/70R17 has a 121 load rating, yet the tough truck Ranger Raptor ships with 116 KO2s and my WIldtrak came with a 110 rating or thereabouts.
I'm confused why the tyre suppliers have such love for the least comfortable option when we know that most folks spend far more time on-road than off, and with Ranger being such a big seller I doubt most are running heavy* or getting into rocks regularly.
Does anyone know of any tyres available in this region in 285/70R17 with C, or maybe D rating, or with Passenger construction? So far I'm aware of:
* BFGoodrich KO2 - 116 (available in 121 E and 116 C, so be careful)
* Nitto Terra Grappler - 117
* Kenda Klever AT2 KR628 - 117
Other countries get a choice so it's not like the tyres don't exist. E.g. OE fitment for Range Raptor in South Africa appears to be General Grabber AT3 116 but it's not available here.
Edit: There are a few more options if I drop the size down to 285/65R17, or 275/70R17. As always, it's all about compromises.
* I had a ~600kg load in the tub the other weekend and the rear suspension was definitely feeling soft.
I'm confused why the tyre suppliers have such love for the least comfortable option when we know that most folks spend far more time on-road than off, and with Ranger being such a big seller I doubt most are running heavy* or getting into rocks regularly.
Does anyone know of any tyres available in this region in 285/70R17 with C, or maybe D rating, or with Passenger construction? So far I'm aware of:
* BFGoodrich KO2 - 116 (available in 121 E and 116 C, so be careful)
* Nitto Terra Grappler - 117
* Kenda Klever AT2 KR628 - 117
Other countries get a choice so it's not like the tyres don't exist. E.g. OE fitment for Range Raptor in South Africa appears to be General Grabber AT3 116 but it's not available here.
Edit: There are a few more options if I drop the size down to 285/65R17, or 275/70R17. As always, it's all about compromises.
* I had a ~600kg load in the tub the other weekend and the rear suspension was definitely feeling soft.