Airing down LT tires vs. P-metric

[DriveHard]

After my latest tire fiasco, I was looking for my replacement tires for my Colorado. Considering going up to E rated LT tires. I realize I would need to run around 50 psi to maintain load capacity under normal driving. My concerns are what to run when off roading. I currently air down to 20-22 psi for general off roading, and 15 psi in sand. I never exceed roughly 30 mph when aired down. Can I air down an LT tire to the same levels to maintain a nice large contact patch? Any other considerations? Been off-roading for many years, but I always seem to have P-metric tires.

 

[CKN]

What is the need for "E" rated tires? Yes-if you primary concern is offroad-and you want your truck to ride like crap and get less gas mpg- on the highway go with "E" rated. Lots of guys do the same as you and run the BFG All terrain or Falken Wild Peak all terrain tires-and seem happy-without the excessive load range rating.

 

[DriveHard]

What is the need for "E" rated tires? Yes-if you primary concern is offroad-and you want your truck to ride like crap and get less gas mpg- on the highway go with "E" rated. Lots of guys do the same as you and run the BFG All terrain or Falken Wild Peak all terrain tires-and seem happy-without the excessive load range rating.

I have another set of 20" rims and tires with smooth highway tread for daily driving. I only use my 17" A/T tires when trail driving and December to March here in Iowa. My primary concern with the 17" tires is traction and life on the trails (resist cuts, punctures, etc.)

...and...you didn't answer my question

 

[burbguy82]

After my latest tire fiasco, I was looking for my replacement tires for my Colorado. Considering going up to E rated LT tires. I realize I would need to run around 50 psi to maintain load capacity under normal driving. My concerns are what to run when off roading. I currently air down to 20-22 psi for general off roading, and 15 psi in sand. I never exceed roughly 30 mph when aired down. Can I air down an LT tire to the same levels to maintain a nice large contact patch? Any other considerations? Been off-roading for many years, but I always seem to have P-metric tires.

Yes, it can be done with great reliablity.

E load range sidewalls are thicker. It is a common thing around here for folks to run E loads on Jeeps that they run at Uwharrie. I have spent quite a bit of time on sand in the NC and SC coast and Virginia in the beach sand, all with a vehicle much heavier, at below 20psi.

Of course, on road characteristics might be adverse compared to the C loads from the factory, but for off road, you cannot ever go too beefy with tires.

I am not sure you realization of 50psi is correct or not while on road, that is something you will have to monkey with a bit. is 35 factory for you? If so, I would start at 60 psi and work your way down until you like how it rides. Easier to let air out then put it in.

 

[CKN]

I have another set of 20" rims and tires with smooth highway tread for daily driving. I only use my 17" A/T tires when trail driving and December to March here in Iowa. My primary concern with the 17" tires is traction and life on the trails (resist cuts, punctures, etc.)

...and...you didn't answer my question

Yep-you are right. But you didn't mention anywhere it's a second set of tires.

 

[BrendanC]

we run LT E range tires on half tons at work and follow the door sticker for inflation, discount tire is our dealer and they don’t see an issue with it. usually 30-35 psi

 

[4WD]

My Rubicon came with C rated A/T’s - and that’s what will go on there next. Stability on the highway trumps any other concerns about off-road prowess. I once listened to a tire shop and put E’s on my Canyon - they were back off in 12k miles and on Craigslist

 

[4WD]

we run LT E range tires on half tons at work and follow the door sticker for inflation, discount tire is our dealer and they don’t see an issue with it. usually 30-35 psi

I think 1500’s manage them well - 1500’s are almost 3/4 tons these days. The small trucks and Jeeps get tossed around by E rated tires

 

[DriveHard]

Another thought...the E load rated tires will pretty much negate the very nice riding DSSV shocks...ugh. Now leaning toward staying P-metric.

