Tire Load Range?

[Joecharlie]

Hey everyone,
For those of you with a Trail Boss who have replaced the factory Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs, did you go with an E load range tire or go with something lighter? When I search for replacements, almost everything that comes up is E load range. I really do not need that on a half-ton since I am not towing heavy and this is my daily driver. At the same time, I still want an aggressive all-terrain that does well on trails and in the snow, especially living in Colorado. I have the 18” wheel. Curious what load range and specific tires you all ended up running, and how the ride quality, noise, and winter performance have been.

 

[RET-G]

I went with E-rated, Cooper Discoverer Stronghold; 20". I am towing a trailer with a heavy tongue weight, occasional off-road (not grade rated trails, but nasty enough to warrant 10-ply rated). Some have had problems with this tire, I have not...so far. However, when inflated to the required 58 lbs PSI , with an aggressive tread pattern, they give a hard ride.
Why 55 psi?
Stock S-rated tires are rated at 2601 lbs at 35 psi; however E-rated tires do not get to (or over) 2601 lbs until 55 psi (2635 lbs).

 

[Joecharlie]

I was super interested in the stronghold too, and like they were 3PMSF as well being in Colorado. I’ve been looking at the KO3 and found they make a D load range, but there’s been so many mixed reviews on those and how well they balance out and ride. I just can’t justify going with a E(10ply) when I’m not really towing heavy and only hitting the trails on the weekends.

 

[Murph76]

I was always told E is for Hd pickups towing and hauling heavy stuff...and D was for half tons....the tyres on this truck from factory are E and run about 40psi+or-...i think thats excessive but they seem to work good other than a little bit of highway noise

 

[GETGONE]

I found this video a few weeks ago that talks about load range and it's not what you think it is.

 

[RET-G]

Reason E comes on HD trucks is the reason most are hauling and/or towing heavy loads so manufacture installs heavier duty tires.. In reality, the S-rated tires that come on a half-ton are tested for the max loads and normal driving conditions for that vehicle. E-rated on a half ton, unless doing serious off-road trails is not supposed to be necessary; however, sure makes a person feel better.
E-rated tires can take a hell of a lot more punishment for sure. I lived in Moab for, close to, seven years and the Hummer H3 I moved there with had S-rated tires from the factory that last about two=months after starting to do some trails. First tire blew on a simple trail like Fins and Things, second tire blew coming down the Dragon's tail on Hells Revenge and that almost put me over the edge.
From that day on, only E-rated (and most importantly 10-ply rated). Never blew a tire again.

To each their own. Those strongholds are an overkill on this truck; but I like feeling warm and fuzzy when pulling a trailer and feel safer when hitting a chuck hole that just swallowed a small Toyota....

As for MT vs AT....I didn't watch the video since most of the videos on youtube are not anything but someone else's opinion. Most not based on anymore knowledge than me performing heart surgery.

As for KO3? Do not know anyone who runs them, too new. However, many in Moab ran K02s (E-rated) and loved them.

I drop out now....never to return.

 

[brewtus]

Put Load Range D BFG K02s on the factory 20" rims. Not real impressed. Ride is much "shakier" than was with the Territory OE tires. Balanced 3 times to get them right, with 3rd balance a road-force (<10# each wheel when done). They are much quieter on road. They are terrible for wet-traction, and hold rocks/stones like crazy. Wouldn't buy again.

 

[The Raven]

Yes E-load tires are way overkill on 1/2-ton trucks. C-load are more than sufficient to handle anything your TB can do. Also, E-load tires don't necessarily have tougher sidewalls...that's old thinking. Most modern off-road tires use sidewall plies designed for the use-case, so the C-load versions are just as durable off-road as the D and E-load versions. Don't saddle your truck with unnecessary sprung weight...it will be noticed in fuel mileage loss.

 

[Murph76]

Yes E-load tires are way overkill on 1/2-ton trucks. C-load are more than sufficient to handle anything your TB can do. Also, E-load tires don't necessarily have tougher sidewalls...that's old thinking. Most modern off-road tires use sidewall plies designed for the use-case, so the C-load versions are just as durable off-road as the D and E-load versions. Don't saddle your truck with unnecessary sprung weight...it will be noticed in fuel mileage loss.

This is more my line of thinking....my 95 chevy k1500 has bfg ko2s load E....on Billys....boy are they tuff but it rides like a jeep now...even with the Billys on it kills my kidneys

 

[FOX_2.5DSC_'25TB]

Reason E comes on HD trucks is the reason most are hauling and/or towing heavy loads so manufacture installs heavier duty tires.. In reality, the S-rated tires that come on a half-ton are tested for the max loads and normal driving conditions for that vehicle. E-rated on a half ton, unless doing serious off-road trails is not supposed to be necessary; however, sure makes a person feel better.
E-rated tires can take a hell of a lot more punishment for sure. I lived in Moab for, close to, seven years and the Hummer H3 I moved there with had S-rated tires from the factory that last about two=months after starting to do some trails. First tire blew on a simple trail like Fins and Things, second tire blew coming down the Dragon's tail on Hells Revenge and that almost put me over the edge.
From that day on, only E-rated (and most importantly 10-ply rated). Never blew a tire again.

To each their own. Those strongholds are an overkill on this truck; but I like feeling warm and fuzzy when pulling a trailer and feel safer when hitting a chuck hole that just swallowed a small Toyota....

As for MT vs AT....I didn't watch the video since most of the videos on youtube are not anything but someone else's opinion. Most not based on anymore knowledge than me performing heart surgery.

As for KO3? Do not know anyone who runs them, too new. However, many in Moab ran K02s (E-rated) and loved them.

I drop out now....never to return.

I have been running KO3s. They are not too bad in three seasons. They suck in snowy slushy roads...terrible lack of traction. So, I will probably look for a good all season with the 3 peak designation.

 

[Fireman489]

I run the KO3 on the 18" rim. I don't recall what load rating, probably whatever the manufacture recommended but they run great! No noise and very soft feel on the road for what that's worth.

 

[LZammit3]

I have been running KO3s. They are not too bad in three seasons. They suck in snowy slushy roads...terrible lack of traction. So, I will probably look for a good all season with the 3 peak designation.

K03's are 3MPSf rated

 

[FOX_2.5DSC_'25TB]

K03's are 3MPSf rated

I do realize they are 3PMSF rated. I was just letting everyone know they suck on snowy slushy roads and are only good for the other three seasons. So, I will be looking for a better all season 3 peak designation. I have had KO3s for two years now and they have been terrible in the winter.

 

[GETGONE]

The same guy I posted the video about has several other tire videos and one on winter tires. There is now an actual snow rating as the 3 peak rating is a manufacturer self rated deal and it only has to perform I think it was 15% better than an average all season tire to be qualified as 3 peak rated.