Anyone run P-rated tires?

[eatSleepWoof]

Curious whether anyone is running P-rated tires, and if so, what model and size?

When I bought my 18" OEM Tundra wheels, they came with Michelin LTX A/T2 tires in 275/65R18 with load range P. These are All Terrain tires that weigh only 40lbs per corner vs. anywhere from 52-60lbs for common LT load range E tires that many folks run. That's a very big difference in unsprung weight.

On paper, these tires are supposed to be 32". In reality, I just measured a hair over 30" of height (cold tire pressure, on the vehicle).

Are there any other P-rated A/T tires of ~largish sizes for an 18" wheel? There is no benefit (for my uses) in getting C/D/E rated tires - I want to keep weight relatively low while increasing tire height if at all possible.

I do see lots of options in 285/60/18 P, but am hoping to find something larger.

 

[Rigger]

Interesting. I run that tire on my '14 Tundra CrewMax. I'm on my third set. I deliberately avoid the LT version because I like the ride that the tire delivers on the road. I never off-road the truck, and I'm getting into my senior years now, so ride quality is important. It's a good tire, in my opinion.

I run Cooper AT's on my 200 series, though.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Ride is very important to me, too. As is on-road acceleration, braking and handling, which is where the LX lives 99% of the time.

Even with the "off-roading" that I do, I'm completely confident that a P-rated A/T tire will be more than enough for 99% of the situations I'll find myself in.

I just found that General Tire offers the GRABBER APT in P275/70R18, which is just over 33", while being only 42lbs. And they're only $191 a piece. Very interesting option.

 

[nwfl4runner]

I run 275/60r20 LTX A/T2s in P on my 2010 LX. Couldn't be happier so far

 

[navydivedoc]

I just put a set of the General grabber APT 275/70r18 on my 2018 LC. Immediately did a 1000 mile road trip. Very comfortable, nearly as quiet as the stock dunlops. I averaged 17.9 mpg, mix of 80 mph highway and 55 mph 2 lane roads on the eastern shore of VA. This is the same mileage as the initial leg of the trip on the same roads with the stock tires. The 10+ lbs per corner really sold me initially, and now after the trip I am very happy with the choice. They fill the wheel wells perfectly and definitely look right on the truck.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I just put a set of the General grabber APT 275/70r18 on my 2018 LC. Immediately did a 1000 mile road trip. Very comfortable, nearly as quiet as the stock dunlops. I averaged 17.9 mpg, mix of 80 mph highway and 55 mph 2 lane roads on the eastern shore of VA. This is the same mileage as the initial leg of the trip on the same roads with the stock tires. The 10+ lbs per corner really sold me initially, and now after the trip I am very happy with the choice. They fill the wheel wells perfectly and definitely look right on the truck.

Any chance you've got some side/profile photos of the LC with those tires?

 

[bloc]

Another major factor in the better compliance of a P-metric is the lower required cold inflation pressure.

Example: in the 285/70/17 size I need for my rock warriors I’d need to run about 41psi for an e-rated LT tire, but only 30psi for the p-metric equivalent. That is a large difference in “tire spring rate.”

So yes, I asked the same questions you are asking and settled on p-metric better fitting my needs. That said, I ended up going to a 17” wheel to get both the larger tire diameter and keep the 285 width. You should consider the same, as the extra sidewall helps even more with compliance.

But, don’t limit yourself to p-metric. Some tires may be available in other non-LT but also non-P sizes and you may still get all the benefits. Just do the extra research and figure out what pressure you’d need to run to maintain the stock wheel/tire load rating.

I switched from LT285/65r18 KO2s on stock 13 wheels (87# per corner) to P285/70R17 Toyo Open Country ATIIs (73# - close to stock) and couldn’t be happier with the improvement in ride quality. They are a tiny amount (like 5%) louder than the KO2s arguably better tread design but it doesn’t bother me.

I also picked up an average 1.5mpg on the freeway after the switch. Just remembered.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I wouldn't mind going to a 17" wheel, but buying new wheels is not in the budget, and I live in a city of ~50k people, with an abysmally small used-item market. Had to drive several hours just to grab these 18" Tundra wheels.

Definitely not limited to a P-rated tire specifically, (like you said, anything non-LT) that just seems to be the most commonly available option.

