Do I really need an LT rated tire?

[LCMemphis]

You guys have really helped out on this matter. I'm definitely going the D or XL route given all the input. I've had the Michelins on other SUVs and they are without a day a great cruisin tire but I'm looking for more of a compromise....so I'll probably focus on Geolander AT and a couple others in stock size after reading countless reviews. I greatly appreciate the extent of many of your replies!

 

[terdrocket]

I installed the Cooper Discoverer A/T3 LTX, E Rated, 285/75/17. I love them. On the road they are silent.

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• terdrocket
• Jan 16, 2019

My eyes wanted an aggressive tire and I don't mind the the noise that comes with, but from a practicality standpoint I am mainly on the highway and decided to go the sensible route.

 

[RVAG02]

I installed the Cooper Discoverer A/T3 LTX, E Rated, 285/75/17. I love them. On the road they are silent.

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• terdrocket
• Jan 16, 2019

My eyes wanted an aggressive tire and I don't mind the the noise that comes with, but from a practicality standpoint I am mainly on the highway and decided to go the sensible route.

It's still an E-Rated. When you say sensible, as compared to what? I was all set for a 285/65/18 tire, but this thread has me waffling again. I'm mostly on the highway, but like the look of a bigger tire with aggressive tread.

 

[bloc]

Compared to an MT maybe?

I think if you want aggressive tread you’ll have trouble finding that in a p-metric. Toyo makes the open country in one.. the ATII I think. But it is pretty mild looking.

 

[terdrocket]

It's still an E-Rated. When you say sensible, as compared to what? I was all set for a 285/65/18 tire, but this thread has me waffling again. I'm mostly on the highway, but like the look of a bigger tire with aggressive tread.

I had the D rated 285/70/17 Goodyear Duratracs for 30k miles. When I put the Coopers on, I noticed no increased harshness to the ride and noticed how quiet they are, especially compared to the old Duratracs.

 

[bloc]

Again, D and E are mostly going to feel the same, since they are similar weight and pressure. P-metric is the tire format that needs significantly less pressure and usually weighs a lot less.. that is where you'll feel a big difference, IMO.

 

[gaijin]

Again, D and E are mostly going to feel the same, since they are similar weight and pressure. P-metric is the tire format that needs significantly less pressure and usually weighs a lot less.. that is where you'll feel a big difference, IMO.

Well said. I'll even go one step further: D and E-rated tires of the same size on the same vehicle will require EXACTLY THE SAME PRESSURE.

HTH

 

[RVAG02]

It just frustrating that we can't have a tire that looks like it fits on our vehicles that doesn't ride like a rock.

I currently have the 275/65/18 Michelin M/S 2s that ride like a dream, but still look small and too far inboard.

 

[Borstar1]

It just frustrating that we can't have a tire that looks like it fits on our vehicles that doesn't ride like a rock.

I currently have the 275/65/18 Michelin M/S 2s that ride like a dream, but still look small and too far inboard.

Get some rock warrior or similar 17s and you have several p rated options in 285/70/17 that will look and ride good.

 

[RVAG02]

Get some rock warrior or similar 17s and you have several p rated options in 285/70/17 that will look and ride good.

That's what I was thinking about. Any particular suggestions on how to get hands on rock warriors for less than $2500 a set? Are there other 17" options that work with our rigs?

gaijin - KO2s in C load be closer to a P rated ride?

 

[gaijin]

gaijin - KO2s in C load be closer to a P rated ride?

For the same size tire, on the same vehicle, C, D and E-Rated tires will ALL require the same pressure.

So... no.

HTH

 

[bloc]

Get some rock warrior or similar 17s and you have several p rated options in 285/70/17 that will look and ride good.

That is my plan eventually. Plus the extra sidewall will only help off-road

 

[RVAG02]

For the same size tire, on the same vehicle, C, D and E-Rated tires will ALL require the same pressure.

So... no.

HTH

I guess I should have phrased it better. Better ride in a 285/70/17 C rated vs 285/65/18 E rated, right?

 

[gaijin]

I guess I should have phrased it better. Better ride in a 285/70/17 C rated vs 285/65/18 E rated, right?

Well...

The Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure (RCTIP) for the C-Rated LT285/70R17 tires on a LC200 is 40psi.

The RCTIP for the E-Rated LT285/65R18 tires on a LC200 is 42psi.

So... as far as your question goes, yes, better "ride" on the C-Rated tire.

But! The RCTIP for E-Rated LT285/70R17 tires on a LC200 is also 40psi.

