LT vs. P rated tires

[OMW2SKI]

Ski season is just around the corner, so I'll be upgrading the stock SR-A's with some good all terrains. Stock size on my 18' Big Horn is 275/60R20.

I drive mostly highway miles. However, I tow our travel trailer a dozen times or so a year. Probably spend a couple thousand miles / year on dirt roads. And, during the winter, I drive up the canyons two or three times a week to ski. Often, I get on the road before the snow plows are out...

I'd really like an LT tire. The SR-A's are P rated and I keep getting flats! It would also be nice to have a stiffer sidewall for towing and extra rubber to wear longer.

It seems like the only 275/60R/20 tire that is also an LT rated tire is the BFG T/A KO2's. It's a D rated, or 8 ply tire. It's a little more tire than I initially wanted or thought I needed. I'm a little concerned about fuel economy and comfort.

But I guess that's basically my only choice if I want an OEM sized and LT rated tire, right? I guess the real question is whether or not an LT tire is the right choice. Thoughts?

 

[69GWC]

Yes a P rated tire is for a car IMO.

Those BFGs will serve you well and any tire other than the stock type is going to affect your fuel mileage, alittle more weight and a good tread pattern is going to do that.

 

[cbsmith]

If you are driving 2-3 times a week to go skiing in the winter I would get dedicated winter tires and then onxroad or all terrain tires for the rest of the year. Dedicated winter tires are Night and day better than all terrain or all weather tires, even ones that have the mountain snowflake symbol on them.

 

[GhostCost]

LT all the way. P rated tires are like driving on sponges, or those old MayPops from the 50's. Think: Bare inner tube tires!
LTs will give you better control too, particularly when towing.

 

[gofishn]

I replaced my junkyears with michelin defender P rated tire.
Always ran them, on my 99 250,in 10-ply version and cannot really tell a difference.
They do not make anything but a P rated, in my size, at teh time.
I was not really wanting to change tire brand, so never really considered anything else.
read life and tire longevity is perfect. Run my truck around RR yards and tracks a lot, never had an issue.
OEM tires worried me to death and I pretty much stayed on well groomed area of RR yard. Now I never even think about where I got.

did have one non repairable tire issue, interstate debris, but was replaced, under warranty.
matter of fact, tires had 40K miles on them and tire shop said I did not need to replace all four tires since the remainign 3 were still so new, based on tread wear...at 40k miles!

If you think you will need the side strength of a D or E tire, then get it. I doubt I will ever will,anymore, so was not too concerned with it.

 

[Dark Knight 500]

When I bought my 2017 1500 the fist thing I did was swap out the junk sr-a’s for a LT285/60R20 wrangler duratrac, which is a E rated (10-ply) tire.
Not a single complaint in terms of ride quality or noise


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[pacofortacos]

Look at the XL tires such as the General HTS 60, I think Cooper has one also.
Most of the pluses of an LT tire (almost the same load rating), with an all season tread and a much lighter tire.

 

[John Jensen]

OMW2SKI,

You've done your homework and your analysis is good. If I were in your shoes with your driving descriptions I'd go straight to an E rated snow tire. Yes, ride and mpg may suffer a bit but traction, stability and safety for your driving habits are far more important.

Both my brother and I just went to the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W E rated snow rated tires and are very impressed. So far they are better than any AT tires we have tried, and we have tried many. They are highly rated and less money than most all of the popular AT tires that members will recommend.

 

[huntergreen]

OMW2SKI,

You've done your homework and your analysis is good. If I were in your shoes with your driving descriptions I'd go straight to an E rated snow tire. Yes, ride and mpg may suffer a bit but traction, stability and safety for your driving habits are far more important.

Both my brother and I just went to the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W E rated snow rated tires and are very impressed. So far they are better than any AT tires we have tried, and we have tried many. They are highly rated and less money than most all of the popular AT tires that members will recommend.

Why E rated ? Thanks

 

[misuracaf10]

I would go with the D rated KO2.
The F rates tires would be overkill and I think the E rated tires might be too. I tried an E rated tire and the truck drove harshly, lost 2mpg and the truck accelerated more slowly due to the extra weight.


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[corneileous]

I’ve yet to have a flat with my 8-ply bfg’s but still, I’m still kinda regretting buying them just because they ride so damned rough, even with my air ride.


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[sandawilliams]

I put 10 ply Michelins on my 2009 1500 and the ride was a little firmer than the stock goodyears but not overlie bad. Needed them for towing and medium loads. Now I have the same tires on my 2500 and after driving two blocks I could feel a much better ride and handling than the stock firestones.

 

[69GWC]

I’ve yet to have a flat with my 8-ply bfg’s but still, I’m still kinda regretting buying them just because they ride so damned rough, even with my air ride.


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Need to air them up to about 65psi for a fee weeks and then let them back down to what you normally run, it will feel smooth as glass then.

 

[corneileous]

Need to air them up to about 65psi for a fee weeks and then let them back down to what you normally run, it will feel smooth as glass then.

Yeah, lol!!!....

I just aired mine down from 50 to 45 this morning...[emoji18]


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[misuracaf10]

What about a P rated tire with an XL load rating? A little bit stiffer but not as crappy as the stock SRA. Look at the Nitto G2s and maybe the Toyo ATII?? I know the G2 is XL rated. Rides nice and has been wearing really well for me. Could be the best comfort and save mpg while getting a better overall tire that’s not super heavy and overly stiff


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[LarryA]

FWIW I stayed with P Metric tires, Toyo Open Country AT II. Was all over Washington State this summer on back roads and Jeep trails (mild) with no problems. This after cutting one of the Goodyears on a forest service road the year before.

I still get nearly 19 on the open highway and was able to slog through sloppy snow back in April. Also, no issues pulling 2 horses.

I nearly got the KO 2 tires, but for my needs the Toyo did the trick, plus the Toyo tires have a 60k mileage warranty.

Hope that helps

 

[LarryA]

Oh and one more....