Can I safely do with a lower load index rating

[BAZPRADO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BAZPRADO]

As I continue to shop for a tire at a "reasonable" price, I was shocked to find out that tire prices jumped nearly 40% from last year's prices, not sure why, but it is.

I found a decent deal on Bridgestone 840, but with a 110 locad index as opposed to 112? How critical is this given that I have a SWB Prado? I do occasionally tow a 6500 pound boat trailer.

I also found a Yokohama ATS, the pattern of which I love, but he only had 275-65-17, I was not sure of how that would look on my standard Toyota alloy wheels.

My search revealed a tire by the brand name of Montana, from Indonesia, mainly street tire, but keenly priced, any one every heard of them? Last choice is the Falken STZ/04, decent price, but mainly street driving.

Thanks for your input, especially on the load index.

[Justo77 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Justo77]

Personally I wouldn't go for a lower load rating as this may have legality implications as well as insurance issues.

I have 275/65/17 Bridgestone D694's on my 120 and you can barely tell the difference just by looking at them so I wouldn't worry about how they would look on a standard Toyota alloy. If you do go the 275 you may need a spacer for the spare if yours is on the rear door.

Below is a picture of mine with the 275's on it, I don't have a close up picture but it will give you some sort of indication how they will look.

[grande1810 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close grande1810]

Stick with same or better load rating, steer clear of those tyres if you are only going by price. The "cheap" tyres aren't cheap if you have to replace them sooner than the better priced brands. I have Bridgestone D694s on mine with more than 70k on them & still with plenty legal life left. Stick with the better known brands. Thats my 2 bobs worth.
Cheers

[BAZPRADO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BAZPRADO]

Cheers guys. I will definitely stick with the better known brands, just wanted to know if the load index will have an impact on tire life, I was not sure. Justo77, the tires look like a good fit in the rear, the fronts would probably rub against the standard front bumper under load. Why have tire prices gone through the roof?