F150 LT vs. P tires

[Mark S]

My 2015 F150 with Max Tow package came with Goodyear 275/65-18 Wrangler Fortitude tires. They seem pretty good and the load rating number meets the needs with my setup.

My only complaint with towing is that I get pushed around by large trucks passing me. I know I have a light tow vehicle but could the P rated tires have an effect on this?

Where will I see the benefit of switching to LT tires and what differences can I expect? I am willing to spend the $1,000 if there is real benefit to switching to Lts.

And if I switch to Lts, which tires should I look at?

Thanks for any input.

[Ford Idaho]

My first thought is if you are having trouble when you are passed by a large truck your weight distribution and anti sway setup may be wrong.

When towing and not being passed does the back feel spongy or wiggly?

Air pressure at max?

If you have a brand name tire you like then go with that.

I run Cooper ATP from Discount tire and they have been great.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...pxX9EmUIbiXPPA

A better set of shocks will help some.

[Canadiancrew]

I pump my tires up to the max of 44 lbs when towing. It does make a difference.

[Kenny kustom]

My f150 felt spongy.
10 ply made a big difference.

P tires are for passenger cars.
Lt. Light truck.

2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[Ford Idaho]

Max PSI is always a good idea.

It does not make the sidewalls stiffer like what you would get with LT tires.

[phillyg]

Getting pushed around a bit is more common with TTs vice FWs, and I'm assuming you have a TT. Your problem may be your hitch setup as stated by Ford Idaho. Check that out first. I believe LT tires will be stiffer because you can put more air in them. Every time I veer away from Michelin I am disappointed. Lastly, you didn't state what you're towing, but if you're overweight, you're probably not going to get much improvement no matter what you do.

[Catsgot9]

I have the Max Tow on my 150, I ditched the bubble gum sidewall Wrangler SRA's and put on LT Cooper AT3's. Made a difference, but the big diff came when I bought a used Propride P3, changed the whole towing experience. The guys that have replied are correct, having the proper hitch setup really makes a huge difference.

[J.Fallon]

LT's and 80 psi on my super crew

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by J.Fallon

LT's and 80 psi on my super crew

X2, LT 80psi rides hard but my butts been dead for years.
Tows better

[OldCoot]

LT LR E Goodyear Wranglers. I run 65# in rear and 60# in front while towing and 35# in front and 30# in rear when not towing. No sway, etc either while towing my 5er or when we had the Flagstaff 831RLSS tongue trailer. Anything being towed by a vehicle with P tires will sway when big trucks pass regardless of how the hitch is set up has been my experience.

[MilCop4523]

2013 Ford XTR with Firestone rite ride air bags added. still found hauling our tag along trailer we were getting wind suck like Joey Logano being passed by Matt Kenseth doing 186 mph.

then we went to the tire shop and the guy pointed out we would always have an issue as long as we ran P rated tires. he pushed on the box side and you could see the tire sidewalls torquing / flexing.

changed them that day to Michelin 10 ply LT truck tires and leave them at 55 lbs normal running pressure. up them to 70 when hauling the 5th wheel bunk house we now have.

[ResQfrog]

Had a 2011 F150 XLT with the P rated tires and always had a squirm while towing the trailer or had a heavy load. Now have a 2012 XLT with LT tires and it is a day/night difference. Rides some what harder and fuel mileage seemed to drop a little bit. But the squirm is gone and handling is much better. Both trucks had the 7,350 rating.

[robertew]

Pulling my 5th wheel, I've not noticed the issues mentioned but in the past, pulling a travel trailer, I can identify. One thing I learned from weighing each axle was that adding 1800 pounds of pin weight, only added 60 pounds to the front axle. It would be interesting to know how much weight shift a travel trailer, equalizing hitch would shift.

[Harkerr]

Stay with LT tires. Run at max pressure shown on sidewall. Good Sway control a must. When you see a big rig coming move a little to right. It helps. Fast buses are the worst.

[Airdale]

The two most obvious advantages of LT tires over P tires on a your 150 truck is lots of extra load capacity and much stiffer sidewalls. This is not a recommendation, just an example.

The Firestone Transforce HT, LT275/65R18E @ about $194 provides 3415# of load capacity @ 80 psi.

The Goodyear Fortitude HT, P275/65R18SL @ about $174 Provides 2514# of load capacity @ 51 psi after being derated about 10% for use on the P/U truck.

[Skyliner]

Just got Michelin Load Range E tires and it makes a big difference in towing but at the expense of ride quality and comfort when unloaded. With that said, its a trade off I'm happy with.

[Filterman]

My F150 P 275/60-20 Perelli Scorpions and I was really concerned. I agree...max pressure all the time towing . Did a 16000 KM trip this summer in all kinds if terrain ( including 1700KM of gravel ) and I have to say my fears were unfounded. ..... No flats. In terms of handling, put a anti sway bar on your unit and the problem goes AWAY. No effect by wind, passing trucks etc. Spend $50, and the 1/2 hour it takes to install it and you will be amazed. I opted for the HD version because our TT weighs 8000 lb dry and is very high profile. I've akways been a Goodyear fan and have Goodyear Marathons on the TT, so I suspect I'll replace the OE tires with Goodyear.

[Harkerr]

P is for passenger. Nice ride for Tahoe/Suburban

LT is for light truck. More heavy duty for hauling/towing

See ratings above

[GSlone]

I have the same issue in my F-150. I upgraded to the LT's with air bags and h/d shocks but still get thrown around. I think the issue is the 1/2 ton pickup is just not enough. I don't think you would get that with a 3/4 ton truck and if you did it would certainly not be as bad as the 1/2 ton.

[itat]

LT tires will help reduce the push from passing trucks and buses. I have noticed a difference since I put Michelin LTs on my F-150. Remember that the LT tires DO NOT increase your TV's GVWR but it will feel more solid. If you don't pump them up much more than the psi on your door sticker when unloaded they won't be too stiff. I run mine at about 45 psi but may try 40 psi for the winter. I pump them up to 60 psi when towing.

A perfect setup on your WDH is a must and suspension improvements (I added an extra set of leaf springs) will reduce the bounce in the back end.

I bought Michelin LTX M/S2 tires. They are a good tire but I'll probably go with Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo 2 next time because the tread on the Revo 2 P-rated tires I replaced was better in snow.