Better Tire Construction - Speed Rating vs Tire Load?

[Basilius]

I had a tire blow out on the highway yesterday and I need a new set of 245/70r16 tires. I'm thinking that I'd like to go with H-speed rated tires (130mph) for a bit more protection compared to T-speed tires (118mph). Most of the H-speed tires that I've found have a 106 load rating (2094 lbs), but I've also found some lower T-speed rated tires with a higher 111 load rating (2409 lbs).

Which tire would would give me more protection and have better overall construction - The higher H-speed tire (130mph) with a lower 106 load rating (2094 lbs), or a lower T-speed tire (118mph) with a higher 111 load rating (2409 lbs)? thanks

These are some of the 245/70r16 tires that I'm considering, but I'd also like some recommendations:
Kumho Crugen HT51 (111T)
Kumho Crugen HP71 (107H)
Yokohama Geolander G056 (106H)

 

[franklin2]

The higher ply rated tires have higher load ratings and better construction. If you want a good tire for a truck, get a LT tire, not a P tire.

High speed rated tires like the H are designed to rid themselves of heat from high speed driving and not designed for handling loads. They also do not last as long as a regular tire. A tire guy told me a regular tire has more silicone in it, which is better for tire wear, but not for heat rejection.

 

[Basilius]

I thought that H-speed tires generally had better overall construction and strength compared to T-speed, since they are designed to endure higher speeds and temperatures. But the load rating is more important than speed rating for tire strength and construction? I also think that all of the tires that I listed have the same ply rating.

 

[adsm08]

The first question you need to ask yourself in this scenario is this: What am I doing with a 4-cylinder Ranger that requires tires rated for speeds above 118 MPH?

As said, the speed rating is the tire's ability to withstand high speeds, and the temps that come with them, but means little to overall durability. On the other hand the load rating is very much a rating of the strength of the tire. A high load rating and ply count make for a stronger side wall, which is less likely to blow out.

An LT tire, likewise, will stand up better than a P tire, but won't ride as nice. Except for the Mustang I have LT tires on all my vehicles and have no issues with the ride quality of any of them. And my B2 is about 10 years past due for shocks to boot.

 

[Curious Hound]

When I worked at Michelin, one of the things we did differently with hugh speed rated tires. Was to add special kevlar reinforement outside of the steel belts. The Kevlar was applied in such a way that it counteracts the centrifugal forces trying to sling the steel belts off at high speeds. You don't need that on a normal Ranger. Stick with truck tires for the best truck performance.

 

[Basilius]

The first question you need to ask yourself in this scenario is this: What am I doing with a 4-cylinder Ranger that requires tires rated for speeds above 118 MPH?

As said, the speed rating is the tire's ability to withstand high speeds, and the temps that come with them, but means little to overall durability. On the other hand the load rating is very much a rating of the strength of the tire. A high load rating and ply count make for a stronger side wall, which is less likely to blow out.

An LT tire, likewise, will stand up better than a P tire, but won't ride as nice. Except for the Mustang I have LT tires on all my vehicles and have no issues with the ride quality of any of them. And my B2 is about 10 years past due for shocks to boot.

I won't be driving more than 118mph, I just thought that higher speed rated tires generally have better and stronger overall construction, and that would provide a bit more protection against another possible blow out. Thanks, I'll look at the higher load rated tires (Kumho HT51).

 

[Curious Hound]

I won't be going more than 118mph, I just thought that higher speed rated tires generally have better and stronger overall construction, and that would provide a bit more protection against another possible blow out. Thanks, I'll look at the higher load rated tires (Kumho HT51).

Do you have reason to believe that your blowout had something to do with the speed rating of the tires? You could have run over something without knowing. There could have been a pre-existing flaw. How was your air pressure? How old was the tire? Hit any bad pot-holes lately that could have pinched a sidewall? There's a lot that could cause a blowout.

 

[racsan]

age is a big thing with tires, I had a couple of junkyard tires on the front of a ranger years ago, good tread, no bulges or vibration. At 70 mph while I was passing a semi the left front blew, I completed the pass & got off the highway there was nothing left of the tire, I later looked at the date code on the other front tire. 1986. I knew uniroyal tiger-paws were out of production but I didn’t realize I was running tires over 30 years old.

 

[JohnnyO]

The first question you need to ask yourself in this scenario is this: What am I doing with a 4-cylinder Ranger that requires tires rated for speeds above 118 MPH?

Bingo.

As said, the speed rating is the tire's ability to withstand high speeds, and the temps that come with them, but means little to overall durability. On the other hand the load rating is very much a rating of the strength of the tire. A high load rating and ply count make for a stronger side wall, which is less likely to blow out.

My bud has a 6-speed Cadillac CTS-V, a car that is legitimately capable of 200 mph and it has I think Z-rated tires. We found that the rubber is actually harder, not softer, to withstand high speed heat. As a result, between the hard tires and 600 horsepower it is completely undrivable when the temperature is below 40* even if the roads are dry. I've driven it, probably not faster than 60 mph but I got to 60 in like 3 seconds.

 

[franklin2]

I had a SVO mustang way back that came with the Z rated tires. They just would not last like a regular tire. I asked the tire guy about it, and he said they put more carbon black in the z rated tire to help it shed the heat, but that type of construction made the tire wear out quicker and not last. That is when he told me a regular tire has more silicone in it, which was bad for shedding heat, but good for wear making it longer lasting.

 

[Dirtman]

Tires are often round.