BFG 265/75/16 D load range no longer available???

[CO_FlyFisher]

C and D load range no longer available??? (title changed)

I'm looking at getting new tires for the truck before winter sets in here in the Denver area. However, I think I have a problem. It appears that BFG no longer makes the 265/75/16 size tire in a D load range. I really don't want to go to an E size.

I DO currently have D load rated 265/75/16 BFG's (120/116S) on my truck with about 42k on them now. They certainly could go a bit longer wrt tread, but they are getting low and with winter approaching soon in the Denver area, I don't want to leave them on for another cold snowy season (they were bad enough last winter).

I don't know how this can be, but it DOES appear that BFG no longer makes this size tire in a D load range. I can't find it anywhere on their site OR any of the other tire sites (including Costco). What the heck gives??? How could they stop making this tire in the lighter load range? E load range is WAY too stiff for our trucks, and I really don't want to go back to 265/70/16 just to get the D load range (not to mention the price goes up by $20 per tire).

Can anyone confirm they're no longer made? I have an e-mail in to BFG, but thought someone here might have the skinny.

I've been really happy with these tires, and I'd hate to go with something else (OPTIONS), but I may not have a choice. TIA.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I did some searching too and you appear right that BFG may not be making the D load range anymore in that size. That sucks since I kinda thought that was a popular size and D load rating is perfect for our 4000lb trucks. I wish the Duratracs came in D but I have no complaints on or off road with my C load rated version.

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

Wow, only one reply! I guess this may not be general knowledge just yet. Maybe this is a recent development and I'll be lucky enough to find some D load range tires still around locally. :shrug:

Ron, sucks is an understatement at this point!!! I cannot understand why they would drop these tires, as from what I understood this was a REALLY popular tire for mid-sized "Utes" like ours (including many Heeps).

I've been pricing the standard sized BFG 265/70/16 in the D load range, and I'm looking at over a GRAND installed. I don't friggin think so!!! :rant: Granted I haven't actually gone inot a store and haggled with them, but when the starting price is that high I think I'd be lucky to get them down to the $800 range.

Looks like I'm going to be researching some different tires unless I can find out some good news from BFG.

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

OK, now I'm getting pissed off! I was heavily considering the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor in 265/75/16, but "C" load rated as a replacement for the BFG's. It looks like Goodyear JUST discontinued these!!! They were on Goodyear's own website AND tirerack just last week, and now they're gone!!! :wtf:

Seriously, choices in "C" and "D" load ratings in 265/75/16 are dwindling. What gives???

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

I know I haven't received many comments here (but enough views), but it may be because this is relatively new information.

I thought I should share what I've been told. So far, 5 different shops at 4 different chains (Discount, Goodyear, Firestone, and Sears) have all told me that ALL load ranges below "E" in LT tires are being phased out, with the possible exception of MT/R's. They claim that overall they were poor sellers and that MOST people bought P-metric instead.

Apparently, LT and P-metric designations were developed in parallel and their load/speed ratings used to have quite different meanings. Now, they are much more similar (just about the same) and in a given tire the load/speed ratings are esentially the same. No more of the "6-ply", "8-ply", "10-ply" LT tires. Already, in a given size (such as my 265/75/16), by design the P-metric tire carries more load at a higher speed than a "C" load rated LT, and almost as much as the "D" load rating, but at a lower tire pressure. I was told that almost all LT tires below "E" are now only a 2-ply sidewall (with the BFG all-terrain being the possible exception with 3) because the tech. has gotten such that 2 plies are strong enough and more than sufficient for most purposes.

Apparently the industry is still "in flux" (not everyone knows), and these changes have not yet been standardized but they are working on it.

Anyway, I can't claim this is 100% accurate, but that's what I have been told in the last 48 hours, and it seems to jive based off of the lack of availability I'm finding. In 265/75/16, I esentially don't have a choice other than P-metric or LT in the "E" load range (which is too much for my truck and how I drive it). Also, this may not be the case where a specific model of tire is not available ina P-metric size. Hopefully this will help someone out in the future, as I had just about no luck finding any information on this online other than lack of tires.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Why are you so dead set on the KOs?

That's really interesting about all other load ranges being phased out. I really hope that's not true. Did each of the five shops basically tell you the same thing?

