Load range vs load index

[tacollie]

What's the difference between between the load range and load index ratings? The Internet says load range is out dated and to use the load index. I found a decent deal on some tires. They are load range F but the load index is 128. My current tires are load range E but the index is 129. I honestly don't think the Fs will be any worse. This does have me rethinking how I've been shopping for tires. Especially since there are a lot of E rated tires with a load index to low for me. Do the load ratings matter anymore?

 

[rruff]

Load index is the max weight capacity. https://www.discounttire.com/learn/load-range-load-index

 

[tacollie]

@ruff I get that. Do the letter ratings actually mean anything anymore? Maybe they change the compound as you go down the alphabet to accommodate for heavier vehicles.

 

[luthj]

Load range is pressure and equivalent ply ratings. Between tires of the the same range but different sizes the load capacity will vary. The tire and wheel association defines what layers of reinforcement are needed for the equivalent ply rating (fabric equivalent plies). This is mostly sidewalls, but also affects tread belt reinforcement.



Load index is specific, and will tell you exactly that tires capacity is. Two tires of the same size and load range can have significantly different load index (and thus maximum carrying capacity). This can be very important when using oversize or non stock tires, and you are running near a tires max load. Choosing the same size and load range in that case may result in an overloaded tire. The OEM size and load range takes that into account, and they select typically for the lowest weight capacity for a given load range/size.

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

I think the use of "Load Range" is unique to tyres made in the USA. The rest of the world talks "Load Index".
Like "Ply Rating". Its value disappeared with cross ply tyres 50 years ago.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[luthj]

For example on the confusion with load range. In the 35" tire, a range E is 128 load index. While a smaller tire in the same range E is 120 index. A difference of nearly 900lbs per tire.

 

[tacollie]

Yeah I still don't get the point of load range. The guy at the tire shop did tell me some manufacturers actually use a stiffer tread and center section on higher load range tires. He told me on the tires in question that the sidewall were the same for different load ranges. I'm not sure if that's accurate but he is the owner of the shop and a customer of mine so I'll give him a little more credit. He also sold me a set of KO3s cheap enough that if I don't like them in 6 months I can unload them and come out flush. Honestly I wasn't interested in them but I couldn't say no to the price.

I think from now on I'm just going to buy tires based on the load index.