My old stock Wrangler AT "P" rated 265 70R 17 tires are up for replacement.I know the "LT" are optimum for towing, but was wondering if I really need them? Cost is not a factor between the P and LT.I'm not crazy about the hit you take on gas mileage with the heavier "LT" tires. I'm going to go with a lot more aggressive tread for a lot of Wisconsin winter highway driving than I have now, so that alone is going to be a hit on gas mileage.I drive a 2008 Silverado 1500 4x4 with tow package, I pull a 26-1/2', 2014 keystone trailer 4636# unloaded. (I'm guessing I don't exceed the rough estimate of 1500# loaded, haven't weighed everything yet) Just got everything last season.I only use our trailer about 3-4 times a year, so 95% of the time the truck is my daily driver to work 25 miles total, mostly highway each day.I'm looking at either General Grabber AT/2 "P" rated tire 2679# @ 44#or the Hankook Dynapro ATM RF 10 rated at around 2400# Both tires are available in "LT" versions.The trailer seemed to pull OK with the old Wrangler "P" tires, only slightly squishy up front a couple of times, (Road?) but than I have never owned a full size pick-up and full size camper, so not too much I can compare to. I previously had just a 2WD Ranger and a pop-up camper.Thoughts and advice from the more experienced? Please help and advise?ThanksHal

Worst thing I ever did to a tow vehicle was put LR D's on it and P's are even worse. I'd go with the LT's.BTW, your not supposed to post the same thing in multiple forums.

Sorry, wasn't sure which forum this would best fit, as I tow a bumper trailer?

Those P Wranglers are weak. Check these Wrangler LTs with Kevlar and 60,000 mile warranty. Need load index 121 for LThttp://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/wrangler-all-terrain-adventure

I don't really think you will notice much of a difference in fuel economy with different tires. If you are comfortable with the towing characteristics of your truck with P rated car tires and don't want the extra weight of the LT tires, stay with the P rating.I have E rated tires (WAY overkill, but came standard with the Rock Warrior package) on my Tundra and I have no flex or sway. I wouldn't go back to anything less than a D rated tire just because it really makes the towing platform much for solid.For towing, the LT tires are better. They are more rigid and have less sidewall flex. That leads to lower tire temperatures and less chance for a tire failure on your tow vehicle. That also leads to less swaying or bouncing feel while towing.

Gas is cheap, so now is the time to try LTs... Once you do, you probably will stay with them no matter how much gas costs

LT or P Tires ? | Good Sam Community

zogg
Explorer
Feb 01, 2015
I put load range E on my last half ton anf it felt better towing. Stiffer side walls offered less sway or washing. Rode a tad stiffer and mpg suffered almost 1 mpg....not an issue. I would do it again if I go back to a half ton truck...
Tireman9
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
comments and advice deleted by author. good luck and safe travels.
Dog_Trainer
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
CKNSLS wrote:
Tireman9 wrote:
CKNSLS wrote:
jsdad wrote:
Came back from the garage and tire shop today they said I'm going take a bit of ride pounding most of the time with the E rated LT, as I drive a empty truck 95% of the time. My old and worn OEM tires (66K on them) are not helping my ride when I pull. Their trying to match me with a few good quality options other than the E rated LT. for a happy median.

I do not plan on getting a larger trailer and pulling with this 1/2 ton truck. If I was towing more than about 3-4 weeks out of the year, (all short in state trips < 200 miles) LT E rated would be a better fit.

I do believe the bounce issue at times is more of a hitch/load set-up, and less of a tire problem.

Thanks everyone for all the great tire and tow information. This site is a wonderful source.

An "XL" rated tire is a happy medium.

"Happy Medium only as long as the inflation you run provides the load capacity you need and you have de-rated the P type tire when you apply it to a Trailer, LT or SUV.

The load capacity of "XL" tires are more than "P" tires. You of course run maximum inflation to increase load range to maximum. The OP has a tire shop he is working with.