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

Actually, I'm not set on the BFG's (this discovery has helped change that). I'm probably going to buy GY Wrangler Silent Armors.

I am pretty confident that the lower load ranges ARE being phased out however, and I'm not too keen on it either (I reallly wonder about the TRUE difference in durability versus P-metric, but I'm a skeptic at heart). All of these shops told me basically the same story; most manufacturers stopped making the lower load ranges earlier this year. What stores currently have is leftover stock. There may be a handful of exceptions to this, but go have a look at any of the popular A/T tires on their manufacturer's sites for yourself. Look at the list of available tires, and you'll note a distinct lack of C and D load ranges in the LT series (where P-metrics are also available).

As my first post says, I know for a fact that the the D is discontinued in the BFG, and now the C is discontinued in the GY Silent Armor in LT265/75/16.

 

[Flyer]

Cooper Discoverer ATRs may have C left but in general, it it true...C and D are being phased out. P and E will remain. I'll stick with P.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I agree that there is probably a difference between the P rated tires and then the C,D, and E's.

Have you looked at the Duratracs? I think you would like them at least as much as you liked the KOs.

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

I have considered the DuraTracs: HERE

I'm an engineer; this decision has been weighed and analyzed more than it should have ever been (I've been looking with real purpose for a couple of weeks now, but half-heartedly for over a month).

 

[JB.]

I am pretty confident that the lower load ranges ARE being phased out however, and I'm not too keen on it eithe

I seem to have noticed the trend, too, but I'm not surprised since an E will fill in quite well for a C but not the reverse. There's no reason an E tire should feel much stiffer than a C, at the same psi, if the only construction difference between the two is the minimum extra material added to the E to handle the extra pressure. Constructed this way, the tires would feel pretty similar to each other. Revo 2 LT is a good example of this. I doubt the E feels much different from the C. When you made the thread I was going to suggest you try the BFG load E but I don't know its specific construction relative to the other load ranges so I didn't want to go out on a limb.

(I reallly wonder about the TRUE difference in durability versus P-metric.....

I think I know what you mean, but technically Ps are more durable than LTs. Why? Because the word durability in the tire world means a tires ability to resist coming apart (including any tread chunking) due to high speed use over time. This is the main reason Ps are more suitable for pavement use.

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

I cannot say from personal experience that an E load range would be too stiff, but there are a lot of people out there that claim they are on a lighter truck/SUV.

My concern would be that since most load range E tires are designed for max load at 80 psi, that airing them down to say 35 psi to soften them up, would cause excessive heat, premature wear, and possibly failure. I have read that you shouldn't air them down that much for daily use.

Anyway, I'd love to get definitive answers to all of this but I have yet to find something that could convince me 100%.

 

[02SE]

I too have noticed the gradual disappearance of C and D Load range LT tires. Toyo still (as of a few weeks ago) makes the Open Country AT in LT 265/75R16 C.

I put about 40k miles on a set in that size and load range, and they did well in every weather condition from 100+ temps, to bitter cold and deep snow, and everything in between.

 

[Maz]

Tirerack.com does show availablity for the Duratrac in a 265/75/16 "C" size / rating. Personally I think you'd be happier with those over the KO which is pretty old technology now. There have been some reports of soft sidwalls on the Duratrac leading to "wandering" on the road. However that's been pretty exclusively a complaint of heavy vehicles i.e. diesel rigs.

People driving moderate weight vehicles like the T4R haven't reported any such problems. In fact a friend of mine with a T4R has the Duratracs and goes offroad religiously. He even has a lot of heavy mods, but still swears by them. Good luck on finding your new shoes.

 

[chaz]

some of the guys with 5th. gen.s who bought the duratracs said the C had to much side wall flex, were squishy, & wandered on the highway, so they went with E instead & like it better. C may be good for most, but there are a few that prefer a D or E on they're 4x4s no matter what size it is, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/68869-goodyear-duratrac-issues.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/71503-e-rated-tire-questions-concerns.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/70157-duratracs-installed.html

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've done a ton of research, and I am NOT looking at the BFG's any more. Also, I have looked hard at the DuraTracs (see post #10 above), and have pretty much decided on the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor. If I did more offroading and less highway, I'd probably have gone for the DuraTrac.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

The Silent Armors will be a good choice for you. You will probably get a little more mileage out of them than the Duratracs. I honestly don't think the Duratracs are bad on the road.

