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Old 10-19-2016, 03:18 PM   #1
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SUV Tires - P or LT rated?

Hey folks thanks in advance for your help.

I have an '04 Ford Expedition that I use to tow my 19' TT Ultralite with an empty weight of about 3800lbs. The TV came with P rated tires in the 265/70R17 flavor. I'm in need of tire replacement and would like some advice on whether you think the LT would be a bad choice on an SUV vs the P rated.

I'm looking at the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. The price difference for my tire size is negligible and the availability is the same for both, however the treadwear warranty is 70k (P) vs 50k (LT). We don't camp nearly as much as i'd like but probably 1/2 dozen times a year. The rest of the time the SUV is used once a week for trip to town about 50 miles round-trip.

Does it make sense to go with the LT vs the P on the tires assuming price and availability is about the same? I don't know much about the difference other than the load limits are higher and the sidewalls a bit sturdier on the LT.

Specs:
P - 265 /70 R17 115T SL OWL
LT - LT265 /70 R17 121R E1 OWL

Thoughts?
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Old 10-19-2016, 03:22 PM   #2
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Go with LT tires. Stiffer aidewalls will inprove handling. Ride will suffer a bit.
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Old 10-19-2016, 03:44 PM   #3
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Given that you drive the Expedition so little when not towing the stiffer ride of the LT's may not be an issue and the LT's will likely improve your towing experience.

As for the warranty how long do you figure it will take you to rack up 50K miles?
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Old 10-19-2016, 03:50 PM   #4
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We had a 1993 Ford Exploder with the original Firestone bombs. We had 3 flats in 8 days when we arrived in Kodiak, Alaska. The tires were cut to pieces by the sharp rock on the gravel roads there. At the recommendation of everybody, we put on 8 ply LT tires. Never had another flat in the 3 years in Alaska, and 4 years in California, including the 5,000+ mile drive to California.

In California, when they finally wore out 60,000 miles later, Costco and Sears would not replace with LT tires because they were not the OEM size. I finally found a tire dealer that would put on LT tires, and got another 70K before I traded the Explorer in. Color me very happy with the LT tires.

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Old 10-19-2016, 06:54 PM   #5
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I run XL rated P tires on mine. It lets me run at stock inflation without a rough ride for daily driving and I run around 45 PSI when towing to stiffen them up. Makes a lot of difference.
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Old 10-19-2016, 07:03 PM   #6
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LTs for sure. The factories should be ashamed of themselves ever mounting P-rated tires on any truck or truck-based SUV. You'll be glad you upgraded.
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Old 10-19-2016, 08:22 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Ford Idaho View Post
As for the warranty how long do you figure it will take you to rack up 50K miles?
I do about 5000 miles a year or so when you add in the camping trips. I'm not too concerned about the treadwear warranty difference, just pointing it out. The OEM tires (continental contitrac SUV) both sets since the vehicle was new have separated and blown long before the tread was nearing the end of its useful life. Seems to me they last about 5-6 years before having to replace them when the belts begin separating.

Is this a function of the tire and its quality or should I expect that due to the amount of time they sit vs roll?
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Old 10-19-2016, 08:31 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by foretm View Post
I do about 5000 miles a year or so when you add in the camping trips. I'm not too concerned about the treadwear warranty difference, just pointing it out. The OEM tires (continental contitrac SUV) both sets since the vehicle was new have separated and blown long before the tread was nearing the end of its useful life. Seems to me they last about 5-6 years before having to replace them when the belts begin separating.

Is this a function of the tire and its quality or should I expect that due to the amount of time they sit vs roll?
Sitting time. I have had LT tires on my dually that looked brand new but were pushing 8 years old, rolled the tread on two of them. From my research 8 years seems to be about the average for longevity, air pressure, where it was stored, temps and speed rating play into that too.

