Load Range E Tires...

Hey Yall,

My current tires are the BFG KO2, 275 70 r18 Load Range E.

Honestly, I feel like the 10 ply (I know its not a true 10 ply) is overkill. I really hate the decreased ride comfort and hit my gas mileage took. They seem really heavy. I tow a pretty heavy travel trailer like twice a year, and I don't do any crazy off-roading. Mostly fire roads and stuff like that.

My question is, do they make all terrains in a lower load range that would improve my ride? maybe give back some of my pep off the line? I thought I would get the load range E for towing but after thinking about it, the stock tires that came on my 2016 DC were passenger tires I believe. They did just fine while towing. I was thinking load range C would be the sweet spot but I just do not know enough about it. Hoping to gain some insight so any would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

There are plenty of off road tires that are not E rated.

 

I’m in the same boat. But I’ve only got 25K miles on them and it was $1100 for the set so I’m just gonna ride them out as it were and next set won’t be LT load range E tires

 

If I may suggest a temporary solution for the time before you wear these out and get different tires: it’s maybe time to use those tires to do more serious off-roading.

** Just wanted to say ‘hi!’, and I hope you’re all well!

 

EXACTLY the same here. Although I really like the look AND performance of my Wildpeak AT3s, my next set will not be E rated tires.

 

I only see General Grapper APT in an SL rating for 275/70 R18 on Discount Tire's website - all others are E rating. If you stay with an E rating, I would look for a lighter tire if nothing else - Toyo Open Country AT III and Cooper Discoverer XLT AT3 are some of the lighter choices that get good reviews here. If you aren't fixed on that size, I agree load range C is a good compromise or even an SL rated tire might be OK (but I think the side walls are too thin for almost any type of off-roading). I run Cooper Discoverer XLT AT3 295/70 R18 and they've been great so far, but my next set will likely be Toyo Open Country ATIIIs based on the research I've done. Best.

 

I just put Cooper XLT's on 20" rims, so it may not translate perfectly to your wheel and tire setup. They get good reviews for their off road and towing chops, which I haven't tested yet; but they're extremely nice on road. They're as well behaved as the stock Michellin AT's that came on the truck, and for now at least they're a little quieter (less than 1k on the Coopers vs. 24k on the outgoing Michellin's). I had the truck levelled and put these slightly heavier tires on all in the same week, so the differences in acceleration and ride comfort all got mashed together; but the current ride is at least as comfortable as before the change.

good luck,

 

I'm using LT275/65 R18 Wrangler Kevlar load range E. Smaller tires than you I think?

I love them, can go anywhere, the ride is incredibly smooth at speeds I won't post, plenty of get up and go, even with about 400lbs of armor on my truck. Avg 15.7 mpg.

Maybe the issue is the larger tire?

 

Aren't your tires F rated 12 ply?

 

Nope...looks like Falkens website is off. Your tires are E.

 

Wrangler kevlar load range C for me. I tow a 5th wheel once in a while and like the added sidewall strength. Very affordable as well.

 

im going to disagree here. There are almost no oversized 18 inch tires that are not e rated. OP runs 275/70/18, which is nearly 100% e rated.

@Tundyfundy - we have fairly similar uses of the truck as we have chatted about in the past. My experience after running 2 sets of bfg ko, toyo at, now currently on stock michelin P rated. My travel trailer is 4k lbs, i carry 4-500 lbs in the bed when towing. The P rated stock tires handle this just fine at 50psi. However E rated was more solid feeling.
I have run 5-6 sets of bfg at tires over the last 2 decades. They ride like total garbage once they are 2 years old. I don’t know what it is, but they suck as they age, their wet traction declines. Michelins do not do this, toyo at after 3 years still rode the exact same as new.

my next set if tires will be E rated michelins. Going from e rated to p rated tires had zero affect on mileage or acceleration. The weight alone meant nothing

 

We love our Yokohama Geolander ATS.

Cooper tires were pretty ok as well.

 

I'm running Discount Tire's Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain AT.
I was going to recommend them, since I love him.

My 275/60/20 are SL rated, ride much better than my D rated KO2s.
Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain AT | Discount Tire

But it seems in 275//70/18 they are indeed E rated..
Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain AT | Discount Tire

 

That is correct; E rated.

 

I love my Yokos too but my last set were D rated (years ago) and my mpg took a swift kick in the nuts when I got E rated ones. I was surprised because they don't weigh much more, less than 5lbs difference if I recall. Not a big deal since it isn't my daily but if it were I'd be looking for something else.

 

I stand corrected. My 33's were never E rated, but different wheel size and stuff. Thanks

 

285 75 18 here

They don’t exist outside of E, which is unfortunate. I think it’s because they are tall thin pancakes.

 

They recently came out with General Grabber ATX that are standard load rating in 275/70r18. They are also pretty easy on the eyes.

 

As noted there are very very few non E rated 275/70/18 AT tires.

If memory serves correct your only options in a tire that you would actually want to buy is the General Grabber AT/X and Goodyear Duratrac comes in a D but doubt it would be much different than E loads.

I find the 33” tire to be just right on these and most trucks either at factory height or leveled.
This is part of what keeps me in the 20” wheel world. The 275/60/20 is essentially the same size as the 275/70/18 but lots of options that are not E load.
I am only a mild off-roader so my 275/60/20s will handle anything I am going to throw at it.

 

I’m experiencing the same also - Wildpeaks have been great, but waiting for them to wear and get a set of C or D.

 

How much of a change in your speedometer, if any, running the 60 vs 55?

 

Just ordered Toyo AT3 in 275/65/18 SL through discount tire

Tire rack has the Toyo's
C rated at 2535 lbs weigh 50 lbs
SL rated at 2756 lbs weigh 41 lbs
E rated at 3415 lbs weigh 51 lbs

Was really considering Duratracs in SL 45 lbs as well as Cooper AT3 42 lbs

I have had Duratracs on the FJ and they are great. Very good in snow and ice when newish. Only complaint is they could hum a bit on the freeway.

I was looking for a slightly lighter, quieter all terrain tire.

 

Very minimal. Not a thing to even bother with.
Mostly below 50 mph driving for me.
So speedo says 50mph I am actually doing 51.7.
If I am on the highway and my Speedo reads 80 I am doing 82.8
I set the cruise just shy of 80 on the interstate.