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

From the exhaustive research I've done, it sounds like the DuraTracs do quite well on-road, especially given their design intent (to fit between an AT and a MT). However, I have read more than a few accounts saying that they wear a bit faster than desired when the majority of the driving has been on-road, and several users expecting 30k or less based on a year of wear (they're warranted for 40k).

The SA's have a 50k warranty and better on-road manners, and still do well off-road (many reports say just as good as the BFG's). Considering even the worst I've thrown at the BFG's I have now, I expect the SA's to do fine (and since I try to stay away from heavy mud, that shouldn't be an issue). If the truck wasn't a daily-driver, I'd probably go for the DuraTracs.

 

[JB.]

I cannot say from personal experience that an E load range would be too stiff, but there are a lot of people out there that claim they are on a lighter truck/SUV.

I'm convinced that a large part of the reputation for harshness is simply because high load tires have always tended to be used at higher pressures. Kind of like, "yeah, I remember dad had 10 ply tires and, man, they'd jar your fillings loose". Meanwhile, dad was running them at 80psi. All I can say is I'm glad I was skeptical. Otherwise, I would have had to pass on a tire I really like.

My concern would be that since most load range E tires are designed for max load at 80 psi, that airing them down to say 35 psi to soften them up, would cause excessive heat, premature wear, and possibly failure.

Understandable, as it would sure seem to make sense, but the load/inflation tables make no distinction between E,D,C down in the psi ranges in common. I, too, find it hard to believe there is zero difference but apparently it's too subtle to show up in the tables. The really big dividing line is between P and LT. If you're willing to make the compromises involved in that leap, I wouldn't worry too much about the load range, but, I admit, I have read some things that suggested a difference can show up in the high speed durability of a tire over time when consistently run far away from max design pressure, load tables notwithstanding. That slight uncertainty is part of the reason why I now insist my load E tires (actually, any tires) have full width nylon belt overlay reinforcement, aka a cap ply. It addresses, in particular, the speed issue. It's a statistical thing most people don't care about but if part of your concern is tire failure, I think the Silent Armors are a good choice as they seem to have this construction (with kevlar).

 

[p nut]

CO - Have you already made the purchase? I, too, have BFG KO load range D on my Land Cruiser (265/75/16) and would like to get another set (current set has 50k miles with maybe 10k more worth of tread left). I was disappointed to find no more D available. I've looked at and tried other tires, but I always keep coming back to the KO's. Only ones I haven't tried are GY Duratracs, which don't interest me too much now that I've read some subpar reviews on them.

I've got two thoughts for you:

1) I have read good reviews on Yokohama Geolander AT-S tires. They're available for pretty cheap ($138/tire SHIPPED from discounttiredirect. Load range D). I have wheeled with a guy running these AT-S's and he says he has zero complaints. Great road manners and great off-road, snow, rain, etc. 50k mile warranty. I am thinking of giving this tire a try.

2) 275/70/16's. Slightly smaller than 265/75/16's, but little wider. Prices seem to be a bit more, but at least it's an option bigger than the stock size. KO's available in Load Range D. I'm also thinking of going with these for the Land Cruiser. I've just been so pleased with the KO's, which has me thinking the $70/tire price difference with the AT-S's will be worth it.

Either way, I am going to get a set this month, and probably around Thanksgiving when tire shops will be handing out some good deals (hopefully). Firestone has buy 3 get one free going right now, which I hope will trickle over to BFG or Yokohama.

EDIT: One thing I will say, though. I had 235/85/16 load range E BFG KO's on my old Tacoma (lighter than 4Runner) and didn't really notice any negative affects of the stiffer sidewalls. Ride was almost the same as the D's. No problems running them at 38-40psi (even though the max is 80). No premature wear or any signs of irregular wear. Regularly aired down to 15-20 psi for off-road.

The postives were that the tread is a bit deeper than D's. Also, the new 265/75/16's come in 2 different LR E's---one has Severe Weather Service rating (snowflake symbol) and the other doesn't. Maybe this will be my 3rd option.