Are load E tires too stiff?

I run Es and always have to air down on a trail, even if I'm loaded up with gear. I've always heard Cs are more comfortable, but just not as strong as Es. I don't do a ton of trail riding where my tires rub against stuff, so I guess I could give Cs a try in the future.

 

My last 2 sets were E's and I'll be sticking with it for strength and availability. I'm already in odd ball sizing now you go and try to find a 295/70r17 or 285/75r17 in stock in anything less than an E.
Just run 32 psi all round and it has been very manageable but lighter tire will be better if your size is available and you don't need the beefy side wall.

 

Who makes a C rated tire 265-70 or 75-16”? I’m not seeing much?

 

The P or SL tires that come on a Tacoma are rated to carry more weight than a Tacoma is rated for. There is zero need to go to a XL, C, D, or E rated tire if you're concerned about carrying weight.

If you drive off road, or on unimproved Forest Service type roads a lot then an E rated tire is a much tougher tire that will resist failing from driving over rocks and trail debris. Particularly in the sidewall. If you choose XL, or C rated tires you're getting more weight capacity that you can't use, but you're not getting a tougher tire.

IMO stay with a P or SL tire or go straight to an E rated tire depending on your needs and what is most important to you. Most oversize tires however are only available in C or E ratings. And the pickins are slim for C rated tires. About 31" is as big as you can go with 16 or 17" wheels or 32" if you have 18" wheels if you stay with P or SL tires.

As with everything there are trade-off's. A tougher tire is going to ride worse. Reducing the air pressure can go a long way to help offset that though. The rubber compound in most E rated tires is harder which will prolong life and help offset the initial cost. But they don't do as well on wet or snow-covered roads in such lightweight vehicles. They are designed for trucks that weigh 7000 lbs empty and 10,000 lbs loaded.

I've been driving small SUV's and light trucks for over 50 years. I'm about 50/50 on running E or P rated tires on them. Get the PSI right and the ride with E rated tires isn't bad at all in a 1/2 ton IMO, and while stiff is still tolerable in a Tacoma. I've never lost an E rated tire to damage. I've lost 3-4 P rated tires that were damaged and could not be used after running over debris.

 

https://www.discounttire.com/learn/load-range-load-index

2019 info, though well thought out:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sl-rated-vs-c-rated-tires.590981/#post-19758980