LT or P tires on my new ride?

Dave in Mpls · November 3, 2006

The first of many posts on the new truck!

I'm wanting to replace the current tires on the new (to me) '04 Z71 Suburban with stock size 265/70R17.

My question is, should I be looking at LT or P rated tires? In a perfect world, I would put on Michelin LTX M/S load range C. Just my luck - not an option for the size I'm looking at....only P.

The truck is my daily driver. I also use it to tow my 19' boat and 6x12 enclosed trailer loaded with goose decoys. Not sure of the exact weight on either, but no more than 4000 lbs, with about 300 lbs tongue weight. When towing the enclosed trailer, my truck is loaded to the gills with hunting gear, etc.

All things being equal, I would prefer an LT for durability, etc. However, as it appears my options are severely limited for this size tire, I'm beginning to wonder if a P would be adequate.

I should add that I am in no way concerned about the ride of LT tires. I ran the LTX M/S in a load range E in combination with the Bilstein HD shocks on my '94 Suburban, and the ride was fine.

C & A s Dad · November 3, 2006

The first of many posts on the new truck!

I'm wanting to replace the current tires on the new (to me) '04 Z71 Suburban with stock size 265/70R17.

My question is, should I be looking at LT or P rated tires? In a perfect world, I would put on Michelin LTX M/S load range C. Just my luck - not an option for the size I'm looking at....only P.

The truck is my daily driver. I also use it to tow my 19' boat and 6x12 enclosed trailer loaded with goose decoys. Not sure of the exact weight on either, but no more than 4000 lbs, with about 300 lbs tongue weight. When towing the enclosed trailer, my truck is loaded to the gills with hunting gear, etc.

All things being equal, I would prefer an LT for durability, etc. However, as it appears my options are severely limited for this size tire, I'm beginning to wonder if a P would be adequate.

I should add that I am in no way concerned about the ride of LT tires. I ran the

LTX M/S in a load range E in combination with the Bilstein HD shocks on my '94 Suburban, and the ride was fine.

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Dave, I battled with this for months before making my decision. My camper is 6500 lbs with a tongue wt of 900 lbs. There are only 1 or 2 LTs avail in 265 70 16 but tons avail in a 75 series if I remember correctly. You give up some tread width unless you move up to a talle tire and then you can keep the tread width close to the 265 70.

For me, I decided against the LT for a couple of reasons. I do not tow everyday and when I do, it is typically trips no more than 35 miles one way with only one long trip a year. I just was not willing to stiffen up the ride and beat up my truck with the LTs. You will also see they are a good deal heavier and there are many opinions on this but most agree they will have a negative affect on your MPG.

The load rating on the Ps do vary among brand and style. I bought the Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenzas which have a 2,469 lb rating. I run them at 42 when towing and they do a wonderful job and are very smooth and super quiet.

I have read miles of threads on this and your will find many opinions. However, with the weight of your boat, the Ps will do a wondeful job IMO.

Sorry I hit reply in the quote box and reposted all of this. Did not mean to do that.

Bish · November 3, 2006

The first of many posts on the new truck!

I'm wanting to replace the current tires on the new (to me) '04 Z71 Suburban with stock size 265/70R17.

My question is, should I be looking at LT or P rated tires? In a perfect world, I would put on Michelin LTX M/S load range C. Just my luck - not an option for the size I'm looking at....only P.

The truck is my daily driver. I also use it to tow my 19' boat and 6x12 enclosed trailer loaded with goose decoys. Not sure of the exact weight on either, but no more than 4000 lbs, with about 300 lbs tongue weight. When towing the enclosed trailer, my truck is loaded to the gills with hunting gear, etc.

All things being equal, I would prefer an LT for durability, etc. However, as it appears my options are severely limited for this size tire, I'm beginning to wonder if a P would be adequate.

I should add that I am in no way concerned about the ride of LT tires. I ran the LTX M/S in a load range E in combination with the Bilstein HD shocks on my '94 Suburban, and the ride was fine.

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IMO, the only reason they put P-rated tires on trucks is to give it a "soccer mom ride". I would never run P-rated tires on a truck. If you tow, you are supposed to de-rate P-rated tires 10%. I switched from P265/70R16 to LT265/75R16 LRD. The stiffer sidewall significantly improved cornering and gives a much better safety factor when towing. If it were my life on the line or my families lives on the line, never P-rated in a truck. Ever had a blowout at 70mph towing a trailer????? Not a pretty picture.

Also have to agree on the other's comments about Michelin LTX M/S. I'm on my 3rd set. I replaced the Firestones at 5K because they were horrible. Put the second set on at 80K and the third on at 160K. They had plenty of tread left but they got really hard and slick at that point. I think they are overpriced but I LOVE them.

svensk · November 4, 2006

Go LTX M/S C's or go home.

Seriously the only reason NOT to consider these tires is if your cheap. And if your cheap this is not the area to skimp on.

rjirvine · November 4, 2006

I totally agree! For what i do, the Michelin LTX M/S are money well spent! With such a nice truck, don't go cheap on tires, you do get what you pay for. And they Michelins last so long, whats not to like?

Dave in Mpls · November 4, 2006

Go LTX M/S C's or go home.
Seriously the only reason NOT to consider these tires is if your cheap. And if your cheap this is not the area to skimp on.

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I totally agree! For what i do, the Michelin LTX M/S are money well spent! With such a nice truck, don't go cheap on tires, you do get what you pay for. And they Michelins last so long, whats not to like?

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Well, I might be easy, but I'm not cheap!!! I also have been around long enough to know you get what you pay for. But the fact remains......

