E to D/C rated tires (KO2)

Has anyone switched from E rated 10 ply tires to D or C rated tires 4/6/8 ply tires?

About to replaced my second set of E rated tires. I like the strength, handling and rigidity of them but the ride is harsh when unloaded. There's no forgiveness and the ride is jarring/bouncy.

Has anyone switched down to C or D and seen successful results in a smoother ride? 90% of the time is on pavement with no serious off roading.

 

Should be smoother. No reason to worry. The Michelin’s from the factory are not E rated and the Toyota specs (hauling/towing) are to those tires.

 

I’ve got c rated KO2 on the 4runner and they do ride a lot smoother and air down better than the 10 ply toyos on the truck.
I’ve also heard E range is way over kill for our trucks and when you do air down, the truck isn’t heavy enough to really flatten out the tread very well
I’ll be looking for C range when my toyos wear out

 

Makes sense. I went on a "choppy" loose trail that had 1000's of mini bumpy rows. 35 psi to 10 psi was no different.... B B B B B B B B Bouncing, skipping, hopping like it was a jack hammer. All interior panels were clapping against the car. It was so bad the rear end would being to swing out like I was doing donuts if I picked up speed.

I do like the cornering on the streets though.

 

So the key to wash boards is…….. speed!
If you get going fast enough your tires don’t have time to dip as far into the ruts and you mostly stay on top of the crests. All within reason, and like you said the rear end wants to walk out if you push it

 

Out of curiosity, what suspension setup are you running? I'm assuming some version of OEM which then the question would be ... OEM black shocks or TRD OR package Bilstein's? I did about 60 miles of logging roads in the North Maine Woods during Memorial day weekend with the family and with E-rated KO2's and factory TRD OR suspension. It wasn't pleasant over 30mph most of the time but I did have about 500lbs in the rear so it certainly wasn't unloaded. End of the day it was a great trip and got my wife to greenlight further suspension upgrades!

 

My truck is an 05 sequoia. Front and rear steel bumper with about a 4 inch lift. 285/70/17 KO2

Suspension is bilstien 6112 up front with 650 pound springs. Rear are heavy duty Dobinsons shock/springs. I have literally replaced every single suspension component with either an upgraded part or OEM arms. That way my truck has brand new bushings quite literally everywhere.

If I remove my seats and have the rear cargo area loaded up with 500-1000lb + loads it rides like a smooth luxury car.

 

Sorry didn't realize we were talking Sequoia here and not Tundra. Yeah I have no clue other than I'm sure the ride will be fine by going back to the factory load rating. I only "upgraded" to E-rated tires for better sidewall rigidity when aired down and perhaps one day to be marginally better than OEM rated tires at towing. 2 years after buying the truck I've towed nothing with it! The dealership I bought it used from towed with it more than I probably ever will.

 

Definitely on a gen 1 frame, the e rated is overkill!!

 

Not ko2 specific, but runner has had the Tpms light go off on momma bear, discount filled twice now, so finally I took a stroll around
Wah wah waaaaaah

 

I had E rated KO2's on my Tacoma (265/75R16), and now have D rated KO2's on my Tundra (34x10.5R17). I certainly don't wheel hard, mostly commuting on the freeway. I like the D rated tires, I would highly recommend them.

 

You don't like your tires to blow bubbles? I think it's a neat trick

 

Also OP, it is possible that your ride is due to KO2 and not just the e rated. Ive been running ko2 tires for years and years. They ride very very rough

 

I switched to E rated REVO 3’s and they are much softer then my old E rated coopers. In my tire sizes E rated is the only option, so I searched for reviews on the best riding E rated tire. Even towing they are so much softer compared to the coopers at 45-50 psi warm. I run around 35-40psi around town not towing. Hoping by the time I get new tires again that C and D rated will be an option in 295/70r18 or 285/75r18

 

I went from D rated KO2s to SL rated Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain AT tires.
The ride is much smoother.
Been happy with these Goodyears, I was a little leery about it at first.
No regrets on buying them..

Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain AT | Discount Tire

 

It really depends on your planned use.
Be conscious of the air pressure/weight rating when making your choice.
Towing heavier loads requires a stiffer sidewall.