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Tire Size and Load Rating - Best Match for Trailhunter on 17" and 18"

GDobbins

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Lots of good info, keep it coming
Yeah, you will sacrifice ride quality and mpg, but gain function off road. It’s about your priorities and what you will be driving. Plus these set ups look better imo too.
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tacorancher

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Had “E” Goodyear wrangler Duratrac RT in stock size and at 35 psig (supposed minimum recommended pressure for LTs) ride was miserably stiff and unliveable in my opinion. Swapped to same size in SL load rating and enjoying the truck now as it’s still stiffer than stock but an acceptable ride now.
Yeah, similar experience for me with E rated AT4Ws. I don’t think it was miserable but it bugged me enough that I swapped with SL AT4Ws. Now the ride is good. I am also able to hug corners and zip through winding mountain roads way better than with the extra weight of the Es. In fact, the ability to control the truck at speed was more noticeable than the better ride. But there’s no wrong answer here. Lots of people like the ride on E loads and more power to them (in fact, most people haven’t complained about E loads).

I spend 95% of my time in Houston. For the 5% at the ranch / camping, the SL Falkens seem quite robust. I’m willing to risk it. I’ve got multiple tire patch kits including a sidewall kit, and I’ve got an E load spare. I think for me it’s the right balance. If I get a flat I’ll be ok. My gas mileage and road manners/handling are great and I feel those things every day.
 
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JakeJoeBob

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I have 275/70/r18 Ko3's in E load on my TRD Off Road non hybrid. No power loss at all. Got the OTT tune and now it's way faster than it was stock. Ride is great. After a thousand miles or so I found that 35Psi was a bit stiff for me. The Ko3's temp will shoot up to 40 psi when driving on the highway so I dropped down to 32psi and they tend to not heat up as much now and tend to stay around 35psi. Ride feels great on and offroad. As quiet as the bfg trail terrains that came on my truck.
 

tacorancher

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I have 275/70/r18 Ko3's in E load on my TRD Off Road non hybrid. No power loss at all. Got the OTT tune and now it's way faster than it was stock. Ride is great. After a thousand miles or so I found that 35Psi was a bit stiff for me. The Ko3's temp will shoot up to 40 psi when driving on the highway so I dropped down to 32psi and they tend to not heat up as much now and tend to stay around 35psi. Ride feels great on and offroad. As quiet as the bfg trail terrains that came on my truck.
That’s a great size for our trucks.
 
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bemmster

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Any opinions on Toyo Open Country A/T IIIs in LT285/75/R17 with C Load rating?

I'm thinking C Load might be a good compromise and the A/T III is only 59lbs compared to the Wildpeak A/T4W at 67 in C load. Concerned that the A/T4W in C might be just as stiff as the E load. I know the E load in those tires are the HD Duraspec which should obviously be stiffer than the C, but both C and E are the same weight, hence the concern.
 

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tacorancher

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Any opinions on Toyo Open Country A/T IIIs in LT285/75/R17 with C Load rating?

I'm thinking C Load might be a good compromise and the A/T III is only 59lbs compared to the Wildpeak A/T4W at 67 in C load. Concerned that the A/T4W in C might be just as stiff as the E load. I know the E load in those tires are the HD Duraspec which should obviously be stiffer than the C, but both C and E are the same weight, hence the concern.
On the list for my next tire bc it’s light and also has a great diameter of about 34” - it’s narrower than my current tires and is not great in the wet supposedly - another member of this forum has them in that size and really likes them and it looks great and I don’t think he even removed the crash pads - I can dig up the post later if you can’t find it


One more note - I inspected that exact tire in person and compared it to my current SL falkens (both off the rim) and I shit you not they felt softer in the sidewall than my SL Falkens. I truly believe Falken makes all their sidewalls of similar strength irrespective of load unless you’re getting their duraspec - but it also speaks to the fact that the Toyos are likely super comfortable in C load - again those tires are high on my list for my next set
 
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bemmster

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On the list for my next tire bc it’s light and also has a great diameter of about 34” - it’s narrower than my current tires and is not great in the wet supposedly - another member of this forum has them in that size and really likes them and it looks great and I don’t think he even removed the crash pads - I can dig up the post later if you can’t find it
Was it this one?
https://www.tacoma4g.com/forum/thre...85-75-tires-method-703-wheels-35-offset.2293/
 

JakeJoeBob

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Any opinions on Toyo Open Country A/T IIIs in LT285/75/R17 with C Load rating?

