Can someone explain the purpose of E rated tires on a half ton?

[Murrk847]

Why would you need E rated tires when the load capacity of SL rated tires are higher than the axle weight rating?

E.G. I have 275/60r20 Mickey T Baja Bosses STD. Each tire has a load capacity of 2679lb @ 44psi. My Rear GAWR is 3800lb. Doesn't that mean I have almost 1600 pounds of leftover capacity on my rear tires at full load?

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[Calson]

A problem that is overlooked is that they are meant to be used at tire pressures from 55 to 80 PSI and good luck finding that at your local gas station. You get a rougher ride and less traction gain if aired down to drive on sand.

I found quite a range in load capacity with the stock tires on my Chevy 2500 rated at 2600 lb at 80 PSI which I replaced with Nitto tires rated at 3750 lb at 80 PSI for a payload gain of more than 1,000 lbs. This was important as I was carrying a 3700 lb slide-in camper in the bed.

 

[zimmer0]

it mainly comes down to the available sizes by the tire manufacturers to fit the majority of applications. E rated tires can be ran on F150's thru F450's especially on the common sizes of 33-35" tires.
Agreed a 1/2 ton doesn't "need" E rated tires, but its what is readily available in the market to fit the desired larger diameter wheel/tire setup so many ppl run.

 

[Hans Moleman]

I feel that a Load Range C tire is more appropriate for half tons

 

[zimmer0]

I feel that a Load Range C tire is more appropriate for half tons

and might be available in stock sizes, maybe a +1.
SL rated sizes are few and far between as well - 275/65 being the largest i've seen.
the size of the trucks have become bigger making a larger tire needed to make it look aesthetic IMO - even more so when leveling which i would argue the majority of owners do.

 

[amschind]

Tire load rating is like sleeping bag temperature rating. The number on a sleeping bag indicates the ambient temperature above which you will not DIE OF HYPOTHERMIA with an appropriate ground pad. That's a far cry from "the temperature above which you will be toasty and get a good night's sleep". The fact that a tire is rated for a given load means that it won't explode under pretty restrained conditions at that load. The extra mass in the sidewalls will buy you a lot of extra control when towing and you will feel it.

As with all subjective things....this is subjective but pretty apparent. If you're towing your boat 20 miles to the lake twice a year, go 55, follow at 6-7 car lengths, ignore the honking and you're fine with SL rated tires. If you are gonna haul the equivalent of a huge Brooklyn apartment on laps around the country, then E rated tires will make your life a lot better.

 

[Chili]

Typically it's because people want cool looking tires that are big. And they are generally LT.

 

[Captain Dirty Beard]

I wish a 35" tire could be had in a C load.

 

[HammaMan]

SL tires on trucks and SUVs instantly get a 10% hit to their rating FWIW. I wanted 275-65-20s and there's exactly 2 SL tires and they're not XL rated. Ford OE tires are XL rated, SL labeled. Going to E rated provides a stiffer / stronger sidewall (helps with handling). Some E rated tires can get quite heavy. While I didn't want Es, a deal came up on a wheel tire combo with one of the lightest E rated tires available and thus far the experience has been better than acceptable. What's interesting is that my e rated tires are 5lbs lighter than one of the SL candidates in the size I wanted, yet only 4lbs heavier than the SLs I was going to get. Essentially the tires were free for wheels I was going to get anyway with the deal I got. Once pressure gets above 45psi it starts to affect ride quality.

Factory tires

E-rated

 

[ReverendQ]

I wish a 35" tire could be had in a C load.

Faulken Wild Peak 4 maybe?

 

[zimmer0]

SL tires on trucks and SUVs instantly get a 10% hit to their rating FWIW. I wanted 275-65-20s and there's exactly 2 SL tires and they're not XL rated. Ford OE tires are XL rated, SL labeled. Going to E rated provides a stiffer / stronger sidewall (helps with handling). Some E rated tires can get quite heavy. While I didn't want Es, a deal came up on a wheel tire combo with one of the lightest E rated tires available and thus far the experience has been better than acceptable. What's interesting is that my e rated tires are 5lbs lighter than one of the SL candidates in the size I wanted, yet only 4lbs heavier than the SLs I was going to get. Essentially the tires were free for wheels I was going to get anyway with the deal I got. Once pressure gets above 45psi it starts to affect ride quality.

Factory tires

E-rated

and you don't share the light weight E rated tire? please share - interested

 

[JIMFOUNTAIN]

Mentioned above is the sideway thickness. Not mentioned is that thickness provides better sidewall puncture resistance. For serious off road the Es give you a better chance of getting in and out.

 

[Captain Dirty Beard]

Faulken Wild Peak 4 maybe?

They do make a D load, but no C that I've found

 

[Buddy]

A problem that is overlooked is that they are meant to be used at tire pressures from 55 to 80 PSI and good luck finding that at your local gas station. You get a rougher ride and less traction gain if aired down to drive on sand.

I found quite a range in load capacity with the stock tires on my Chevy 2500 rated at 2600 lb at 80 PSI which I replaced with Nitto tires rated at 3750 lb at 80 PSI for a payload gain of more than 1,000 lbs. This was important as I was carrying a 3700 lb slide-in camper in the bed.

So, If I understand your statement correctly, the more PSI in the E rated tire, the smoother the ride? I have E rated tires on a Jeep Wrangler I use for farm use (why - I bought the used Jeep that way). Right now the PSI in the tires are around 30. I've heard to run them that low for a smoother ride but holy cow, I feel every rock on a dirt road. It's rough.

 

[CorytheTrucker]

They do make a D load, but no C that I've found

I had E rated KO2's on my 2016 and have D rated on my 21 but that's because I couldn't find E in 20 inch. But honestly I feel little to no difference between the two

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