Do Load Range E tires improve towing feel?

SPEEDBUILT

Well-Known Member
First Name
Zak
Joined
Apr 24, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
133
Reaction score
159
Location
SacTown
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4
Occupation
Strength Coach
Also, if you’re concerned about ride quality, keep in mind that most E-rated tires weigh double what the P-metric tire weighs in the same size!
This isn’t true. They do weigh more, but double is not even close to accurate. The popular Duratrac tires in a 265/70-17 weigh 50lbs in load E and 44lbs in a P-metric size.
Sponsored

 
Last edited:

RoadBoss

Well-Known Member
First Name
Travis
Joined
Apr 6, 2019
Threads
18
Messages
484
Reaction score
755
Location
Lakewood, CO
Website
www.TJAoutfitters.com
Vehicle(s)
95 Isuzu trooper, AE86 corolla, 19 ranger XL
Occupation
video/film, small business owner
Just so you guys are aware, running 30psi to make an E-rated 10 ply tire ride smoother is dangerous. Instead of bending 2-4 layers of sidewall you’re now excessively bending 10-layers of sidewall more then they are designed for. The tire builds heat a lot faster and wears a lot faster.
There's some truth to this, but very exaggerated here. just be aware of the way the tire is flexing and wearing, and don't run excessively low pressures. If the sidewall looks really bulged, then you need to run more pressure. 30 psi in your E-rated tire is going to feel slightly firmer than in a p-rated, and it's important you don't try to drop the pressure to make it feel as soft as your standard P-tire. But running the same pressures should be no problem.

I've run E-rated on every 4x4 I've owned in the last 6 years - 08' FJ cruiser, 95' Isuzu Trooper, and now my ranger. I've consistently run around 32 psi-38 on the road, depending on how much weight I have loaded.


That rotational mass kills MPG too.
I'd go with P-Metric for Comfort if you rarely tow and LT if you tow. If you are getting into the beefier E-Series you probably need a bigger tow rig. Sell the ranger and get a 250.
Also very exaggerated. Swapping to aggressive AT E-rated tires is the first thing I changed on my ranger, and I was still getting 25-27+ mpg on the highway. I maybe lost 1 mpg, but that could also be due to the larger diameter. If you're accelerating heavily in stop and go traffic all the time you'll probably notice a bigger change, but if you're doing that you're probably also not very concerned about fuel mileage.

A lot of us bought the ranger because it's easy to drive around town and through tight mountain roads, but still able to pull a good size load. And for reliability, I'd much rather run E-rated tires at 1/2 their capacity than consistently run my P-rated tires at their max pressure.

There are some downsides to running them, sure, but very minimal compared to the reliability advantages vs running your weaker tires near their limits.

Running a P tire at max pressure and still seeing the sidewall bulge like crazy when you attach your trailer is scary - I know from experience. Even though I as confident the ratings were not exceeded and that it 'should' be safe, it is not a good feeling when you're travelling several hundred miles at 65+ mph. I'd much rather know my tires are under stressed than worry that I'm going to have a blowout.

like said above, there are some slight negatives to running them, but barely noticeable compared to the reliability advantage you're getting if you're planning on towing a lot OR driving long distances on rugged off-road trails.
 

NvrFinished

Well-Known Member
First Name
Shea
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Threads
16
Messages
607
Reaction score
1,150
Location
SoCal
Vehicle(s)
2020 XLT 4x4 Rapid Red
Something to remember is that tire manufacturers have long ago switched to the letter rating system for load ratings on LT radial truck tires. The reason is that most load range D and E rated tires do not have 8 and 10 plies like the bias ply tires from many years past. Most today are only 3 ply with maybe an extra nylon cap under the tread. The additional weight is usually due to more rubber from an extra 2/32's of tread depth, a thicker steel bead, and more rubber that wraps around the bead area. This is one of the reasons the sidewall area does not flex quite as well when aired down.
 

Fordstanger

Active Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2019
Threads
2
Messages
42
Reaction score
48
Location
DMV
Vehicle(s)
2016 GT350, 1969 ProStreet Mustang, 94 Lightning, 2019 XLT Ranger
Vehicle Showcase
1
Great point about the rating vs. number of plies.

