Do I need load range E tires?

[N80]

I bought a used Nissan Titan about 5 years ago. The OEM tires were shot and I got a decent price on some load range E all terrain tires and that is what has been on the truck since then. They have been great in terms of towing and okay off road (about what you would expect for an all terrain tire). The highway ride is okay but on any bumps or irregularities it is harsh and it even makes the steering jittery over rough hard top.

This truck has more flaws than strengths but it could be that its the tires and not the trucks fault in this particular issue. When not towing I keep the recommended 35 psi in them. Depending on the tow load I might put as much as 60 in them but usually 50 psi. They are rated at 80 psi.

Now they are getting close to needing replacement and I'm wondering if I need load range E tires.

The truck is rated at 9000 pounds towing. My 19 foot trailer is rated at a total weight of 7500. I occasionally pull that much but usually closer to 5000 is my typical load.

So my question is, can I get by with load range D tires? Are they likely to ride any better?

 

[LouNY]

You can get by with standard load tires, B or C range, of course now they are all load index rated;

A decent article on tire capacities and such,
https://simpletire.com/learn/tire-buying-guides/the-load-rating

 

[N80]

Thanks. That is helpful.

 

[deserteagle71]

How much time do you spend on dirt roads? If little or none, a "P" rated (passenger) tire (as is OEM on most half-ton pickups) will do just fine and give you better fuel mileage and ride better.

My F150 wears LT tires, load range E - but that's because it spends most of its time on dirt roads (not much pavement in my part of the country). And those "P" rated tires just don't hold up to the dirt roads.

 

[seville009]

I wouldn’t think the load range would change the ride as you describe it.

I used to keep the E load tires on my truck at 72 psi all the time - plowing, towing, and empty.

Empty pickups can also drive really squirrelly when the bed is empty. Just putting a few hundred pounds in the bed over the rear axle always seems to improve the ride.

It’s quite possible that the actual truck suspension is getting worn out too.

Also keep in mind thst trucks generally are not going to drive as smooth as a car since they have a tougher truck suspension

 

[oosik]

My 2018 Ram 2500 Power Wagon came with load range E off-road tires. Recommended pressure - 65 psi. On rough roads it rides rough - on smooth roads it rides smooth. If you want a smoother ride - go to a lower load range and lower tire pressure.

I'm completely satisfied with the way my Power Wagon rides. When I bought it - brand new - I never expected it to ride like a Cadillac and it doesn't.

It's a 7540# vehicle with off-road suspension and frame and it rides accordingly.

 

[MF243RedTop]

.
This truck has more flaws than strengths but it could be that its the tires and not the trucks fault in this particular issue. When not towing I keep the recommended 35 psi in them. Depending on the tow load I might put as much as 60 in them but usually 50 psi. They are rated at 80 psi.

35 psi in a E rated tire when not loaded, that's way low pressure for that tire. I'm surprised if you don't have abnormal wear issues with that. You have to run more pressure in a E to get the same inflation as p-rated tires, because of the thicker tread and sidewall construction..
45- 55 psi is normally a happy place for e-rates when not loaded. I wouldn't go below 45 psi..
A D-rated tire will also do you just fine when towing, with a little less stiffness in the sidewall construction..
P and C rated tires wonder around a bit much when towing for myself.. unless you are using more wheel and less tire. Hence 20-22" diameter wheels..
I prefer 17-18" diameter wheels for more sidewall when off-road and e-rated tires deliver with rugged sidewall construction..
Also if you have 20" diameter wheels or larger the ride will suffer somewhat no matter what rated tire you have.. just not enough rubber between wheel and road unless you are running really large diameter tires.. like 35"..37" tires.

 

[LD1]

No you dont "need" them. But it doesnt hurt to have them and they are more forgiving of inflation pressure changes, and being a heavier tire, hitting a rock or pot-hole they are alot more durable tire

 

[dodge man]

I had a 1/2 ton Ram I put load range E tires on. I think I ran lower pressures than max but still something like 50 psi. It hurt the ride a lot. Switching to a lower rated tire will help a lot. I agree though, E tires are tougher.

