Tires - XL or E rated

BlitzBound · Jan 10, 2022

I have a ‘19 1500 Bighorn that needs new shoes.
I’m up in the air between an XL rated AT tire and E rated tire (both Cooper Discovery AT3s).
I think I’m sticking with 275/55/20 OME size, although I would t mind a little bigger.. 285s?
I tow an appr 8000lb boat about 25 miles round trip 3 times a week during season and have one 400 mile trip a year. Honestly, the Nexen Rodian HTX tires it came with haven’t been terrible and they are rated standard load.
Do I need to go to a 10 ply E rated tire? From what I’m told, they are heavier and will adversely affect everyday ride… I figure I’m going up in rating with the XLs anyway?
Your thoughts on rating and if going with 285s on stock rims would adversely affect anything.
Thank you!!!

crazykid1994 · Jan 10, 2022

If you can find a C rated tire would be lighter and softer than E rated and still heavy duty if you wanted to go that route. Any E rated tire will reduce mpg and ride comfort because of the weight and stiffness. An XL rated tire would be fine.

LugsLeadOut84 · Jan 10, 2022

If you don't do serious hauling, trailering and hardcore off-roading, E's are overkill and they will very much affect your MPG. But if you aren't that concerned with MPG, then go for it. I had E-rated BFG KO2's and liked their near "invincibility" lol. I know the rating is mainly due to their stiffer sidewalls, but I've picked up nails and screws and just pulled them from the thicker lugs with no issues.

CheechDogg.0n37s · Jan 11, 2022

I have the E rated Ridge Grapplers in 37s and I love how beefy these tires are ... I am ok sacrificing a bit of ride comfort to have a strong tire like these ... I would go with the E rated ones if you can handle a little rougher ride ...

Cableman · Jan 11, 2022

My neighbor has 19 bighorn and he went with 275/60 nitto Terra grappler g2, looks much better and these tires come in xl rating.

Sasquatchtdg · Jan 11, 2022

I have the E rated Nitto Terra Grapplers, they did reduce mileage and some comfort, but I also like the extra tough factor. This reminds me I'm due for a rotate and balance!

brian42 · Jan 11, 2022

I have the XL-Rated Nitto Ridge Grapplers. IMO they are a good compromise between too soft and too rough.

I have no need for an E-Rated tire so did not pony up the extra $$ for the 10-ply rating or the loss of MPG.

An XL-Rated tire is more than enough to tow your boat and an occasional 400 mile trip. The E-Rated is going to be a personal preference as nothing you described begs for that extra margin.

Just my .02

BlitzBound · Jan 14, 2022

Thanks for responses folks.
I ended up going with Cooper Discoverer AT3 LTX (E rated) in stock wheel size 275/55/20.
I figured the stiffer sidewalks weren’t going to hurt as my main concern with this truck is towing boat (9k).
After all I’ve read, I was expecting harsh ride and feel every bump… not so much. Im at 40 psi for now, but haven’t had the chance to do the chalk test yet.
All I can say, I’m really pleased… and they look pretty damn good too.
Thanks!

Farmer Fran · Jan 14, 2022

Ugh, maybe I missed something but what are your towing conditions and not just needs.

Terrain
Climate
Road Conditions

This will make a 1000% difference in ride. But I see you made the bed. Hope it works out.

BlitzBound · Jan 15, 2022

Highway road conditions and relatively flat. Frequent towing.
Got the tires on yesterday and went to camp- 180 miles highway and then gravel/dirt road. I’m just not seeing the “1000% difference in ride”. Hell, I Was actually waiting for it, but never came… no doubt a little more firm, but nothing out of the ordinary or uncomfortable. I did see appr 1mpg drop off, but really too early to tell.

DodgeDude1999 · Jan 15, 2022

You drive a 1/2 ton not a 1 ton, you don’t need E’s

Regcabguy · Jan 15, 2022

crazykid1994 said:
If you can find a C rated tire would be lighter and softer than E rated and still heavy duty if you wanted to go that route. Any E rated tire will reduce mpg and ride comfort because of the weight and stiffness. An XL rated tire would be fine.

I have C rated tires on my Honda Pilot. The C's are woefully inadequate for full size pickup.

crazykid1994 · Jan 15, 2022

Regcabguy said:
I have C rated tires on my Honda Pilot. The C's are woefully inadequate for full size pickup.