 

[BrendanC]

Another thought...the E load rated tires will pretty much negate the very nice riding DSSV shocks...ugh. Now leaning toward staying P-metric.

aired down to 30-35psi i wouldn’t really worry about it. you have a heavier duty tire that should also wear better.

 

[nate379]

Off road without beadlocks, 10-20psi is ok.

 

[02SE]

P-metric tire load capacity is reduced by a factor of 1.1, when mounted on a light truck or SUV. I run LT 265/70R17 E tires on a 5th gen, 4Runner. It came with P265/70R17 tires. I get approx. the same load capacity as the P-rated factory tires, at around 40 PSI. But most of the time I don't need that much load capacity, and usually run around 36-38 PSI on-road, which is still much more then adequate, even loaded up for trail exploring.

The P-rated tires are fine on-road, but I have had poor luck with P-rated tires on 4wd trails.

I have aired down my 10 ply rated, load range E tires to less then 15 PSI with no issues. I would be much more concerned airing down the lighter construction P-metric tires under the same circumstances.

The heavier duty tires weigh about 12 lbs more per tire in my case, and no doubt ride firmer, and effect MPG, but it doesn't bother us, and the peace of mind when a long ways from civilization is nice.

 

[userfriendly]

I put E rated tires on everything for the deeper tread and flat free operation.
The latest is 245/70r17E General Arctic on a 2022 Acadia. Wheels are 17x 8 +40 offset.

 

[4WD]

Another thought...the E load rated tires will pretty much negate the very nice riding DSSV shocks...ugh. Now leaning toward staying P-metric.

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[DriveHard]

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Don't have my size, but thanks.

 

[userfriendly]

Don't have my size, but thanks.

I was thinking around 255/80/17 with a 3 ply sidewall like the new GY Dura-Trac RT.
That will give you some sidewall, help with the ride, be puncture resistant and work well with 8-8.5” wide wheels.
I’ve used that size on Taco’s.

www.tiresize.com

 

[DriveHard]

I was thinking around 255/80/17 with a 3 ply sidewall like the new GY Dura-Trac RT.
That will give you some sidewall, help with the ride, be puncture resistant and work well with 8-8.5” wide wheels.
I’ve used that size on Taco’s.

www.tiresize.com

stock is 265/65r17
considering 265/70r17...I would love the larger diameter, but not sure I want the increased gear ratio. 8th is already too tall. Works great with my smooth rolling 20" rims and tires. I get 2-3 mpg better with them over the stockers.

I'm not sure I will every buy GY again...owned several different sets, and I have NEVER been impressed...especially wet traction with the A/T tires.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I ran load range E tires on my Jeep for years. Usually, I would drop them to 1-2 PSI above where I knew I'd lose the bead. On my last set, 285/75R16 I could run 12PSI on the 16x7 wheel without issues. Anything lower and it would debead.

It didn't stop a rock from going through a sidewall unfortunately.

 

[userfriendly]

I ran load range E tires on my Jeep for years. Usually, I would drop them to 1-2 PSI above where I knew I'd lose the bead. On my last set, 285/75R16 I could run 12PSI on the 16x7 wheel without issues. Anything lower and it would debead.

It didn't stop a rock from going through a sidewall unfortunately.

You have some sidewall with a 33 inch 16. Your size on 8 & 9” wide wheels were my go to for years before 17s and 18s became the standard. My hd has 285/75r18s now.
Our friend is looking for off road traction and ground clearance in a 17 with the smooth ride and fuel economy of a 20.
I found that snow flake rubber and max syping gives me the wet and snow traction needed.

 

[IndyIan]

we run LT E range tires on half tons at work and follow the door sticker for inflation, discount tire is our dealer and they don’t see an issue with it. usually 30-35 psi

My work does that too, but still the only tires to fail are P-metric on our one "well stocked" electricians van. It's probably overloaded a little but was rarely out of the city. After a couple blow outs he got a 3/4 ton van with LT tires.