16 ply vs 14 ply on steers

I usually do 16 ply. They aren't going to run much higher pressure though.

Higher load rating, and more durable.

Drawbacks, rougher riding.

 

I’ve heard they are the same tire with just different markings in the sidewall. Who really knows.

 

I always ran 16 ply steers on everything. I figured because they're steer tires they carry more weight and take more abuse than the other 16 tires so why not. Up front cost wise not that much difference between them and 14's. Hard to imagine much difference in ride quality these are semi truck tires after all.

 

No, they'll sound the same. I think 14 ply is fine for most OTR applications.

Yeah, I don't have much personal experience there, so my mentioning that is coming from what customers have told me. I've only driven 2 years, and only ran 16's all the way around

 

You won't get any more load rating just by installing 16 ply. I think both of my last trucks axles were 12.5k which 16 ply is overkill for those too but I always ran them anyway.

 

Maybe a little stiffer sidewall. I've driven trucks in the past that had 14 ply steers. Honestly if you or I hopped in 1 truck with 14's and another with 16's doubtful we'd even be able to tell the difference. It's like the guys who "check their tire pressure" with a tire thumper. You can't tell jack **** about the air pressure in a tire unless you actually stick it. But they'll swear oh yeah I can tell how much air is in it by whacking it with a thumper.