SL and C1 load range ride comfort

so time for new tires.

Before I start I know the differences in load range and ive read every tacoma world post that google returns about the load ranges, even for the tire im looking at. But I have not seen anyone talk about ride comfort between SL and C rated.

I'm looking at the Cooper AT3-LT and AT3-4S (on my 2017 off road model)

AT3-4S
265/75/16 - 41lbs - 14/32 tread depth - SL load range (4 ply trie) - $624

AT3-LT
265/75/16 - 46lbs - 17/32 tread depth - C1 load range (6 ply tire) - $680

has anyone that has driven SL and C1 rated tires had a noticeable difference in ride quality?
im probably 80% pavement 20% off road. the paved roads I drive on are pot hole kings - the kind that bend suspension parts - I think the softer SL tires have helped me here.

I am careful with the pot holes but the road is full of cracked pavement, bumpy patch work, and generally "rough" paved roads.
I just dont know if a C load range tire is going to be noticeably stiffer than my stock SL wranglers and beat me up on the rough paved roads.

Here is a good example of an average road around here


I do like the slightly tougher tire in the C range for when I do go off road (abandon strip mines)
A little deeper tread on the LT
it being a little heavier shouldnt kill my mpg to much

This is the type of mild off roading I do. some rocky area's but not what I would call "crawling"
These pics are not of my truck but reflect the most "extreme" terrain I would take my truck through

 

Something that isn’t often mentioned is the effect of tire weight on suspension. Basically your suspension can recover faster and perform better with less unsprung weight.

Also a few PSI of air pressure can make up for some of the additional tire stiffness if you decide you need the heavier tires.

That probably doesn’t help, but now you have more to think about.

 

your comments about suspension and unsprung weight are 100% accurate. I spent several years in off road racing and while your comments are true the chances that any member on this forum would push the truck hard and fast enough to notice the difference is probably pretty rare.

the majority of people here going off road are probably doing less than 20mph.

but thanks for the post, at least I know my thread is working lol.

 

The difference you are asking about between 6 ply and 4 ply is minuscule compared to most on here that run a E rated 10 ply tire.

 

Well I found your thread, unfortunately I have no ride experience between a 4 ply and a 6 ply tire. I can say that the 6 ply tires I run on my motorhome are nicer than the 10 ply I had on my old GMC C2500 3/4 pick up. That thing was so damned stiff it changed lanes when it hit a paint line!

 

Thanks for the reply.

Right now im leaning towards the SL load. After more research I found that this tire is made of a softer rubber that the LT load hence the severe snow service rating.
4-5 months out of the year at any time we can have snow and our road crews SUCK here.