I'm looking to purchase some LT275/65R18 Wranglers ATS for a stock F150 Lariat 18 in wheel. I will be towing close to 8800 lbs less than 8% of total mileage.

1. Would you recommend load range «C» or «E»?
2. Would load range «E» have a major effect on ride quality when not towing.

Thanks

 

I've run wrangler ATS on my work trucks for years and have never had any ride issues with the E rated tires. Last fall I put some C rated ATS on my 04 Dodge since I didn't think I would be towning, never again, the ride and handling is too soft. The C rated may be fine on a SUV but not on a truck.

 

The tire pressure that you decide to run in the load "E" tire will effect the ride quality the most. I had a F-350 that had "E" and with 60 lbs of pressure it was not much more rough than "C" load tires unloaded, handling is much better with the "e" though.

 

I tried those tires on my 04' F150 and could not get them to balance, they are heavy suckers! I like my new Wrangler ATS in 18" w/ the new Silent Armor. I've basically had all 3 ATS tires that can fit on 18" wheels on our truck and I like the newest ones the best, the Silent Armor Wrangler ATS in 18".

 

I looked at the ATS tires for my truck as I run them on my Wrangler and the Goodyear dealer said that they usually require a lot of balancing weight, more than 4oz per tire and that they have had issues on the new F150's with the steering wheel nibble. I was surprised that a Goodyear dealer would tell me this but he said they have had issues with the tires being out of round.

 

Couldn't agree more, make sure to tell them upfront your going to reject any tire that requires more than 2oz of weight. Any tire that requires more will probably cause the steering wheel nibble. I had 2 out of 12 tires that required >2oz and they were no fun while they were on.

 

Take a look at the Nitto Terra Grappler. I love these tires. They have a 285/60/18 that would fit on the stock wheels but it is only 31.25' tall. With a level kit you could run the 325/60/18 load range E,which are 33" tall. They may tuck without the level kit on stock wheels but it would be really tight.

 

Why buy "Good for a year" Wranglers? For a little bit more $ you can get much better tires. Nitto's or Michelins, or Toyo's or something else...