Load range E vs D - need help on deciding
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Load range E vs D - need help on deciding
I'm getting ready to buy some new tires. The Ex is a 2000 4x4 v10. Wife uses it as a kid hauler around town and then I plan to pull a new 9000 lb travel trailer on several trips this summer. Next summer we plan on taking some longer camping trips, possibly out west to national parks, etc.
I'm in the process of upgrading to v and b code springs, adding a rear sway bar, replacing shocks with Billstein and replacing front sway bar links and bushings.
The tires will follow.
Currenty it has LT285/75 R 16 Toyo Open Country A/Ts load range D from the previous ownwer. I want to go to Michelin LTX A/T-2. Based on what Ive read it seems load range E is much better for towing. My concern is the stiffer sidewall will degrade the ride quality but how much? When it comes down to priorities, the towing stability is more important than a minor loss in ride quality.
My door sticker says LT 265 75 R16 "D". I like the look of the wider 285 the original owner installed so I will most likely keep that sizing.
Can someone offer their suggestions based on their experience and what the pros and cons of the different load ranges are?
Thanks!
I'm in the process of upgrading to v and b code springs, adding a rear sway bar, replacing shocks with Billstein and replacing front sway bar links and bushings.
The tires will follow.
Currenty it has LT285/75 R 16 Toyo Open Country A/Ts load range D from the previous ownwer. I want to go to Michelin LTX A/T-2. Based on what Ive read it seems load range E is much better for towing. My concern is the stiffer sidewall will degrade the ride quality but how much? When it comes down to priorities, the towing stability is more important than a minor loss in ride quality.
My door sticker says LT 265 75 R16 "D". I like the look of the wider 285 the original owner installed so I will most likely keep that sizing.
Can someone offer their suggestions based on their experience and what the pros and cons of the different load ranges are?
Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 3
From: SW Florida
If it were mine, I'd let some air out of the E-rated tires when doing the kid hauling.....then air them up when you tow.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 120
The recall may have only been for Diesels but I believe you would be much safer with the E rated tires.
Tim M
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: western NY
Based on my eperience with my Excursion and D vs E rated tires I would never put D rated tires on an Ex and let anybody drive it. At least no one you like. When I bought my 2002 V-10 Limited Excursion it had new Michelin LTX AT2 E rated tires on it [Highly recommend them]. I had no issues with steering wander or any of those problems we read about on here.
I took my Ex to a local mechanic and he installed ball joints and manual hubs on my truck, the next day I took it to another guy and had new tires put on. This guy hauls a 30' Race car trailer all over the east coast going to races and I told him I needed tires rated for my Ex. thinking he would know what tires to get. He installed D rated tires. I took it to another guy for a front end alignment thinking ball joints or something were causing the issues. That mechanic said it was the worst vehicle he has ever drove. After all that I checked the tires and found I had D rated tires, now I know what my problem is. it is scary now. Buy the Michelins.
I took my Ex to a local mechanic and he installed ball joints and manual hubs on my truck, the next day I took it to another guy and had new tires put on. This guy hauls a 30' Race car trailer all over the east coast going to races and I told him I needed tires rated for my Ex. thinking he would know what tires to get. He installed D rated tires. I took it to another guy for a front end alignment thinking ball joints or something were causing the issues. That mechanic said it was the worst vehicle he has ever drove. After all that I checked the tires and found I had D rated tires, now I know what my problem is. it is scary now. Buy the Michelins.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
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From: Ouray, CO
I just got 4 new Michelin LTX M/S2 tires last weekend and just drove 270 miles on them today on the Interstates, 300 more miles tomorrow.
LOVE THESE TIRES.
Have to check what tire pressure they are at, might be lower than the 65 I used to run my prior set at (michelin LTX M/S). Just put new Michelins on the wife's Explorer and our son's Titan and really glad we splurged on them.
LOVE THESE TIRES.
Have to check what tire pressure they are at, might be lower than the 65 I used to run my prior set at (michelin LTX M/S). Just put new Michelins on the wife's Explorer and our son's Titan and really glad we splurged on them.
Last edited by Stewart_H; Mar 29, 2013 at 01:06 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I had C's for 2 years and decided to stick with only E's since there wasn't much difference in ride plus I feel safer now.
I actually like the firmness of the E's but I have all stock suspension.
I actually like the firmness of the E's but I have all stock suspension.
Thread Ender
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 8
From: SC
I just got 4 new Michelin LTX M/S2 tires last weekend and just drove 270 miles on them today on the Interstates, 300 more miles tomorrow.
LOVE THESE TIRES.
Have to check what tire pressure they are at, might be lower than the 65 I used to run my prior set at (michelin LTX M/S). Just put new Michelins on the wife's Explorer and our son's Titan and really glad we splurged on them.
LOVE THESE TIRES.
Have to check what tire pressure they are at, might be lower than the 65 I used to run my prior set at (michelin LTX M/S). Just put new Michelins on the wife's Explorer and our son's Titan and really glad we splurged on them.
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 30,221
Likes: 1
From: Central Illinois
I have over half a million miles driving Michelin LTX M/S "E" tyres, and I can't say the first bad thing about them. They are amazing. Also I usually get between 190k-200k out of them. No joke, I have logs to prove it. Go with the "E"
-The Great
-The Great
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
I believe I had read on the forums at one point that Ford had a recall on the tires early on and to change to E rated tires. That would fall inline with your door sticker having the information about D rated tires.
The recall may have only been for Diesels but I believe you would be much safer with the E rated tires.
Tim M
The recall may have only been for Diesels but I believe you would be much safer with the E rated tires.
Tim M
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 951
Likes: 2
From: Center, Texas
Im running D's on my Rocky Mountain ATS tires but the load capacity is equivalent to most E's so I guess Im taking a gamble. I would think as long as your weight capacity per tire is equivalent then you should be fine but those weights are for atleast a "D".