Load Rating

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:49 pm

I am hoping that someone can make this clear for me. I read somewhere that Load Rating E is not good for offroad application because the sidewall to too stiff and there is little flex. When I look at MT tires, many of them (all in the size I am looking) are E.
I have ordered a FL II and would like to get new wheels and 235/85/16 MT tires. I have looked over the postings here for hours and have found more questions than answers.

Any oppinions on Load Ratings E vs C or D?
If I should stay away from E does anyone know of a 235/85/16 MT in a C or D rating?

I saw that Moose had these tires on his KJ and seemed to like them according to his posts.

Another question:

How do you determine how much to "air down" before hitting the trails? Is there a formula or is it just educated guess?

moose · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:38 am

Well, I like "E" because I want the side wall protection from sharp rocks. Others like "C" because the flex allows them to conform to the surface better and get traction. I also like 235's because I feel the narrower tire puts more weight on the tread and gives traction. I walked up CJ5 hill at camp jeep with these tires aired to 26. So did a guy with 33x12.50's in his TJ who was aired down much lower. It depends on you, how you drive, and where you plan to go. Airing down also depends on conditions. My "E" tires won't gain much flex unles I really air them down, so I don't. I run 35-42 on the highway and 25 off road. I have yet to have a problem getting up a rock where it was the tires slipping rather than the line, no locker, or hitting an obsticle...

just my $.02

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:44 am

235/85s are the original factory size tires used on trucks for a long time, very popular tire on work site trucks still. All I know of are "E" tires. If you look at the tires used on expedition rigs they are usually tall, narrow, heavy plied tires because more trailside problems are caused by tires than any other source.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:24 am

I use tires with an E rating on my F-250 work truck. I think E would be too much for my use. I'm about to with 42,000 miles (going to add another 3,000 highway miles over the next two weeks) and 200 miles of the total might be offroad. That's less than 0.5% offroad. So I look for ride comfort first, then traction, and then road noise. My F-250 is a lot heavier, and I haul and tow a lot more with it. I've had over 1,000 pounds in the bed and have pulled a 9,000 pound generator (not at the same time) and have been pleased with the tires. I put a lot of highway miles on my work truck, and when the bed is empty and I'm not towing anything it rides rough. I'm sure it's more suspension than tires. But I'm sticking with D's on the Liberty.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:18 pm

I spend a lot of time on the road myself. I cover the whole Rocky Mountain Region for my company (UT, WY, ID, CO and MT). I plan to keep this set in the garage until it's time to have some fun. Does anyone know if the bumper needs to be cut on an 06 to fit these tires?

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:21 pm

I posted here awhile ago with the concern of load ratings. I was told, and still warned to this day, that airing down Load Range E tires down is a bad idea, because the stiff sidewall will want to debead the tire rather than flex. That said, almost everyone in LOST Rockies has MT/Rs in load range E and they all air down before harder trails, usually around 18-25 PSI. I've never seen anyone debead a tire when aired down offroad, and the majority of these tires are load range E...so I don't known what I was thinking, I guess.
I had the Firestone Destinations M/Ts in load range E and aired them down to 18 on the trail. Never had a problem.
I recently got new tires, Load Range E, but they're meant for heavier commercial vehicles, so I'm going to be wary with airing down. I'll try 25 PSI first, then maybe go down to 20.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:39 pm

You'll be fine airing down "E" range tires to 12-15psi no problems,did it all the time with my MT/R's(granted they where "D" range but the same # of ply's as the "E" range).You need to air down the "D" and "E" range tires more to get the flex out of them,the MT/R's where made for the rocks so there is a reason for the higher load range.Trust me those thick sidewalls will flex just fine when aired down to 12-15psi,some poeple here in CO even go as far as 8psi without beadlocks and have no problems.

meh_kick · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:55 pm

I don't like to air down below 25 or 26 regardless of the tires... the EVIC acts more goofy with low pressure than no sensors at all (on the spare wheels).

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:02 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

You'll be fine airing down "E" range tires to 12-15psi no problems,did it all the time with my MT/R's(granted they where "D" range but the same # of ply's as the "E" range).You need to air down the "D" and "E" range tires more to get the flex out of them,the MT/R's where made for the rocks so there is a reason for the higher load range.Trust me those thick sidewalls will flex just fine when aired down to 12-15psi,some poeple here in CO even go as far as 8psi without beadlocks and have no problems.

Probably over year ago, I read a thread on here that talked about tire pressure opinions on and offroad. A couple people said airing down tires on the KJ as much as Wrangler owners do on their rigs is a bad idea because the KJ is quite a bit heavier. It seems like you've said that it's not that big of a deal, really. If you're for sure, I trust your opinion and will definitely be airing down my tires to 15 psi next time it sees trail.

moose · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:37 pm

JL Rockies wrote:

I spend a lot of time on the road myself. I cover the whole Rocky Mountain Region for my company (UT, WY, ID, CO and MT). I plan to keep this set in the garage until it's time to have some fun. Does anyone know if the bumper needs to be cut on an 06 to fit these tires?

Yes. The lower little air dam can be removed or trimmed and the bumper will get notched out for turning. It's not bad to look at it from standing - my wife didn't even know I had done it :lol:

Load Rating

Who is online