Help Quick Buying Tires: Whats the difference??

[quise2024]

Can anyone tell me what i would lose or gain, pros or cons of going with an LT vs P rated tire .. difference overall $174

 

 

In a few im heading to buy Duratrac tires either 275/60R20 or LT275/65R20. I know there is a weight difference, looking online my speedo will be off 2mph with either.

 

Goodyear site, the pic of the LT tread looks better imo (more pronounced/aggressive)

[RyanbabZ71]

if you own a truck get LT

[smrr1]

Lt tire will weigh more resulting in slightly higher fuel consumption, slightly more pressure needed for braking, and a stiffer ride. If you are not on rough gravel/dirt roads, in construction areas with nails, rock crawling, driving in a pasture with thorns, or carrying overly heavy loads regular you have no need for the Lt tire. I ran Lt tires once and will never again. Mpg dropped by 1-2 and rode worse. My use is 90% highway. My P rated tires have handled a week of dirt and rock roads in the mountains requiring 4wd most of the week. They are overkill unless you actually need them. I would bet 95% or more of half ton trucks run P rated tires and do just fine. Now if you are willing to accept the differences for the Lt and like the more aggressive tread go for it.

[kstruckcountry]

The 4 ply SRA's my pickup came with had 12 flats in about 20,000 miles. My last set (Cooper ATP 10 ply) had none in 42,xxx miles. That's the main difference, tread may be a little deeper on the LT. I didn't lose any fuel economy, but that's staying stock size.

 

The Duratracs are notorious on fuel mileage, add going up a size and you're going to have a big MPG hit with 4 or 10 ply.

 

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[Sierra Jon]

Both of those sizes are LT rated in Duratracs I believe.

 

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[chancyrudd]

I went through the same process as you did a year ago. I had to decide which morr aggressive tire to go with and then what size.

 

I decided on the duratracs as well. I agonized over the exact 2 sizes you are choosing between. I have had LT tires on my last truck for 6 years and was never happy with the ride but loved the look. I went from 33" to 35" to 37" Mickey Thompson mtzs on my 95 silverado.

 

For this truck I wanted to keep my nice ride so I went with the 275/60r20 p rated duratracs and have loved them from day 1. I did notice a slight mpg drop with the level(2") and the tires. Probably around 1.5 mpg on average as a guess. I used to average around 18 now I am around 16.5. The tires ride better than the stock sra tires and look much better.

 

I dont regret the decision for a moment and would definitely recommend that size. You will without a doubt want them to be a little bigger but I dont believe the sacrifice is worth it.

 

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[Sierra Jon]

I went through the same process as you did a year ago. I had to decide which morr aggressive tire to go with and then what size.

 

I decided on the duratracs as well. I agonized over the exact 2 sizes you are choosing between. I have had LT tires on my last truck for 6 years and was never happy with the ride but loved the look. I went from 33" to 35" to 37" Mickey Thompson mtzs on my 95 silverado.

 

For this truck I wanted to keep my nice ride so I went with the 275/60r20 p rated duratracs and have loved them from day 1. I did notice a slight mpg drop with the level(2") and the tires. Probably around 1.5 mpg on average as a guess. I used to average around 18 now I am around 16.5. The tires ride better than the stock sra tires and look much better.

 

I dont regret the decision for a moment and would definitely recommend that size. You will without a doubt want them to be a little bigger but I dont believe the sacrifice is worth it.

 

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Have you recalibrated your speedometer/odometer? I noticed maybe a 1 mpg decrease but I haven't recalibrated my speedometer yet so it's not correct. Even your odometer is off so calculating by hand is incorrect as well unless you tuned it.

 

My 275/60R20 Duratracs rub the inside carpet a little too... Every other tire I see in that size doesn't rub... I do love them though.

 

I posted this pic on the forum already but...

 

 

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[smrr1]

Very nice looking truck!

 

As far as flats being described as the difference earlier. They do help but are not at all the difference. In the last few hundred thousand miles (personal truck) i have driven with p rated tires i have had less than one handful of flat tires. Now on the work trucks we have flats pretty regular but they go places that have a ton of nails on the ground and jump curbs 15-20 times a day etc. So it is all in how you use them. You are not garunteed to get a crazy amout of flats with a p rated tire. If you go where you are likely to get a flat it will be easier with a p rated.

[chancyrudd]

Good looking truck Sierra Jon. I did take into account the difference in size and calculated taking that into consideration. I assume the majority came from the level and increased drag from bringing the front end up.

 

I do not rub on the liner but I do have a rub mark on my sway bar on the passenger side. I have never felt or heard it rub.

 

Here is a pic of my truck with them on it. Not as pretty as yours though.

[Donstar]

There is lot of debate on this topic on this and other forums. I use to argue in favor of LT rated tires for pickups. However, C & D rated tires were common. Most manufacturers now offer "P" or "E". A "P" rated tire that is designed for light duty pickups (1/2 tons) is all the tire most of us will need. The initial cost and firmer ride of an "E" rated tire are not a concern of mine but the needless unsprung weight is a significant factor. If you plan on using your truck to its limits on a regular basis, a LT rated tire may be worth the additional operating costs. The one flat I've had in the past 20+ years would have occurred regardless of tire rating.

[Sierra Jon]

Thanks guys! I'm really happy with how it looks/feels.

 

It's weird that people with the same setup experience slightly different results. MPG, rubbing etc. Tight tolerances on these trucks apparently.

 

Donstar I agree. Ply rating made a big difference years ago but it really only matters with towing/payload these days. I sprung for the E rating on my '09 2500 but not so much with this truck.

 

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[quise2024]

 

 

PicsArt_11-28-05.19.25.jpg

 

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Thank you both for posting these pics. Ive searched the forum, google images, youtube, internet in general for trucks with Duratracs in this size ... finally.

 

Both look great. I did end up going with the P rated tire. Had a good talk with the salesman and he also mentioned all the points stated here as to why i wouldnt need the LT tire. Id also probably have to lift the truck (more than just the 2" level i have planned).

 

Theyre going on Thursday afternoon, Friday at the latest. Cant wait finally got the extra cash to this mod.

 

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