Tire question about sidewall toughness

Most of the expensive tire failures I've had in the past have been from punctured sidewalls driving over mesquite thorns, prickly pear, small stumps or sharp rocks while driving around my hunting lease. When looking for new tires what do I look for in the tire specifications that tells me how thick/tough the sidewall is? I assume tires which provide that protection can make for a rougher ride on the road? Thanks.

 

Look for the sidewall PLY listing on some tires.

I know some of the truck A/T tires list having 3-ply and I think I've seen 5-ply.

I don't know what the standard is on most A/T tires. I believe the BFG's have 3-ply sidewall as well as the M/T's.

 

Get a higher load rating ie. c, d, e ratings and they will have more ply strength and also get an LT 'light truck' tire instead of a P 'passenger' tires.

LT tires will have ratings of c, d, e..
C rated=6 ply
D=8
E=10

Get a tire size that is listed like this- LT265/70/17C

C rating is typically enough for our trucks and moderate offroading. D would be better if you are around lots of sharp rocks and branches offroading, but D rated will provide a noticably 'stiffer' ride feeling especially if you are changing from a Passenger rated tire.

What size, brand and rated tires are you running now?
I offroad with P rated Nitto TG's with no sidewall damage.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=55
"Today's load range/ply ratings do not count the actual number of body ply layers found inside the tire, but indicate an equivalent strength based on early bias ply tires. Most radial passenger tires have one or two body plies, and light truck tires, even those with heavy duty ratings (10-, 12- or 14-ply rated), actually have only two or three fabric body plies, or one steel ply."

 

Good info - thanks. I've still got the stock Dunlop 245/75/16's. I'm going to bump it up to 265's - I've narrowed it down to BFG, Nitto and Bridgestone Revo's. I just do a moderate amount of offroading so I need a good all-terrain that will be smooth on the highway.

 

I had the stock dunlops 245/75/16 too and they were terrible!! You will like the look of 265/70/16 much better. Even if you go with a P rated offroad tire in that size it will be tougher and stiffer than those dunlops.

I run P rated 265/70/17 Nitto Terra Grapplers and I love them, much better ride than dunlops and not too overly stiff either. They have held up to minor offroading without any damage. No highway noise and great traction in rain, I also got them pretty reasonably priced at $120/tire.
My bf has bridgestone revos on his z71 and they have held up well also.