| [GMCnet] Tire ply ratings [message #185967] |
Sun, 30 September 2012 04:41 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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I made a mistake in an earlier post. I had said that 8 ply equaled load Range E. Actually that is load Range D.
I am no longer used to references to the number of plies.
The load range or ply rating branded on a tire's sidewall helps identify how much load the tire is designed to carry at its industry specified pressure. Light truck tires (used on the GMC motorhome) use load ranges that ascend in alphabetical order (letters further along in the alphabet identify stronger tires that can withstand higher inflation pressures and carry heavier loads). Before load ranges were adopted, ply ratings and/or the actual number of carcass plies were used to identify the relative strength with higher numeric ratings or plies identifying tires featuring stronger, heavier duty construction.
Today's load range/ply ratings do not count the actual number of body ply layers used to make up the tire's internal structure, but indicate an equivalent strength compared to early bias ply tires. Most radial passenger tires have one or two body plies, and light truck tires, even those with heavy-duty ratings (10-, 12- or 14-ply rated), actually have only two or three fabric plies, or one steel body ply.
I just buy Load Range E and don't pay any attention to the plies other than whether they are steel or "ragwall".
Emery Stora
77 Kimgsley
Frederick, CO
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