Truck Tires P vs LT

[Ksatter]

How much difference in ride going from P type to LT type tire on tow vehicle (truck)?

[Canarado]

Big difference between the two. P-rated are very light duty tires(P stands for passenger) that in reality aren't cut out for towing as the side wall specs are too light for moderate to heavy loads which cause extra flex and ultimately extra heat. P-rated will give a truck a nice ride empty as they ride like a passenger car with lots of sidewall flex! LT tires spec out at a lot more sidewall strength but look closer into it when you decide to match up your truck to them as there's different ratings for LT tires and you should match the load range accordingly to your GVW ratings of your truck.

[tuffr2]

I agree with a lot of the previous posts. An LT tire will come in various weight carrying capacity. LT 'E', 'G', 'H' for example. 'E' being the least.

Typically 'E' will have fewer plies than 'G' and 'G' will have fewer plies than 'H'.

A lot of Light Trucks will come standard with LT 'E' rated tires.

If moving from 'P' rated to 'LT' E rated tires you might notice a slight additional roughness in ride because 'P' rated will have softer sidewalls then LT 'E' rated.

[Ksatter]

I probably should have given more information in the original post. I have a Toyota Tundra long bed with a V8. I will be towing a travel trailer that weights 4,600 lbs loaded. It has a hitch weight of 500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight is 7,100 actually scale weight is 6,140 with full tank of gas and occupants. Thanks again for your help. I am just not familiar with the LT type of truck tires. I would also appreciate brand name suggestions if you have any? Thanks

[tuffr2]

Go to the 'Tire Rack' website and navigate to tires, Light Truck.

There are two tires that I really liked. One was a Bridgestone but I forget the tire name. The other really good tire, good means traction, noise, hydroplaning resistance, wear and a few other categories, was the Michelin LTX M/S2.

Again, go to the Tire Rack web site and look for test results and the user survey for light truck tires.

[Desert Flyer]

Definitely go with LT tires ; do not even consider P tires for your truck if towing.

[JIMNLIN]

I use the wifes '16 1500 chevy crew cab 4wd pulling my 10k car hauler with a 7200 lb blue tractor with a cab (12" tall on the trailer) when worksites are muddy.
I find the OEM P255/70-17" AT tires work fine. I can load the tractor and get any rear wheel load on the truck I need.
The truck has a 4000 rawr and even at 3850 lb load no issues with handling.

I've tried LT E on a couple of other 1/2 ton trucks but always went back with the P tires. I don't haul over the trucks axle/wheel load rating so just wasted my money and got a rougher rider to boot.

[runamuck]

I am curious about this myself. I bought a gmc 1500 4x4 CCSB sierra this year and am pulling our freedom express 24rks with it. dont know the exact wt. but mfr. #'s are 4700# empty and 500# or so for tongue wt. I am always on the lookout for any little thing to improve the towing and was thinking about changing out the 20" all terrain tires for maybe the cooper at3 LT's and that the LT tires would eliminate that little bit of mushyness or wiggle from the rear when towing. I only have 3400 miles on the oem tires so thought I would make the change while I could get something for them. sounds like folks are saying not worth it for the little improvement I might get but others say do it.

[tuffr2]

My experience of LT load range E.

2004 Toyota Highlander - still road like a big Camry.

2006 Honda Ridgeline - still road like a big Accord.

2011 F-150 - road very nice

2012 F-450 - rides rough but the LT tires are not the issue.

I do think an LT tire would take the squishing sensation out of the trucks feeling while towing.

Since most people use their truck as a people mover/grocery getter I guess the manufactuers are using 'P' rated tires more and more on their trucks.

[bfisher003]

I am running P rated tires on my ‘13 F150 Platinum Screw 4x4 3.5 EB Max Tow. Before our Alaska trip this summer towing our travel trailer I replaced the tires. I discussed changing the tires from P to LT with the tire shop and he, who also tows a travel trailer, recommended staying with P tires and increasing the psi when towing. So I went with P tires again and when I am going to tow the TT I up the psi from 35 to 40-42. Max is 44. I do not feel any squishiness and the rig handles great under a variety of road conditions.

[tuffr2]

Excellent point about the air pressure.

P rated tires can go up to 45 lbs.
LT rated tires go up to 65 lbs.
LT-H rated go up to 110 lbs.

[hondavalk]

On my 2008 Tundra after the OEM's wore out I replaced them with BFGoodrich LT all terrain tires. For the first 50 miles I thought I had made a mistake spending the money on LT's but shortly after that they were a marked improvement over the P rated tires

[Ksatter]

Originally Posted by hondavalk

On my 2008 Tundra after the OEM's wore out I replaced them with BFGoodrich LT all terrain tires. For the first 50 miles I thought I had made a mistake spending the money on LT's but shortly after that they were a marked improvement over the P rated tires

When you say a "marked improvement" what characteristics to the ride changed?

[Cumminsfan]

I put LT tires on the two previous F150's I owned. The 08 F150 got LT D rated Coopers. Ride was was nicer than the stock P's that came on it.
On my 2010 F150 I went with Michelin LTX E rated tires. I didn't really care for the ride.
I ran the D's at the door psi on the 08. On the 2010 I ran around 35 psi empty and 50 psi towing. The E's IMO are overkill. I even aired them up to 60+ psi and didn't notice any difference from 50 for towing except a harsher ride.
According to Discount tire if I remember right 45 psi was all that was needed for my RAWR.
I would look for LT D rated tires. They will give you more lateral control and a more solid feel but not a harsh ride like E's.
I was towing a 31' 7300 lb TT also. If I were towing shorter and lighter I'd stick with P's.