LT C rated tires are perfect for a 1500 pickup truck given the lower payload capacity. Unless you are referring to cargo tires which are still over the rating of the factory Passenger SL rated tires. Hell the truck come with Passenger SL rated tires stock which have a 2600lb per tire rating. 4 tires that’s 10,400lbs for all 4 which is already 2400lbs over the truck rating. On a 1500 E rated tires are overkill because you’ll never be anywhere near capacity. If you say a 1500 is rated to 7000lbs and go look at an E rated tire. Rated to 4000lbs per tire. 2 tires is enough to hold the whole truck plus some. 4 tires is over double the rating of the truck. On a 2500 or 3500 is a different story.
Edit: and yes. I know the actual load range is based on the load index number not the actual letter code.

turkeybird56 · Jan 15, 2022

I run "C" tires, which are 5 ply, on MY 19 Bighorn. Did not go "E" as I was not towing that heavy when I do tow, usually at 7,000 lbs trailer and hay. Just not tow enuf or higher weights to justify "E" tires. But every bodies circumstances are different. OP I see got "E" rated all good.

BlitzBound · Jan 15, 2022

DodgeDude1999 said:
You drive a 1/2 ton not a 1 ton, you don’t need E’s

Pretty sure I know what I drive. Definitely don’t “need”… from what I see, I’m sacrificing maybe 2MPG and ride a little firmer, but really not noticing too different… gaining done serious sidewall strength can’t be a bad thing… not a bad trade off.

DodgeDude1999 · Jan 15, 2022

Well if you actually knew WTF you drove you wouldn’t be looking at tires for a 1 ton.
Stiffer ride
Less mpg
Cost more than C tires

BlitzBound · Jan 15, 2022

DodgeDude1999 said:
Well if you actually knew WTF you drove you wouldn’t be looking at tires for a 1 ton.
Stiffer ride
Less mpg
Cost more than C tires

Copy… didn’t see the “1 ton only label” on em”.
Seriously, I get it- went overboard. The fact is, I drive this truck to tow my boat (I fish for a living) and to go hunting- that’s about it. I would love a 3/4 ton, but not in the cards. Figured these tires wouldn’t hurt… maybe give me more confidence.
Appreciate the comments boys…

turkeybird56 · Jan 15, 2022

BlitzBound said:
Copy… didn’t see the “1 ton only label” on em”.
Seriously, I get it- went overboard. The fact is, I drive this truck to tow my boat (I fish for a living) and to go hunting- that’s about it. I would love a 3/4 ton, but not in the cards. Figured these tires wouldn’t hurt… maybe give me more confidence.
Appreciate the comments boys…

HEY, I am not gonna start a war between PPL. Your ride, wallet, etc, do wat U R happy with, drive it, maintain and enjoy. Won't be long there not gonna be any new Hemi's out there to buy when they get done with all of the environment stuff, and CAFE requirements, etc, etc.,. Tires be fine. As long as they R round and not rectangular or other wise like a popular cartoon character's vehicle.

BlitzBound · Jan 15, 2022

turkeybird56 said:
HEY, I am not gonna start a war between PPL. Your ride, wallet, etc, do wat U R happy with, drive it, maintain and enjoy. Won't be long there not gonna be any new Hemi's out there to buy when they get done with all of the environment stuff, and CAFE requirements, etc, etc.,. Tires be fine. As long as they R round and not rectangular or other wise like a popular cartoon character's vehicle.

View attachment 482806

Ha- no war bud. I appreciate the comments- the folks on this know a hell of a lot about trucks than I do…

CheechDogg.0n37s · Jan 16, 2022

DodgeDude1999 said:
Well if you actually knew WTF you drove you wouldn’t be looking at tires for a 1 ton.
Stiffer ride
Less mpg
Cost more than C tires

So because we have 1/2 tons we aren't supposed to put E rated tires on them? lol ...

Some of you guys on here are pretty funny, E rated tires are perfectly fine for a 1/2, people who are used to soft riding family cars, sedans, sports cars just don't feel comfortable driving a truck that is rough with some good tires on them and that is fine, but the comfort level only drops a bit, some people are just not meant to drive RWD vehicles and that is fine too, lol ... and yes even though you have a 4x4 you are still driving in RWD 90% of the time even more .... these are for the Men not the little boys lol ...

Tires - XL or E rated

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