Have a Express van that has a Front GAWR of 4300lbs. Door sticker calls for Lt245/75R16 @ 50psi, which has a load carrying of 2205lbs. Can I run a P245/75R16 111t with a load index 2403lbs.
P vs LT
- Thread starter gmctodd
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I wouldn't. I remember one of my customer complaining about his Ford van eating tires constantly. Turns out he has a van full of material on P rated tires.
I wouldn't-if you blow a front tire with that much weight on it it'll be a MIRACLE if you don't roll it. It's never happened to me, but it's happened to coworkers.
P-rated tires when mounted on Trucks, SUV's or Vans, have their load rating reduced by a factor of 1.1. Which puts you at less load capacity than your LT tire example.
Keep the LTs on there. Ride quality is a small sacrifice to pay for carrying load safely.
If you put a P-rated tire on, you will exceed the safe load limit on the tires, as there's a safety factor which I believe is 10-12% of the stated max load on the tires.
If you put a P-rated tire on, you will exceed the safe load limit on the tires, as there's a safety factor which I believe is 10-12% of the stated max load on the tires.
Short answer is no. Once the derating for P series tires on a light truck is applied, the P-series tire will have a lower load carrying capacity than what is called for.
In addition, the suspension setup assumes you have the LT series tires which require higher pressures and in general the tires are stiffer. On a top heavy use like a van, I would not want to go to the lower pressures and spongier sidewalls.
In addition, the suspension setup assumes you have the LT series tires which require higher pressures and in general the tires are stiffer. On a top heavy use like a van, I would not want to go to the lower pressures and spongier sidewalls.
Not so ironically, tires have these designations for a reason. If you're only carrying passengers so you want the smoother ride, get the P rated tires. If you're hauling a load with it get the LT rated tires. Considering it is probably RWD and it snows there, get something with good winter performance if not switching to winter tires then.
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Originally Posted by gmctodd
Have a Express van that has a Front GAWR of 4300lbs. Door sticker calls for Lt245/75R16 @ 50psi, which has a load carrying of 2205lbs. Can I run a P245/75R16 111t with a load index 2403lbs.
I would go with the door sticker or better. No P rated if door sticker says LT
Have a Express van that has a Front GAWR of 4300lbs. Door sticker calls for Lt245/75R16 @ 50psi, which has a load carrying of 2205lbs. Can I run a P245/75R16 111t with a load index 2403lbs.
I would go with the door sticker or better. No P rated if door sticker says LT
I recall a thread on an F150 forum, the guy had really bad trailer sway with P-rated tires; completely cured with LT tires.
So another vote for LT.
So another vote for LT.
Originally Posted by nthach
Keep the LTs on there. Ride quality is a small sacrifice to pay for carrying load safely.
You could also be avoiding a potential battle in the future with your insurance company if you don't have LT's mounted.
They look for EVERY little thing to deny a claim!!
Get the LT tires mounted and stay within manufacturer guidelines.
Keep the LTs on there. Ride quality is a small sacrifice to pay for carrying load safely.
You could also be avoiding a potential battle in the future with your insurance company if you don't have LT's mounted.
They look for EVERY little thing to deny a claim!!
Get the LT tires mounted and stay within manufacturer guidelines.
I imagine getting caught driving a commercial vehicle with lower rated tires isn't a good thing.
Originally Posted by JLTD
I recall a thread on an F150 forum, the guy had really bad trailer sway with P-rated tires; completely cured with LT tires.
So another vote for LT.
One thing I will add as well, LT tires can also help with steering response. A friend put on Hankook H727s on a VW Vanagon before I told him it must use a LT-rated tire. Even with cheap Nankang 8PR summer ribs he got on a spare set of wheels he bought, the difference in how the van steered and handled was night and day.
There's now General Grabber ATxs on it now, one of the few LT-rated tires in a 14" size that's easy to find.
I recall a thread on an F150 forum, the guy had really bad trailer sway with P-rated tires; completely cured with LT tires.
So another vote for LT.
One thing I will add as well, LT tires can also help with steering response. A friend put on Hankook H727s on a VW Vanagon before I told him it must use a LT-rated tire. Even with cheap Nankang 8PR summer ribs he got on a spare set of wheels he bought, the difference in how the van steered and handled was night and day.
There's now General Grabber ATxs on it now, one of the few LT-rated tires in a 14" size that's easy to find.
I was only going to run the p rated tires on the front axle.
Originally Posted by gmctodd
I was only going to run the p rated tires on the front axle.
THAT my friend will likely lead to handling problem. Sure, most of the weight is loaded in the rear but when you brake, a lot of that weight transfers to the fronts.
Please do yourself a favor and go LT all around.
I was only going to run the p rated tires on the front axle.
THAT my friend will likely lead to handling problem. Sure, most of the weight is loaded in the rear but when you brake, a lot of that weight transfers to the fronts.
Please do yourself a favor and go LT all around.
Match the tires with the same type as well for best handling. It's not as if you will save a lot of money with passenger tires and a van isn't a high-performance vehicle.
Originally Posted by 02SE
P-rated tires when mounted on Trucks, SUV's or Vans, have their load rating reduced by a factor of 1.1. Which puts you at less load capacity than your LT tire example.
The tires equipped with the vehicle when new must met the specs (towing, payload) of the said vehicle when new. It should be noted MOST half-tons come equipped with "P" rated tires.
P-rated tires when mounted on Trucks, SUV's or Vans, have their load rating reduced by a factor of 1.1. Which puts you at less load capacity than your LT tire example.
The tires equipped with the vehicle when new must met the specs (towing, payload) of the said vehicle when new. It should be noted MOST half-tons come equipped with "P" rated tires.
Originally Posted by CKN
Originally Posted by 02SE
P-rated tires when mounted on Trucks, SUV's or Vans, have their load rating reduced by a factor of 1.1. Which puts you at less load capacity than your LT tire example.
The tires equipped with the vehicle when new must met the specs (towing, payload) of the said vehicle when new. It should be noted MOST half-tons come equipped with "P" rated tires.
I'm well aware of that.
However, lots of people aren't aware that P-rated tires have a reduced load capacity (by a factor of 1.1) when used on trucks, vans, and SUV's.
In the OP's case, the P-rated tires he's considering, have LESS load capacity than the LT tires he mentioned, in HIS application.
Originally Posted by 02SE
P-rated tires when mounted on Trucks, SUV's or Vans, have their load rating reduced by a factor of 1.1. Which puts you at less load capacity than your LT tire example.
The tires equipped with the vehicle when new must met the specs (towing, payload) of the said vehicle when new. It should be noted MOST half-tons come equipped with "P" rated tires.
I'm well aware of that.
However, lots of people aren't aware that P-rated tires have a reduced load capacity (by a factor of 1.1) when used on trucks, vans, and SUV's.
In the OP's case, the P-rated tires he's considering, have LESS load capacity than the LT tires he mentioned, in HIS application.
According to TireRack, P rated tires on a light truck are calculated at 91%. A P265/75R16 111T is rated @2403lbs. multiplied by .91 = 2186# each X2 s0 4372#. The GAWR is only 4300#. I know a guy with a 2500 express that switched to p tires on the front, he claims the van rides and handles much better. My question is: As long as I dont exceed the stated capacity of the tire, Is there a legal issue.
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