Effective difference in 315-70-17 and 35-12.5-17?

[jimmyjamm]

I have a winter set of Toyo MTs in 35x12.5R17, which are a 10 ply tire 'E' rated ('D' rated tires are 8 ply to correct a previous post). I have not had them rub in the rear or front at full articulation or high speed obstacles. I have off road bumpers, front with winch (Warn 9.5xp) and rear is a Fab Fours premium bumper, also have Husky wheel well liners in the rear, still no rubbing with the OE BFGs or the Toyos.

 

[jimmyjamm]

I punctured one OE BFG KO2, took a rock right through the center of the tread, that's why on my rigs that I take off roard (2018 Raptor, 2009 Jeep Rubicon) I run 10-ply tires....it's not about the towning, it's about not having a thin ply tread (6 ply 'C', 8-ply 'D') allow a rock to go through the tread. Admittedly, I live in central Oregon where the rocks are young, sharp and when you are way too many miles from pavement where I go, nobody wants to have to walk that far when it's triple digit temps.

 

[xrocket21]

I have a winter set of Toyo MTs in 35x12.5R17, which are a 10 ply tire 'E' rated ('D' rated tires are 8 ply to correct a previous post). I have not had them rub in the rear or front at full articulation or high speed obstacles. I have off road bumpers, front with winch (Warn 9.5xp) and rear is a Fab Fours premium bumper, also have Husky wheel well liners in the rear, still no rubbing with the OE BFGs or the Toyos.

my bad, I corrected my post. C are 6 ply, D are 8 ply, and E are 10 ply

 

[Loufish]

I punctured one OE BFG KO2, took a rock right through the center of the tread, that's why on my rigs that I take off roard (2018 Raptor, 2009 Jeep Rubicon) I run 10-ply tires....it's not about the towning

Yes...that does make a certain amount of sense....so yeah I'm trading ride quality and low speed/pressure traction for increased vulnerability to rocks and such as you stated.....and I'm NOT claiming the high ground on this one...ha...ha...
Just may have to re-think my "position" on "C" rated tires only..
Why I like forums where you can get another angle on many topics...

 

[GCATX]

I believe the Load rating simply is the weight carrying capacity at a given psi, not necessarily an actual number of ply's anymore. On a rock, I sliced open an E rated "10 ply" tire on my dually, the sidewall was ridiculously thin, like 1/4" maybe. Wasn't doing anything crazy, just putting down a graded desert road and sliced it open.

I am thinking they are harder compound so you can put more air pressure in it and give it a better load carrying capacity. Off-road, it is generally understood that a softer tire is more puncture resistant than a harder tire. Softer tire will conform better to sharp, pokie things.

Slicing a tire down the middle of the tread is just bad luck.

 

[Loufish]

I believe the Load rating simply is the weight carrying capacity at a given psi, not necessarily an actual number of ply's anymore.

Absolutely...many many years ago it was just that, how many plies, but it's been a "rating" for a long time....yes a 10 ply rating is "equal to 10 plies, but not really 10 plies"
And yes again the rubber compound for a "E" rated tire is harder then a "C" rated tire...