Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

E are not necessary for the FJ. A C-rated tire is actually a better match, but most of the tires in the sizes we'd like are Ds. Even a heavy loaded FJ doesn't "need" a D rated tire. You could tow the max capacity of the FJ at max tongue weight and you still wouldn't be close to needing E-rated tires

4 D-rated BFG ats in 285/75r16 have a total load capacity of 13,220lbs. That is just a "tad" higher than the GVWR of the FJ. A 265/70r17 (closest size i could find in a C rating) has a capacity of 9,880lbs for 4. Keep in mind the GVWR for the FJ is 5,570lbs.

The reason that Toyota chose an E-rated BFG all terrain in the 265/75r16 size, is because BFG ONLY makes an E-rated tire in that specific tire/size now. They would not pick it other wise. As such, you are stuck getting a tire that is far stiffer than it needs to be and heavier than it needs to be. That is unless you go to a different size tire.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=All-Terrain+T/A+KO

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

E are not necessary for the FJ. A C-rated tire is actually a better match, but most of the tires in the sizes we'd like are Ds. Even a heavy loaded FJ doesn't "need" a D rated tire. You could tow the max capacity of the FJ at max tongue weight and you still wouldn't be close to needing E-rated tires

4 D-rated BFG ats in 285/75r16 have a total load capacity of 13,220lbs. That is just a "tad" higher than the GVWR of the FJ. A 265/70r17 (closest size i could find in a C rating) has a capacity of 9,880lbs for 4. Keep in mind the GVWR for the FJ is 5,570lbs.

The reason that Toyota chose an E-rated BFG all terrain in the 265/75r16 size, is because BFG ONLY makes an E-rated tire in that specific tire/size now. They would not pick it other wise. As such, you are stuck getting a tire that is far stiffer than it needs to be and heavier than it needs to be. That is unless you go to a different size tire.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

What about side protection and airing down. Cs still better or Ds?

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

I think most people would recommend D, some guys drive with E and don't complain about it, but we only use that on 1 ton pickups and bigger vehicles that see alot of weight in them on a daily basis. If you get E's they will last a long time though. C is too soft, maybe fine for a set of dedicated winter tires for the FJ but you won't get milage out of a set.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

Those were really good explanations --- thanks so much for the clarification. Being that I like the BFG's and they are doing well up to this point (42,000 mi), I suspect I will stay with them, but it's good to know I can go with a different tire at a D rating if so desired. Thanks again!

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

Good info above.

I've been running an E rated Nitto for five years and will admit that they are stiff. They are still stiff at 18 psi and because of this I sometimes have a tough time keeping up with guys on really rough trails . . . or maybe they just beat the living poo out of their vehicles.

E rated are far beefier than ANY FJ would ever need and they can still be punctured. I'm shooting for a D rated tire for my next set. That could still be considered overkill but I think it will be a little easier to live with.

I run a Nitto Terra Grappler P265/70R17 on my Silverado pickup and not only do I often haul up to two tons in the bed but I also tow a 7x14 cargo trailer all over the place. Tires are getting low on tread but have lasted over 55K miles at this point and still run smooth and true having only been balanced once and rotated maybe every 15K miles.

However, my pickup isn't exposed to the sharp rocks of Colorado or the abrasive sandstone of Utah like my FJ's tires are. I may put a C-rated on the pickup if I can find something acceptable in that or a plus one size.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

As with Woodsman, below cited, I run E ratted Nitto TG's and yes they are stiff, but tough. I think that ideally a D rated tire would serve even with the heaviest abuse and a C rated tire if you had dual use/daily driver style driving anticipated. I only use my FJ on trails (and getting to and from those trails). Deciding WHERE and when as well as where you live and the conditions under which you'll be driving has a LOT to do with selection including tire load (because of the different tread patterns/branding and the loading available in the particular tire that you think suits your needs).

Good info above.

I've been running an E rated Nitto for five years and will admit that they are stiff. They are still stiff at 18 psi and because of this I sometimes have a tough time keeping up with guys on really rough trails . . . or maybe they just beat the living poo out of their vehicles.

E rated are far beefier than ANY FJ would ever need and they can still be punctured. I'm shooting for a D rated tire for my next set. That could still be considered overkill but I think it will be a little easier to live with.

I run a Nitto Terra Grappler P265/70R17 on my Silverado pickup and not only do I often haul up to two tons in the bed but I also tow a 7x14 cargo trailer all over the place. Tires are getting low on tread but have lasted over 55K miles at this point and still run smooth and true having only been balanced once and rotated maybe every 15K miles.

However, my pickup isn't exposed to the sharp rocks of Colorado or the abrasive sandstone of Utah like my FJ's tires are. I may put a C-rated on the pickup if I can find something acceptable in that or a plus one size.

