Question re: P rated tires vs. LT tires

[newrvguy68]

Just wondering how many people have light truck tires on their tow vehicles vs. P rates tires? The reason I ask is because my 2007 Chevy Avalanche has P rated tires...P275/55R20'x to be exact but I would like to look at replacing them with LT tires and think it would be a good investment. I don't understand why any manufacturer would install the tires I have versus light truck tires...hello...it's a truck and should therefore have LT tires. Anyway, from what I've read there is a noticeable difference in the tire characteristics when towing.

Could anyone comment with what they know?

[Rustic Eagle]

Yes, there is a noticeable difference in handling while towing, and the longer the TT, the bigger the difference. Many "P" rated tires aren't very generous on sidewall ply and this will give one a feeling of side-to-side movement while towing. When you get into an "LT" tire with 8 -10 ply sidewalls there is less give.

"P" rated tires are designed for a softer ride, not really for heavy towing.

Bob

[Spike99]

Agree with Rustic.

P = "passenger" tires. AKA: Ballon tires. LT = Towing tires. Aka: Solid tires.

If you find 'P' tires are too soft for your liking (especially while towing), do upgrade to higher quality LT tires. Do keep in mind the LT tires are "too firm" for some folks. Especially if they rarely tow... Would be cool to have another set of rims with different rubber on each. If one does daily commute, install P tires. If one tows, then install the LT tires. But... That's too costly for many....

Good luck.

[eredinger]

I have P rated tires on my TV and I have had a squishy side to side feeling ever since I started towing my 26BH. It's really bed in the wind in the wind. Would going to a LT rated tire help with that ?

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by eredinger

Isnip.......Would going to a LT rated tire help with that ?

IMO yes. This subject was touched on in your earlier thread; http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=3100&page=4 and also here http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=2804

Bob

[Denise]

Ohhhhhhhhhh No NO No Nooooo! Lose the P rated tires! It's been two years since I did the research on this, but our Platinum came stock with P rated 20". I'm so glad that we found tire/rv forums that educated us on tires. We read of horror stories with uninformed tv owners that had catostrophic results. We made the dealer install 18" LT tires instead. GET THE LT tires/wheels if you are towing with a truck! (ummmm JMHO)

[Derek700]

We went from P rated tires 235/75-r17 to D rated (8ply) Lt285/70-r17. I run 45 lbs of air in them to keep the nice ride of a half ton.

[Seann45]

While we are talking about tires ... if your vehicle tires require more than 50 psi of pressure make sure they have STEEL valve stems.. not the rubber ones on cars..

[newrvguy68]

...well after starting this thread several months ago, about switching from my truck's factory P275/55/20's to a more HD tire, I finally made the switch two days ago. I thought seriously about going to LT tires but made a good compromise...IMO anyway. I had visions of my Avalanche riding like a lumber wagon with 10-ply LT tires on it but I definitely wanted a more rugged tire than the P-rated tires that were on it. So I invested in a set of Cooper AT3 XL tires. Really liked the design of them and because they are extra load tires, that they are a far better towing tire. The Coopers got very good reviews when I was conducting research so I went for it. 2833 pound load rating/per tire which is only slightly under the LT rating's on a buddy's truck. Now I'll feel more confident when I'm towing.

[drfife]

I would not tow a travel trailer or 5th wheel with P rated tires on the tow vehicle.

[cablerum]

I agree with the P vs LT tire but I would think that the P's on the truck can handle what the truck is rated for. I have a 2011 Ram with 20" P tires from the factory & the factory tow package. My manual states that I can tow 10,450lbs and have a maximum tongue weight of 1200lbs. It does not state that I need to switch my tires to LT so even though I know the LT's will tow better it must still be safe to use the factory P's or they would have a huge liability on their hands.

I think all 3/4 ton & up trucks come with LT's, but most 1/2 tons which are mainly used as passenger vehicles for the most part come with P's with the option of having LT's. P's provide the nicer ride when not towing, which is most of your diving. Sometimes certain trim, suspension or option packages include a switch to a LT tire.

Generally your tongue weight should be approx. 10% of your trailer weight. If your swaying side to side, before investing in new tires, make sure your running the correct tongue weight for your trailer and setup.

[drfife]

You are right.

But, I would not tow with a 1/2 ton again anyway.

Been there, done that.

[cablerum]

Originally Posted by drfife

You are right.

But, I would not tow with a 1/2 ton again anyway.

Been there, done that.

I guess it depends on what you're towing. I only ever tow snowmobiles, a boat or TT and all are under 4000lbs. I don't see the need of a 3/4 ton or higher for those weights. However if you are always towing heavy loads, more truck may be justified.

[drfife]

Originally Posted by cablerum

I guess it depends on what you're towing. I only ever tow snowmobiles, a boat or TT and all are under 4000lbs. I don't see the need of a 3/4 ton or higher for those weights. However if you are always towing heavy loads, more truck may be justified.

I went from a 1999 Chevy 1500 to a 2002 Chevy 2500 to a 2012 GMC 3500.

I've never heard anyone complain they had too much truck or capacity.....

Plus, I'm in Texas, we all drive big a$$ trucks down here.:hihi:

[Seann45]

I think you might have trouble finding LT tires for a 20" rim...

[dmax_83]

Originally Posted by Seann45

I think you might have trouble finding LT tires for a 20" rim...

My Duamax has LT tires and I have 20" wheels from the factory. There aren't tons of options for replacement though.

Btw I went from towing with a 1/2 ton equipped with p rated tires to a 3/4 ton and will never go back to a 1/2 ton again.

[newrvguy68]

...I just wanted to improve my tires from what was on the truck previously. Moving up to a giant beast like a 3500 or anything like that just wasn't in the cards for me, but switching out to a more rugged and heavy-duty tire certainly was...especially considering the fact that I really enjoy what the Avalanche has to offer when using it as a daily driver. It offers unique qualities that few other trucks can, at least in a half-ton. The new XL tires should definitely be a step up from what I had on the truck before.

[3Pillons]

I agree with keeping a truck and tire combo that you can live with on a daily basis. The 26Bh is not so heavy as to require LT tires. I tow mine with P rated tires and it handles it safely within reason. Now if I opted to get a bigger camper that was twice the weight, I'd want more truck and tire.

The biggest problem is the reduced load range with most 20" tires. You'll find that most manufacturers reduce their towing capacity simply because of the 20s. Dodge I know takes 1K right of the top simply for having 20s instead of 17s. I wore out a set of Yokohoma Geolander HTS due to age and replaced them last week with an identical set. Run 40-42 lbs in them and have had great luck.

[md2lgyk]

My Sierra 1500 came with P-rated tires. Most half-tons do because, frankly, almost none ever tow anything or get heavily loaded. When the P's wore out, I went to LT tires, load range E. Can't believe the difference in towing.

[clutch]

Most people buy half ton trucks for light duty and a good ride. If you tow a lot and are maxing out the half ton tires then heavier duty Lt's are in order. You can get most in 6ply, 8ply, and 10ply. Buy what will fit your needs. Just my opinion.