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Running Load E Tires?

9K views 35 replies 30 participants last post by  CO4x4Fam 
#1 ·
Hi guys, newbie here. In the process of buying my first Jeep, either a JKU Sport S or Sahara. I've been doing some research on tires and I've ran into the "dont run load E tires on your JK!" comments and then I see alot of people running Terra Grapplers and Toyo M/Ts, which to my knowledge are load E tires. My plan is to get some 35s on 17s. This would be my DD, and not an off road rig (already have a family offroader), about 30 40 miles daily, mainly in the 50-65 mph range. Have plans to regear to 4.56 gears after I get the tires/wheels. If im planning to regear should I worry about load E tires? Really like the look of MTs so I'd intend to get MTs but want to get some opinions first. Thanks in advance!
P.S. I live in Houston so snow is not taken into consideration when picking tires, since we never get any :rant:
 
#2 ·
DO NOT DO IT!!!!! When I lifted my 07 3500 dodge I put my E rated take offs on my fathers 1500 and it was horrible.. Ride quality went it the dumps, and more importantly in the rain the tires where unsafe on his truck. The tires where factory size and option on both trucks only diferance was his called for C rated tires not E. Look around you can find some nice M/T tires in the correct load range
 
#4 · (Edited)
#5 ·
D rating would be better for you and your daily drive. I wanted E too, but after some research went with D.

This thread below has some interesting info on unsprung weight of E rated tires.
http://www.wranglerforum.com/f274/so-you-want-bigger-tires-755625.html
I think E rating tires just look more tougher in my opinion lol but I think when I do decide, D rating would probably have to be my choice. Im sure there's some bad ass D load tires out there. Just have to look, any options you know of?
 
#6 ·
I have seen ppl run D rated and say they have no issues but then again most are lifted with bumpers winches ect... If it where me I wouldn't go above a D rated tire
 
#7 ·
Unless you are really concerned about ride quality such wanting a "plush" ride don't be so concerned with load range. As you stated, some tires, particularly MT tires, are only available in a high load range. Given the option go with lower road range but is shouldn't be the deciding factor if it eliminates one of your preferred tire choices. E rated tires don't just look tougher, load rating is accomplished by beefing up the sidewalls and that causes a stiffer ride.


Jeep's are not cars so don't expect to ride like one.
 
#8 ·
I ran 49000 miles of E rated 275r65-18 with no harshness issues at all on my 08JK.

Despite some warning from alarmists here to the contrary, I had no complaint as DD.
 
#9 ·
If you need a super aggressive MT for some reason, something tells me ride isn't your first concern. If you've got a daily driver that sees dirt, mud and rocks occasionally, I'd look for a load range D tire. More steel plys mean more weight. The Nitto is around 80 lbs in a 35x17. The Toyo is 83.

The Duratrac is 60 pounds. You could easily run a DT that rides great, has great traction and with a 22 pound 17 inch wheel, weighs less than the Toyo all by itself. Yeah, the side wall isn't as tough but DT sidewalls aren't weak. Just a bit weaker than super heavy load range E tires. Way tougher than stock Sport tires.
 
#11 ·
I've been running Lt265/70R17 E KM2's from a 10A JKU for a year now. No issues, they ride like any other mud tire I've ever had on a truck. LR E tires clearly are not the spawn of Satan some are making them out to be if they install them on JKs at the factory.
 
#13 ·
I've got Toyo MT's 285/75/17's and have 20K miles on them.. the only reason I got the load E tire was for a stronger sidewall for off road, and so far I love them. So for my use off road, which I do a lot of, and as a DD, I am very happy with the tire and will probably buy them again when needed. I don't think they are to bad as far as noise and ride as a DD but they are a heavy tire.

BUT, For a DD and little to no off road use I wouldn't recommend Load E tires,
So IMO don't get Load E's tires, your MPG will take a hit and you don't need that added strength in the side wall. stay with the D rating...

Good Luck...
 
