Ideal Tire Load Range

I’m looking at getting a new set of tires on my gen 2 TRD off-road, and am wondering if there are any clear advantages/disadvantages to the different tire load ranges offered.

Considering the fact that the Tacoma is a mid-sized truck, I know an E rated tire is not necessary nor recommended in some cases. What are the advantages and disadvantages you guys have encountered with E rated tires on your Tacomas?

Are lighter load range tires clearly the better option on the Tacoma specifically?

Some context: I use my Tacoma as my daily driver, as well as my trustee all terrain vehicle camping, hunting, fishing, and moderate off-road use whenever possible. Where I live, summers are dry and hot, and winters are cold and very snowy. My off-roading consists of mountain and desert trails and roads, and moderate rock crawling.

 

Welcome!

This thread might be able to help provide context:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eel-tire-combo-trd-rock-warriors-ko2s.381030/

Typically C-load consists of the best balance for these trucks as a daily driver and weekend off road warrior. E-load is excessively heavy and will cause mpg/power/braking losses as well as a harsher ride due to the stiff side walls. The tire will be more durable though, but at a significant performance cost. Many find that ok for dedicated trail rigs. P-load tires will be ultra light, which is what the truck comes with stock, but they are also the least durable. An LT C-load tire will be more durable than stock, and well suited for the weight demands of these trucks without adding the excessive weight and performance loss of E-load. C-load isessentially the Goldilocks tire of the multi-purpose truck. But they can be hard to find in some sizes, especially 16" wheels, hence my transitioning to 17" specifically to run a lighter C-load tire.

 

I'll second the C rating. Mine has E rated tires, which I find satisfactory for off-road use, but I would have gotten C rated tires if they had been easily available when I bought them. The ride is rough on poorly maintained roads. I had an '85 Toyota with stock tires that were unsatisfactory for back roads. Put a stick through a sidewall.

 

I was a game warden (Montana) for 24 years and drove gravel roads a lot. Anything but E rated tires would result in a lot of flats, obviously a major pita. All of my personal trucks have run E rated tires (BF T/A KO2's)- yes they are heavier and yes they cost more, but knock on wood I've yet to have a flat and that's with driving a lot of non-paved roads.

If you rarely drive non-paved roads, C rated tire would probably be fine.

The difference on 265/70/17's is $13/tire and 7 lbs/tire (53 vs 46 lbs)

 

@crashnburn80, I appreciate the input, that helps a lot! Very inline with what I’ve researched.

The thread you linked was a big help also.

For my purposes, I think a C rating is definitely the way to go, and I like the idea of going to 17” inch rim. That opens a lot of other options.

What are some 17” c rated tires you all recommend?

 

I've had very good luck w/ BF T/A KO2's- very good grip and they wear much better than you'd think for such an aggressive tread- they are offered in both E and C ratings

I go just one size up on my very stock 12 Tacoma, gives me just a little more clearance and no worries whatsoever on rubbing- 265/70/17's

 

Yeah I like the BFGs a lot, and have heard good things about them. What brands and models are most comparable to the KO2s?

Also what bull bar is that you have on your build @big sky ?

 

it's from avidoffroad- very happy with the quality

 

I will have to check it out, it looks nice!

 

I love my E rated Toyo Open Country RTs. I didn’t notice much if any drop in MPG, but slight acceleration loss. I am an MT though. Honestly it just gives me peace of mind off road, I’ve been on some pretty rocky and rough trails, I just don’t have to think about flats, knock on wood.

 

C rated. Only 1 flat in 9 years and no tire would have survived the arrow shaped rock that penetrated the tread.

 

@Sig45 what tires are you running?

 

Currently running Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT in 265/75/16. Load Range C of course.

Prior to sets were Toyo Open Country AT2 in same size and load range.

Flat was with the Toyo. I like the Cooper's better and will get another set next year.

http://us.coopertire.com/tires/discoverer-at3-lt

 

@Sig45

The coopers are great tires.

How do the AT3 4S compare to the AT3 LT based on your experience and what you’ve seen and heard?

 

I have no experience with the 4S version, but it's my understanding that they are less aggressive.

 

Another question I have is, will going an inch taller in diameter require the use of spacers at all?

To avoid any kind of scrubbing would you recommend using wheel spacers?

 

There are no downsides to just running E rated tires if you do any driving off road or on rough gravel forest service roads. You don't need them for the load carrying capacity, but to protect your tires from damage. If you just drive on pavement stay with P series tires. I've spent too much money replacing P rated tires that were not repairable after hitting rocks, roots, and ruts on rough roads. Comes out cheaper in the long run to just buy a tougher tire to begin with.

A set of "D" rated tires isn't an advantage over the P series tires that came on it and C rated tires are rated for carrying LESS weight than the P tires that came on the truck. The C rated tires are intended for lightweight SUV's like Jeep Wranglers that are not used for hauling and only very light duty towing.

If you experiment and get the air pressure right E rated tires will ride just fine. The ride is a little more firm, but not uncomfortable at all. Remember, this isn't a 3/4 ton truck with a 10,000 lb GVWR, you don't need 60-80 PSI in the E rated tires on a Tacoma. If you try to do that they will beat you to death. Closer to 30-35 PSI will still carry more weight than the truck is rated for and provide a reasonable ride.

 

C rating has been fine for me over the past 70,000 miles. I carry 2 spares because people kept telling me I was going to get punctures off road but I've been fine so far.

 

What?


C load tires are rated for 3,200-3,600 lbs per axle.

A Tacoma weights about 4,500 lbs. It's clearly heavier in the front but even if you went 2000/2500 split, that still falls into your 1200-1600 Payload.



I've ran c-load tires on all my trucks except for one pair of E. I won't go back to E. Even with all the granite and shale out here, and running my tires at 15psi every other weekend, my tires have held up fine.

Just my 2c.

 

I've wheeled for 16 years with C-load tires in PNW mountains with plenty of rocks, never had an issue. Typically air down to ~15psi. All tires are not equivalent though, some tires like KO2s have better sidewall protection than others, which will obviously be more durable.