So... apples to apples, the E-Rated LT285/70R17 tire will have better "ride" then the similarly E-Rated LT285/65R18 tire.

Your question is more about tire size than Load Rating.

HTH

 

[okcfunky]

Something many dont consider is that many wheels aren't rated for weights either. These SUV's arent all that heavy, and a D can comfortably get you some tires choices and firm things up. If there's at least 2 tons on an axle, it makes more sense to go with LR E tires.

For LT tires, there are tire load pressure charts that you can extrapolate your necessary PSI with.
For a given vehicle weight and tire height, the tire that lets you run with a lower PSI and increased sidewall height will always ride better.

 

[M1911]

It just frustrating that we can't have a tire that looks like it fits on our vehicles that doesn't ride like a rock.

I currently have the 275/65/18 Michelin M/S 2s that ride like a dream, but still look small and too far inboard.

There's no free lunch. The M/S2 is a fabulous tire for what it is meant for: quiet, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and durable -- an all-around great highway tire.

Once you start adding aggressive lugs, you are adding a lot of weight, more noise, etc. There is simply no way an offroad tire is going to be as good on the highway as a state-of-the-art highway tire like the M/S2.

 

[RVAG02]

Well...

The Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure (RCTIP) for the C-Rated LT285/70R17 tires on a LC200 is 40psi.

The RCTIP for the E-Rated LT285/65R18 tires on a LC200 is 42psi.

So... as far as your question goes, yes, better "ride" on the C-Rated tire.

But! The RCTIP for E-Rated LT285/70R17 tires on a LC200 is also 40psi.

So... apples to apples, the E-Rated LT285/70R17 tire will have better "ride" then the similarly E-Rated LT285/65R18 tire.

Your question is more about tire size than Load Rating.

HTH

awesome...so why would you choose a C load over an E load for 285/70/17? Lower tire weight and cost?

 

[RVAG02]

There's no free lunch. The M/S2 is a fabulous tire for what it is meant for: quiet, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and durable -- an all-around great highway tire.

Once you start adding aggressive lugs, you are adding a lot of weight, more noise, etc. There is simply no way an offroad tire is going to be as good on the highway as a state-of-the-art highway tire like the M/S2.

I agree, and I don't expect it to. I just worry about folks like bloc that go from a P metric to E load KO2 and are miserable. I don't want that experience. Stiffer ride, fine. Misery? No thanks.

 

[chilibit]

I use the RW wheels with Toyo AT2 in P285/70/17. I did it because the un-sprung weight is about the same as the stock
tire/wheel. There are a number of advantages but sidewall durability is not up to that of a E rated tire. For my purposes
it works quite well. I tow a trailer with a track car periodically and the sidewall flexibility has never been noticeable and I
am very conscious of such things. I don't put much weight on tire mileage but the Toyos are rated at 60k miles.

 

[TeCKis300]

I know here we're talking with a focus on load rating and pressures. In tires, there's more too it than that. Though unfortunately, there's no objective data by which to compare between tire models, brands, sizes, etc. Only the subjective comments here from individuals, that hopefully interpret with the same scale you do.

To be clear:

• Not all AT tires will ride the same at the same tire pressure. Some inherently have softer sidewalls than others, even if they are rated to the same load class. Do to construction, compound, and other differences.
• Not all tire sizes will ride the same. Obviously, a 17" wheel tire generally will ride softer than a 20" wheel tire. But other tire geometries are at play also. How a tire sits on the wheel is important. A 275 section width tire that fit square shouldered on wheel may potentially transmit more transmission of NVH. Or a KO2 tire, that has square and stiff sidewalls will again transmit more than maybe another line of tires. There are hearsay examples as there's no definitive measure. Only subjective comments and sometimes the manufacturer will give you a coarse characterization of the tire qualities.

Different suspension will play into this also. I'd imagine the stock LC suspension and especially LX AHC will have the best chance of making even a stiff riding tire, ride passably.

I can say that my 305/55r20s, LR E, 71lb tire, rides incredibly gentle at a gaijin approved 36psi. Comfort is better than stock with less impact harshness. The unsprung weight doesn't stand as much as I thought it would as it is such good suspension in itself being a larger donut when taking big hits. It's definitely not for everyone (and not the OP) as it is a big heavy tire that does dampens acceleration and braking, with a bit more truckish ride, but nicely plush. Also more tire noise than stock at higher freeway speeds (very tolerable by my measure). Excellent cornering traction.