Towing around 5000 lbs. Do I need the more expensive, stiffer sidewall "LT" tires, or can I get "P" or P-metrics/passenger tires? I'm wondering what rating our trucks had OEM.

Looking for LTX 255/70-16s but they are all "p" rated. The closest "LT" is 245/75-16 and I imagine they won't ride as nice.

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White 97 XLT SC 4.6, 4X4, 3.55ls, door cracks, tow pkg, long bed, Rhino liner, Owens running boards

 

The Dunlop Radial Rover LT's are supposed to come in the '70' series.

At least I hope so...

 

Thanks Raoul. I may have solved my question. My spare is an original P235/70-16. I guess if that was good enough for the factory tow rating, it'll work for me. I think I'll get the P255s tomorrow.

If anyone has another opinion, please tell me. Many thanks

[This message has been edited by MOVEOVER (edited 05-30-2000).]

 

Moveover,

I went from the 235's to the 255's on my 97 supercab. If you inflate the tires up before towing you should be OK. Once you're done, have your speedo recalabrated.

 

Well I was towing with P tires with my F150 and I used to pump them to the Max or 45 psi cold and they rode a little rough. This new F250 came with LT's and when they are pumped to the max is 80 psi! Very bounce unloaded but real stiff. I drop them to 50 psi when not hauling or towing. I think that the main difference. The LT's can/should be pumped up to higher pressures to handle a load and they are usually E rated. So it depends on your load wether you need them. It's not realy related to the "Tow" rating. It's the "load on axle/tire" that matters.

Moveover, your trailer tounge weight (usualy 10 to 15% of trailers GVW) can be assumed to be about 500-550 pounds. Add that to the stuff you carry along and the weight of your truck with passengers and fuel. If you are close to the GVWR then maybe you should consider LT tires. Otherwise fugedaboudit!

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2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP - 345 FP Torque version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console, Ford moulded mud gaurds, K&N Air and Oil filter, Amsoil XL7500 5W-30,Air filter minder.

 

The sticker on the left support between the doors says 50psi Front and 70 psi Rear to acheive the factory's 8800# rating.
That's where I keep mine when towing my 5th wheel - all four tires run pretty much the same temp. When running without a load, I drop the rears to 50psi.
My tires are LT265R70/16 and the sidewall is printed "80psi max" Load Range E.

 

He's probably half worn out his tires by this posst -- but there's a third choice.

the XL tire.

I had P235/75R15XL tires on a previous truck -- max inflation was 42PSI -- and I got 80K miles on them before I didn't want to risk another winter.

The XL stands for eXtra Load -- and is somewhere in between the Passenger tire and the Light Truck tire in load capacity.

My 7700 has LT245's that support 2,6xx pounds each at 65 PSI. I keep 50 or 60 PSI in them and the truck will roll foreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever (probably helping is the AWDisc brakes).

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Y2K™

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

I had P255/70-16 Michelin LTXs put on yesterday. They're very nice, quiet tires. I have a lot more traction now. The old ones had another 4-5000 miles left before the wear indicators, but had lost some traction. Thanks for everyone's input.