What's the difference in these tire sizes?

[GranolaJoe]

So, I'm looking at some NTG for my newly acquired 07 but I'm confused with the following tire sizes they come in.....

LT275/65R18E1 123R B
275/65R18XL 120S FRD
LT275/70R18E1 125S B
LT285/60R18E1 123S B
285/60R-18 XL 120S B
LT285/65R18E1 125R B

What the difference between the 2 285/60's and the 2 275/65's? Any suggestions on which size I should go with. I'll be using the truck mostly as a DD. Thanks in advance!

 

[4Peanut]

So, I'm looking at some NTG for my newly acquired 07 but I'm confused with the following tire sizes they come in.....

LT275/65R18E1 123R B
275/65R18XL 120S FRD
LT275/70R18E1 125S B
LT285/60R18E1 123S B
285/60R-18 XL 120S B
LT285/65R18E1 125R B

What the difference between the 2 285/60's and the 2 275/65's? Any suggestions on which size I should go with. I'll be using the truck mostly as a DD. Thanks in advance!

The difference is one is an E Load LT (Light Truck) tire. Their load carrying capacity is higher, but with that typically comes a firmer ride. Regarding the Nittos specifically, the LTs are 10-ply and have a deeper tread: Terra Grappler

 

[arbetrader]

x2 to the above info. Here's the sizing (all approximate - and can vary slightly from brand to brand)

LT275/65R18E1 123R B - 32.1" - 10.83" wide / 7" sidewall
275/65R18XL 120S FRD - same - same / same (as the one above)
LT275/70R18E1 125S B - 33.2" - 10.83" wide / 7.6" sidewall
LT285/60R18E1 123S B - 31.5" - 11.22" wide / 6.75" siewall
285/60R-18 XL 120S B - same - same / same (as the one above)
LT285/65R18E1 125R B - 32.6" - same / 7.3" sidewall

 

[farinvail]

To add some useful information for anyone that may not know. The first # is centimeter measurement of width of the tire. The second # is % of the first # and refers to the height of the sidewall. The third # is the diameter of the rim the tire is intended to fit in inches. In this case 18inches.
Someone school me on the 123,120,125 number and B, FRD?

 

[spressomon]

Tire code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[GranolaJoe]

So, LT or not LT?

 

[spressomon]

Depends

Generally an LT type tire will be heavier duty in construction; maybe considerably heavier duty in construction. Therefore a stiffer ride but better for tougher jobs, better puncture resistance, etc.,...all things being equal of course.

A P tire, Passenger, will generally be lighter weight construction therefore not the best choice for rough roads with sharp rocks, pulling heavier trailers and/or GVW cargo, etc. But a P tire will be more compliant and comfortable...probably better handling too.

Also this: Its difficult to compare an LT in one brand to a P in a different brand. Getting detailed tire construction data from the tire manufacturers is difficult...in terms of meaningful data.

If the majority of the roads you travel over for your daily driver duties are relatively benign I'd probably suggest a P tire for comfort and probably better tread life guarantee/tread life wear.

And buy your tires from a well reputed tire company.

Just my $.02...

 

[Sandroad]

Great tech info on tires here:

TireRack.com - About - Tech Center

 

[arbetrader]

To add some useful information for anyone that may not know. The first # is centimeter measurement of width of the tire. The second # is % of the first # and refers to the height of the sidewall. The third # is the diameter of the rim the tire is intended to fit in inches. In this case 18inches.
Someone school me on the 123,120,125 number and B, FRD?

You mean millimeter measurement for the width, not centimeter, right?

 

[GranolaJoe]

Good info, thanks. So looking at Nitto's site regarding their sizes....

P265/70R18 114S 32.64 10.67 2601@35
LT275/65R18 E123R 32.01 10.83 3415@80
LT275/70R18 E125S 33.27 10.94 3640@80
LT285/65R18 E125R 32.52 11.22 3640@80
305/60R18 120S 32.44 12.24 3086@44
LT tires with a "C" load range have a 6-ply rating. LT tires with a "D" load range have an 8-ply rating.
LT Tires with an "E" load range have a 10-ply rating.
*Indicates Extra Load (XL)

My questions now are...There isn't much difference in any of those tires that I can see. From research, it looks like a lot of you go with LT285/65/18. Do some folks not run the P265/70/18's? Same basic height (a little less wide) with a more comfortable road ride (is that a fair assumption since its not an LT?) if you are using the truck mainly as a DD? Or, are most folks not turned off at all by the stiffer LT rating (again when using for primarily paved road use). Sorry, if I'm beating this to death. It's an expensive decision and I want to get past it. Thanks!

 

[arbetrader]

Yeah, that's the reason I went with the 275/70. It gives you the same stock wheel/sidewall size as factory, and gives you a nice meaty look. If you're not going to drive gravel roads/light offroad, I wouldn't shy away from 285/65, however if you do, the extra sidewall height is nice, which is why I went that way. Also, it's a true 33" tire.

 

[maxdog1969]

I love my 275/70/18 nitto terra, a true 33" as mentioned plus IMO the 4.30 ring and pinion is perfect to turn this size, I feel that my rig overall perform better with this tire size upgrade.

 

[GranolaJoe]

Okay, so I'm getting close. Just one more thing I'm looking to clear up. It seems a lot of folks here go with either 285/65/28 or 275/70/18. So, if I'm looking correctly, the 275's are .75 inches taller and about 1/3 inch narrower (in a NTG). Is there really that much difference in everyday driving? Seems to me like they are very very similar.

 

[Sverige]

Okay, so I'm getting close. Just one more thing I'm looking to clear up. It seems a lot of folks here go with either 285/65/28 or 275/70/18. So, if I'm looking correctly, the 275's are .75 inches taller and about 1/3 inch narrower (in a NTG). Is there really that much difference in everyday driving? Seems to me like they are very very similar.

Definitely go with the 28" rims.
Rooock.

 

[GranolaJoe]

Nice catch. Doesn't a noob get some slack???