I need to buy new tires and have had a hard time trying to decide. I have done searches and have not been able to find an answer to my question. My truck currently has Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 275/65R18 load C on them I am now sure I want to get the Michelin LTX A/S2 in 27565R18 but I am leaning towards going with the E load rated tire instead of the C. It is only about $10.00 more a tire. I really don’t haul a lot but when I load the truck up (Five adults and bed full of travel gear) It feels really mushy. Has anyone replaced there C's with E's and how is the average ride afterword’s. Is my thinking wrong in that the E would be a better tire? Or would it be that much harder to balance them and get a smooth ride?
BTW I have a 05 FX4 SCrew with about 85,000 on it. I am also replacing the shock's with the tires.(probably Bilstein's don't know which model yet)
Thanks for your help.

 

a load range E tire will ride harsher, however, the tire's performance under load is far superior. in any case, a load range D would suffice for the capabilities of the F-150. i would go w/ a D if possible, but if it is not available in that size, I would certainly go w/ the E over the C.

 

I went from 26575R16 load range C Goodyear Wrangler tires to
Mickey Tompson MTZ 28565r16 Load range E tires.

The ride is much harsher due to the stiffer side walls and higher p.s.i.

A load range D or E tire should last longer than a load range C tire. It should also run a lot cooler, and handle a lot more weight. I belive the p.s.i in my tires make a huge difference in the ride quality and mpg. You'll have to experiment with different p.s.i. settings to find the one you prefer.

I run 65-70 p.s.i. when hauling or towing anything heavy.

I run around 45-50 p.s.i. when empty.

Go with load range E or D. Overkill? Yes. But worth $10 extra per tire when you are hauling / towing anything heavy.

Good luck, and choose wisely.

 

Too much worry about load range, most people could live well within a load range A tire. I had C's which were nice, still overkill for what I do but it was stock that way. I have D's now, notice a bit more harshness, but who cares. I myself would buy whatever tire came in the size I wanted, worrying about the load range last, chances are it's no lower than C and no higher than E, contractors, offroaders, heavy/often towing should pay closer attention as higher load ratings benefit their needs. As far as longevity, I got about 60k miles from a set of GY AT/S load range "C" tires, squeeling them whenever and they still had tread life left, just didn't like the amount going into winter.

 

I just called Michelin and spoke with a rep there (I did not think she was all that knowledgeable) But she told me that when she entered my truck information into the system, the Load Range E is all that shows for my vehicle. This is getting confusing because the tire rack clearly shows both C and E rated in this model.
I want to get the E's but am worried that the ride would be ridiculously harder, but I am also hoping with a stiffer sidewall the handling will be less floaty.

 

Whether it be a C or E, I think the Michelin tire is a good tire. I'd go with it C or E, the differences yes are there, huge? not really. Ordering on-line often screws people up when they give ordering options that sometimes don't exist. People I've talked to love Michelin and have these tires, in different sizes though maybe with different load ranges too.

 

Just got a set of Michelin LTX A/S2 in 27565R18(load range E) put on my truck. 2005 fx4 supercrew. I never haul heavy loads or pull a trailer. What is wrong with just running 35 psi in the tires like Ford recommends for the truck. Shouldn't that pressure give me the best ride?

 

What is wrong is it is dangerous. 35 on a LR E tire is not even half it's load carrying ability. Having too low a pressure causes heat. This causes blow-outs and can cause tread separation. If a LR E tire with a max of 80 came OE on your F150 (I know they don't), the TPMS system that is required now would have your light turn on at 46psi.

PS - That 35 is only for Pseries tires. If your vehicle had been equipped with a LR C tire the recommended would have been 40. Each load range would have a different recommendation.