C Rated or E Rated Tires....What Do You Run?

**Update at bottom of post**

I'll be honest and say I didn't realize there were load ratings when it came to tires (and my Dad works for Michelin ). That being said and looking back, I believe I've mainly ran E rated tires. I'm currently running 285/75r16 KO2's that are E rated. They don't (and I have no idea why) make C rated tires in this size.

With that being said, I'm wondering is it worth it to buy 17 inch wheels and run the equivalent 285/70r17 tire that does have C rated options? I've never ran C rated tires and would like to hear from those that have ran both E and C load range tires (especially on the Tacoma) to see what your thoughts are. My current wheels and tires are less than a year old, so it's a big purchase to change to 17" wheels and new tires. Of course, I'll be able to sell mine to recover some of the cost.

• C load from what I've read:
  • Softer daily ride but get chewed up on trails
  • Lighter, so you save gas
  • Don't last as long
• E load from what I've read (and experience):
  • Super tough tire
  • Last forever
  • Heavier, so you lose mpg
  • Stiff, seemingly harsher ride on the Tacoma - I run at 32 psi to help

Unsprung weight is a big deal for mpg and performance (from what I've read). And the C load 17" equivalent is over 8 lbs lighter. That's 32 lbs total unsprung weight savings. The new 17" wheels I'm looking at weigh as much as my current 16" wheels. Weight specs on each tire:

• 285/75r16 E Load = 58.6 lbs
• 285/70r17 C Load = 50.3 lbs

With all of that being said, what's your preference?

**Update**
X factor, my wife drives a Lexus GX460 with 18's and 33" E rated tires. If I went up to 17's and she dropped down to 17's, we could both buy either C or E rated 285/70r17 tires and be able to use each other's spares when we go on trips. Wanting to build a teardrop/squaredrop trailer and I could run the same size tires on it as well for more versatility.

 

XL here, for what little it's worth..
Nitto Ridge Grapplers 265/65/17 40.2 lbs.
Lightweight, silent on the road, and do fine on the hard pack clay and smooth rock fire roads of SE Tennessee.

 

I run E rated mud tires. All the things you said are true regarding sidewall stiffness and having a “harsher” ride on the street. I don’t mind. Off road they can be aired down without me worrying about side wall puncture. Also at speed they are less prone to getting torn up by rocks and what not on the trail.

One way to alleviate the harsh street ride is to run lower psi (27psi). Not good for handling and mileage but it makes the ride way softer.

If you off road a good amount then E rated is what you want


Side Note , I don’t think they will “last forever”. My mud tires have a softer rubber compound which is awesome for grip but they wear fast .

 

I had C and E load. I prefer C with stock sport suspension. E load rode like bricks on my sport. The only advantage was, my truck cornered like a sports car.

It doesnt corner as well with C load, but man its a way nicer ride, especially offroad. I noticed no difference in fuel mileage, which is strange.

IMHO e load is overkill for our tacos, unless you offroad a lot and air down often.

I will always buy C load from now on.

 

E rated every time for me. Minimum of 5 miles every day on gravel roads. Anything less than 10 ply (rated) won’t last for me.

Edit for clarification

 

I went with C. I don’t plan on adding a ton of weight to my truck, and I only intend on traveling lighter trails.

 

I run C rated Duratracs now and I love them over the old E rated ones I was running before. They are a lot smoother ride and less weight, and I have never had any durability issues offroad when rock crawling aired down or busting down fire roads. In the future I would only go E rated if that was my only choice.

 

E load does not have 10 plies, just so you know. Its 10 ply "rated". Google it.

 

Thanks guy. My tire shop guy calls them 10 ply so I call them 10 ply. E rated, 10 ply. All the same in my book. I’m sure most here know what I meant.

 

Fair enough sir.

 

I have 285 70 17 KO2 in C load, 51 lbs.
On all the C load KO2s I have got around 55K miles out of them. I could have gone more on them.
With a 2 inch lift, leer canopy, I’m still getting around 17 or 18 mpg combined.
Not a 3rd Gen though so you should get better mpg than me.

 

strictly E ranges here, Cooper AT3 LTs 265/70-17. C tires would not allow me to throw the truck around like E's do. need all the sidewall firmness i can get, and those Coopers are great. i had C's for about 400 miles and it was the most boring 400mi I've had with the truck. no C's ever again for me.

 

eee

 

Back in 2017 went from stock to C rated KO2 265/70/17 on the Tacoma. Rode much better than stock. Got flat(nail) and repaired it, going strong for 2+ years now. Moved the KO2 to 4Runner and upgraded to 33s E rated WildPeaks on the Tacoma. Definitely cornered much better and you can def tell it is firmer. I like both so much that as of now I couldn't decide which one to get next time around. If you aren't too sure or haven't rode on C/E rated, probably stick with C to be safe. Finally I'll just say this, C feels nice and you can feel that it's slightly firmer than stock. E noticeably feels firmer. Love it when attacking the corners so....maybe I'll stick with E LOL

 

C on the Tacoma, E on the Duramax for pulling the heavy loads. C's ride smoother.

 

E. All I've ever run. No difference in mileage at all that I can see, and they last for years and years. Any imaginary mileage difference is more than made up for by the amazing durability and life span.

 

I put E rated on my 4Runner. Great for preventing sidewall punctures, but could definitely feel the added weight, especially with the increase in braking distance. Sharp rocks, sticks, soybean fields or other sidewall hazards would justify the E rated. Otherwise for mostly street and mild trails, C rated probably better on the tacoma for most.

 

I am running E Load Duratracs at present, I really don't feel a lot of difference from C Load on the pavement, even the fuel mileage difference is barely noticeable (maybe 1/2mpg, if that). Although C Load tires would probably suffice for my typical off road driving, the difference in price is minimal ($12 per tire), and I feel more confident off road, especially aired down with the E's. The sidewall puncture resistance is better with E's, which is a bigger concern here in Texas with the sharp rocks and thorns encountered, but for many, that wouldn't be as big of concern. I would avoid anything less than C Load as it does begin to negatively affect your off road options, and there's even a C Load minimum requirement to get permitted for unmaintained areas in parts of SW Texas state lands (i.e. BBRSP).

 

Just went for E to C because I got a steal on them. I am hoping to get ~50k miles on them. I am heavy af so this thread is making me a bit nervous.

I got ~70k out of my load E Copper Maxx.

Currently running load C Nitto Ridgegrapplers