I am looking for some opinions on this often debated subject. I have used the search feature here and read many articles posted on the internet about the subject already but would still like to hear more.
I have a 2001 F-150 Supercab 4wd, 6500GVW with 265/70R17 tires on it now. The truck came from the factory with P265/70R17's but I changed them shortly after I bought the truck to LT's. I tow a 24'11" lite travel trailer that weighs 5326lbs ready to go hooked to the truck. The truck weighs 6447, hooked to the trailer, full of gas, firewood, the wife and me.
I don't tow my trailer very often anymore, I tow a quad on a trailer quite a bit, use my truck for fishing adventures and some mild offroading.
So do I really need LT rated tires? I am talking about load range C tires also, not the E rated ones.
So my rear axle rating is 3550lbs, the wheels are rated for 2064lbs each.
So the tires that are on my truck now(LT's) have a weight rating of 2470lbs at 50psi. The P series tires I am looking at have a rating of 2305lbs at 44psi, this number takes into account the 10% reduced load capacity because it is a p series tire.
The p series tire is 241 lbs over the wheel rating(per wheel) and 1060 lbs over the axle rating.
I do understand that LT tires have more plys and stiffer sidewalls for better handling when towing but are they really needed? I could put pretty much any tire on these rims and I will be over there load rating.The p series tires rode alot better and were quieter.
So looking for everybody's opinion, especially people that have towed and hauled with P series tires. Also if anybody has any experience with the new Michelin LTX A/T2 that would be good too.
You changed to LT probably because you did not like the way the truck handled with the Ps. Ps have a much softer sidewall and tend to squirm. Stay with the Lts. I badly needed tires and the shop did not have LTs so I put on Ps that was a terrible mistake. The truck was all over the road. The Ps had enough load rating but were far too soft. That was on my F150 with 15" wheels.
Just my opinion, but a truck deserves and needs LT tires. The bigger the truck, the higher the load range. The rougher the service, the higher the load range. My truck has Load Range E tires, and is registered for 14,000 GVW.
My Jeep Rubicon came from the factory with Load Range E tires, not for load carrying, but for sidewall strength when rock crawling at reduced (10 to 15 PSI) pressures.
All the trucks and SUVs I have ever owned got LT tires as soon as possible. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I don't think I have ever owned Michelins, unless they were on a vehicle I purchased. I certainly have never deliberately BOUGHT any!
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
A couple of the other posters have hit the issue on the head.
Load rating, shmload rating; that isn't the issue.
When towing, it's all about sidewall strength/stiffness and stability. Mushy P-rated tires don't cut it when the trailer tries to wag your tail in a sidewind or an 18-wheeler gives you major side-vacuum. Stay with LT's.
Hans, KØHB & Colleen, KØCKB Master Chief Radioman, US Navy -
'04 Prairie Schooner 34FBR Platinum XL Camping Trailer
'08 3500HD Silverado Big Dooley LTZ Go-power by Max & Allie
Well after thinking about it and where I go/what I do with my truck, I bought another set of LT BFG AT KO's. The first set lasted 7 years so I can't complain, and the price was ok too.
Thanks for all the tips/insight guys, I guess I was trying to convince myself that P series would be ok.....
For my new 2008 F-150 Supercrew, I switched out the Pirelli 20" P-metrics before I took delivery with LT rated Michelin LTX A/T2's and couldn't be happier. I've heard to many complaints about soft sidewalls of P-metrics. I researched the BFG's, too, but these Michelin's are the cat's meow. I highly suggest you look into them as an LT option.
2009 North Trail 31BHD
2008 Ford F-150 King Ranch Supercrew
Equalizer & Prodigy
Me, the DW, and the Two Rugrats
I always recommend LT tires for any 'truck', even a half ton. Since you
have gone back to LT tires, this is for those making up their minds.
If you didn't notice any difference and that the 'P' ratings has enough safety
margin for 'you', go with whatever you wise.
I notice the difference whenever I drive other trucks with P rated tires. Their
owners don't, so okay for them. I don't like the mooshieness and even when it is
leaning over on the tires sidewalls, they don't notice. So okay for them, and not for me.
Ride quality is at the bottom of my 'have to have' and also 'nice to have' listings...
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1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
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