I had someone mention that a 10 ply tire may not be right for my 2002 Ford Ranger Edge 4x4. I'm planning on upgrading from stock tire sizes to 255/85/16s.

I guess I've never paid much attention to ply ratings before, but would this be OK for Ford Rangers?

Thanks

 

Radial tires only have 2 or 3 plys, but have a LOAD rating based on the old non-radial tires that did use Ply rating scale
8-ply = load rating D = 1,220 lbs at 65 psi
10-ply = load rating E = 1,520 lbs at 80 psi

Yes, Load D or E would be fine for a Ranger

Total weight of an extended cab 4x4 Ranger is 3,300lbs, Ranger have a 1/2 ton(1,000lbs) load rating, 2wd weigh less, regular cab weighs less
The front tires have steady weight of about 2,000lbs
The rear tires have the least weight when bed is empty, 1,300lbs, and the most weight when bed is fully loaded 2,300lbs

Each tire gets 1/2 the weight on that axle, so 1,000lbs up front and 1,150lbs(full load) in the rear

So "ply" is a load rating nothing to do with longevity, strictly to do with the weight it can support safely

 

Thank you for the generous information, I appreciate it.

With that being said, I'm sure many others on this site have ran (Load E) 10-ply tires on their Rangers on this forum here then. I ask because every 255/85/16 tire I seen was a Load E tire.

Thank you :)