E load rating AT tires - Pros/Cons

[Altaf]

Anyone use an E load rated tire on the Cruiser? I'm looking at 265/75/16 Michelin A/T2 tires at Costco but they're in an E load rating. What do I lose by going with an E load rating? I've read some E load tires lose their severe snow ratings. My Cruiser is 95% pavement use with stock suspension.

I've got 285/75 Bridgestone Revo's now but thinking about going back to stock size to improve on-road performance (acceleration, braking, steering response, mpg). I do use it for an occasional off-road excursion but it's mostly light stuff: dirt, rocks (not boulders), small streams, and snow. My other option is BFG AT KO with a D load rating 275/70. I know the BFG's are very popular here but the Michelin's I couldn't find much about.

 

[gotmud]

I'd be surprised if you can tell the difference in on-road performance between the two sizes as there is only 5% difference in diameter. BTW, stock size is 275/70/16, not 265/75/16. Personally, I would stick with the Revo's.

 

[Doc]

My E load rated MT's give a very unforgiving ride.

 

[Altaf]

I'd be surprised if you can tell the difference in on-road performance between the two sizes as there is only 5% difference in diameter. BTW, stock size is 275/70/16, not 265/75/16. Personally, I would stick with the Revo's.

I could tell a difference when I switched from the stock LTX to the Revos. It's not a huge difference but it is noticeable for sure. The 285's look way better though. You're right about the 265 not being stock but the A/T2 does not come in a 275/70. The difference in overall diameter is about the same. I just might end up sticking with the Revo's. Still on the fence.

My E load rated MT's give a very unforgiving ride.

That's what I was thinking too, ride quality would be harsh. I noticed that the D load rating Revo's were a stiffer ride compared to stock but didn't know how much stiffer an E load tire would be.

 

[Jacques Villeneuve]

I have E-rated 305/70/16 Firestone Destination A/T's and find that they ride comfortably and quietly. When this set wears out, another set of the same will replace them, perhaps in the new 315/75/16 size (D-rated) but the 305's are A-OK.

 

[TrickyT]

I have the BFG LT285/75R16 AT KO E-rated tires. Got 'em about ten months ago. They've seen mostly highway pavement, washboarded gravel/dirt roads, Moab slickrock, a few river crossings, and Rubicon rocks, but hardly any snow. They ride fine to me - no complaints.

 

[wussyPup]

I use Toyo M55 LT255/85R16, E rated, 10 ply tyres for daily driving, and trips. I think I've been running them with too much air (40 PSI) and find them much stiffer than the BFG 35x12.50R15, C rated, that I use for playing off road. I expected the BFG MTs to be loud on the highway, but I notice the M55s more; it sounds like I'm in a school bus with them.

 

[cary]

Generally an E-load tire will ride harsher than a D or p-metric tire. That said the Michelin A/T2 has had many comments about it's smooth ride. Snow performance appears to be ok on tire rack despite them being E-rated and lacking a severe snow rating.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I have the BFG LT285/75R16 AT KO E-rated tires. Got 'em about ten months ago. They've seen mostly highway pavement, washboarded gravel/dirt roads, Moab slickrock, a few river crossings, and Rubicon rocks, but hardly any snow. They ride fine to me - no complaints.

I just bought these tires for the 80 and debated a bit between the D and E. I finally went with the D. I didn't need E load rating and the D rated tire in this size has slightly more tread depth (if that's worth anything). I think it's a good tire either way.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Generally an E-load tire will ride harsher than a D or p-metric tire. That said the Michelin A/T2 has had many comments about it's smooth ride. Snow performance appears to be ok on tire rack despite them being E-rated and lacking a severe snow rating.

P-metric is a sizing system...

E load rated tires have a stiffer carcass and often more steel or other belts/ply material in the tread and sidewall.

Most 16" tires run at higher pressures and thus the stiffer ride than similar 15" tires. The higher pressure gives a lower rolling resistance and yields better fuel economy (dependent a little on tread).

In a 255 85R16, you might run between 35 and 50 PSI depending - 35 psi is lower, with a soft ride, 50 pdi is fairly stiff with noticeably less rolling resistance and light steering - find your in-between where you're happy with it.

E rated tires excel in heavily loaded conditions and on gravel roads (all the logging companies use them).

hth, John

 

[2yotas]

I use Toyo M55 LT255/85R16, E rated, 10 ply tyres for daily driving, and trips. I think I've been running them with too much air (40 PSI) and find them much stiffer than the BFG 35x12.50R15, C rated, that I use for playing off road. I expected the BFG MTs to be loud on the highway, but I notice the M55s more; it sounds like I'm in a school bus with them.

M-55's and BFG M/T's will get you anywhere you want to go, but both sing loudly at highway speeds -especially on concrete. I think the M-55's have a taller wear bar and give out a bit sooner than they should (compared to the same tire 20 years ago) This is my third year with the BFG's, and short of roofing nails I've had zero problems.
I've had my '92 truck into places I'm not dumb enough to back to a second time without getting stranded. One time I dropped it to the frame in gumbo mud and got out of it -even with a Honda Rubicon in back! IMHO it takes power and spinning wheels to keep the tread clean, and that's something the 3.0 doesn't exactly posess in spades.

 

[Rookie2]

When I was in the market, I recall the E tires were quite a bit heavier too (I think it was over 10 pounds a tire difference). Since I didn't really need that high of a load rating, I decided there was no need to go that route and potentially lose some performance and fuel milage effeciency in addition to the ride quality.

 

[MiniPigg]

Thoughts on the Firestone Destination MT? And sipping them for year round use rather then having them pinned for seasonal only?

Just thinking a while back when Firestone had the tire issues on the exploiders.