 

I always take tire weight into consideration as well. Rotating weight has a higher impact on gas mileage.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using AutoGuide App

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

These are all great responses and have given me the information I need to make an educated decision. I can’t really complain about my BFG’s as they have maintained their balance and the ride, amazingly enough on my TT, is very comfortable both on and off-road. That said, many have posted that they are more difficult to balance, so if I find a decent substitute on Tire Rack that’s C or D rated, I may go with that. If that’s the toughest decision I have to make in life, I’ll be doing fine. Thanks for the info guys.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

See my experience is the contrary. I run Mickey Thompson's 285s load D and will be going for a E rated tire when i change next spring, because they are not stiff enough for my taste. Don't get me wrong i LOVE my Mickey's , but i end up banging on everything in the trail, while similar moded FJs go over easily with KM2s witch are rated E. Sure you can say deflate less , been there done that, but you end up trading ride performance for stiffness.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

I just put the E rated NITTO Terra Grapler on my 2012 FJ yesterday. I had the stock All Season and they worked great but on my way to the Ouachita National Forest I hit debris in the highway of all places and punctured the sidewall. When I changed the tire and was looking for the cause of the flat i noticed all kinds of punctures in between the treads. These tires had 14k miles on them. I have taken my FJ to Big Bend and all over rocks and it looks like all my tires have minor damage, now that I looked closer at them. Ouachita and the Ozarks also have lots of rocks on some back roads. I decided to change all my tires over to the NITTO Terra Grapler. We live in the Dallas area but my FJ in not a commuter, it's for back road exploring and camping. The only option I found for the NITTO Terra Grapler was Passenger or E load so I want with E. I wish they had D but there's no way I was going with Passenger tires.

I only drove a few miles at around 45MPH and I can barley tell the difference. Dicsount Tire only put 32PSI in them, when I got home I put 38PSI. I'm sure they need more pressure than the All Season. I may go to 40PSI or more.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

uberschall, thanks for posting your opinion.

We appreciate your business as well.:clap:

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

I've been very happy with my stock size E Yokohama ATs. I like the stiffness they offer while still aired down to ~15#...They stay looking like they are near regular pressure, but they'll flex when necessary, like on rocks and such.. The E tires feel a little more planted to the road at highway speeds IMO. You can feel the weight though...having them at 38-42 really helps on highway feel as well.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

I was going to ask what PSI is best? Toyota dealer said that since it's the same size tire 265/70R17 to use 32PSI. I contacted NITTO to see what they say. haven't heard back yet. Right now I have ~38psi in them. I put more air in when I got home.

I noticed the 265/75R16 BFG T/A KO on the Trail Team have 45psi in them. And that's what Toyota says to use. I'm wondering if 45psi should be used in my Nitto's.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

E Range Tires, like the TT model's BFG 265/75-16, are rated at up to 80 psi.

The sticker in my 2013 TT door says 46 psi, which seems high, considering the 265/70-17 door sticker says 32 psi, but it's OK.

On my last dealership visit, they put 32 psi in my spare, and 40 psi in the rears. I always check the pressure before leaving the dealership. Not everyone reads the door sticker.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

E Range Tires, like the TT model's BFG 265/75-16, are rated at up to 80 psi.

The sticker in my 2013 TT door says 46 psi, which seems high, considering the 265/70-17 door sticker says 32 psi, but it's OK.

On my last dealership visit, they put 32 psi in my spare, and 40 psi in the rears. I always check the pressure before leaving the dealership. Not everyone reads the door sticker.

True but that pressure is only necessary when carrying the maximum rated weight. You will find that running 40 plus PSI will probably result in the middle of the tire tread wearing fastest and will also result in a harder ride and a very tiny increase in fuel mileage. The sweet spot for most "normal" tires whether P, C, D, or E rated will usually be between 32 and 38 psi.

Some of those super aggressive, non-highway bogger type tires may not fall in that category but they are useful for offroad anyway.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

Doesn't matter what tire rating you have, when you hit something like this just right it'll "spread the tread". I was driving a sandy road from the Hans Flat ranger station headed towards Green River and a grader was fixing some badly washed out sections of the road. I picked it up in that area. Stopped the group and everyone watched me do a double-plugger which to this day is still holding fine, in fact, since then the same tires have been back and forth from Indiana to Utah four or five times.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

Do you think Toyota is recommending 46 psi to squeeze out every bit of fuel efficiency?

I might try 40 and see if the ride is smoother.

 

Re: TIRE LOAD C,D or E?

Do you think Toyota is recommending 46 psi to squeeze out every bit of fuel efficiency?

I might try 40 and see if the ride is smoother.

I would guess that has something to do with it.

 

My wife has the E rated 265 BFG's on her TT and I have just fitted a set of D rated 285 BFG's on my FJ, so I have been able to make an (almost) direct comparison.

The E rated tires feel noticeably stiffer. At times, at speed on rough surfaces it takes more steering input to keep a straight line, as the car tends to skip steer. Small bumps and potholes are more noticeable. We both prefer the ride quality and handling with the D rated tires which are significantly smoother.

Bear in mind though, the TT (with the E rated tires) has Bilstein shocks' whereas mine (with D rated) are stock, which may account for some difference (but very little On the highway, I suspect).

Your mileage may vary - ride quality is a very subjective thing :cheers:

 

Nice summary, I went from a D rated tire to C rate mt/rs. Made a world of difference on driveability on road as well as their flexibility offroad at the same pressures.