Load range 'C' vs Load Range 'E' (my thoughts)

CodaMan said:
Nope, different make/model, but the difference is huge and I contribute most of it to the load range.
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My neighbor bought a 2 door JK and complained about the ride constantly, he was looking at shock and spring upgrades. I kept telling him to drop air pressure then I went by and looked at the Jeep it had load range E tires on it. The sidewalls were supper stiff. He dropped the pressure to about 22 psi that helped but the pressure monitor kept coming on. Bought a programmer to solve that. Once he change to c range tires problem solved.
 
Mr. Bills said:
I had the same experience with a 5,400# 4WD SUV. After 40,000 miles on LT265/75R16-E Cooper Discoverer ST/Maxx tires I replaced them with LT265/75R16-C Cooper Discoverer AT3's. The new tires feel softer on the highway in comparison, but I actually preferred the firmer ride of the ST/Maxx.

In a comparison of these particular tires, the difference in offroad performance between the two load ranges on mild to moderate terrain has been minimal. Both tire carcasses can and do flex against the resistance of an obstacle when aired down, which is consistent with my observations of LT315/75R16-E Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3's on my 4,700# LJ when aired down.

However, an honest assessment of the difference between two tires with different load ratings must take confirmation bias into consideration. If one's preconceived notion is that a C load range tire must necessarily be better offroad than an E load range tire, then that is exactly what one's butt dyno will suggest. Conversely, if one is wont to believe that load range doesn't matter then one's butt dyno will transmit exactly that.*

Simply observing the degree of sidewall bulge resulting from gravity pulling against a stationary tire is relatively meaningless, and choosing or disqualifying a tire solely on the basis of load rating is unprincipled. What counts offroad is how a particular tire conforms to an obstacle and how it resists damage which necessarily involves many factors in addition to the number of sidewall plies or load rating. Different tires from different manufacturers may and likely will behave differently even with the same load rating.

At least as far as Cooper Discoverer ST/Maxx, Cooper Discoverer AT3-LT and Cooper manufactured Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3's are concerned, the difference in performance offroad between C and E load ratings does not appear to be significant in comparison to the benefit derived from the stronger 3-ply sidewalls of the E load rated versions of those tires no matter how one's butt dyno is calibrated.

Comparisons of different tires may yield different conclusions and YMMV.


___________________

* Pronounced ˈwänt.
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I have an opportunity for what seems to be a good deal on 5 Toyo ATIII 315-75/16 E, date code 2521 for $1200 (asking) with 2500 miles off a Toyota Land Cruiser. Will go look at them and offer $1k. Tire Rack is $1600 for 5. From what I gather with a short search is the ATIII is a pretty good tire, but I've never run Toyo on anything. I have 35 x 15 Cooper Evolution MT on the fancy wheels and can swap either from LJ to XJ whenever I want, depending on conditions.
Of course the C vs E rating enters my mind.

Jump on it?
 
I've run E's, D's and C's...All M/T and mostly BFG. I can't tell a difference between them, on or off road. My current tires, 35" General's, are a LR e and there really isn't a difference...well, not a dramatic difference. IF you want a nice ride, focus on what will give you a nice ride, namely the shocks and having balanced travel (equal amounts up and down). It also helps to have more than 2" of uptravel...
 
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NOTNSUV said:
He'll take $1000. I might get that out of my 5 KM2 in 33 x 10.5 with 15" D steel wheels.
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I don't really think it should matter how much you get for your tires with the rims. I just googled the interwebs and the lowest price I could find for 5 Toyo ATIII 315-75/16 is just a hair over the $1600 you mentioned so I'd be buying those 5 for $1000 whether I wanted to use them or not. Just reselling the set of 5 for $1250 would still be a pretty good price for the next buyer and put an extra $250 in your Jeep pocket.
 
$1000 for 5 ATIIIs is a steal. I moved up to 33.5s last week, cost me $1600 at discount tire for 5x 295/75R16s.

I moved up from standard load Firestones at 245/75. I have the AT3s aired down to 23 psi. It's slightly harsher, but really not that bad with the right shocks.
 
JEEPCJTJ said:
I don't really think it should matter how much you get for your tires with the rims. I just googled the interwebs and the lowest price I could find for 5 Toyo ATIII 315-75/16 is just a hair over the $1600 you mentioned so I'd be buying those 5 for $1000 whether I wanted to use them or not. Just reselling the set of 5 for $1250 would still be a pretty good price for the next buyer and put an extra $250 in your Jeep pocket.
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$1600 used or new?

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I had the Toyo AT in a 35 x 12.5 x 18 on an F150 and they lasted a decent amount of time and wore well. I would get them again.
 
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