Do the Hybrids need an LT / E load tire?

[jofe]

This would be the first time I’m buying different tires than came stock and I am wondering if the Hybrids (I have a Hybrid ORP coming) need an LT tire due to extra weight of the battery?

The stock Michelins are I think E load tires, but I probably drive 95 percent on roads so was wondering if I could get away with an SL tire.

 

[Jpr18]

The stock Michelins are SL.

 

[dpg123]

I don’t think it’s necessary at all. It’s was overkill unless you’re towing trailers with some weight regularly. We have LT285e bfg ats and I’m ready to get rid of them very badly lol.

 

[jofe]

Ahh I must have read it wrong then about the Michelins. Great to know @Jpr18 @dpg123 thanks!

 

[4RunnerStan]

I did a lot of research on it this am actually, not specifically in relation to the hybrid per se, but I believe the only trim that comes standard with "e" rated tires is the TRD Pro, and that (as far as I know) is not due to the powertrain weight, but due to the type of off roading a TRD Pro buyer would be doing.

From what I researched, a SL tire is basically good for easy to moderate off road trails, and can possibly handle more if you air down. A lot of opinions on this tho, I see people who say you should get E if you are doing any off roading, and then I've also see people say they've done light rock crawling with SL tires.

as far as where I'll put my money, I plan on doing light to moderate off roading, and I'm going to get the nitto terra grappler G3 SL. My thought process is 3 things:

1. this is going to be my daily, I don't want a rough ride or to lose MPG going with E
2. From what I read, most people who I've seen in the forums who actually use SL to off-road say it's fine.
3. I can't imagine that nitto made an off road SL tire that is so delicate off road, it's basically only for looks.

not to say that E wouldn't do better off road... I just think that for the off roading im doing, SL is more than enough, and airing down should get me thru most situations.

just my .02, FWIW

 

[jofe]

Awesome great to hear that. I had heard similar things about the off-roading aspect of it in YouTube videos. I was worried that the weight difference of the hybrid would change things though. But the fact that most the hybrids come on SL tires says enough. I was also thinking about the Terra Grapplers!

 

[nubbins_]

Awesome great to hear that. I had heard similar things about the off-roading aspect of it in YouTube videos. I was worried that the weight difference of the hybrid would change things though. But the fact that most the hybrids come on SL tires says enough. I was also thinking about the Terra Grapplers!

Even the hybrid 4R isn't even remotely near the kind of GVWR that would necessitate E load tires for weight capacity. In general you just don't see that happening below a 2500 truck.

Extended wheelbase full size SUVs and 1500 trucks max out on GVWR more than 1000lb heavier than the highest GVWR 4R, and factory P tires still serve them just fine. Offroad trucks like Raptors' choice of LT probably comes down to the fact that the tires (KO3) only come in LT sizes, rather than a need for capacity, since their GVWR is still lower than those extended SUVs.

But of course, LT will give you that extra durability offroad that SL or XL cannot match.

 

[Jpr18]

I did a lot of research on it this am actually, not specifically in relation to the hybrid per se, but I believe the only trim that comes standard with "e" rated tires is the TRD Pro, and that (as far as I know) is not due to the powertrain weight, but due to the type of off roading a TRD Pro buyer would be doing.

TRD Pro uses the SL-rated Toyo Open Country A/T III GA

 

[4RunnerStan]

TRD Pro uses the SL-rated Toyo Open Country A/T III GA

Ahhh ok. I wasn't 100% sure but saw on another form they were e rated, but I guess that person did not know for sure either.

 

[DangItsDen]

I don’t think it’s necessary at all. It’s was overkill unless you’re towing trailers with some weight regularly. We have LT285e bfg ats and I’m ready to get rid of them very badly lol.

Bummer. Ride too rough? What's your avg mpg rn?

 

[Pelo18]

This would be the first time I’m buying different tires than came stock and I am wondering if the Hybrids (I have a Hybrid ORP coming) need an LT tire due to extra weight of the battery?

The stock Michelins are I think E load tires, but I probably drive 95 percent on roads so was wondering if I could get away with an SL tire.

jofe

This video, kinda brings a better perspective on the SL and LT tires. Depending on your use for the 4Runner.

 

[CMill4Runner]

The sweet spot that I've found for our previous 4Runner's and Tacoma's is a D rated tire, they still have decent ride but don't have the SL issues of being too soft and puncturing. We currently are running 285/70/17 D range on our '22 Tacoma and 275/70/17 E range on our 4Runner both Toyo ATIII's and both have the same Bilstein lift. The Tacoma with rear leaf springs rides way better and smoother than the 4Runner. The issue I'm seeing with the '25's is the 18in wheel size, there are no D rated options I have found in an 18in tire. When we get ours in a couple weeks, I'm going to test fit the 17's and might change to that size wheel.

 

[dpg123]

Bummer. Ride too rough? What's your avg mpg rn?

Yea it’s a harsher ride than I expected, also has a vibration at about 75(speed limit here in Co). Avg so far is about 17-17.5.

 

[DangItsDen]

The sweet spot that I've found for our previous 4Runner's and Tacoma's is a D rated tire, they still have decent ride but don't have the SL issues of being too soft and puncturing. We currently are running 285/70/17 D range on our '22 Tacoma and 275/70/17 E range on our 4Runner both Toyo ATIII's and both have the same Bilstein lift. The Tacoma with rear leaf springs rides way better and smoother than the 4Runner. The issue I'm seeing with the '25's is the 18in wheel size, there are no D rated options I have found in an 18in tire. When we get ours in a couple weeks, I'm going to test fit the 17's and might change to that size wheel.

Ko3s are coming D load in February in 18”. I forget which size exactly