 

[navydivedoc]

Any chance you've got some side/profile photos of the LC with those tires?

 

[eatSleepWoof]

View attachment 2025385

Looks fantastic! The tires do fill the wheel wells nicely. Thinking I'm going to pair these with the AHC sensor lift and call it a day.

 

[99Cruiser]

Nitto makes a G2 p-metric in 305/60/18. Technically they are an XL extra load but not LT.
Search the forums to see if they fit stock but I think they do.

 

[Sandroad]

I run the P metric Defender and am very happy. I will go this route again if I ever wear them out.

As a side note, if the tires are on the vehicle, you have to measure side to side and not top to bottom if you want tire diameter. Even better to dismount to measure. The Defender diameter is exactly what Michelin says it should be and I bet the AT/2 is not 2” smaller than it should be (assuming the rim size is correct for the tire).

 

[TeCKis300]

In regards to measuring tires on the vehicle - don't do it.

Tire Size vs. True Size

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[UCrazyKid]

I think it boils down to what kind of stresses you will put the sidewall through. If you will be airing down for off-road or jumping curbs frequently? If no, you are probably fine with a P rated and will get a more comfortable ride. Other options are to get an LT tire in the "C" or "D" range instead of "E". There are fewer ply's used and they weigh a little less and ride a bit better. My 275/55/20 BFG K02's are "D" rated and fall right in the middle for comfort and "tough" sidewall. KO2's are NOT all "D" so you need to look at the particular size you are interested in. Tire Rack has the specs. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...reModel=All-Terrain+T/A+KO2&partnum=165SR6KO2

 

[speyrod]

I also had these same questions and will have my LT (285 70 17) Cooper xlt mounted when my TPM arrive. My logic, I am 85% hwy, 15% gravel roads. I don't want to get a flat 20 miles deep on a gravel roads when hunting / fishing / overlanding on some crappy wet cold rainy ass PNW day ( today would qual.).

My stock wheels and tire weigh ~ 79-80lb and the RW with the Coopers should weigh about 24lb wheel and 56 lb for the LT's (~80lbs) and I am getting close to "33's" from stock diameter. The other advantage if I sell the LX in a few years I can throw the 20" wheels and tires back on and sell the RW with good rubber.

 

[mooneywa]

I just put on the P rated Michellin LTX MS/2s. They ride great as you might imagine. Another member on here said they were actually surprised at what they can do off-road. Obviously nothing really serious, but they won't get you stuck in some mild terrain as I was concerned they might. They aren't ATs by any stretch, but visually, the tread supports their claim. They are a massive step up from the Dunlops.

 

[UCrazyKid]

They are a massive step up from the Dunlops.

It’s my understanding the stone Fred Flintstone tires would be an improvement over the OEM Dunlop’s! How did they even get that contract? Putting sh!t tires on your companies flagship vehicle making it ride and perform bad. SMH Who made that call?

 

[bloc]

I think it boils down to what kind of stresses you will put the sidewall through. If you will be airing down for off-road or jumping curbs frequently? If no, you are probably fine with a P rated and will get a more comfortable ride. Other options are to get an LT tire in the "C" or "D" range instead of "E". There are fewer ply's used and they weigh a little less and ride a bit better. My 275/55/20 BFG K02's are "D" rated and fall right in the middle for comfort and "tough" sidewall. KO2's are NOT all "D" so you need to look at the particular size you are interested in. Tire Rack has the specs. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...reModel=All-Terrain+T/A+KO2&partnum=165SR6KO2

Note that even the lower load rating LT tires still require significantly more pressure than a P-metric so the ride quality won’t quite match.

But yes, good points about airing down. I’m planning on abusing my P-metrics a bit and will report back to the board if I have problems.

 

[Vestal]

Looks fantastic! The tires do fill the wheel wells nicely. Thinking I'm going to pair these with the AHC sensor lift and call it a day.

Hey, any feedback after a year+ on the APT's? I'm close to doing the same setup. Go Vipers!

 

[EPUro2019]

I just installed ATIII p-metric 285/70/17 on RW, So far so good. slightly noisier than stock, ride is comparable to stock. So far I'm very pleased. It is currently my wife DD, she is very very very worried about ride comfort. So far no complaints.