Tires P vs LT - My Experiences - Page 2

leencharlotte · 06-08-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokyroo

I find it odd that the Tundra came with P tires. Mine came with some BF Goodrich TAs from the factory. I replaced them with Michelin LTX2s and have been very happy. Yes it is expensive, but good tires cost. I would suggest changing all 4 at once, especially since it is 4 WD like others mentioned.

Me too. I still have those tires on and I just can't bring myself to replacing them yet... Only 8k miles on them

prof_fate · 06-09-2011, 09:04 AM

They expy we bought used came with michelin atx LT- E/10 ply tires and it tends to ride a bit rough/harsh over smaller bumps in the road as the tires aren't absorbing them - the guy that sold it to us warned us of it, but I'm glad it's got the LT tires on it. I hear no tire noise (and since the A/C is broken at the moment I"m riding with all the windows open.)

Question on air pressure though - Most P tires run 40 or so max and of course the door sticker will have a lower rating in many cases. The Michelins list a max of 85psi if i recall and the previous owner had them at 65psi which I've kept- I don't need the max load rating and figure the lower PSI helps the ride a bit.

So what air pressure are you running? Do you change it when you go to tow vs regular driving?

acadianbob · 06-09-2011, 10:39 AM

This is interesting discussion. I just bought new tires and replace my P's with P's. I had intended to put on LT E rating but the tire dealer heavily recommended against it on a half ton truck. I allowed him to sway my decision. Apparently many of you have put E's on half tons with no issues. Now I wonder . . . . Oh well, I will say that the Nokians I put on the truck are firmer and seem to handle the load better than the BF Goodrich's that came with the truck. They are rated for 44 psi. Guess I'm stuck with them now! E rated tires are a good $1,100. Did my tires for $700.

MtnGuy · 06-09-2011, 10:51 AM

I haven't looked into it yet, but I hope to go with a C or D rated LT tire when I am ready to replace. E rated are probably overkill for a 1/2 ton truck.

Triguy · 06-09-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I haven't looked into it yet, but I hope to go with a C or D rated LT tire when I am ready to replace. E rated are probably overkill for a 1/2 ton truck.

I do not think E's offer any benefits on a 1/2 ton and possibly drawbacks. When I replaced last fall with Yokohama Geolander A/T-S C's, I considered C's and E's and just couldn't find a reason that would justify the E's.

I also have a moderately weighted trailer so that is part of it.

After 7 months, the truck rides much better (meaning stiffer in cornering) and far less body sway compared to the squishy P-rated Duelers that came with the truck when I bought it in 2008. I had been waiting for those tires to wear down and decided to replace them with winter coming on. The truck handles well in the snow in 2 wheel drive and great in 4-wheel. Ice driving is the same as with my Duelers.

On the negative side, the tires are quite a bit rougher feeling on some of the ill-maintained Wisconsin country roads. Part of this is due to the A/T tread. I think the E's would be rougher, though.

FYI for anyone looking to switch -In the first 700 miles I felt some tire squirm that can be attributed to two things. The releasing agent that is on all tires needed to wear off and the more aggressive A/T tread. After 1,000 miles, the squirm had reduced considerably and is not noticeable anymore.

My mileage dropped 0.8mpg before winter gas started so I think its fair to say the tires did it.

SaskCampers · 06-09-2011, 12:25 PM

Alot of guys put E's on 1/2 tons for the 10 ply rating. I had them on our old 2004 Ram 1500 at the end as I live on a gravel grid road and 13 flats in 15 months with P rated Goodyears was wearing thin. Since switching to 10 ply LT's never an issue.

leencharlotte · 06-09-2011, 01:08 PM

My P tires have a 2800 lb rating, so I would use E'a to not downgrade

Triguy · 06-09-2011, 02:57 PM

I had been used to differentiating tires by ply rating since I started driving. However, I have since found out that the ply ratings today do not count the actual number of body ply layers anymore.

Instead, its used as an equivalent strength compared to early bias ply tires.

Source

acadianbob · 06-09-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I haven't looked into it yet, but I hope to go with a C or D rated LT tire when I am ready to replace. E rated are probably overkill for a 1/2 ton truck.

Yep! C rated tires are 50 PSI; just a tad more than the 44 in my P's. Probably a darn good compromise.

flumpydog · 06-09-2011, 11:09 PM

I was thinking about getting the C's, however after long discussions with Toyo, they recommended the E's. They also recommended we run these particular tires @ 44 psi, they will hold 80 psi, however that is too much for the load they are carrying and at that pressure they would ride a lot rougher and would wear uneven. Even the LT C's are a big step above any P tires ;-)

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