C, D, E and F rated tires

[wmchardy]

I have a 2023 Badlands Sasquatch. The stock tires are the Goodyear C rated 315/70 R17. For the vehicle weight, these seem to be a decent rated tire, although I agree that the Factory supplied tires are considered sub-standard by many. Viewing many of the manufacturers, most of the tires in this size are E rated. Some are D rated, fewer are C and F rated.

I use E rated tires on my half ton truck. It's a truck, and I tow frequently. It rides like a truck, and I accept and expect that. I do not air-up or air-down the tires on my truck.

For those who frequently air-up and air-down their tires for serious off-roading and rock crawling, I can see using an E rated tire. I'm making an assumption that the sturdier sidewalls are best for this application. For those who use their broncos 80 - 90 percent on the road, how rough is the ride with the E rated tires at proper air pressure? Is there a down-side to going with D rated tires?

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[jzweedyk]

For rock crawling you want a sidewall that is flexible. That is why all really big 40"+ tires that I know of are C rated. I only use C rated tires for rock crawling. Stiff tires do not flex and grab rocks.

 

[Oldhippie]

There is no reason I can think of (ok maybe 100+mph across the desert) that any one needs more than a C rated tire on a bronco…it can’t haul or tow much…and as stated soft sidewalls are better off and on road…

 

[BlueWaffle]

There is no reason I can think of (ok maybe 100+mph across the desert) that any one needs more than a C rated tire on a bronco…it can’t haul or tow much…and as stated soft sidewalls are better off and on road…

Ever heard of shale?


Shitll rip through a sidewall quicker than a fat kid through a box of cookies.


I noticed no difference in ride when I went from a D to an E rated tire on my rig fwiw.

 

[Callelk]

Ever heard of shale?

Or Lava Rock, basalt rock will eat sidewalls where I live. Goodyear "C" rated OEM Tires are in the shed, Baja Boss on the Bronco.

 

[Aonarch]

For rock crawling you want a sidewall that is flexible. That is why all really big 40"+ tires that I know of are C rated. I only use C rated tires for rock crawling. Stiff tires do not flex and grab rocks.

Truth except for the KM3. KM3 is designed to flex even in E rated.

 

[DriveAllNight]

Off road requirements are location dependent and change dramatically by environment - this applies to more than just tires.

With that said, C ratings will give you a softer ride on the highway, E rated tires will be a harder ride by comparison but in theory handle better, but there are other factors involved in that, so beware of blanket statements.

And to make matters worse, when cross shopping brands and models the classifications translate differently- meaning not all 3plys are equal and because everyone uses different ratios and compounds to make the tires, the characteristics are very different, throw in tread thickness and patterns , sizes and every other factor and you'll find it becomes very difficult to compare just one aspect of the tire.
You need to consider the tire as a complete package with pros and cons.

 

[lakesinai]

I have a 2023 Badlands Sasquatch. The stock tires are the Goodyear C rated 315/70 R17. For the vehicle weight, these seem to be a decent rated tire, although I agree that the Factory supplied tires are considered sub-standard by many. Viewing many of the manufacturers, most of the tires in this size are E rated. Some are D rated, fewer are C and F rated.

I use E rated tires on my half ton truck. It's a truck, and I tow frequently. It rides like a truck, and I accept and expect that. I do not air-up or air-down the tires on my truck.

For those who frequently air-up and air-down their tires for serious off-roading and rock crawling, I can see using an E rated tire. I'm making an assumption that the sturdier sidewalls are best for this application. For those who use their broncos 80 - 90 percent on the road, how rough is the ride with the E rated tires at proper air pressure? Is there a down-side to going with D rated tires?

Tires are so location and vehicle-use specific that I've found it helpful to assume I'll need several sets of tires for some vehicles. If I lived up North still, I'd have a set of snow/Ice tires and Summer tires. My current Nitto Nomad Grappler tires are great for highway and beach. But if I went out West to rock crawl on desert trails, I'd be installing a set of Baja Boss MT tires. I think you're smart to ask what others are using, but Location is important. I had a long Email conversation with a Mickey Thompson rep about precisely your question, and it seemed that as load increased and terrain got rougher, the higher rated tires gave some durability and peace of mind that is important on some terrain. When I go there, I'll get the appropriate set.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I've found the OEM Sasquatch Goodyears to be a near perfect fit for my own use case. I camp often, but don't always use 4x4 to get there, I'd say I do some real wheeling like 3-4 times a year.

 

[jzweedyk]

Truth except for the KM3. KM3 is designed to flex even in E rated.

OK, but to my point, the 39" KM3 (which I like) is available in C range only. For rock crawling, C is the range to have. In all my years of rock crawling, I have only damaged a sidewall once. I am a believer in BFG tires, I run KO2 on my Bronco, but I did run the KMs on my Jeep. Years ago, a lot of locals in Moab switched to the Kevlar tires, I think they were Goodyears. But that only lasted a short time as nobody liked them and they failed often.

 

[wmchardy]

Really good feed-back. Enjoyed everyone's opinions. I have a number of years' experience off-roading in everything from older to newer jeeps, up to one-ton trucks and 3/4 ton Suburbans (you would be amazed where these vehicles can go when they belong to the County. LOL). Did a lot of search and rescue work out west. Went through many tires. I am a fan of BF Goodrich radial all terrains. Was thinking of those tires, either C or D rated, when the time comes.

Really appreciated hearing from everyone...

 

[1st 75th ranger]

I have a 2023 Badlands Sasquatch. The stock tires are the Goodyear C rated 315/70 R17. For the vehicle weight, these seem to be a decent rated tire, although I agree that the Factory supplied tires are considered sub-standard by many. Viewing many of the manufacturers, most of the tires in this size are E rated. Some are D rated, fewer are C and F rated.

I use E rated tires on my half ton truck. It's a truck, and I tow frequently. It rides like a truck, and I accept and expect that. I do not air-up or air-down the tires on my truck.

For those who frequently air-up and air-down their tires for serious off-roading and rock crawling, I can see using an E rated tire. I'm making an assumption that the sturdier sidewalls are best for this application. For those who use their broncos 80 - 90 percent on the road, how rough is the ride with the E rated tires at proper air pressure? Is there a down-side to going with D rated tires?

so factory c rated is a bit wiggly and not as puncture resistant as i wanted could not find d in the size i wanted so i went 36x12.5x17 e rated ..as per tire psi around 40 as per ride and chaulk test psi 35 so a tad lower air and i get the same ride but other features i wanted

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