F250 Tyres

As Bob has stated our tyres are LT 265/75R16 and have a LOAD INDEX of 123 that being the part of the 123/120R printed on the tyre. Load index 123 has a max rating of 1550kg in a single fitment.
Our tyre placard states a max loading of the rear axle of 2817kg and a speed rating of at least "L" i.e. 120kph max speed has to be fitted.

As you can see Ford has gone very conservative, probably because of the firestone tyre debacle in the USA. We have a max load rating on the axle of 2817kg but the tyres can handle 3100kg. Here are the load rating used by tyre manufacturers ....

116 -1250kg 117- 1285kg 118-1320kg 119-1360kg 120-1400kg 121-1450kg
122-1500kg 123-1550kg 124-1600kg 125-1650kg
And speed ratings ...

J-100kph K-110kph L-120kph M-130kph N-140kph P-150kph Q-160kph

According to our tyre placard we need at least a L for speed and a 121 load index tyre.

The trouble is not many companies make them. They are on their way but dont hold your breath. BFG highest load rating in our fitment is 120-1400kg so is only 17kg short for total axle weight. To be realistic to have 2817kg on rear axle aint my idea of fun and you would get away with the BFG..... but it aint legal. Technically the vehicle is unroadworthy and I like my insurance cover for the whole rig.
Whether you prefer road pattern or all terrain might be a case of grab what you can get for awhile.
Michelin has a tyre on the way and I believe it is rated at N-140 and 123 Load Index .... probably on a slow boat from Europe ! <smile>

Regards
Anthony

We have a largish Ambulance Station ,about a kay from home, that has 4-5 Effies. I'll drop in with some Tim Tams and check where their tyres come from .... Every time I go past in mine they salute me !!!!! <walktheplankgrin>

Anthony

Anthony wrote: "probably on a slow boat from Europe ! <smile>" Angie wrote: "Want me to bring a set with me of these too Anthony? If I take the bathers out of my case there will be plenty of room"

Anthony With the BT hitched & everything aboard, including boat, but without tensioning weight distribution hitches we would be at least 400kg below max loading of 2817kg on rear axle. Nominally some 1200kg per tyre. The BFG's we have fitted are 120/116 S a fitted specification of 1400kg max per tyre. The hitch takes 80 - 90 kg to the front. What is legal? Our BFG's are rated above both, Max Axle Loading (actual not nominal, although, as you say 17kg below nominal) & Registered GVM - is the Ford Specification a legal requirement under State Law? Anyone who loads 2800kg on the rear will be waaay over GVM. The Goodyear Wranglers are as noisey as hell. Andy

G'day Andy,

Unfortunately an insurance company, as usual, would have you by the short and curlies.
<smile>
This statement is on the tyre placard and I believe is part of an (ADR) Aust Design Rule.

On our F250 it states ....

The SUM of the load carrying capacities of the tyres fitted to any axle or axle group of this vehicle shall NOT be less than the relevant load shown above.

Above says ... Front Axle 2241kg Rear Axle 2817kg

Black and white really .... even though you are still safe I reckon .... it you dont comply with an ADR/Road Rule you're rendering the vehicle unroadworthy. For one you would have to have an accident and two the wrong tyres would have to be discovered. The higher the load rating the tougher the tyre against impact damage. I know its only 10% more load but would help some especially as the tread gets lower.

It would also be possible to have (although improbable) over 2817kg on rear axle and be under GVM .... just say some wally puts a load of wet sand in the tray ... the front goes up taking weight off and the rear has say 2850kg on axle leaving 1323kg on front ... just equalling GVM of 4173kg. Of course you would need a weighbridge to check this as I think we have about 1750 on front axle ..... normally ?

BTW How's your trip going .... Hope you and Jude are enjoying yourselves !!!!

Regards
Anthony

When I was buying my F250, I asked Ford to put BFG on vehicle as new. They took vehicle to Tyre service, found that BFG would make it unroadworthy and then refused to put BFG on, so I still have what Ford supplied.