SSF556
SE Expedition Society
I would say 99.7% of the population in both Canada and the USA have no idea that there is such a thing as an E rated tire and that you can get the same tire in a C rated.
Anybody run load range C tires?
- Thread starter huntsonora
- Start date
I would say 99.7% of the population in both Canada and the USA have no idea that there is such a thing as an E rated tire and that you can get the same tire in a C rated.
bfdiesel
Explorer
So what. We do and that is what matters. From my experience here in Colorado C rated tires on a rig of 4k are swiss cheese waiting to happen, not just the side wall either. Some of our mountain roads have rocks that will bore right through the tread on a light tire with a heavy rig.
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4D55 Performance
Explorer
I had C load range BFG KO's on my Mitsubishi Pickup. All was well until my wife had a blow out on the Interstate doing 70mph. I will never go with an C load range tire again on Pickup or SUV. It's just not worth the risk in my opinion.
stioc
Expedition Leader
I've debated the same thing in my head several times. I went with the C load range Duratracs for my truck (5300lbs fully loaded in the 4day camping mode). The Duratracs in my size are rated for 2200lbs at 50psi - that means they can handle up to 8800lbs weight- so I have a 3500lbs margin with the lowly C rated tires. In your size the C load Duratracs can handle up to 9600lbs (2400lbs each). Of course, the E loads are 10ply tires and the stiffer sidewalls should offer more offroad protection, however, if that was the case scientifically I don't think a lot of the rock crawling tires would be offered in anything less than E but that's not the case. For my next tire I may go to E only because I can't find the 235/85/16 in C load range- but I'm concerened about the harshness on the washboards and the additional unsprung weight.
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Much like stioc, I run 265/75/16 dura tracs in a load range c on my 3rd gen 4runner. So far they have proven durable enough, altough the sidewall is noticably thinner than the 265/75/15 falken wildpeaks i had on my montero sport that i drove prior to the 4runner.
My reason for going to a load range c this go around:
1. i wanted to try them out! The sidewall does still seem thin to me, but has yet to be an issue.
2. lighter rotating mass (although i do still run steel wheels). my falkens weighed 56 lbs a peice, my dura tracs are 45. thats a significant amount in my mind.
So far so good!
Mike
My reason for going to a load range c this go around:
1. i wanted to try them out! The sidewall does still seem thin to me, but has yet to be an issue.
2. lighter rotating mass (although i do still run steel wheels). my falkens weighed 56 lbs a peice, my dura tracs are 45. thats a significant amount in my mind.
So far so good!
Mike
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I'll weigh in with my two bits. I have three firsthand experiences with Duratracs suffering sidewall failure on gravel forest service roads that you could drive a subcompact car on with little worry. This may go against what others have seen, and may just be bad luck, but it has me wondering.
Next example was hunting with my friend in his Dodge 1500 with load range C Goodyears (stock ATs), and while changing one flat we noticed a hissing noise, an found another one on its way out. This also happened in very mild terrain on Forrest service roads. Probably coincidence that all tires involved were Goodyear.
The long and short of it is, are you willing to risk tire failure with paying clients in the 4runner and having them wait around while you change tires? I personally would look at the option of moving to a slightly different size tire if it is available in a D load rating. E is going to be overkill, but C may not be up to the tasks you ask of them. BFG ATs are made in about a gajillion sizes. There must be something very close to your preferred size. Toyo MTs have been impressing the heck out of me in all conditions including snow and highway. Worth a look?
Next example was hunting with my friend in his Dodge 1500 with load range C Goodyears (stock ATs), and while changing one flat we noticed a hissing noise, an found another one on its way out. This also happened in very mild terrain on Forrest service roads. Probably coincidence that all tires involved were Goodyear.
The long and short of it is, are you willing to risk tire failure with paying clients in the 4runner and having them wait around while you change tires? I personally would look at the option of moving to a slightly different size tire if it is available in a D load rating. E is going to be overkill, but C may not be up to the tasks you ask of them. BFG ATs are made in about a gajillion sizes. There must be something very close to your preferred size. Toyo MTs have been impressing the heck out of me in all conditions including snow and highway. Worth a look?
huntsonora
Explorer
Thanks for all of the responses guys, I was intrigued by the weight of the C rated tires but will be going with E's when its time to make the change
Plannerman
Wandering Explorer
I'm running Load range C on my 2010 Tacoma, no problems with heavy loads and towing. You should be fine.
Sent via fat thumb
Sent via fat thumb
bfdiesel
Explorer
safety first!!!
rxinhed
Dirt Guy
The tires on my Ramcharger are "C" class, and are typical 33x12.5-15s found on 1/2-ton trucks. If you are concerned about sidewall punctures, looks into several of the Super Swamper tires, Mickey Thompson, BFG, and others that have 3-plies or more. If your 4-Runner will only see dirt (no highway) and overall speed is not a concern, you could use skid steer or other ag.-type tires with up -to 15-ply sidewalls.
stioc
Expedition Leader
lol - thanks for the chuckle!
It's interesting to see the overkill shotgun approach to everything in our society in general. I'm guilty of it too.
duckhunter71
Adventurer
I run load range C tires on my Frontier. I have Cooper Discoverer A/T3s and have had good luck with them so far. I know that they aren't the heaviest duty tire, but when 98% of your driving is highway and paved street, I think the fuel and initial purchase savings over a heavier tire outweighs the chance that you might tear up a tire. Just my thoughts (and I'm super frugal!).
Inyo_man
Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.
I'm running E load Duratrac in the 265/75/16, and the washboards have never been an issue after a psi adjustment. I'd never run anything but E load (mostly due to the desert terrain I primarily navigate when backcountry laden). I've seen rigs get a flat in their C load tire, change it, and get another flat before first one can be repaired. Never seen that with an E load (exempting racing). (Only my 2 cents.)
Kaisen
Explorer
If you're considering a particular load range tire (P-XL/C/D/E/F/...) consider that the actual load capacities will vary with size.
For example, my LT285/70-17 D-range have a 3195 pound rating per tire
The LT245/75-16 E-range they replaced have a 3042 pound rating per tire
So a set of D range tires carries 612 pounds more than a set of E range tires on the same truck
The sidewall construction is quite a different matter, but there are differences in puncture/abrasion resistance well beyond the load rating
I have Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor All-Terrains in the "Pro Grade" line with the Kevlar sidewalls that have performed flawlessly
For example, my LT285/70-17 D-range have a 3195 pound rating per tire
The LT245/75-16 E-range they replaced have a 3042 pound rating per tire
So a set of D range tires carries 612 pounds more than a set of E range tires on the same truck
The sidewall construction is quite a different matter, but there are differences in puncture/abrasion resistance well beyond the load rating
I have Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor All-Terrains in the "Pro Grade" line with the Kevlar sidewalls that have performed flawlessly