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Old 10-20-2016, 01:34 PM   #9
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You will be much happier towing with the LT tires. After 2 weeks you will not notice any ride difference. The only complaint I've heard from those that switch is about road noise because they bought an aggressive tread as if they were going through the mud to get to rock climbing.
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Old 10-20-2016, 01:42 PM   #10
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I just put these on my 2013 Silverado and am very happy with them

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WIV1VZM/

Nokians get great reviews, and I saved a ton of money ordering them online.
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Old 10-20-2016, 02:23 PM   #11
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Thanks ya'll... appreciate the help. I think i'll go with the LT tires.
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Old 10-20-2016, 04:30 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by pgandw View Post
We had a 1993 Ford Exploder with the original Firestone bombs. We had 3 flats in 8 days when we arrived in Kodiak, Alaska. The tires were cut to pieces by the sharp rock on the gravel roads there. At the recommendation of everybody, we put on 8 ply LT tires. Never had another flat in the 3 years in Alaska, and 4 years in California, including the 5,000+ mile drive to California.

In California, when they finally wore out 60,000 miles later, Costco and Sears would not replace with LT tires because they were not the OEM size. I finally found a tire dealer that would put on LT tires, and got another 70K before I traded the Explorer in. Color me very happy with the LT tires.

Fred W
Even though I have put 240,000 miles on my exploder using just the heaviest he tires I can buy, I support using LT tires for heavy towing. Call that anything over 2000 lbs.

My three quarter ton Chevy van had quote SUV tires and a Tow rating of about. 8500 lbs. Every time I towed that 25 foot toy hauler, just camping stuff and water, at about 6000 lbs, I wound up with a flat tire. P tires are too soft and run too hot for heavy towing. Even if you stay within the rated weight.
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Old 10-23-2016, 06:31 AM   #13
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As far as I'm concerned, tire warranties don't mean "diddly squat". By the time they've worn far enough to be eligible for warranty replacement, they're way too worn for me to feel comfortable driving on dry pavement. The only thing that the warranty means to me is a relative comparison of expected useful tire life - factored at about 75 - 80% of the "warranty" - i.e. if a tire is warranted for 60k miles, you can probably expect to get about 46-48k out of it.
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Old 10-23-2016, 06:57 AM   #14
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.............. By the time they've worn far enough to be eligible for warranty replacement, they're way too worn for me to feel comfortable driving on dry pavement. The only thing that the warranty means to me is a relative comparison of expected useful tire life - factored at about 75 - 80% of the "warranty" - i.e. if a tire is warranted for 60k miles, you can probably expect to get about 46-48k out of it.

Pretty much how I view it too. I change mine when the get to 4/32". Studies have shown that as the tread wears down stopping distances go up. Real good video here.
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Old 10-23-2016, 07:00 AM   #15
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The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is a terrific tire. Yes the ride may be a bit firmer, however, you can adjust the air pressure down when not towing and be just fine if you wish.
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Old 10-23-2016, 07:18 AM   #16
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Thanks ya'll... appreciate the help. I think i'll go with the LT tires.
That's what I would do....
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Old 10-23-2016, 11:42 AM   #17
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When our Durango was due for tires I replaced the 17" P tires with 17" LT tires. It improved the towing experience with little change in daily driving experience. I run them at 50# front and 60# rear with towing, ~45# front and rear when not towing.
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Old 10-23-2016, 01:28 PM   #18
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Thanks ya'll... appreciate the help. I think i'll go with the LT tires.
Make sure you go with a retailer that can insure you make a safe choice. Inflation pressures and load capacities are not comparable between the two very different designs.

Here is a document that will point out those differences and insure your new tires are the right fit for your vehicle.

http://octopup.org/img/car/tires/Rub...ruck-Tires.pdf
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Old 10-24-2016, 07:57 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by kluza2786 View Post
As far as I'm concerned, tire warranties don't mean "diddly squat". By the time they've worn far enough to be eligible for warranty replacement, they're way too worn for me to feel comfortable driving on dry pavement. The only thing that the warranty means to me is a relative comparison of expected useful tire life - factored at about 75 - 80% of the "warranty" - i.e. if a tire is warranted for 60k miles, you can probably expect to get about 46-48k out of it.

I agree with you on that.... my issue is the tires seem to fail long before I get anywhere near the treadlife out of them. Mine sit more than they roll, and I have to assume that has something to do with it.
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Old 10-24-2016, 07:59 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by Airdale View Post
Make sure you go with a retailer that can insure you make a safe choice. Inflation pressures and load capacities are not comparable between the two very different designs.

Here is a document that will point out those differences and insure your new tires are the right fit for your vehicle.

http://octopup.org/img/car/tires/Rub...ruck-Tires.pdf

Thank you... Very good information in that document.
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