Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
Does anyone put LT tires on their SUV, such as a Tuscon or equinox size?
Putting LT Tires On An SUV
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Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
Ok, was just curious if it was worth doing, was normally done, or avoided.
I have thought about putting Falken WildPeak AT Trail, Yokohama Geolandar AT, or Toyo Open Country A/TIII on my AWD Equinox. They are all available in the OEM size for the Equinox. I would do it more for the severe snow service rating they offer than anything. I don't want to deal with winter tires, so it would offer a year-round alternative. The biggest apprehension I have with it, though, is road noise and ride quality going to an AT tire. Although, the Falkens are highly rated for being quiet and riding just like a standard tire.
Remeber, with an LT tire you have to keep a higher air pressure to maintain the same weight carrying properties so they will ride harsher!
LT tires need more air pressure. ...to match the load capacity of a P-metric tire.* *A Standard Load tire (SL), usually P-metric (or metric, euro-metric -- a nearly identical twin). This is the tire found on nearly every new car, SUV, and Light Truck. On the sidewall it looks like P265/70/17 (or 265/70/17) as opposed to LT265/70/17. How much more pressure?
This continues to come up and is often a source of confusion. Not surprising though, considering that both of the following statements are true: LTs carry less load than P-metric. LTs carry more load than P-metric. Throw Load Range into the discussion and things get nice and tangled. Describing the relationships in words doesn't paint a clear picture so I thought I'd try to make some -- pictures, that is. The charts are based on tire size 265/70/17 and, in the 2nd chart, how it relates to the 5th gen 4Runner because that proved easiest, but the application to other generations is obvious and not too dissimilar. The curves should be reasonably accurate and more than good enough to illustrate the point. P-metric tires get load capacity de-rated 9% when used on an SUV and the curves reflect that. The tables used for reference come from this. Hopefully it's easy to see how an LT can carry both less and more load than P-metric. It's all about air pressure and, for this tire size, it takes about 12psi added to the LT to match the load capacity of the P-metric tire. Hopefully it's also clear how pretty much the only distinction that matters is between P and LT. Load Range doesn't meaningfully affect the choice of air pressure for LT -- unless very high pressures are desired -- since the the longer load E curve is overlapped by the shorter D and C curves.There may, however, be implications for speed capability in the selection of load range. See Baldwin here.
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^ That is going to confuse someone who just wants to haul minimal loads, in which case you do not need much more air in the LT tires, yet they will still ride harsher.
It's seldom about trying to max out load capacity. If you're that close, you're using the wrong vehicle.
It's seldom about trying to max out load capacity. If you're that close, you're using the wrong vehicle.
I put LT tires on every 4wd vehicle I've had, that came with P-rated tires from the factory. I do so because the P-rated tires are usually speced for a nice smooth ride, and optimized fuel economy to boost CAFE numbers. Every time I've taken a P-rated tire equipped 4wd on a 4wd trail or just a gravel road, I've had a puncture. With the LT tires, I've yet to get a puncture.
Ironically considering the above chart, the Yokohama A/T G015 LT 265/70R17 E tires I installed on our 5th gen 4Runner, before it had even 300 miles on it. It's now at 850 miles.
If you don't plan to drive on trails where a more robust casing construction, and often deeper tread depth than the same tire in a P-rating would have and could be beneficial, I'd probably stick with the P-rated tires.
Ironically considering the above chart, the Yokohama A/T G015 LT 265/70R17 E tires I installed on our 5th gen 4Runner, before it had even 300 miles on it. It's now at 850 miles.
If you don't plan to drive on trails where a more robust casing construction, and often deeper tread depth than the same tire in a P-rating would have and could be beneficial, I'd probably stick with the P-rated tires.
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I do it all the time. Last year for example, I put 235/65/17 Toyo AT II's on a 2014 Ford Escape.
I can testify if you’re hauling or towing anything heavy, you don’t want P metric instead of LT-we had PB mistakenly put P245/75R16s on in place of LT245/75R16Es- they didn’t last 10K without a blowout. Most lighter SUVs & cars don’t have the suspension or body strength to need LTs, they can’t haul much anyway.
