Tire load index and ride quality

I am looking at AT tires and have received mixed information about load range and ride quality. If two tires of similar size each have an E load range, will a tire with a lower 121 load index, for example, offer better/softer ride quality than one with a higher 127 load index?

 

to keep it simple since you listed ride quality, a P rated tire is all that is needed on a tundra even at max capacity. That what they are designed for and what they come with.

All this you need load E isnt really true, the primary reason people have them is because thats the only option if you want 35" tires.

So really any load E isnt going to ride well (subjectively of course) and they are WAY heavier per corner.

Personally, I have 33" AT Cooper AT3 4s, they are really nice, ride smooth , look great, are made in USA, have a good warranty, and can take any load the tundra is rated for.

good luck!!!

check out the wheel and tire thread, there is more info in there than you can shake a stick at

 

E range tires are fine, just do the "chalk test" to get the air pressure correct for your particular truck. Mine is at 34 front, 36 rear as it sits now with E load tires.
Yes, they are heavier, possibly louder, get worse (is that possible?) gas mileage. But they will handle better, look better?, stronger sidewalls, more resistant to damage, etc.

Really up to you if you don't mind the compromise.

 

Thanks for the replies. I prefer a 34.5 x11.50 to 12.50 R20 or even a 285/65R20 size, but I can't find anything over 33.5" without going E load range. I know the recon grapplers have a few lighter options, but I understand the harder compound associated with the shallow tread depth on those models is borderline dangerous on cold/frozen roads.

 

I just got Nitto recon grapplers in 275 65 r20, 34s in SL. They ride even better than stock Bridgestone duelers and have a much moreaggressive look.

275 65 r20 is the biggest size out there in sl/xl rating. Anything bigger requires going LT tires.

But I live in Dallas so snow rated tires are not necessary.

 

Look for the three peak snowflake rating might be your best bet. Falken Wildpeak AT's for example.

 

Falken Wildpeak R/T01 comes in a 35 11.5 with a C load range.

 

I found this from here...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tire-load-rating-in-comparison-to-ride-quality.1485/

Generally, the higher the load range, the worse the ride quality will be.

Keep in mind the GVWR of around 7000lbs works out to 1,750lb a tire.

Note there is a difference between load index and load range.

Load index of 121 is ~3,200lbs per tire.

As others have said, E load tires are tougher and can take more abuse. But will ride harder.

I'm using LT275/65 R18 (stock size) load index 123 (3,400lb!!) load range E. I didn't know nearly as much as I know now when I got them.

I'm not concerned about having tire issues for just about anything. But it is a little rough riding. I'll likely go lower load index and load range when it's time for new tires.

 

I am, the Falkens are just heavy

Thanks. I have 20" rims, in that size they are D load range, as are the AT3W. I have considered them, but falkens are a bit heavy compared to others.

 

Oh, 20's will ride rough with E's, for some reason I thought you had 18's, my bad.

 

If you're specifically looking at AT tires, your options for anything other than E rated tires are going to be limited. I'm not aware of any options for C or D rated AT tires in a 20" rim size.

I think if you want something other than E rated you're going to need to drop rim size to 17 or 18. Tire manufacturers just seem to default to E ratings for AT light truck tires. Even if you drop rim size to 17 or 18, there are pretty limited options for C or D load AT tires.

That being said, I just switched from E's to C's and the ride quality is so much better, on and off road. Previously I was on stock steel 18" rims running 295/70r18 Cooper AT3XLT's in LRE. They weren't a bad tire, but man were they rough IMO. An E tire needs to be run at pretty high pressure (at least 45-50psi) or you're going to see crappy tread wear. Oh and btw, you don't get the full weight/strength rating out of an E tire unless you're running like 80psi. Who the fuck runs 80psi in their 1/2 ton pickup tires?

I am now running 35x12.5r17 Toyo AT'3 in LRC and they're so much nicer. They have a max cold pressure of 35psi, which is where I run them for street use.

I'm not sure if I completely buy the argument that E rated tires are "tougher" or "more durable" than C or D, either. As has been noted in other threads, take a look at race trucks, UTV's, and all sorts of rigs running C range tires pretty damn hard. Any of the load ranges can get a puncture or side wall tear if you try hard enough. I think most of it comes down to driver skill and knowing how to navigate terrain when off-road. When on the road, that nail/screw/piece of angle iron is going through your side wall whether you got an E or a C. Sorry, bro.

I wish there were more C range offerings in the light truck AT tire world. I think it would change a lot of opinions on this. We can bag on jeeps and raptors all day, but if it werent for those platforms we'd have like zero options for a softer riding AT tire in the 33"-37" flavors...

 

It's been a few months now, how are the tires treating you? I'm really interested in that exact setup as an upgrade from my 18s with 295/70 coopera.

Thanks.