What Type Tire On Your Truck

[KyRob]

I was looking at my truck today and saw that it has P rated tires on it. Doesn't the P stand for passenger as in mom's station wagon or the like. Aren't they more susceptible to puncture when you are out on the farm? I would bet that most trucks sold today rarely, if ever see the farm or much off road surfaces. Anyway, I'll be buying tires before long and was just curious how many go to LT or other rated tires?

 

Rob

[OUMike]

I was looking at my truck today and saw that it has P rated tires on it. Doesn't the P stand for passenger as in mom's station wagon or the like. Aren't they more susceptible to puncture when you are out on the farm? I would bet that most trucks sold today rarely, if ever see the farm or much off road surfaces. Anyway, I'll be buying tires before long and was just curious how many go to LT or other rated tires?

 

Rob

 

Heya Rob,

 

yea, the P is for "Passenger". The tires I use are discontinued and the only ones the place had left were two LTs. So I actually have two P and two LT and teh difference is pretty much nothing. I think LT are usually a little thicker and better for hauling heavy loads and things. I can't see anyone with a 1500 needing the LTs, but I've been wrong before.

[TheBrokenMarine]

I'm running LT285/75R 16 Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor. They do have a different load range I figure it's always better to be overprotected.

[towrig]

Running (my newest set) a set of Continental Sport Trac LT (which somehow is still a "P" rated tire...the LT is just the "name"). Factory size of P255-70R16.

 

They come with an 80,000 miles tread warranty and have the exact same load rating as the P265 LT (genuine "light truck" tires apparently) tires from Continental...

 

So far I've been pretty happy with them. I have a heavy equipment trailer that I haul an antique tractor and/or one of the Jeeps on and while it is pretty heavy for the 1500...(especially with 225,000 miles on it) but it manages pretty well...and the tires too... ;)

 

I also haul round bales (400-900 lbs depending on the bale) in the bed of the truck and the tires seem to ignore those too.

[sierra01TNG2]

i just bought tires for my sierra a couple months ago at pep boys and got their brand definity dakota h/t (made by cooper) in LT265 75 16. They would not sell me "P" tires because they claim they would wear faster than LT tires. I had also heard that in some states your tires weight rating is taken into consideration when you get a yearly inspection. Wrong tire=failed inspection. "P" tires generally ride better being a softer formula. My "LT" tires ride like a brick and I really do not like them. I kinda wished i didnt jump into these right away but i needed tires in a hurry. Buy Michelan!

 

Jeff

[John Boelte]

If I wasn't going to haul much or go off road I would stay with Passenger rated tires. The P-rated tires have a much more comfortable ride. I was suprised at the difference when I changed from P-rated to LT-rated. My Suburban will probably have BF Goodrich All Terrain LTs on it when I'm ready for new tires. It currently has over sized mud tires. It looks cool, and I like the mud tire look, but I rarely ever venture off road into the mud. The tires are VERY noisy (I suspect the the very worn front tires are the main culprit), and they're a little taller than stock (31 X 10.50 vs 235/75-15) so I lose some torque when pulling.

[silverado02excb]

My truck has the factory Goodyear Wrangler ST p-235-75-16. In my opinion they are the worst tire I have ever had. I have the back wheels breaking loose going up slight inclines on on- ramps etc and this is with a limited slip rear:( If you are going to use a p rated tire I would recommend the Firestone destination Le. I had these on my previous 97 pickup and SUV with great success in the rain and light snow. I intend to put these on the 02 by the fall. My friend put them on his truck after trying the destination at's. He like the at's but he said they were a bit noisy for all of the highway driving he did. tirerack.com has a review section for the tires they sell. Good place to get folks opinion on the various tires out there.

fyi- I also had the Dunlop rover AT on the 97. They were decent tires but I swore they had a nail magnet in them! I had 7 patches in them in 4 years time!!

[04silverado1500]

goodyear wrangler silent armors (current tire) amazing tires rank right up there with my old michelin LTXs. my worst tires factory bf goodriches and my factory bridgestones.

[Bish]

Don't forget if you ever tow, P-rated tires get derated 10% of their load capacity. I would never put anything but LT rated tires. IMO the only reason they are putting them on trucks and SUV's are so the soccer moms have a nice cushy ride. Dangerous if you are pulling an evasive maneuver in an emergency situation. Turns into a REAL emergency if you blow a tire. IMO P-rated tires are not for vehicles weighing in around 6,000lbs.

[04silverado1500]

my friend owns the goodyear in town and he said there is never a need for LT tires on a 1/2 ton unless you exceeding the towing limit he said they are only needed on 3/4 ton or bigger so i went with p rated tires.

[svensk]

The Michelin LTX M/S is a great LT tire that rides just as well an any P rated tire, it's quiet and confident on the road. I'm running the 265/75/16 ltx m/s @ 50psi, and the max load these tires can handle is > than what my truck can tow/haul. And these are C range!

[vctbmcam]

My P rated Bridgestone's were shot at 14,000. I would never put a P rated Tire on a pickup, the are for comfort only and if you want comfort drive a car. I am running BFG A/T and would not buy anything else. I have had so many different tires on pickup's and the BFG's are by far the best. The isnt' very great and they are not very quiet but Excellent in all weather conditions and off-road. That is My opinion and I have heard alot of good things about goodyear wrnagler silent armor.

 

I have a buddy who puts about 100,000 miles on his 1 ton a year and he swears by the silent armors.