So thinking about getting some new tires this spring and moving up to either XL or LT tires. Not sure which is the better option for me? I have a 2018 F150 with OEM P tires now. Towing 6500lb (dry) (8000lb loaded) toy hauler with approx 1200lb hitch.I only tow a handful of times (6-8) each year, so 90% is daily driving. I don't want a bone jarring ride 90% of the time, so is the XL tire a good compromise or should I just go LT?

95jersey wrote:So thinking about getting some new tires this spring and moving up to either XL or LT tires. Not sure which is the better option for me? I have a 2018 F150 with OEM P tires now. Towing 6500lb (dry) (8000lb loaded) toy hauler with approx 1200lb hitch.I only tow a handful of times (6-8) each year, so 90% is daily driving. I don't want a bone jarring ride 90% of the time, so is the XL tire a good compromise or should I just go LT?First you have to find the max pressure rating of your wheels. Xl tires are typically up to 41PSI and you can get LT tires in C,D,and E ratings (50, 65, 80 PSI). you'll need to match a tire to the max pressure your wheels can handle.Tire Rack rating and pressure chart.If you're current rig is within specs but you want to get rid of P-tire squish then XL's might do it. LT tires will give you a stiffer side wall and harsher ride to go along with the higher load capacity.

Go to the "E" and air the same as before. Same pressures same load carrying.

Go for the LT tire. Handling while towing will be much improved.

My wheels never had a pressure limit. If I were you, I would only look at e rated tires no matter what pressure you ultimately run.

Comparing two different classes of tire....The lower class tire, even though 'XL...extra load', till has to be de-rated a min of 9% of it's sidewall weight carry ratingThe higher class tire does NOT need to be de-rated as the "P" class tires used on pickups/SUVs/etcIt is NOT all about weight carrying either. There are other attributes to tires...Wheels has ratings too...both weight carry and PSI

XL vs LT tires? | Good Sam Community

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Feb 11, 2019
Sorry...my memory was bad. 2756 is the load rating of each tire. I guess the tires WOULD be fine for your 4800# rear axle rating. The tire is the Primacy XC so maybe not really a P rated tire.

The Primacy XC in question is a 18" P class tire at 44 psi.
The only other Primacy XC is a 17" LT class tire at 80 psi.
babock
Explorer
Feb 10, 2019
Atlee wrote:
Obviously, it depends on the 1/2 ton truck doesn't it? Two 2300# tires on my rear axle do not equal the rear axle rating of 4800# my F150 has. Ford put OEM LRE tires on it, but my 2014 truck has the HD payload package.

Now, I understand Ford began using LTC tires on later models with the HDPP so maybe they decided LTE tires were overkill. However, since LTE's were on my truck originally, I'll keep putting then on.

babock wrote:
I have the exact truck and will stick with the P tires vs going LT. At least with my trailer, 6000# and 800# of TW, the trailer tows fine with these tires. Each of my truck's Michelin P tires is rated over 2300# my 4 which means my 4 tires are already rated way higher than my max GVW! I prefer to keep the softer ride when not towing as long as my tow experience is already fine.
Sorry...my memory was bad. 2756 is the load rating of each tire. I guess the tires WOULD be fine for your 4800# rear axle rating. The tire is the Primacy XC so maybe not really a P rated tire.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 09, 2019
"For the handling associated with the stiff sidewalls. If you haven't tried LR E tires then you don't know what a difference they make."

Agree 100%
95jersey
Explorer
Feb 09, 2019
babock wrote:
I have the exact truck and will stick with the P tires vs going LT. At least with my trailer, 6000# and 800# of TW, the trailer tows fine with these tires. Each of my truck's Michelin P tires is rated over 2300# my 4 which means my 4 tires are already rated way higher than my max GVW! I prefer to keep the softer ride when not towing as long as my tow experience is already fine.

So I looked up the OEM tires that came on the pickup and they also exceed the GVW and any payload I can put in the truck. I guess the only reason to really go XL or LT is the improved feel and towing experience of the stiffer sidewall.
Atlee
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2019
Obviously, it depends on the 1/2 ton truck doesn't it? Two 2300# tires on my rear axle do not equal the rear axle rating of 4800# my F150 has. Ford put OEM LRE tires on it, but my 2014 truck has the HD payload package.

Now, I understand Ford began using LTC tires on later models with the HDPP so maybe they decided LTE tires were overkill. However, since LTE's were on my truck originally, I'll keep putting then on.

babock wrote:
I have the exact truck and will stick with the P tires vs going LT. At least with my trailer, 6000# and 800# of TW, the trailer tows fine with these tires. Each of my truck's Michelin P tires is rated over 2300# my 4 which means my 4 tires are already rated way higher than my max GVW! I prefer to keep the softer ride when not towing as long as my tow experience is already fine.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Feb 09, 2019
What's interesting is my OEM spare tire is a LT C rated tire.. ha, ha..

So did Ford think they had to provide me with a LT rated spare tire to equal my OEM P rated tires that I have since replaced with the same size XL rated tires that also have a 50 psi rating?? Hummm.... But, us little "15" truck owners don't have "real trucks" anyway, so I really don't know why all the "HD" truck owners are so concerned??

Oh, I forgot.. We are all supposed to run LT E rated tires to be able to tow anything, right??

Mitch
babock
Explorer
Feb 09, 2019
I have the exact truck and will stick with the P tires vs going LT. At least with my trailer, 6000# and 800# of TW, the trailer tows fine with these tires. Each of my truck's Michelin P tires is rated over 2300# my 4 which means my 4 tires are already rated way higher than my max GVW! I prefer to keep the softer ride when not towing as long as my tow experience is already fine.
ROBERTSUNRUS
Explorer
Feb 09, 2019
Ralph Cramden wrote:
LOL :S :h
The OP has a 2018 F150.

3 different wheel sizes available on an 18 F150. Depending on package if it came OEM with P275-65-18 44 max psi or LT275-65-18 80 max psi they're still mounted on the same wheels. Ford is not using one wheel for this tire, and another for that tire, nor is GM, Ram, or anyone else unless you get into something special, like the Raptor.

The OP has not cobbled his 2018 truck together from some pile of 1970's parts he found out behind the barn, or has he?

:) Hi, just like some people think that "RV" means motorhome, others think that "LT" means 80 lbs. Please double check your information Ralph. My F-150 came with LT 275/65R18 C tires from Ford which max out at 50 lbs. cold pressure.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Feb 09, 2019
Thanks Marty.. If we could "like" posts, I'd "like" yours.. :)

Mitch
blt2ski
Moderator
Feb 09, 2019
MitchF150 wrote:
I only thought your "real truck" comment was the silly part...

I guess if only HD or heavy trucks are "real trucks" then... Well..

I'll just leave it at that...

Mitch

Then in the whole truck category, Heavy duty trucks are those over 33000 lbs gvwr! ie class 8 rigs. Our pickumups are light duty trucks! I'm sue them REAL heavy duty trucks have different tires yet!

Marty