Is it unwise for me to limit myself to load range C tires?

[AHenry014]

My Rubicon came with a set of Willys take off on it, equipped with the OE 255/75r17 firestone mt2's. I didn't want to daily a mud terrain, so they were replaced with second hand 305/65r17 KO2's, but they are load range E. I noticed a substantial increase in tire feedback; sharp bumps were more noticeable, more road noise, etc. I immediately missed having the firestones installed, but the wider BFG's looked nicer and at least I had an all terrain. After almost immediately deciding that the 305/65's weren't big enough (classic story around here) and having dealt with the LRE KO2's for about a month now, I am wanting to get something more comfortable on there and also scratch the itch of getting larger tires. My rock trix wheels show up today so the hunt is on for some 315/70r17's to put on them. Filtering out everything but LRC yields only a couple choices, narrowed down to the KO2's or the GY territory's. The GY's are cheaper (currently about 60/ea a tire) and are the lighter of the two (55 vs 63lbs). I know the KO2 holds a high regard around here, and having had a couple sets across various vehicles in different sizes, I tend to agree with the masses. Its just hard to get past what appears to be a great value in the goodyears.

All that said, I wanted to get some opinions on other tires, since my options open up if i consider D and E range tires. The Kenda Klever AT2's seem to get good reviews around here, are seemingly always on sale at walmart.com, and are the cheapest of all the aforementioned tires.

Questions:
1. I realize this will be subjective to specific tires and opinions, but is there someone here that has gone from a LRC to a LRE without the same ill effects I have experienced?
2. Stick with LRC --> The sasquatch tires are the lightest of the bunch, but are touted as having horrendous rock catching/throwing abilities. Not a huge deal, I can run flaps, but are they really that bad compared to the KO2's? I dont see too many running them here.

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[Randonexplosion]

Its not a heavy duty truck so it seems crazy to me to run a heavy duty tire (Load Range E). I went with a D on my 37s because I tow and haul stuff but I would probably be just fine with a C and I would have shaved a few lbs per tire.

 

[jac04]

I have run Wildpeak AT3W and BFG KO2 on my Gladiator, both LRC and both in stock 285/70R17 size. IMO, the KO2s seem to ride harsh compared to the AT3Ws. Even running the KO2s at lower pressure, like 30-32 psi, the AT3Ws still ride better at 37 psi.

On my 2-door JK, I ran LRE 255/80R17 BFG KM2s and the ride seemed fine, with just a little increase in harshness. However, I recently went to LRE 255/85R17 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs, and they have a very comfortable ride.

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't be scared off by the higher Load Range tires.

 

[OHJeeper]

I have the KO2 37's in the D2 load range. I run at 29psi cold in the summer, and closer to 26psi cold in the winter. It has great road manners, to me at least.

 

[InvertedLogic]

Consider looking at tire weight as well. I personally hunted down LRC tires, but along the way I noticed that there were some LRD tires with a similar weight.

 

[AHenry014]

Consider looking at tire weight as well. I personally hunted down LRC tires, but along the way I noticed that there were some LRD tires with a similar weight.

Thank you! The weight of the tire has been a pretty heavy factor in my searching. The 255/75's I removed spec @ 50lbs, but its hard to compare that to anything larger. My only comparison to that is the 305/65's KO2's I am running now, which are supposedly 59lbs. I wouldn't say that I feel that weight difference, but it could be contributing to the poor ride over the firestones. The OE 285/70 Falken LRC MT's weigh in at 61 lbs, so I have also been using that as a gauge. The 315/70 KO2 are the heaviest on my list @ 63lbs, but are only 2lbs heavier each than the OE's, so its fairly comparable. The GY duratrac LRD's spec @ 60lbs, so theyre comparable to the OE weight and not a LRE. The 55lb GY is the lightest "35" I have come across. That plus the cheaper price tag has me leaning heavily their direction. I just didnt want to be narrow minded in my search if I was overlooking well performing LRD's, or even E's. Seems like others share my opinion that the KO2's are a bit stiff compared to other tires.

 

[gouacats]

I was in a similar situation and chose the C rated tires because I was afraid of what D or especially E rated would do to the ride. I love how my Jeep rides now and ultimately didn't want to compromise that.

 

[AHenry014]

OK, thanks all. Sounds like its in my best interest to stay LRC; KO2's or the territory's. Well see which one comes up with a better deal!

 

[jc1986]

It seems most tire companies don’t make a lot load c tires in larger sizes. I’ve had e and c in the past. Other than the ability to maintain sidewall rigidity under load, load e road fine with an appropriate psi. ??‍

 

[Rufus]

I won't go to D or E again on a lightish truck. I went from C to D on my Raptor and it rode noticeably rougher on and off road. The market is horrendously underserved with decent C rated tires in 315/70/17 or 35x12.5x17. As many Wranglers, Gladiators, and Raptors as there are on the road you'd think there would be more options.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

look at the load per tire rating….. the factory falcons on my Jeep diesel have a 150lb higher rating than my 2006 one ton….

when we jump the tire size on the gladiator we will be looking at load range c…. D at the highest.

no point in a sharp harsh ride on such a low weight rated vehicle. (My $0.02)

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