E, LT or P Rated Tires for my 1/2 Ton?
The amount of information and details in purchasing new tires for my TV is almost overwhelming. I, like many people, research the******out of this type of larger purchase. Tires are one of the uniqu...
Forum Discussion
The biggest myth I see here all the time is that E rated LT's have to give a harsher, rough noisy ride. Yes some do, but if you buy the right tires it is not necessarily the case. When the P rated tires on my truck (06 F-150 SCab), wore out (I bought it used, 3 years old), I went to Michelin M/S 2's E rated LT's. These have a street tread and they ride just as nice, quiet and smooth as the old (admittedly worn out), P's. The improvement in ride and handling, especially when towing was incredible.
A smooth ride is as much a function of the right shocks (Monroe LT Sensa trac's in my case), and well balanced tires. The long wheelbase, 145", certainly adds to the smooth ride as well. Many times folks have ridden in my truck for the first time and are amazed, usually commenting that it rides as smooth as their car. I rarely drive on dirt/gravel roads, especially when towing so I don't need anything but a tread designed for paved roads. If I am on a dirt road I just go a little slower which is never a bad idea.
For the record I tow a 4600# to 5000# (depending on how I choose to load it), 22' TT. I run my LT's at 60# both towing and non and get not only a great ride but excellent mileage as well. Unless I went to a significantly heavier TT (not likely), there is no reason to run more than 60#. No boys and girls you do not have to run them at the max, 80 psi unless you are pushing their load rating. They came with a 70,000 mile tread warranty and after more than a year and 15,000 miles, about half of that towing they still look and ride like new. If you have LT E rated tires and are not satisfied with the ride you might want to have them rebalanced and take a hard look at your shocks. :C
A smooth ride is as much a function of the right shocks (Monroe LT Sensa trac's in my case), and well balanced tires. The long wheelbase, 145", certainly adds to the smooth ride as well. Many times folks have ridden in my truck for the first time and are amazed, usually commenting that it rides as smooth as their car. I rarely drive on dirt/gravel roads, especially when towing so I don't need anything but a tread designed for paved roads. If I am on a dirt road I just go a little slower which is never a bad idea.
For the record I tow a 4600# to 5000# (depending on how I choose to load it), 22' TT. I run my LT's at 60# both towing and non and get not only a great ride but excellent mileage as well. Unless I went to a significantly heavier TT (not likely), there is no reason to run more than 60#. No boys and girls you do not have to run them at the max, 80 psi unless you are pushing their load rating. They came with a 70,000 mile tread warranty and after more than a year and 15,000 miles, about half of that towing they still look and ride like new. If you have LT E rated tires and are not satisfied with the ride you might want to have them rebalanced and take a hard look at your shocks. :C
