E or XL Load Rated Tires on a Midsize?

For the guys who have E or XL load rated tires, have you noticed a considerable difference in ride quality? I'm considering the Cooper Rugged Trek, but some folks say they'll knock the fillings out of my teeth; they'll ride like a buckboard wagon; they're like stones. Other say they can't tell a difference at all.

If you've had both C or SL load rated tires and have also had/have E or XL load rated tires, please tell me what your thoughts are. Are you happy with the E/XLs? Would you buy them again?

Thanks all!

 

I have a hard time with the mid size term. They’re small trucks. Mid size is more an f150 I think. Strictly my opinion.

People are putting E rated tires for off roading and sharp rocks. If you don’t go kidding or heavy off roading then the heavier thicker tires are only dead weight. They make some really well built SL tires out there and you don’t need a LT tire on a taco. Just a preference for some off roaders. They are a lot heavier and the ride is harder but not teeth chattering. They’re made for hauling weight so empty they’ll be a rougher ride than a softer sidewall tire. They also will lose traction on wet road opposed to the more pliable SL’s, and as per my comment of heavier, E rated tires are, and will lower your mpg’s

 

I have Rugged Trek XL in 265/70r17 on my 2022. Not much difference from the stock tires. X
An XL (extra load) passenger rated tire isn't near as stiff as an E rated light truck tire.

 

XLs, in general, are barely stiffer than stock (SL). Ultimately it comes down to the load index. An XL in 116 or so will be stiffer than say an SL in 109 or 110. An XL in 116 and an SL in 116 will basically feel the same, although the XL will have a slightly higher carrying capacity. It also comes down to the size as to how they will feel.

None of those above are close to the stiffness of an E, though. The letter designations are a totally different category of tire; light truck (LT), and E’s are one of the stiffest of those available. The reason is LTs have more sidewall thickness and E’s are one of the thickest sidewall LTs available. XLs just have slightly thicker sidewalls than SL, and both are much softer and more pliable than an LT sidewall. Even a load C LT.

 

If you dont nead them all your doing is decreasing mpg, get up and go can decrease. Usally tire life and ride quality degrade. Noise is generally worse with their patterns.

My recent experiment of lightening up my Siennas 17 rims from O.E. 28lbs to 21lbs gained almost 20% on hyway mpg. Thats a huge total weight lose of 28lbs for all four tires/rims . I know these are 225 60 17 but bigger tires can be worse extreems. Rims are still rated @1700lb rated with the new tires. The new tires are LT/SUV a/s tire of 28lbs each. The tires are a more aggressive pattern for heavy rain & snow. I will be changing them asap though as they start singing at 30-35 mph.