Half ton pickup tires

[ericm979]

The factory tires on my Tundra are getting close to worn out. They're P-metric tires. Looking at tires I see P-metric, metric and LT tires. This is a 2wd truck which sees some dirt roads but not a lot and nothing difficult. Which type should I go with?

The factory Bridgestone Dueler H/Ts are terrible. They're down to 5/32 or 4/32 after only 16k miles and have poor traction in the wet. Right now I'm leaning towards metric. The LTs in the same nominal size are different enough diameter that I'd need to buy one for the spare, and they seem heavier duty than I need.

 

[deserteagle71]

If you're not hauling heavy loads or towing or spending a lot of time on rocky dirt roads then stay with the P-metric. They'll get the best fuel mileage.

I drive mainly dirt roads so I had to go with LT tires in load range E. Rougher ride (stiff sidewalls) and heavier tire cost me close to 2 mpg. But not as much worry about rocks breaking the tires.

 

[Jstpssng]

If you're not hauling heavy loads or towing or spending a lot of time on rocky dirt roads then stay with the P-metric. They'll get the best fuel mileage.

I drive mainly dirt roads so I had to go with LT tires in load range E. Rougher ride (stiff sidewalls) and heavier tire cost me close to 2 mpg. But not as much worry about rocks breaking the tires.

Agreed. I got tired of buying tires and run ten plys on everything, including my Tesla Colorado . Yet as you already pointed out, you lose things like ride and fuel economy. I also suspect they may have a bit less traction, as there's less "give" in the footprint.

 

[LouNY]

Some of the LT's are a "C" range or 6 ply tire.
My RAM has C rated tires on it from the factory,
but load capacity wise they were not much different from the P series.

 

[RickB]

An LT tire with a C load rating should ride better than an E load rated tire but have a more durable casing than the stock P metric tires.

 

[John0829]

I put LT's Michelins on my Tundra when it needed new shoes since it spent most of the time with a travel trailer on it and I really cannot tell much if any difference in the ride.

 

[WilliamBos]

Go LT - P rated tires have no business on light duty trucks. The only reason they are installed from the factory is to meet CAFE ratings.

Many truck manufacturers have an LT option when being ordered.

Toyo Open Country AT 3 are excellent tires.

 

[Aquamoose]

Bridgestone Revo’s. Phenomenal all season tires with very decent tread life without sacrificing traction. They really got this one dialed in perfectly.

 

[seville009]

I'd vote for the LT's too. I think have the extra "strength" is worth it. Had to get rid of my F350 last year; have an Explorer now. I'd put LT rated tires on it if I could....

 

[Jstpssng]

I'd vote for the LT's too. I think have the extra "strength" is worth it. Had to get rid of my F350 last year; have an Explorer now. I'd put LT rated tires on it if I could....

Why can't you?

 

[oosik]

I had a 2003 Tundra. When the OEM tires were replaced - I went with Toyo's. A far superior tire all the way around.

 

[seville009]

Why can't you?

didn't see any listed when I was in the market for tires.

 

[LouNY]

My snows are LT rated 10 ply, I'll be glad to get back on my C rated 6 ply or even XL metric radials for the summer.
Lost 2 -3 mpg and some ride quality even at 42 PSI in the front and 38 PSI in the rear.
That pressure looks to be just right driving in a couple of inches of snow the tread was staying nice and flat,
no crowning up from being to low or down from to high a pressure.
The LT's are much heavier about 20-30 pounds each.

 

[ruffdog]

For my 1/2 ton truck, I'm fine with the P-metric tires as I'm not doing any heavy highway hauling. The P-M's offer a more flexible tire that offers a better ride and flexes for winter driving and off road. My friend had a suburban and would tow a big pontoon boat to different lakes in the area. He found that the new LT tires he put on helped get rid of the squirming feeling (sway)he had with the P-Ms.

 

[shooterdon]

Very good performance with the Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT's.

They were the original tires on one of our F150's and just replaced them this fall. Got over 60k miles on them. Paid $165 ea. for them at Discount Tire.

 

[herm0016]

I liked the bridgestone revo 2 on our work trucks.
also, you cant go wrong with Michelin LTX or the all terrains. Michelin still makes the most round tires out of everyone.

if you want a budget option I did like the cooper all terrains for the price, about half of Michelin.

 

[Jstpssng]

My snows are LT rated 10 ply, I'll be glad to get back on my C rated 6 ply or even XL metric radials for the summer.
Lost 2 -3 mpg and some ride quality even at 42 PSI in the front and 38 PSI in the rear.
That pressure looks to be just right driving in a couple of inches of snow the tread was staying nice and flat,
no crowning up from being to low or down from to high a pressure.
The LT's are much heavier about 20-30 pounds each.

I'm the exact opposite. Winter snow tends to cover the hard protrusions in the road so I can get away with lighter tires.

 

[Stubee]

I’ve had my Tundra since new in September 2009. The OEM Duelers wore out ridiculously fast, and the allegedly better replacement set weren’t much better. I switched to Michelin LTX M&S, P-series, and have been happy with them. One set wore out a bit prematurely but I’d towed my little tractor about 8K during hot months without raising air pressure, and I think that set of Michelins wasn’t up to spec? I now run them 38/42 F/R all year around and boost it a bit more when towing and replaced my last set at I think 54K, and got a credit back vs the mileage warranty. That’s good as IME the Tundra is harder on tires than any truck I’ve owned, and that’s a few.

I tow my B2320 on an 18’ car hauler just a couple 1000 miles a year. The truck is my everyday driver and sees a lotta gravel, snow, some mud and while they’re not AT they have good traction in all conditions I’ve experienced. I had BFG AT/KOs on my last truck and they were great but the Michelin LTX are probably better all around tires unless you’re doing a lotta off-road.

 

[ericm979]

I was looking at the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 which is a fairly street oriented A/T.

 

[ning]

Check tirerack.com for convenient ratings and lots of user reviews. Tires usually cost less that elsewhere, and at least in CA the shipping costs are less than tax and they have arrangements with installers to fix the price of mounting and balancing and you can ship to the installer.