It looks like BFG AT tires around 32" are all 10 ply. Has anyone noticed a difference in going to a 10 ply tire regarding decreased ride quality? Thanks in advance.

 

Haven't noticed. But maybe that is because my Jeep had 10 ply on it when I drove it off the lot.

 

You must mean E-rated since you're probably talking about a radial. Yes, they ride stiffer. I went from OEM SRA's, which are C's, to E's and it was very noticeable. I run D's now.

 

Thanks for the info. Yes I do mean E rated. That's a bummer. Tough to find an AT tire that's not. Looking at 275 65 18s. Thanks for the replies.

 

I moved from the Dick Cepek FC-IIs to the Goodyear DuraTrac. The DuraTrac's are very, very quiet. I don't find the ride stiff, but then I abhor a mushy ride. When my Jeep rocks me, I feel like a babe in the cradle. Pure comfort and pleasure. LOL.

 

I am not a tire expert, but I asked about ply rating from a retailer. He said that different manufactures use different thicknesses of their steel bands. Very thin bands offer more sidewall flex and a smoother ride, while thicker bands do the opposite. He told me there are 10 ply tires that ride smoothly. The 10-ply rating is really more valuable when comparing ratings among the same tire rather than across tire models and especially brands...

 

It just means it's 80 PSI rated. It's only a rating to help people that grew up in the bias ply days to understand what sort of duty the tire is intended to perform. Today, it's misleading and redundant. A "10-ply tire" does not HAVE 10 plies, so your retailer is just flat out wrong in that case. I really wish it would go away.

The most useful information on the sidewall is the Service Description.

As for most of the 18" tire availability being E's, my guess is that's because a lot of Ford Super Duty pickups came w/ 18" wheels.

 

Ride quality on mine went down. But then again Michigan roads suck anyway so it didn't matter much.

 

Are the dutatracs E rated?

 

Mine are. I think it depends on size.