E Rated Tires for Durability / Reliability

I had C rated 285/70-17s on my '06 4cyl. Like you said, still had pretty decent gas mileage. 5 speed helped me control the acceleration and such.

Best part was that since the truck was so damn light I put like 75k+ miles on the damn things and they still had decent tread when I traded the truck in a few months ago.

 

Great question and I asked myself that same question when buying tires. I answered myself if there ever is that one time when you wish you had it you will either regret not having it or glad you did. So I went with the E. I like having that tough tire under me. Maybe I only go off road twice this year. Well then that's ok. I liked the STMaxx as a tire overall. If some people feel the E rating is to much then go with a different tire or load rating. Either way buy what makes you happy. They actually have some C and d rated tires as well!! 31's, 33's, and 35's

There is also a thread on the STmaxx so you can get good input there. Now other E rated tires might have different characteristics.

Sizes & Specs
Discoverer S/T MAXX™
Tire Size Service Description UTQG Load Range Sidewall Approved Rim Width Measured Rim Width Section Width Overall Diameter Tread Width Max Load Tread Depth (1/32")
31X10.50R15LT 109Q C BLK 7 - 9 8.5 10.7 30.75 8.35 2270 18.5
33X12.50R15LT 108Q C BLK 8.5 - 11 10 12.6 32.76 9.88 2205 18.5
35X12.50R15LT 113Q C BLK 8.5 - 11 10 12.2 34.45 10.31 2535 18.5
LT215/85R16 115\112Q E BLK 5.5 - 7 6 8.4 30.31 6.22 2680 18.5
LT235/85R16 120\116Q E BLK 6 - 7.5 6.5 9.5 31.97 7.4 3042 18.5
LT255/85R16 123\120Q E BLK 6.5 - 8 7 10.2 32.8 8.15 3415 18.5
LT225/75R16 115\112Q E BLK 6 - 7 6 8.9 29.49 7.01 2680 18.5
LT245/75R16 120\116Q E BLK 6.5 - 8 7 9.7 30.67 7.8 3042 18.5
LT265/75R16 123\120Q E OWL 7 - 8 7.5 10.5 32.01 8.46 3415 18.5
LT285/75R16 126\123Q E OWL 7.5 - 9 8 11.7 32.91 9.29 3750 18.5
LT315/75R16 127\124Q E BLK 8 - 11 8.5 12.5 34.45 10 3860 18.5
LT305/70R16 124\121Q E BLK 8 - 9.5 9.5 12 33.07 10 3525 18.5
LT235/80R17 120\117Q E BLK 6 - 7.5 6.5 9 32.01 7.4 3085 18.5
LT255/80R17 121\118Q E BLK 6.5 - 8.5 7 10.2 32.8 8.15 3195 18.5
LT245/75R17 121\118Q E BLK 6.5 - 7.5 7 9.4 31.54 7.72 3195 18.5
LT255/75R17 111\108Q C BLK 6.5 - 8.5 7 10.2 31.77 8.15 2405 18.5
LT245/70R17 119\116Q E BLK 6.5 - 8 7 9.6 30.71 7.6 3000 18.5
LT265/70R17 121\118Q E OWL 7 - 8.5 8 10.7 31.85 8.7 3195 18.5
LT275/70R17 121\118Q E BLK 7 - 8.5 8 11 32.17 8.86 3195 18.5
LT285/70R17 121\118Q E OWL 7.5 - 9 8.5 11.5 32.99 9.29 3195 18.5
LT295/70R17 121\118Q E BLK 7.5 - 10 8.5 12 33.23 9.8 3195 18.5
LT315/70R17 121\118Q D BLK 8 - 11 9.5 12.8 34.57 10 3195 18.5
LT265/65R17 120\117Q E BLK 7.5 - 9.5 8 10.7 30.51 8.66 3085 18.5
LT305/65R17 121\118Q E BLK 8.5 - 11 9 12.3 32.64 10 3195 18.5
37X12.50R17LT 124P D BLK 8.5 - 11 10 13.1 36.89 10.35 3525 18.5
LT275/70R18 125\122Q E BLK 7 - 8.5 8 11.1 33.39 9.02 3640 18.5
LT295/70R18 129\126Q E BLK 7.5 - 10 8.5 12 34.25 9.69 4080 18.5
LT305/70R18 126\123Q E BLK 8.5 - 10 9 12.5 35.08 10 3750 18.5
LT275/65R18 123\120Q E BLK 7.5 - 9 8 10.8 32.2 8.66 3415 18.5
LT285/65R18 125\122Q E BLK 8 - 10 8.5 11.8 32.8 9.29 3640 18.5
LT305/60R18 121\118Q E BLK 8.5 - 11 9 12.1 32.64 10 3195 18.5
LT275/65R20 126\123Q E BLK 7.5 - 9.5 8 11.1 34.17 8.98 3750 18.5
LT305/55R20 121\118Q E BLK 8.5 - 11 9.5 12.5 33.43 10.28 3195 18.5
35X12.50R20LT 121Q E BLK 8.5 - 11 10 12.5 34.65 10 3195 18.5

 

Discoverer AT-3 265/70r17 C - 6 PLY- 50 lbs << Load Rating C - 50 lbs
Discoverer S/T LT265/70 R17 C - 6 PLY- 49 lbs << Load Rating C - 49 lbs
Discoverer S/T Maxx 255/80 R17 E- 10 PLY- 51 lbs << Load Rating E - 51 lbs
Discoverer S/T Maxx 255/75 R 17 C - 6 PLY - 53 lbs << Load Rating C - 53 lbs

Each specific type of tire will have different weights of Cs vs Es. I want a 255/75R17 and there's only 2 tires that this is offered in, the S/T Maxx in Load E and a BFG M/T.

 

Just a heads up to anyone looking the Cooper AT3 and ST Maxx DO NOT HAVE THE SAME CONSTRUCTION. Only the ST Maxx and STT Pro in their new lineup get the Armortek 3 technology. It's that tech that makes them extremely puncture resistant.

Yes, this is an ad, but at least Cooper lets you know why their sidewalls seem to hold up really well and their tires are hard to puncture. Most other companies just make claims without showing any tech.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiuFQa2CVas

 

I'm running the stock tires with the '16 Tacoma, but I've got a '06 4Runner that I have run P, C, and E-rated tires on it. The biggest con to E-rated tires, IMO, is the weight and it's effects upon handling, braking, and fuel economy. The biggest pro, is that they are great for towing, especially if inflated to at least 45psi, the rubber compound (I believe) is harder so they have a long treadlife, and are very resistant to punctures, pothole damage, etc. For off-roading, I would say it depends upon the weight of the vehicle. 4Runners and Tacomas are a bit "light" if unloaded, and airing down an E-rated tire is a bit deceiving as the sidewall doesn't compress down until the PSI gets below 15...at least on my 4Runner. The best off-roading experience was with a P-rated tire as it was more compliant with the uneven terrain. The C-rated tire was a BFG Mud Terrain,...long life, but horribly difficult to balance...I eventually had to get rid of them due to uneven wear despite regular rotations, rebalancing, etc...they were just a PITA.

 

I have put about 50 miles on my 275/70r17 E rated ko2's. The ride hasn't changed at all and I lost 1 mpg 50/50 city, highway. Averaging about 17