Traditionally a E rated tire would provide some level of stability but this really depends on the tire load rating and construction. Unfortunately a number of plies does not equate to a better performing tire for towing across different brands. It does matter how the tire is constructed and what its intended purpose is. That is where a LT typical falls.

Personally, I would not change just for the sake of it. However, when its time for new, yup! I put LTs on every truck I have owned including heavy SUVs. In my experience, they will also net a better wear milage. Most of the LTs that are available have a slightly deeper tread depth so it is not like the extra plies help the milage.

The extra plies does help with abrasion resistance (yes even curbs in suburbia). Problem is if a LT size becomes an issue, it will make replacements difficult to find if you are in a rush because it is non-standard.

My approach at towing is to bump the pressure up for heavy loads using the tire manufactures rating. This can also vary by size so beware of boilerplate instructions.

For legal reasons (Explorer Firestone debacle) you should refer to the door jamb AND any supplemental information in the owners manual.

That said, try a range of pressures (5 psi increments) that is within the tire manufacture spec on the rears only and see if you can feel a difference when towing.

Note: A perfect tire will not fix a poorly loaded trailer or hitch setup. Just because a trailer is level does not mean it is loaded correctly.
 

cb4017

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2020
Threads
7
Messages
162
Reaction score
338
Location
Northern Nevada
Vehicle(s)
2023 F150 Rattler
Occupation
Retired USN and retired LEO
Still running the FX4 shocks?
After I installed the Ford Performance/Fox shocks and struts I noticed a dramatic improvement in towing stability when hauling my travel trailer. I still have the stock Hankook tires set to 35 psi.
 


OP
OP
Sashimi_Moto

Sashimi_Moto

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
225
Reaction score
319
Location
WA
Vehicle(s)
2012 E450 C-Class, 2019 Ranger Lariat 501A FX4
I have E-rated on the motorhome that is the primary tow vehicle and on the trailer. I set them all cold at 80psi for peace of mind. I do all the right things when towing and just did a cross country trip - I have a tongue scale, I've balanced the trailer, use an Equalizer, e-rated tires, big sway bars, air bags, towing tune. blah blah blah blah...

But my tires will soon need to be replaced on the Ranger - may happen this winter or after next summer (20k) and after the responses on this thread I think I'll put some on it as well.

I have the Eibach shocks because the FX4 shocks are garbage and I feel like Ford should have reimbursed me for the Eibachs since they outfitted a new truck with effectively blown shocks.
 

THLONE

Well-Known Member
First Name
Thom
Joined
Feb 12, 2019
Threads
10
Messages
1,456
Reaction score
2,167
Location
Tucson,AZ
Vehicle(s)
68 Chev C-20, 2019 Ford Ranger XL 4X4
Occupation
internet wise guy
Vehicle Showcase
1
This thread is like the Ford/Chevy/Goodyear/Firestone black/white/blond/brunet, etc OPINIONS. I know a couple of girl Toy owners that put E rated tires on their trucks to look tough. Then they put the max air in them. Ignore science, do what ever the seat of your pants wants.

The old story about the engine that was tuned by ear, but the tuner had a tin ear so he got a tin engine comes to mind. :giggle:
 

GTGallop

Well-Known Member
First Name
Greg
Joined
Mar 1, 2020
Threads
49
Messages
1,078
Reaction score
3,135
Location
Anthem, AZ
Website
www.qrz.com
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger XLT 4X4 SOLD - Now 2023 TRD Offroad
Occupation
Program Manager
Is any one running Continental MPT 81's?
What load rating did you get? What pressure are you running?

:LOL: :D :wink: :giggle: :sunglasses:
 

asimpson997

Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
15
Reaction score
8
Location
Indiana
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4
Ran 10 ply BF Goodrich KO2 and you can drop pressure to 30-35 when not towing with no harm. Traded that truck with 50k on tires and they were at 10/32 and new were 13/32. Guy I work with got 100k from KO2 on his F-150.
Sponsored

 
 



Top