18" vs 20" for towing and off-road

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

D

Deadman

Full Access Members
Joined
Mar 17, 2019
Posts
2,461
Reaction score
1,577
Location
Wisconsin
What are you guys possibly pulling/hauling that you "need" E range tires? I mean the trucks limited by its axles, springs, etc.
I ran some D's on my 3/4 ton Diesel and they were fine dragging my tractor around. I know they were to their max capacity, but they rode a $hit ton smoother than the E's I run in winter to plow snow.
 
M

mwl001

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 8, 2020
Posts
190
Reaction score
83
Location
Scottsdale AZ
Deadman said:
What are you guys possibly pulling/hauling that you "need" E range tires? I mean the trucks limited by its axles, springs, etc.
I ran some D's on my 3/4 ton Diesel and they were fine dragging my tractor around. I know they were to their max capacity, but they rode a $hit ton smoother than the E's I run in winter to plow snow.
Click to expand...
I wonder that too... I'm towing a travel trailer that's almost 6k lbs, I have the 22" tires and while I have been exploring options on tightening up the rear end (probably trying a Gen Y hitch first) I don't think the tires are even the 3rd or 4th weakest point. That may be different for other wheel sizes, OR bigger/heavier trailers, which I wouldn't try, as capable as the vehicle is.
 
Fozzy

Fozzy

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Posts
1,200
Reaction score
1,159
Location
Riverton
Deadman said:
What are you guys possibly pulling/hauling that you "need" E range tires? I mean the trucks limited by its axles, springs, etc.
I ran some D's on my 3/4 ton Diesel and they were fine dragging my tractor around. I know they were to their max capacity, but they rode a $hit ton smoother than the E's I run in winter to plow snow.
Click to expand...

For me it’s more about the off road strength and durability than the extra load rating. Plus a lot of the bigger more aggressive tires I like are harder to get in a C or D. If I do kill a tire most places with have what I want in the E. But you do take a hit on ride and MPG’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
LazSlate

LazSlate

Full Access Members
Joined
May 7, 2022
Posts
378
Reaction score
215
Location
Arizona
I know this is an older topic but Load Range Rating is also relative to sidewall height and that is why some tires are only in E.
With a 17 or 18" rim and a tall tire the side wall flex would be excessive if it were too thin therefore most high side profile tires tend to have more/stronger sidewall plys. There is also another tire spec called Load Index which translates better to what the tire can handle in weight.

A 35/17 tire with load range D would probably have too much lateral flex as opposed to a 35/17 load range E.
 
FlyBry

FlyBry

Full Access Members
Joined
Apr 22, 2021
Posts
331
Reaction score
116
Location
Dallas, TX
No doubt the load capacity of the vehicle determines the max limit. What some E range tires offer, is the ability to safely run higher PSI when towing. Some of the Michelin E range tires, LTX, have 3 steel belts instead of the standard 2. This may offer additional flat resistance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
2017 Off-Road build - Phase 1 - The Basics
Replies
9
Views
1K
eddytheexpy
E
mrlynn
Tires for Towing Travel Trailer
2 3
Replies
21
Views
5K
Pawpaw
Pawpaw
D
Towing differences XLT and Platinum
2
Replies
10
Views
4K
duneslider
D
T
Downsize 2019 platinum rims to 18” or 20”
2 3 4
Replies
34
Views
18K
Dan Johnson
Dan Johnson
Rob81
Falken Wildpeak A/T3W XL with sound video and appearance pic
Replies
0
Views
808
Rob81
Rob81

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 886 (members: 11, guests: 875)

Forum statistics

Threads
53,560
Posts
502,019
Members
47,115
Latest member
othermrsikes

Share this page

Top