Pros and Cons of Load Range E Tires

I went with R & B rated and no I don't mean James Brown.

 

Give them a try. I really try to stick with load range C, but maybe you won't mind the decrease in mileage and the rougher ride.

If you really use your truck hard, you may like the benefit of load range E tires.

 

LT245/75R16 Load Range E Michelin LTX A/T 2 because they're tough little buggers that still get good mileage and are super stable for towing.

 

I really wish there were more d range large agressive tires. I am sure the full size truck owners would like them too... those that dont pull 8000+ lbs. Better gas mileage and smoother ride would be nice... I have 34" BFG KOs now on 20" rims and it takes a lotta power from my ride. Looking at duratracs because there is a 33" SL load tire that weighs 11 lbs less per tire. My only concern is shredding that sidewall when i pull my 4000 lb boat. But the tire is SUPPOSED to be able to handle that... maybe well see.

 

Just put a set of 265/75/16 BFG KO's ($670 for 4 @ Tire Buyer) on my Tacoma and have not noticed a harsh ride. I think when it comes to tires, the inflation pressure has a lot more to do with the ride quality than the load range.

I'll also say that this Tacoma rides pretty plush in comparison to the Dodge Cummins 2500 4x4 that I traded in. Maybe I'm just not as sensitive to the subtleties of off road tires.

 

Pro:
Tougher sidewall
More load weight capacity for hauling

Cons:
Ride hard and stiffer than C
Harder to run low pressure in the desert or rocks due to not flattening out enough
heavier so you might lose power and mpg.

I went from an E rated BFG all terrain then E rated BFG mud terrain to now a C rated Duratrac.

I gained better floatation in sand, smoother ride and gained back my lost 1-2 mpg from the old tires.

 

1.5 mpg is worth several hundred dollars a year for the average driver. They could be posing at the mall with cool looking Duratracs plus a new light bar.

 

I may also be insensitive to fuel mileage, because of my previous 3/4 diesel.

If you drive 20k per year at 18 mpg you total fuel costs equal $2711.11.

That same 20K at 16 mpg will set you back $3050.00.

The yearly cost difference of 2 mpg is $338.89, this may buy you an inexpensive light bar, but remember those load range C Duratrac's are going to cost you more initially.

These figures used todays national average $2.44 a gallon fuel price for regular unleaded.

$338.89 over the course of the year equates to $6.52 a week. If things ever get this tight for me I'll have more to worry about then modding my truck.... lol

 

265/75/16 Good year silent armor pro grade (10 ply) E
A few years on the truck, ~40k miles, still very satisfied. These can really take a beating. Also they have been much better in most all weather conditions than prevous Toyo MTs. Those were loud and poor traction when wet, meant for rusted out chevys.
Ride is a bit stiffer partly because I have them aired to nearly 50psi.

 

I'll probably get a lighter All Terrain set for the next round.

 

E FTW! Drive over stuff and don't worry. Just put 35-ish psi in them and be done. Gas is cheap, burn more!

 

I must be desensitized to tire effects.

I didn't notice any difference in ride between the OEM tires, my Load Range "E" BFG ATs and my Hankook snow tires. I don't analyze my MPG outside of watching my ScanGauge but I didn't notice all that much difference between the two.

Then again I've grown up on lowered cars, stiff suspension and wide tires, so my truck feels cushy by comparison.

 

In my experience the gas mileage penalty is small. I am on my second set of load range E tires and still get better mileage than most post here--typically 25 mpg +.

 

I compromised the tire size by going with a Cooper AT3 in 275/70/17 in load range C. Only very minor trimming up front (30 seconds a side), bigger than stock, no lift, great fit and looks great on a set of 6 spoke 4Runner rims. Mileage is 17ish around town with 19s on the highway. I had a set of BFGs in load range E for about 20 miles.....way overkill on 98% of the Tacomas out there although the dedicated off road benefits can't be denied for serious wheelers. "C" is where it's at for me an my Taco....

 

Here's some insight on the ST Maxx in E-10 Ply for reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apDHC-Ha514
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kz8mmLkeks

 

Hated the ride in my old BFG KO E-load range. Look great, but super hard and completely un-needed for what I used them for. I would look for something else unless you really need that extra ply, weight, etc...

 

Does anyone even make a 275/70r/17 load c tire? All I'm finding are E rated.

 

Yep. Cooper Discoverer AT3. Both in E and C load ranges. Fabulous tire. I'll be buying another set later this year unless the reviews on the new BFG AT KOs are through the roof. The AT3s are the best tires I've ever owned. Currently around 45K on them and probably another 10-12K left in the tread.

 

Horrible idea to have 10 ply tires. I did it once and never again, not worth the money and loss of mpg's. They did last forever though but the ride sucked ass...never ever ever ever again

 

Any with a more aggressive tread? Or is that really the only one that's load C?