 

[Egon]

Does the door decal give any tire information?

 

[MF243RedTop]

Does the door decal give any tire information?

If you're not using the rated tires listed on the door sticker..it's information is irrelevant

 

[RandyT]

Something to keep in mind. Sometimes the E rated tired are cheaper than the C rated tires of the same tire. And I was doing research when I switched my truck from C to E tires. And the minimum tire pressure recommended by the tire manufacturer is like 60% of rated tire pressure. so a E rated tire that is rated at 80 psi should run a minimum of 48 psi.

 

[scootr]

My wife insisted on running E rated tires on her pickup and it sucked to drive empty...which it was most of the time! Plus they costed more.

 

[Egon]

If you're not using the rated tires listed on the door sticker..it's information is irrelevant

There are tire shops that will not install tires that are below the manufacturers recommendations.

 

[MF243RedTop]

There are tire shops that will not install tires that are below the manufacturers recommendations.

Well that's great news and they shouldn't but E-rated are well well above p or c rated tires, which we were discussing here on a 1/2 ton.

If you drive a 3/4 ton or above then, that would be a consideration for the sticker to come into play. Since only E-rated or higher should go on a 3/4 or heavier truck.

 

[crashz]

I ran D rated tires on my 1/2 ton and liked them. You just have to watch out on inflation pressures with alloy wheels. Some alloys will have a max inflation pressure. Exceeding that pressure can crack the bead on the rim. On the other hand, I would run closer to the high end (allowable for the rim) for inflation on heavier tires. I've been told that low pressure and many plys will build a lot of heat and prematurely cause the tire to fail. So if you go to a heavier tire, run a higher pressure and live with the rough ride.

The Load Range D tires had a max inflation of 65 psi and I think my wheels were capable of 60, so I inflated to 60 psi front and rear. The truck rode a little rough but handled the trailer and snow plow much better.

 

[Vigo327]

If you can afford to trade away some impact/puncture resistance for ride comfort, by all means go to a lower rated tire. Since you are actually adjusting inflation pressure according to load, you're gonna be fine with basically anything because you already know enough that you won't let a truly 'underspec' tire end up on the truck.

I would also ask though, have you replaced the struts and shocks on that truck? People underestimate the impact that dampers have on ride quality.

 

[RobertN]

I would say no, you do not need them. You have a lighter duty truck. Your rims, axles, springs etc are not rated for higher weight. If you load to the tire ratings, you are overloading the rest of the truck.

run tires that are in the range of the truck.

 

[RjCorazza]

I put load range E tires on my previous F150 (pre tpms). The ride was a little harsh, but I adjusted tire pressure for the load. In hindsight I should have stayed with D's.

My current F250 has load range E's also, and rides real harsh. Ford's tpms requires 65 psi front and rear, but I can get away with 60-62 psi without setting the stupid alarm off. It's been years since I researched everything, but I believe I could run 40-45psi unloaded if not for the tpms alarm.

The tire programmers and procedures for my truck only allow for swapping front to rear when the fronts are at a lower psi (OEM specified) when rotating tire positions. The only solution to run my tires at 45psi I found was to put the sensors in a pressurized PVC pipe and let it roll around in the bed (YouTube). I have no idea if it actually works.

 

[deserteagle71]

My current F250 has load range E's also, and rides real harsh. Ford's tpms requires 65 psi front and rear, but I can get away with 60-62 psi without setting the stupid alarm off. It's been years since I researched everything, but I believe I could run 40-45psi unloaded if not for the tpms alarm.

There are tuners available that allow you to reset the pressure at which the alarm goes off.

I have "E" tires on my F150 and E350. 40 psi is the max I run in those tires. The "E" range tires on my Jeep Wrangler run a max of 20 psi. Been that way for years with no problems.