MICHELIN DOES NOT MAKE A 265/70R17 IN ANYTHING BUT A "P" RATING!!!!!!!

If they offered the LTX M/S in either a C or E, my quest for tires would have been over before it started. Wanting the LTX M/S is what has me thinking (against my better judgement, perhaps) about going with them in a P rating.

There are a ton of P rated tires available in 265/70R17. However, my options in a C rating are SEVERELY limited. I have ben able to locate the following tires in a C:

Goodyear Wrangler AT/S

Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor

BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO

Firestone Destination A/T

Dunlop Radial Rover RVXT

Pathfinder All Terrain

Dux-n-Dawgs · November 4, 2006

I also use it to tow my 19' boat and 6x12 enclosed trailer loaded with goose decoys. Not sure of the exact weight on either, but no more than 4000 lbs, with about 300 lbs tongue weight. When towing the enclosed trailer, my truck is loaded to the gills with hunting gear,

Hey Dave.

First off, if you got birds then I need to come where ever and give a personal consultation on your tires

Seriously. Being a fellow Waterfowler I know the kind of muck we put our trucks in and how big a strain it puts on them dragging a loaded boat or ATV trailer through the gumbo mud too.

I'd go LT or I'd go LT, LOL ! ! ! ! I've ran BF Goodrich AT's and I've ran BF Goodrich AT ko's on every Chevy I've had. Got great mileage out of them as long as I rotated them every other oil change. As soon as these tires get half way wore down on this truck I bought today I'm putting a set of BFG AT ko's on her too.

Good Luck !

-Dux-n-Dawgs

01silverado2500 · November 5, 2006

MICHELIN DOES NOT MAKE A 265/70R17 IN ANYTHING BUT A "P" RATING!!!!!!!

If they offered the LTX M/S in either a C or E, my quest for tires would have been over before it started. Wanting the LTX M/S is what has me thinking (against my better judgement, perhaps) about going with them in a P rating.

Had this problem finding LT-C tires for my 05 Sierra. I just ended up going with the Michelin LTX M/S P. I wanted a C rated tire but couldnt find any in my size, and i did not want to go to the E load range...I mainly haul air. I figured amy Michelin would be better than the stock Bridgestones.

Sofar 150 miles on them and they seem a lot better than the stock P-Bridgestones.

Dave in Mpls · November 5, 2006

Hey Dave.
First off, if you got birds then I need to come where ever and give a personal consultation on your tires

Seriously. Being a fellow Waterfowler I know the kind of muck we put our trucks in and how big a strain it puts on them dragging a loaded boat or ATV trailer through the gumbo mud too.

I'd go LT or I'd go LT, LOL ! ! ! ! I've ran BF Goodrich AT's and I've ran BF Goodrich AT ko's on every Chevy I've had. Got great mileage out of them as long as I rotated them every other oil change. As soon as these tires get half way wore down on this truck I bought today I'm putting a set of BFG AT ko's on her too.

Good Luck !

-Dux-n-Dawgs

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Thanks for the suggestions!

Dux-

I'm heading out to SD this morning for divers and dark geese for a few days - meet me out there and we'll have tire discussions of a major proportion!!

I think I'm going to give the BFG AT's a whirl, unless I come across something better in the next couple weeks. Most seem to really like the BFGs, and seem to get good wear, provided they are properly rotated. Works for me!

Hrrrooonk!!

frdfandc · November 5, 2006

Just to let you guys know, Michelin does offer a LT rated tire in the 265/70r17 size.

You need to go to this link here and click on find a dealer. Once you find a dealer close to you, give them the MSPN number.

www.michelinman.com

Go to the select tire by size and it offers 2 LTX A/S tires in the 265/70R17 size. The MSPN numbers are 83116 for Raised Blackwall lettering and 63836 for Outside Raised White Lettering.

Dux-n-Dawgs · November 6, 2006

Hey Dave !

The only thing I know about SD is that it's right after SC when you pull the drop-down window on the Mapping Trip Makers , ! ! ! !

Naw, seriously Bro', I wish I could get the jack together and head to SD. Going to South GA after Thanksgiving and then for a little better than a week to AR and MS. All that over night lodging and out-of-state licenses are eating me up this year.

I think you'll like the BFG AT ko's .......... I know I have. My dad started running BFG's on his truck after he heard and saw some of the places I'd been at work ...... I'm a Forester by trade, so you can imagine some of the stuff I put a truck through.

Good Luck in SD .................. Bust A Can' for me ........ make mine with BlingBling on his leg, ! ! ! !

-Dux

C & A s Dad · November 6, 2006

I misread you original post on tire size. Mine are P 265 70R 16s not 17s and I think I only found 2 brands that offered an LT in this size and they were not great rated tires. I will go back to what I originaly said. If you were towing more weight than you are or really loading your truck, I would go with the LTs. For what you are doing, the Ps will work great. However, there are varying opinions on this and I can understand why many go with the LTs. If they would have been avail in my size, I would looked at them very hard.

lagrange151 · November 7, 2006

I'm currently running bfg all terrains 265 75 r16

They're a little louder and you can feel the road a little more than the "passenger car" tires that were on it.

I take it offroad and the traction increase is noticable.

The stiffer sidewalls provides better handling.

If I had 17" wheels I'd keep an eye out for some cheap 16" takeoffs.

01silverado2500 · November 7, 2006

I'm currently running bfg all terrains 265 75 r16
They're a little louder and you can feel the road a little more than the "passenger car" tires that were on it.

I take it offroad and the traction increase is noticable.

The stiffer sidewalls provides better handling.

If I had 17" wheels I'd keep an eye out for some cheap 16" takeoffs.

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