We have a fleet of 1500 safari vans at work, some with P and some with LT tires. Some of the electricians have their van loaded down with spares and they ride pretty good with LT tires, but an empty van on LTs is harsh on small bumps. A heavy van on the P tires is mushy though, and running them day after day near max capacity wears the tires out much faster. If you are running around with a family of 7 everyday up near GVWR then LTs wouldn't be a bad idea. But I'd rather run P tires for the 99% that we're not loaded heavy.
Personally, I wouldn’t put Light Truck tires on a compact SUV. Many tire companies make tires geared towards CUVs. You can also look at load ratings. Most passenger car tires are S load rated. The S being for standard load. There are also XL load rated tires for passenger cars and CUVs. Do your research before committing to Light Truck tires for a CUV.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
What for? Are you planning some light off roading? I can see value if you need it. If you planning to stay on the road, stay with regular tires.
There seems to be some confusion in this thread.
First, LT tires are those that have the letters "LT" in front of the tire size. There are no LT's that are the same "size" (meaning the numbers!) that fit Equinoxes and Tucson's. That leads me to believe the OP was referring to either All Terrain tires, or tires not specifically designated for SUV's (or specifically designated for pickup trucks)
First, LT tires are those that have the letters "LT" in front of the tire size. There are no LT's that are the same "size" (meaning the numbers!) that fit Equinoxes and Tucson's. That leads me to believe the OP was referring to either All Terrain tires, or tires not specifically designated for SUV's (or specifically designated for pickup trucks)
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Did it once on a Yukon 4WD and it certainly did not ride as well … maybe you want AT … General has AT P’s up to 275 wide or so …
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
My understanding is that he is looking for AT tire.
Still, question is: what is intended utilization?
I had. To double take in the thread as my 19 Equinox came with Michelin Premier LT tires....
I think he is maybe looking for a little more “off road” tire for a compact CUV
My Nox has been doing a bit of camping lately off the beaten trails, and these tires a okay, but a bit mushy. On the freeway they ride nice though...
There are some tires that I could use more off toad type from Goodyear, Falken, and a few others. I do not want too much off road tire, as the MPGS drop some from the tire. I’ve seen a few tires with light “LT” I like from BFG, Good year, and General. I’m sure I could do just fine with regular car tires too......
I think he is maybe looking for a little more “off road” tire for a compact CUV
My Nox has been doing a bit of camping lately off the beaten trails, and these tires a okay, but a bit mushy. On the freeway they ride nice though...
There are some tires that I could use more off toad type from Goodyear, Falken, and a few others. I do not want too much off road tire, as the MPGS drop some from the tire. I’ve seen a few tires with light “LT” I like from BFG, Good year, and General. I’m sure I could do just fine with regular car tires too......
Hey there,
I also drive an Equinox and recently put BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT tires on it. They are the most aggressive tires I could find in the States. They are a bit noisy, but I got used to them. They've been excellent so far this summer with little to no wear. I expect excellent results during cold or inclement weather.
Here's their description from their BFGoodrich website:
The Advantage T/A Sport LT is BFGoodrich's Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire for drivers of light trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles looking for handling and responsiveness to add some fun to the daily commute, combined with confidence in inclement weather. The Advantage T/A Sport LT meets the industry's severe snow service requirements and is branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.
Advantage T/A Sport LT tires feature an advanced, all-season tread compound molded into a symmetrical design, allowing easy cross rotation to resist irregular wear. The tire's continuous center rib creates constant contact with the road, and combined with the optimized footprint provided by the Next Generation ETEC (Equal TEnsion Containment) System, delivers confident handling and high speed stability. Utilizing full-depth tread features helps to deliver traction mile after mile while the wide, circumferential grooves efficiently channel water through the contact patch for increased hydroplaning resistance. 3D Active Sipe Technology sipes provide an increased number of biting edges for improved wet and light snow traction.
The tire's internal structure includes a two ply polyester body casing. Next Generation g-Wedge Sidewall Stabilizer inserts help control distortion during cornering, and two wide, steel belts with a spirally-wrapped nylon reinforcement deliver durability, ride quality and stability.
Good luck.
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