Load ratings for off-road use C D E

sandracer · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:44 pm

After reading countless entries on 4x4 related forums and various tire sites, I think that an LT tire in a load range C will best suit my needs. I can get sidewall protection and overall flexability for off-roading while still retaining a level of comfort on the blacktop. I'm looking for an All-Terrain tire with a fairly aggresive tread without going to a Mud-Terrain tire. The KJ is our only vehicle and I still need to have it suitable for highway use. Besides, mud is not an issue in our corner of the world and I doubt my wife would care for the noise. I suppose that since I've lived in the desert all my life and run countless sets of BFG T/A All Terrains, I tend to use that tire as a base for any comparisons. I thought I'd share what I've found, so far.

As far as being able to keep my stock 17 inch wheels, I found nothing with a C load range in a size I can use. The closest I could get was a number of tires in 245/70R17 but all are Load Range E.

So, I'll move on to 16's that would be mounted on 16x7 steel wheels with a 4.5 inch backspace. The Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor comes in a 245/75R16C but it is at the maximum height for my OME lift (with some trimming). The BFG A/T KO is available in a 235/70R16C and has basically the same dimensions as my stock tires. So, the GY gives me a bit more altitude and the BFG maintains my current final drive ratio.

In a 15 inch size there are a number of tires available in a 30x9.50x15C and 31x10.50x15C including the Big O Mesa A/P, BFG T/A KO and the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor. The 30x9.50 is quite close to my stock size and while most of the 31x10.5's come in at a useable 30.5 inch diameter, I'm concerned that the 10.5 inch width would present too many clearance issues. I'm not too keen on running 15's as I realy don't care for the "Soft 8" style wheel. The wife has already said, "NO BLACK WHEELS". I know they also come in chrome and silver but I much prefer the D Window style. Anyone know if the 15 inch D-Windows will fit?

Has anyone else found load range C tires that I should consider? I would prefer to use either a 16 or 17 inch wheel.

I know a number of you are running load range D (like the BFG T/A KO 245/70R16D) and E tires and I would appreciate your input, as well.

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:11 pm

Other C-Load Rated Tires

245/75/16
Firestone Destination A/Ts
Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos
Firestone Destination M/Ts

235/70/16
BFG M-T TA KMs

There are no C-Load rated tires available in 246/70/16 or 235/75/16 that I could find...

sandracer · **Posted:** Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:06 pm

I've been reading reviews of the Destination M/T and must say I'm impressed. Several reviews mentioned that they don't howl on the highway. My wife liked that part.

meh_kick · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:02 pm

I found out this weekend that the Buckshot Mudders are very quiet on the street too.

I run Toyo ATs in c range daily and really like them.

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:03 pm

sandracer wrote:

I've been reading reviews of the Destination M/T and must say I'm impressed. Several reviews mentioned that they don't howl on the highway. My wife liked that part.

They do though. I had them, and at some point in the wearing down process they'll start to howl real good round 25-35 MPH.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:00 pm

I use E's on my F-250 work truck, which is at least 2,000 pounds heavier, and probably more. They would ride rough as hell on a Liberty. I went with C's, D's would probably be ok.

sandracer · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:27 am

I really appreciate all the input. I figured I'd have to open my options up to include Load Range D as there just isn't much in the C's.

That brings in the BFG T/A KO in two more viable sizes, 245/70R16D and 255/70R16D.

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:39 pm

sandracer wrote:

I really appreciate all the input. I figured I'd have to open my options up to include Load Range D as there just isn't much in the C's.

That brings in the BFG T/A KO in two more viable sizes, 245/70R16D and 255/70R16D.

Also Pirelli Scorpion ATRs in 245/70R16D and Dunlop Radial Rover RVXT in 255/70R16D

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:58 pm

Load Range E definitely do ride rough on a Liberty. But they also usually have 10-ply sidewalls. I know a lot of people who have had flats from C tires (specifically BFG A/Ts KOs), all from sidewall punctures, though most not offroad!

jason thompson · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:39 pm

Guys it is all about having the right PSI in your tires that will be what makes your KJ ride more or less rough
yeah E load tires are made to carry more weight but at more PSI
Yes they ,at the correct PSI, will ride slightly more rough than a C ,at the proper PSI, but not enough to pull your hair out over trying to track down C's that you like in your size

it is all about the math so I will just keep it easy
a given E load tire will carry 3,000 # @ 80psi
a given C load tire will carry 2,000 # @ 50psi

now the KJ's gross weight is say 4,000 LBS (I know it is more but I am trying to keep the math easy)
so that is 1,000 # per tire (again I know it is more in the front and less in the rear I have access to scales)

so if the C load tire can carry 2,000 # @ 50psi then it can carry 1,000 # at 25psi safely and smoothly but MPG will suffer
now the E load tire on the same rig with 1,000 # per tire will take about 26psi and again MPG will suffer
but notice that the PSI for each tire is very very close to the same

now we know that the KJ weighs more than 1,000 # per tire and we all want to maximize MPG and get as much life as we can out of our tires so unless you plan to weigh each corner of your KJ and use that weight to determine what % of each tires capacity is being used and what % of psi increase will make it ride good but give you max tire life and max MPG then the best thing to do is go by the number stamped in the door on the driver side as well as in the fuel tank filler
and IIRC that is 32psi if you know that you have X # in extra weight and can live with a slightly more rough ride then add say 2-6 psi to that

but if you note that with every tire topic PSI comes in to play and that is because PSI is
Pounds Per Square Inch
and if both the C and E have the same psi then the only factor left for rough ride is the extra belts and rubber for carrying the extra weight but they will both go equally flat at 0 psi due to the weight of the KJ

Load ratings for off-road use C D E

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