I'm thinking C Load might be a good compromise and the A/T III is only 59lbs compared to the Wildpeak A/T4W at 67 in C load. Concerned that the A/T4W in C might be just as stiff as the E load. I know the E load in those tires are the HD Duraspec which should obviously be stiffer than the C, but both C and E are the same weight, hence the concern.
I would not be too concerned about weight at this size too much, the trucks are toquey to where you don't notice much a difference unless you are going to 35's. I only got E load for my Ko3's because C load wasn't available yet so that is for sure the better option for our trucks.
 
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bemmster

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On the list for my next tire bc it’s light and also has a great diameter of about 34” - it’s narrower than my current tires and is not great in the wet supposedly - another member of this forum has them in that size and really likes them and it looks great and I don’t think he even removed the crash pads - I can dig up the post later if you can’t find it


One more note - I inspected that exact tire in person and compared it to my current SL falkens (both off the rim) and I shit you not they felt softer in the sidewall than my SL Falkens. I truly believe Falken makes all their sidewalls of similar strength irrespective of load unless you’re getting their duraspec - but it also speaks to the fact that the Toyos are likely super comfortable in C load - again those tires are high on my list for my next set
The AT4W in the C load has the duraspec sidewall but not the HD duraspec sidewall that the E load has. Do you think the C load AT4W would basically be the same experience you had on your E load ones, or do you think it would be better?
 

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tacorancher

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The AT4W in the C load has the duraspec sidewall but not the HD duraspec sidewall that the E load has. Do you think the C load AT4W would basically be the same experience you had on your E load ones, or do you think it would be better?
I am not sure about which is stiffer in the sidewall - it might be close. Remember too the C loads are very heavy and you’ll feel that in the suspension. All that said a bunch of guys here run them and don’t complain.
 

Mjsimmons

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Looking for input - I can't make up my mind.

I want to do some Dobinsons springs on my Trailhunter. That will get me another 1-2" of lift depending on which spring I get and the load.

That being said, I'm looking at different tires and I have no idea which way to go. I def want to go with Method bead grip wheels. Either the 703s or the 705s (the 705s actually come in an 18" +18mm version which could be cool). I'm leaning towards the 705s in either 17" or 18" since they are lighter.

What I can't decide on is the tire size for either the 18" or 17". I don't want a rough ride when on road since this is the daily, but I would like to do trails now and again and some camping weekends. Should I stick with C load or would an E load KO3 or AT4 be ok? I know @tacorancher posted previously he thought the E load AT4s were pretty rough. Anyone got experience on the KO3? Has anyone else compared a C to E load and what are your thoughts?

I'm open to taking the crash/safety brackets out to make room, so I'm thinking with swapping the springs a 285/75/17 or a 35x12.5 would probably be fine. I would like to go slightly bigger over stock.

Would genuinely like to hear others opinions on what they have experience with and how they like it. Thanks!!
I put a set of BFG KO3 275/70/18 on my Trailhunter. That tire comes in load range E... load range C is not available in that specific tire. There's a rumor floating around that BFG is going to produce a load range C variant in that specific tire. I am running mine at 36 PSI cold. I need the additional load carrying capability as I have a Decked drawer system, Smartcap EVOa, 270 awning, an Openroad RTT, a fridge/freezer/slide, and a Kickass battery box. By the time I include my personal gear, I'm just above 800 pounds of load. I will put Dobinson C59-821vb springs on the rear this week.
 

tacorancher

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I put a set of BFG KO3 275/70/18 on my Trailhunter. That tire comes in load range E... load range C is not available in that specific tire. There's a rumor floating around that BFG is going to produce a load range C variant in that specific tire. I am running mine at 36 PSI cold. I need the additional load carrying capability as I have a Decked drawer system, Smartcap EVOa, 270 awning, an Openroad RTT, a fridge/freezer/slide, and a Kickass battery box. By the time I include my personal gear, I'm just above 800 pounds of load. I will put Dobinson C59-821vb springs on the rear this week.
Nothing wrong with E load if it works for you but you could add multiple thousands pounds and not need anything over a C. In fact, an S load can handle all the way up to GVWR.
 

SilverSurfer

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After much review, I’m looking at Toyo‘s OC AT3’S for their lightness and even lighter, the nitro terra grappler g3 (best in wet, not great in snow) which is best for where I live.

Just a personal note of caution as nobody has mentioned it yet. I would Recommend against removing the crash bar to make room for larger tires. That’s a decision that could result in some serious harm to you and yours. it’s there for a reason. Just my 2 cents, you be you.
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