121R vs. 125R - Does it make a difference really?

[KidBobot]

Hi all. FInally decided to upgrade to 35's. I found the tires I want, in the size I want. Just as I was about to enter my card info... I noticed they were selling the SAME tires (with the same size) in two versions: 121R and 125R. I did a little desktop research and now understand what those numbers are (Load rating). My question is, dies it really matter? I looked at my stock 33's and they say 121R (I think. It was dark out when I checked).

Any insight and advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

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[jimcasada]

Your load rating is usually related to your ply rating. I'm guessing a 121R is probably a 10 ply rated tire, while a 125R might be a 12 ply? That's a significant 12~13% difference. I usually go with at least a 10 ply rating, which might be a little stiff for off-roading, but more durable and hopefully longer lasting. What kind of driving do you prefer? Anyway, I wouldn't trust these manufacture's rating claims as much as some honest reviews from other customers on similar vehicles and similar applications.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Hi all. FInally decided to upgrade to 35's. I found the tires I want, in the size I want. Just as I was about to enter my card info... I noticed they were selling the SAME tires (with the same size) in two versions: 121R and 125R. I did a little desktop research and now understand what those numbers are (Load rating). My question is, dies it really matter? I looked at my stock 33's and they say 121R (I think. It was dark out when I checked).

Any insight and advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

Link to both sets of tires and we could help you more.

 

[dmwphoto]

Load range should be a letter (C, E, etc)
what you are referring to is a speed rating. virtually the same between 121R and 125R

 

[RudeJeepin]

Load range should be a letter (C, E, etc)
what you are referring to is a speed rating. virtually the same between 121R and 125R

Not exactly...
For 121R, the 121 is load rating and R equals speed rating.
121= 3297 pounds
125= 3638 pounds

R= 106mph

Some manufacturers might run slightly different values for the numbers, load rating is on the sidewall. But speed rating would probably be found on the manufacturers website.

 

[KidBobot]

Not exactly...
For 121R, the 121 is load rating and R equals speed rating.
121= 3297 pounds
125= 3638 pounds

R= 106mph

Some manufacturers might run slightly different values for the numbers, load rating is on the sidewall. But speed rating would probably be found on the manufacturers website.

This is the area I'm looking for any nuanced insight on.
(I'm familiar with the speed-ratings.)

The tires I'm looking at are basically Falken Wildpeak AT3's... the speed rating is R (106mph) for both variants. The difference was literally in the load-rating.

I guess the question I'm asking is: Is there really a discernable difference in load-ratings, and advantage of one over the other?
I don't plan on any cargo more than a couch or a refrigerator. Nor do I plan on towing anything beyond a small 4x8 u-haul trailer.
Is mileage an advantage? Would I get more mileage on the 125 (vs. the 121)?

 

[KidBobot]

Your load rating is usually related to your ply rating. I'm guessing a 121R is probably a 10 ply rated tire, while a 125R might be a 12 ply? That's a significant 12~13% difference. I usually go with at least a 10 ply rating, which might be a little stiff for off-roading, but more durable and hopefully longer lasting. What kind of driving do you prefer? Anyway, I wouldn't trust these manufacture's rating claims as much as some honest reviews from other customers on similar vehicles and similar applications.

Oddly they're BOTH 10-ply. LOL

 

[toddarama]

Oddly they're BOTH 10-ply. LOL

I don't think you would see a noticeable difference between the two as far as ride, handling, etc go.
It's possible that the 10 plys are different materials between the two tires. If your factory tires are load rated for 121 and you plan to stay within the factory specified capacities for load and/or towing there isn't any reason you can't stick with that for your new tires. The 125 load rating would probably be a slightly stiffer sidewall, but again I doubt you would notice any actual ride difference.

If one was cheaper than the other, I'd probably go with the cheaper option.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

121= 3297 pounds

That being said - take that 3297 x 2 and you get 6594
Are you going to have 6,594 pounds on each end of the truck?
You'd need to be carrying the weight of the truck plus 7,000 pounds to exceed those numbers.
I tow 5,000 pounds and haul maximum payload on tires rated less than that.

 

[KidBobot]

That being said - take that 3297 x 2 and you get 6594
Are you going to have 6,594 pounds on each end of the truck?
You'd need to be carrying the weight of the truck plus 7,000 pounds to exceed those numbers.
I tow 5,000 pounds and haul maximum payload on tires rated less than that.

We can always count @ShadowsPapa to deliver on the "real world" answer and context to the question!
And to answer, I wouldn't haul anything that comes anywhere close to that! LOL... Maybe some lumber, and furniture... camping equiptment, etc.
Then again... when my in-laws visit... hahahha (JOKES!)
Thanks again! I'll definitely opt for the cheaper set now! And even then, I'm paying at a premium. Who would have thunk 35" Falkens would be this difficult to source.

 

[KidBobot]

I don't think you would see a noticeable difference between the two as far as ride, handling, etc go.
It's possible that the 10 plys are different materials between the two tires. If your factory tires are load rated for 121 and you plan to stay within the factory specified capacities for load and/or towing there isn't any reason you can't stick with that for your new tires. The 125 load rating would probably be a slightly stiffer sidewall, but again I doubt you would notice any actual ride difference.

If one was cheaper than the other, I'd probably go with the cheaper option.

Thank you! Yep, exactly what I'm gonna do too!
THanks again, all!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

We can always count @ShadowsPapa to deliver on the "real world" answer and context to the question!
And to answer, I wouldn't haul anything that comes anywhere close to that! LOL... Maybe some lumber, and furniture... camping equiptment, etc.
Then again... when my in-laws visit... hahahha (JOKES!)
Thanks again! I'll definitely opt for the cheaper set now! And even then, I'm paying at a premium. Who would have thunk 35" Falkens would be this difficult to source.

You should have seen my son load my F250 years ago when he was moving.
Jed and Granny would have been proud. He had everything but a rocking chair way up on top.
He probably won't be borrowing the JT. I didn't worry about him overloading that Ford - I'd hauled more than a ton in it with no issue, but a JT? Meh.
He's a "if it fits, it hauls" type.

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