Hi, I'm a new 2001 Ford F150 Supercrew owner (bought it used) and I love the site. I made a deal on the truck to get it at a lower cost since a few things needed to be done to it. One of these things was to get new tires. The current tires match the door sticker and are LT265/70R17.
Upon looking at tire places the last week the last one I went to told me that I definately want to stick w/ the LT series of tires to get the best weight load and no "weaving" in my truck. I see there are plenty of P265/70R17's out there but not sure if that is a viable option for me. Does anybody know if this will make a difference or if I should stick w/ the LT tires as they say?
I'm sorry if I missed this on a previous post, there are many on there that I have not read or gotten to yet.
Hope to post a pic of the truck soon. Thanks.

 

Hello BlackCrew911,

You can certainly use "P" rated tires there are more available but the "LT" tires may be better suited for your truck. Here is some information on the differences.

Courtesy of:
http://www.tiresafety.com/
(select -> "Sizes & Classifications" -> "About Light Truck and SUV Tires")


(P) Passenger Tire vs. (LT) Light Truck Tire Construction

- Differences between passenger and light truck construction are due to the different uses and operating conditions of light trucks versus automobiles.

- Light trucks are usually designed to operate in more severe conditions, such as carrying greater loads more of the time and going off-road.

- Light truck tires may have an extra casing ply, an extra belt, a stronger belt steelcord and/or a larger bead with more sidewall rubber.

- This is why light truck tires tend to be heavier than passenger tires.

- Some light truck tires are also capable of higher air pressures and load carrying capacities.

 

Thanks rkjerue,

I was afraid of that. There are great deals on tires w/ the P as opposed to the LT on them (obvious as to why now). I'll stick w/ the LTs as suggested by you and the site. I appreciate the help w/ this.

 

I was wondering the same thing...although my truck came with "P" rated tires. I have 235/70R16 on there right now, and want to go up to a 265/75R16. I think I'm just going to stick with the "P" rated tires, since they've been fine for me so far.

 

Blackcrew911,

Is your truck a 4x4?

 

Yes, it is a 4x4. I've seen a good deal on General tires but am not too familiar w/ the quality or brand. Not sure of the ply but it is a LT265/70R17 for $79.00/E to get rid of them, a great price.

 

I would get the LT tires, especially if you have a 4x4. I have the Nitto Terra Grapplers on my 4x2 and they are nice tires. Pretty quiet and smoothe on the road, and can handle their own for some minor off roading.

 

Just a personal opinion but I would stay away from General tires. My truck came (new) with General tires and they wore out after a little over 1 year. (Regular # of miles) Not the greatest tires in terms of looks either.

For some reason they had better traction in the rain than my Goodyear Eagle GTII though . Pretty strange, maybe it's due to the 275/60/17 versus 235/70/16?

 

BlackCrew911,

I would not get "E" load range tire for an F-150 they are way to stiff and usually go on a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

 

I just put Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos on my 2003 FX4 SCrew in the 265/70R17 size. They are a P-rated tire, but they are awesome in all driving conditions; On and off-road. They are much better in all conditions than the LT-rated Goodyears that were OE. I would highly recommend these tires, as a good deal of other people do as well in these threads. They're reasonably priced as well!!!

 

When I asked this at my local tire shop they said that the sidewalls were thicker on the LT for the increased load and needed stability.
If the Maufacturer recommends LT, I would stay with that.
If something ever went wrong, and a tire was at fault, you would be left out in the cold for using tires that were under-rated for the application.
Just my $.02

 

ON a full sized pick-up, ALWAYS an LT tire. JMHO

Unless you favor a street truck with low profile tires.

 

I believe BlackCrew911 was saying that the tires cost $79 EACH, not E rated. I've yet to see a tires in LT265/70R17 in anything but a 'C' rating.

And 'D's are typically on F250s, and 'E's are typically found on F350s

 

I appreciate all the help with this. I will most likely stay w/ the LT tire even though I'd like to save as much as I can with this. But some LTs are 6-ply and some are 8-ply. I'd like to go w/ the 8-ply if possible but definately don't want to go down to a 4-ply which I've been told the "P" series is.
Not that I do alot of hauling or pulling w/ my truck but as Fireman-P said I don't want to take a chance, especially if my family is riding with me. I do alot of highway driving and going...ahem...65 mph is fast to have a lesser tire blow out under a weird circumstance. I appreciate all the help, still not sure about the General tires but I should have it narrowed down very soon.
Thanks!

 

I have a 2002 150 4x4 that I run LT 245/ 16/75 E load rating. They are stiff -- but when I want to haul a heavy load -- these tires can be aired up to 80PSI or so. Heavier sidewalls and stronger/stiffer tread. They are fine on F150's and if you want to haul heavy loads in a safer manner -- they may be for you.I have about 30K on these Cooper AT's and they are a little over half gone== good wearing