[ronin-0707]

ok so this is post purchase question of the 8 ply variety.

question is 8 ply enuf protection? should my next purchase be the 10 ply option? does 8 ply offer any more protection other than increased load handling?

are the sidewall plys different on the 8 vs. 10 ply nitto terragrapplers?
thanks
sorry if this is a basic question.
oh yeah I want the ability to play on the rocks but not a rock-crawler.

[gotmud]

When it comes to tires with an 6,8, or even 10 ply rating, they are still only a 4 ply tire. The only difference is the max air pressure they'll take. Usually a heavier load rating is accomplished through thicker plies, not more of them. Keep in mind though that the ply rating only pertains to the tread package, NOT the sidewall. Most are still only a 2-ply sidewall. Let's say your 80 weighs in at 6000lbs. That means that approximately 1500lbs of weight is on each tire. A 285/70/17 Revo will carry 2833lbs of weight at 44psi. Therefore it is only using 52% of its load carrying capacity when four are supporting your LC. More plies won't really give you any benefit, especially in the ride department.

Look for a three ply sidewall, that will be the weakest link on the rocks. JM $.02

[dogcatch'n]

you might also look into getting a bias ply tire, if you really want protection in the rocks. you can't beat a bias ply tire..

[bias ply tires are old technology , but it is coming back in alot of expensive tires and becoming more common even in high end car tires..I have several friends with exotic cars that use bias ply tires on them and they love them...]

the only draw back is they will develope a flat spot, when parked for long periods of time and you will have to drive 10 or 15 miles to warm them up and get the flat spot round again...

[IdahoDoug]

Too heavy a tire in terms of excessive extra load capacity compromises traction. Ride also suffers greatly. I'd purchase quality tires in the appropriate load range for the activity you're planning rather than pick a tire first (gott have grapplers) and heavy up on the load rating to make it off road worthy in the sidewalls. Better to pick a tire known for sidewall durability if that's your thing, than force a non optimal tire to do something it was not designed for.

DougM

[cary]

Originally Posted by dogcatch'n

you might also look into getting a bias ply tire, if you really want protection in the rocks. you can't beat a bias ply tire..

[bias ply tires are old technology , but it is coming back in alot of expensive tires and becoming more common even in high end car tires..I have several friends with exotic cars that use bias ply tires on them and they love them...]

the only draw back is they will develope a flat spot, when parked for long periods of time and you will have to drive 10 or 15 miles to warm them up and get the flat spot round again...

Can you please provide some cites of any high end vehicles made in the last 10 years using bias-ply tires? I have not ever heard of seen of this.

[dogcatch'n]

well, mickey thompson for one makes them, but they are hard to find for street applications.. I run some bias ply on my GT that is not street approved or D.O.T. approved...but I guess you would have to know a dealer or BE ONE to know such info...

[dogcatch'n]

Originally Posted by cary

Can you please provide some cites of any high end vehicles made in the last 10 years using bias-ply tires? I have not ever heard of seen of this.

Cary, you can also contact "BFGOODRICH TIRES" at 877.788.8899 and talk to them about their "G-FORCE" line up of tires, they have some that will go over, or are rated at 186+ miles per hour...

if that doesn't work for you PM me and I can get some bias or radials that will go over 200+....

[ronin-0707]

thanks for the responses.
I guess since I bought the 8 ply I thought I had made a mistake and should of ponied-up for the 10 ply. the 8 ply should suit my needs.
the cruiser is my daily driver and it sees offroad use maybe 4-5 times a year-short half day excursions with the family.
when I did coyote canyon I was a bit nervous with the old kumho's but that is the worst of the "rock-crawling" that the cruiser has seen.

[cary]

Originally Posted by dogcatch'n

Cary, you can also contact "BFGOODRICH TIRES" at 877.788.8899 and talk to them about their "G-FORCE" line up of tires, they have some that will go over, or are rated at 186+ miles per hour...

if that doesn't work for you PM me and I can get some bias or radials that will go over 200+....

I'll take that as a no, since there are none.

[Tools R Us]

Grapplers do great in the rocks. I finally cut one a couple of weeks ago, a stupid driver mistake. I have been running them for 3 years, they have been in the rocks often, with great results. The trail that claimed it has cut many sidewalls, it's a couple of miles of solid rock, mostly sharp cornered sedimentary type. On the same trip it claimed a Swamper on a 40.

The BFG A/T’s have a 3 ply sidewall, but have seen more of them cut. In the rocks the Grapplers grip better and the BFG’s tread chunk much worse. The funny thing is that this trail is on BFG's 5 best trails in the US list and in our group they get smoked by other brands on it.

[concretejungle]

I also have the Nitto terragraplers and have run them on some sharp rocks at Uwharrie. I was really impressed with them aired down. They gripped the rocks like crazy. But, when they were at full psi, they were slick as dog poooo.