Slate truck build: official OEM lift kit, side steps, roof rack, bed rack, fender flares, alloy wheels 😍

[phidauex]

Weight of batteries is why the tires are chosen. Soft ride it will not be in any case. It's a truck.

The batteries are heavy for a truck of this size, but its low payload capacity means the GVWR and GAWRs still aren't going to be terribly high.

That BFG TA KO2 is load range E1, with a load index of 121, which means 3,197lbs capacity at 80 psi.

I don't think we have final numbers for the Slate yet, but assuming the 3,600lb curb weight and the 50/50 weight distribution, that would be 1,800 lbs on the rear axle. Lets put the entire 1,400lb payload capacity over that axle, which gets us to 3,200 lbs GAWR, or 1,600 lbs per tire. That would technically work with an SL rated tire with a 97 index.

In practice, they'll probably rate up a bit and specify something like an XL rated tire at a load index of 101 to 103 (EDIT: 111 for stock tire, see below), for around ~1,900 lbs at 42psi. That is still quite a beefy tire, but you don't need something that is rated for a school bus or an F350.

The Slate's ratings are extremely close to my Tacoma. It has a slightly higher curb weight, and a slightly lower payload, but both end up close to 5,000 lbs GVWR. I've had many tires on this truck over the years, including E rated LT tires, and then back to XL rated 115 index tires like I have now. The difference is very noticeable in acceleration and comfort, and the tires are no less capable for the vehicle (actually better in the snow).

Like I said, I'm sure lots of people will still put E rated tires on (knowingly or unknowingly), and I wouldn't tell anyone what to do with their truck, I'm just saying it isn't necessary for the weight, payload or capabilities of the vehicle.

EDIT: Looking at other pics, the Kenda Klever S/T in 245/65-R17 they are putting on demo vehicles is an XL rated tire, 111 load index. My guess is that 111 isn't really needed either, but that is what the Kenda is in that size. Others in the Klever S/T line in similar sizes are between 106 and 111.

 

[E90400K]

I'm liking those wheels and tires on it. Any one here ever run the KO2? I'm curious how they perform in different conditions and how they are on the road.

I have KO2 on my Hummer H3T. I have to check my records but I think they have been on there about 20,000 miles so far. GREAT tires! All the grip you'll ever need and a smooth, quiet ride to boot. Being Bridgestone has moved on to the KO3 replacement model you'd be getting KO3 as any near future purchase, but the KO3 are even better from what I've read about them.

 

[beatle]

Weight of batteries is why the tires are chosen. Soft ride it will not be in any case. It's a truck.

Though tires can tune the ride feel, the ride is more a product of the axle design, not the weight of the truck. At just over 3600 lbs, it's lighter than most trucks. Heck it's a lot lighter than my old Ridgelines. My old Tacoma was a bit lighter than the Slate, but it had a live axle and it rode like a shopping cart. My Lightning was downright plush (kind of boaty, actually) even though it weighs as much as two Slates. The Lightning has a completely independent rear suspension, while the Slate has a de dion rear. The de dion will be kind of in the middle between a live axle and IRS from a ride perspective. Since the Slate also has a relatively low payload, the spring rates won't be jacked up to accommodate a heavy load, so it should also ride softer.

 

[gouacats]

I'm liking those wheels and tires on it. Any one here ever run the KO2? I'm curious how they perform in different conditions and how they are on the road.

I've run a lot of different tires on my Jeeps and I always end up going back to KO2s. They last forever (over 60k miles on my current set), are great offroad, quiet on road for an all-terrain and relatively low weight (assuming the class C tires like I run). I'm in Arizona, so not a lot of experience with them in mud or snow...