#18 ·
I've got Toyo MT's 285/75/17's and have 20K miles on them.. the only reason I got the load E tire was for a stronger sidewall for off road, and so far I love them. So for my use off road, which I do a lot of, and as a DD, I am very happy with the tire and will probably buy them again when needed. I don't think they are to bad as far as noise and ride as a DD but they are a heavy tire.

BUT, For a DD and little to no off road use I wouldn't recommend Load E tires,
So IMO don't get Load E's tires, your MPG will take a hit and you don't need that added strength in the side wall. stay with the D rating...

Good Luck...
Yeah I found some nice tires that are D rated. Wrangler Duratracs and some Nitto Trail Grapplers that are actually D rated. So, it looks like I'll be okay. Just had to do a lot of searching
 
#17 ·
The only complaint I have about my E rated tires is changing them, they are heavy SOB's. But I use a pry bar now and found other tricks to make it easier so it's not so bad.
It's my DD and weekend wheeler and these tires have lasted me 2 years with still a bunch of tread left on them. 37-13.5-17 toyos.
 
#20 ·
Just hit 40k on the 325/65/18 Duratracs with load E and I have no complaints. I do spend a lot of time in the rocks and dirt so I wanted load E but they are surprisingly great on the highway. Just rotated them a little over a week ago and I would guess they still have another 30k + left in them.
 
#23 ·
Same here. I will say that they ride better at 29 psi though, if you fill them up to 35 psi you will have a rough ride. They've been great in the ice, snow, and rain too.
 
#22 ·
I have had 3 sets of toyo E rated tires and one set of Wild country XTX E rated tires on my two wranglers and they ride great. you just have to run the proper psi. 28-30psi on road and 14-20psi off road is great. If somebody tells you they ride rough I can assure you they have not tried toyos. Smooth and Quiet not nearly as heavy as people think. I have weighed my 285/75-17's at about 60lbs.
 
#24 ·
I ran E rated duratracs on my 2004 TJ and found the ride hard, MPG less and felt the extra weight of the tires (they are heavier) in the steering - I ended up putting in a stronger steering dampener in. When those wore out I bought duratracs again that were C rated (I think) and the ride improved and the mileage went up a bit. Unless your climbing rocks I would not do it.
 
#26 ·
Yes an E rating is a stiffer tougher side wall but it is not going to change the ride much. Air pressure is going to have a much larger impact on your ride. If you want a softer ride air them down a bit. This will cut your mileage a bit and also increase your tire wear. It is all a trade off. I logged many miles on BFG KO's and they ride just fine. The 5 ply side wall might just get you home were other will be toast.
 
#28 · (Edited)
^^^ X3!

I have E tires (Generals) on my Rubicon and D tires (Duratracs) on my Sahara.

I take the Rubicon offroad and those thick sidewalls provide the added margin of safety needed to venture into doing tough stuff.

My Sahara stays on-road, with snow driving up to the mountains: those Duratracs provide the smooth ride needed for those long trips.

Good luck,

Aldo
 
#30 ·
About 23k on my E rated Toyo MT 37x13.5x17, run them at 28.
No complaints about the ride and it's my wife's DD. Trust me, she would complain if it were as bad as some suggest. :D

IMO people that wheel their rigs are willing to deal with a little firmer tire. We add armor & truss & winches, etc, all to give an advantage/peace of mind off road. The stronger sidewall is worth it to much of that crowd.
 
#33 ·
Like everything Jeep related, there are a bunch of caveats, and it all depends on where you live and how you use the vehicle?

E rated tires will ride differently on a (lighter) 2 door soft top than a 4 door hard top?

Are there 100 of pounds of additional weight (winch, bumpers, armor) as well?

Is it a DD or a toy?

Are you playing on rocks are just hitting fire roads (or the mall)?

Pizza cutters, balloons, or lo-pros?

AT's or MT's?

I've basically removed E load tires from my list because where I live (burbs of Chicago) and how I use the vehicle (DD with once in a blue moon light trails), that additional side wall strength isn't really needed, and the additional unsprung weight isn't wanted on an AT tires. I might have considered them if pizza cutters were available for 18" rims, but there are plenty of caveats with that as well.
 
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