Either tire will do the job. I personally like the 18's

 

As has been mentioned below, weight and pressure ratings are left to the manufacturer. I should have prefaced my "more sidewall will ride better " comment with "during daily driving, not towing." Of course you will run the higher psi for full load capacity. I said that in my post! I run under 50 psi when unloaded on my 20s and there is a significant difference in ride quality. I challenge you to drive an '11 truck that has 18s on it back to back with your truck. If you don't notice a difference, then your point is proven, but some of us will and do. Maybe my "meter" is calibrated better due to years in the automotive business comparing different vehicles and setups. Or because I still drive different vehicles all the time.

Well said. I think that most of the ride improvement is due to the highly advanced differences between front leaf and coil springs as well as the '11 having 8" longer rear leafsprings and one less leaf than even the '08-"10s had. I see that you have a Carli Suspension leveling kit and I'm sure you have read the vast amounts of research that Carli has done explaining these very differences this thread is talking about. I would trust a very successful suspension company's findings over any anecdotal responses here.

You definitely have a lot of great experience with E load tires. Technology has improved immensely in the last decade and ratings, tread design as well as ride quality has too.

This is the best post summing it up!

Although, once taken off pavement, sidewall will play a larger role.
I recommend anyone here to read the Carli Suspension threads over at powerstroke.org to see what they have found through extensive testing.

 

I would imagine it would with stock tires, but I can't say for sure. I haven't tried it yet with the 37, but I have heard of other people getting them under there with a 37" tall tire.

 

Well I won't hold my breath on finding a 11+ truck with essentially 18" 35"x12.50s on it that I can drive back to back with my '11.

But I will give you this, seems your butt is more sensitive than mine. . Just razzing ya man.

I'll agree comparing all these different trucks and tires and sizes is purely subjective. The only correct answer I see is the one I knew all along. My truck is setup perfectly.........for me.

 

My xl has the 17" alloys. I leave my tires inflated to fords recommendations, which is I believe 75 in the front, and 80 rear. My truck still rides very good empty, especially for a 3/4 ton 4x4 in my opinion. Granted, I am lucky enough to live in a state with some of the best roads in the nation. I can't see you not being able to drop the air pressure in the 20's to get a satisfactory ride. How often are you going to have to worry with inflating your tires to run a max load?

 

I have a set of those alloys new never mounted that were meant as winter rims for my truck. Previous owner bought them and included them in the sale. I parked my rig last winter but if I ever winter drive it that's what will be getting mounted up and then I'd really be able to tell the difference. I have no doubt it's cushier, but for me that's not the most important. I like to throw my truck through some corners now and then too. I've been flamed on here before for saying it, but that doesn't change my opinion on it. The truck handles great with big lowish profile tires.

 

Read the Carli threads! People rave about their ability to corner after installation. I would have to go back myself and reread some posts, but I believe that they even recommend removing the stabilizer bars with the 4.5" lift.

 

Lol, yeah I may be more sensitive...