Once again as Tireman9 has stated the xl tire must be aired to the inflation psi that gives that tire the same load capacity as the P tire it is replacing. When I posed the PSI question to Michelin as to how much I should air the E rated M/S2 tire that was the exact same size as the p rated Wrangler OE tire, Their reply to me was that the tire would need to be inflated and additional 8-9 PSI to achieve the same carrying capacity of the Prated Wrangler. So when changing you do need to do some homework.
CKNSLS
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
Tireman9 wrote:
CKNSLS wrote:
jsdad wrote:
Came back from the garage and tire shop today they said I'm going take a bit of ride pounding most of the time with the E rated LT, as I drive a empty truck 95% of the time. My old and worn OEM tires (66K on them) are not helping my ride when I pull. Their trying to match me with a few good quality options other than the E rated LT. for a happy median.

I do not plan on getting a larger trailer and pulling with this 1/2 ton truck. If I was towing more than about 3-4 weeks out of the year, (all short in state trips < 200 miles) LT E rated would be a better fit.

I do believe the bounce issue at times is more of a hitch/load set-up, and less of a tire problem.

Thanks everyone for all the great tire and tow information. This site is a wonderful source.

An "XL" rated tire is a happy medium.

"Happy Medium only as long as the inflation you run provides the load capacity you need and you have de-rated the P type tire when you apply it to a Trailer, LT or SUV.

The load capacity of "XL" tires are more than "P" tires. You of course run maximum inflation to increase load range to maximum. The OP has a tire shop he is working with.
Tireman9
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
CKNSLS wrote:
jsdad wrote:
Came back from the garage and tire shop today they said I'm going take a bit of ride pounding most of the time with the E rated LT, as I drive a empty truck 95% of the time. My old and worn OEM tires (66K on them) are not helping my ride when I pull. Their trying to match me with a few good quality options other than the E rated LT. for a happy median.

I do not plan on getting a larger trailer and pulling with this 1/2 ton truck. If I was towing more than about 3-4 weeks out of the year, (all short in state trips < 200 miles) LT E rated would be a better fit.

I do believe the bounce issue at times is more of a hitch/load set-up, and less of a tire problem.

Thanks everyone for all the great tire and tow information. This site is a wonderful source.

An "XL" rated tire is a happy medium.

comments and advice deleted by author. good luck and safe travels.
jsdad
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
Thanks CKNSLS
That's one I will look at. I'm checking the weight #'s of my truck + camper as was suggested in this thread, and working with the Chevy garage, trying to best match me up.

The garage is also checking tire alignment + shocks, and looking at my old tires for abnormal wear pattern, prior to mounting the new, to make sure all is up to snuff as was suggested by Tireman9
CKNSLS
Explorer
Jan 29, 2015
jsdad wrote:
Came back from the garage and tire shop today they said I'm going take a bit of ride pounding most of the time with the E rated LT, as I drive a empty truck 95% of the time. My old and worn OEM tires (66K on them) are not helping my ride when I pull. Their trying to match me with a few good quality options other than the E rated LT. for a happy median.

I do not plan on getting a larger trailer and pulling with this 1/2 ton truck. If I was towing more than about 3-4 weeks out of the year, (all short in state trips < 200 miles) LT E rated would be a better fit.

I do believe the bounce issue at times is more of a hitch/load set-up, and less of a tire problem.

Thanks everyone for all the great tire and tow information. This site is a wonderful source.

An "XL" rated tire is a happy medium.
rbpru
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2015
Tireman,
You make a good point, while a stiffer, wider, even larger tire may have been the solution to one person’s problems, it may make absolutely no difference to another’s.

So when reading these posts, one must keep in mind that they are helpful hints and suggestions, based on solutions to similar situations experienced by others, they are not guaranteed cures to a problem.
Tireman9
Explorer
Jan 29, 2015
comments and advice deleted by author. good luck and safe travels.
jsdad
Explorer
Jan 29, 2015
Came back from the garage and tire shop today they said I'm going take a bit of ride pounding most of the time with the E rated LT, as I drive a empty truck 95% of the time. My old and worn OEM tires (66K on them) are not helping my ride when I pull. Their trying to match me with a few good quality options other than the E rated LT. for a happy median.

I do not plan on getting a larger trailer and pulling with this 1/2 ton truck. If I was towing more than about 3-4 weeks out of the year, (all short in state trips < 200 miles) LT E rated would be a better fit.

I do believe the bounce issue at times is more of a hitch/load set-up, and less of a tire problem.

Thanks everyone for all the great tire and tow information. This site is a wonderful source.

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