E load vs C load tires - what's your pick?

[EasternSierra]

...The Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T and KO3s are on my short list for my next off-road tire. The only downside is the MTs are E....

MT has 33/35/37" flotation sizes in D. You may need to search to find a vendor who has the size you want in stock.

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[Montana Bronco]

Speaking of the KO3... does anyone know if there a C range version of the 315/70R17 coming? I only see a D and an F right now.

I am curious about this as well.

 

[ThunderFlash]

MT has 33/35/37" flotation sizes in D

I just looked and Tire Rack was not showing the 35x12.5-R17 Mickey Thompson BB AT in LR D, just the P315/70-R17 in LR E. They used to list the 35" in LR D. Discount tire shows the M/T BB AT 35" LR D flavor, though. I hope M/T didn't discontinue the 35" flotation model because I'm loving these M/T BB AT tires so far.

I'll spare you all my typical longer winded reply and give this medium winded reply. I vote LR D. With my heavy truck and at 22 psi, the 35", LR D, M/T BB AT worked really well in the limited trail miles I have so far. That pressure put the side bitters in position to do some work and it seemed I needed the rear locker less often. The tires are equally swell on the road. They manage the truck weight (as much as 6,200 lbs) much better than the OEM GY LR C tires, both on and off road.

 

[EasternSierra]

I just looked and Tire Rack was not showing the 35x12.5-R17 Mickey Thompson BB AT in LR D, just the P315/70-R17 in LR E. They used to list the 35" in LR D. Discount tire shows the M/T BB AT 35" LR D flavor, though. I hope M/T didn't discontinue the 35" flotation model because I'm loving these M/T BB AT tires so far.

That's why I said you have to look around. The MT site shows 33, 35, and 37" flotation sizes. Tire Rack doesn't have the 35s and neither does another site I looked at. A third site (don't remember name) does have them in stock. Since they're still on the MT site I assume they're not discontinued.

 

[ThunderFlash]

That's why I said you have to look around.

I guess so. Just kind of odd that I had used Tire Rack to research tires about 4 months ago and the 35" M/T BB AT option was was listed. Always found TR had a fairly complete catalog, but lesson learned that due diligence in researching can pay off.

 

[EasternSierra]

I guess so. Just kind of odd that I had used Tire Rack to research tires about 4 months ago and the 35" M/T BB AT option was was listed. Always found TR had a fairly complete catalog, but lesson learned that due diligence in researching can pay off.

I was really surprised when I went there and the 35" flotation size was missing. I'd copied the specs from that site months earlier. Like you, I'd always figured that Tire Rack would be comprehensive in its offerings.

 

[OffroadCamper]

Great thread, good info. Thanks to all.
Convoluted dark marketing magic are ply ratings... LOL
I'm a E guy.
Our group doesn't require it, but highly recommends E rated or higher.
C rated seem to be the first to get cut down. (Southwest)
Usually on Coyote flats, Death Valley periminter, Arizona Peace trail.
But not "usually" Mojave, Southern Utah, Grand Canyon, New Mexico Gila.
Going to Niagra Rim trail for first time in a few weeks. Obstacle called "Sidewall Suiside", I'll prob take bypass but....
...the OEM GY M/T C rated are coming off Thurs, at 5k mi. Keeping spare for weight savings.
Just ordered 4x:

Toyo Tire Open Country R/T Trail
35 X12.50R17 LT 125Q E2 BSW

2 ply 10 ply rated vs C 6 ply rating.
Almost got R/T Pro which are all 3 ply 12 ply rated, but Trail is better on sand and lateral G's on pavement and well planted at 100mph+.

Ran KO2, Yokohama, Ridge Grappler and R/T trail before. All good.
But R/T trail E rated on my F150 is my absolute favorite so far.

Safety, Reliability, Performance, then phsy ops...

When I walk across the parking lot to the grocery store to get milk, diapers, feminine products, etc if I can look over my shoulder and say to myself dang that looks like it can kick some ass its a win...

 

[Smocaine]

I am still on C-range factory tires but I hope to run the Baja Boss AT in the 35x10 size and E range - narrow aspect ratios increases flexibility, making up for the stiffer sidewall.
Stiffness of higher-rated tires also varies wildly by manufacturer and even individual carcass. It's all a balancing act and there are a lot of screws to turn, each one affecting the others.

 

[Pops]

may be ok but speed and a hole could be trouble plus I see rocks..
stock Sasquatch and raptor C tires are not to be trusted at speed on stuff like that…imho

Yes, agreed. I am the guy in the OEM Goodyears poking along less than 1/2 that speed on rocks like that.
I'm always alone and have no wish to be plugging or changing a tire on the trail.

 

[Motovita]

I am still on C-range factory tires but I hope to run the Baja Boss AT in the 35x10 size and E range - narrow aspect ratios increases flexibility, making up for the stiffer sidewall.
Stiffness of higher-rated tires also varies wildly by manufacturer and even individual carcass. It's all a balancing act and there are a lot of screws to turn, each one affecting the others.

I'm trying to work out in my head how "narrow aspect ratios increase flexibility", help me out. I'm a tall narrow guy myself, mostly for increased traction in loose or slippery conditions.

 

[Smocaine]

I'm trying to work out in my head how "narrow aspect ratios increase flexibility", help me out. I'm a tall narrow guy myself, mostly for increased traction in loose or slippery conditions.

For a given tire carcass diameter and pressure, a narrower aspect ratio simply has less material per radial slice of tire to resist deformation and experiences higher point pressure.
This negatively affects flotation but positively affects mechanical grip where it's available.
In simpler terms, and with many many caveats and yabbuts, they cut and wrap better where wide tires float and flat-grip better.

 

[Motovita]

For a given tire carcass diameter and pressure, a narrower aspect ratio simply has less material per radial slice of tire to resist deformation and experiences higher point pressure.
This negatively affects flotation but positively affects mechanical grip where it's available.
In simpler terms, and with many many caveats and yabbuts, they cut and wrap better where wide tires float and flat-grip better.

Thanks, I've noticed the effect but hadn't considered the tread surface as resisting deformation, makes sense.

 

[JaredH790]

E-Load ... have not had a single flat since switching ... on A/T tires

 

[Scedwin]

Team D-load here. Toyo OC R/T Trail 315’s…triple sidewalls, super grippy offroad and on including rain and snow. Best of all worlds.

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