E-Rated tires on jeep wrangler why you should consider it| Pros and Cons
There are different rated tires for the jeep wrangler. Each tire is characterized by an alphabet from B to F. The letters classify the tires into ply rating and load pressure that can be applied to the wheels. There is also a difference in air pressure that can be put, and it varies from 35psi in B-rated tires to a maximum of 95psi for F-rated tires.
E-rated tires are the best recommended for medium-sized trucks. Such as the jeep wrangler, especially if you like carrying extra loads on your wrangler or you often tow heavy stuff. Basically, E tires are made for medium-sized trucks whose drivers haul massive weight on.
Most people prefer to call them towing tires. E-rated tired can handle a maximum lead pressure of 80 psi, but factors might influence this figure, such as heat and friction. In this article, we’re going to see about E-Rated tires on jeep wrangler | advantages and disadvantages.
How to choose E-rated tires for your wrangler?
Tire type:
An easy way to differentiate tires is to check the lettering at the beginning of the tire size. E-rated tires are made for different uses, and they might not fit on your wrangler. For example, if the tires are labeled “trailer only,” they won’t fit on your wrangler’s wheels.
If the tires have the letter P at the beginning, it means that the tires are made for metric passenger vehicles. LT lettering means that they’re made for light trucks which jeep wranglers are included.
If there is no lettering on the tires, you could be dealing with a euro-metric tire, which can differ in load ratings. If you are shopping online, pay attention to such details. Other letterings include M for motorcycle tires, C for commercial trucks, and ST for the special trailer.
For which Terrain these tires are made for?
There are 3 main categories: mud terrain, all-terrain, and road tires when it comes to this. Most E-rated tires are available as all-terrain tires. They provide a smooth driving experience in all terrains without bias.
Mud terrain tires are thicker than all-terrain tires as they are designed to have protection against off-road factors such as sharp rocks which might puncture the tire. These tires have poor performance on the road and reduce the mpg of your wrangler due to the weight and excessive rolling resistance.
Most manufactures don’t make E-rated tires as mud-terrain tires. Then there are E-rated road tires which are most suited for road driving. The best off-roading you can do with these tires is driving on gravel.
You might also find there are E-rated snow tires. These tires are ideal for use in low temperatures. They maintain a grip on the road regardless of the cold temperatures.
Choose the tire that suits your driving habits. Still, all-terrain tires are recommended due to their all-around usability feature. Unlike all other tires, the usability is biased towards one driving condition.
Check other tire specifications
E-graded tires are good high-loading tires. But if you ignore other tire specifications, you’re most likely not going to get the results you’re looking for when buying high-load tires. Tire width, size, aspect ratio, and speed rating are among the factors you should consider.
The wider and bigger the tire, the more grip, but it should not be too wide, increasing the rolling resistance. A high rolling resistance makes your wrangler harder to handle and reduces your mpg. The tire width is indicated by the first three digits on the tire wall, while the rim size can be fit on.
The speed rating is the maximum speed the tire can be driven at. Drive at speeds higher than the tire’s speed rating. The drive will be uncomfortable, handling will be reduced, and there will be excess friction, thus generating more heat.
Your tires will wear out much quicker if you continue driving at speeds higher than the speed rating. The speed rating is indicated by the last letter on the wall of the tire.
Tires with a low aspect ratio handle better and have a greater corning ability, which is what you want when hauling massive loads on your wrangler. The aspect ratio is indicated by the second set of digits on the tire’s wall.
Knowing your wrangler’s limits
Having E-rated tires on your wrangler does not mean you should tow or carry more than what is specified in the owner’s manual. E-rated tires just enhance your wrangler’s towing and carrying abilities. Do not tow or carry more, or you’ll end up with engine, transmission, or suspension problems.
Also, consider the outside temperatures and the road condition. Some roads are more favorable for towing than others. Ensure you secure the load or the trailer on your wrangler well before departing.
Check the tires’ pressure and ensure all of them are balanced. Low tire pressure or a tire with a slow puncture affects your towing and carrying capability. You rev higher due to the low-pressure tire’s rolling resistance, and you end up consuming more fuel than you expected.
Sime wrangler owners might argue that C-rated tires are the best for your wrangler. This is true, but if you are the kind of person who is constantly hauling massive weights on your wrangler, E tires are the best tires you can put on your wrangler.
If you put on C-rated tires and then exchange them for E-rated tires. E-rated tires have a load weight capacity that averages most wranglers’ load weight capacity. That’s why they are considered best for hauling.
Pros of using E rated tires on your wrangler
- E-rated tires are reinforced to increase the weight load. Because of this, they last longer than stock tires and lower weight load tires.
- You can use E-rated tires for long distances without having to worry about factors such as friction. Friction between the road and the tires reduces the wrangler’s handling.
- Due to E-rated tires’ reinforced nature, they are resistant to mechanical damage such as sharp loose chippings on the road or driving into an obstacle at high speeds.
- There is better traction, thus better handling. The cornering ability of your wrangler is great even when carrying or towing massive loads.
- There is also a slight improvement in braking due to the increased grip these tires have.
Cons of using E rated tires on your wrangler
- All reinforced tires produce more rolling noise than the stock wrangler tires. The composition and structure of these tires makes them have thicker treads which are the source of the rolling noise.
- The thicker treads mean that the tires will have an increased rolling resistance due to the increased grip of the tires. This will negatively affect your fuel consumption. You might even need your speedometer recalibrated once in a while.
- E-rated tires are thicker and wider than stock tires. They’re heavier, which increases your wrangler’s overall weight, which will also negatively affect the mpg of the wrangler.
- Suppose you are diving normally without any extra weight on your wrangler. In that case, you might feel slightly different handling due to the tires’ massive grip. But you eventually get used to this.
- Ride comfort is slightly reduced. You’ll feel every little bump, especially if the tires are fully inflated.
Should I use E-rated tires on my wrangler?
This depends on the type of driver you are. Suppose you are the kind of driver who always has extra weight on your wrangler. In that case, the E-rated tires are best suited for you but have in mind the road condition you mostly drive in to choose the type of tire and filter out other determining factors.
If you have weight on your wrangler, the stock tires will occasionally do depending on the tire type your wrangler came with. But if you feel you want to upgrade the tires, you can go for C-rated tires or low spec E-rated tires.
They might be more expensive than the stock tires, but it will be worth it in the long run as the stock tires will need replacing sooner than the reinforced E-Rated tires.
Conclusion
Any reinforced tire is an upgrade over the stock wrangler tires. Some wrangler owners immediately change the tires after they buy their wranglers. Even the stock mud terrain or all-terrain tires are not better than aftermarket reinforced tires.
You have a set of reinforced tires to use whenever you need them. If you increase the power output of your engine, you might need reinforced tires. Or you’ve done modifications to your wrangler, and there is a weight increment that the stock tires can’t handle together with whatever you’re hauling.
When choosing E-rated tires, chose tires that will fit on your wrangler without any extra modifications needed. E-rated tires can be expensive, and you don’t want to spend more just to have them on your wrangler.