Do you run a 'P', 'SL' or 'LT' tire & do you need an LT?

[Jim Oaks]

You might assume that you have a 'LT' Light Truck tire, but not all Rangers came with them. Some came with P (passenger) rated tires.

While shopping for some 285/70/17 tires for my 2021 Ford Ranger FX4 I noticed that there were manufacturers that had the same size tire with both a LT and SL (standard load) rating. The SL tires had slightly shorter tread, so the O.D. of the tire was slightly shorter. The tires were also a little lighter and the sidewall was more flexible. A lighter tire may get 1-2 better MPG (Miles Per Gallon).

Off-roaders tend to want a stronger sidewall to protect the tires from tears and punctures. Those that haul a lot or tow a trailer may want a LT tire for its increased load range.

Those of you that don't haul a lot or pull a trailer may be better suited for a 'P' or 'SL' tire that will have a softer ride and get 1-2 better MPG's than an 'LT' tire.

I found this video interesting, and no, I'm not telling you that you don't need an LT tire.

So what tire are you using, a 'P', 'SL' or 'LT'?

 

[Brain75]

Truck currently (from PO) has a half/half... front are P, rear (older) are LT.
I am switching from 14" (unaffordable and impossible to find) to 16", and in the size I picked there are no LT that I can find from Discount Tire, so I guess I will be running P.

The one thing that I will never do is run a "touring" or "summer" tire (when I was in Austin that was just about all you could find)... one rainstorm and you go sideways, not worth it. Give me an All Season 365 days a year.

The PO in this case was also a family member, and they said it was very hard for them to find tires the last time - so I have a hunch they got the P rated cause that was either all they could find or stomach to afford.

 

[Blmpkn]

I ran D rated tires on the '21, the '96 will only ever see passenger plys, and the bronco has E rated tires on it for the purpose of better puncture resistance while wheeling.

 

[sgtsandman]

On the 2019, the mud tires are an E rated LT tire and the all terrains I believe are a load C LT tire.

The 2011 currently has a load C LT tire and plans are to get mud tires with the same rating on a separate set of rims.

I've used both to haul loads and found that P rated tires to be to squirmy, even when properly inflated for the load being carried. Plus, LT tires tend to be less susceptible to damage on trails.

 

[superj]

I have LTs on both trucks but am fine with P tires since i dont do anything but stay on road and dont carry a heavy load or trailer

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Quite a few F-150's rolled out of the factory on P rated tires over the years...

I have Load Range C 6ply LT tires, my truck is a little heavier than most at times.

 

[RobbieD]

At this late stage, all I worry about running is "HA"s.

"Holds Air".


Otherwise, the personal fleet currently is a mix of LT and P tires. I feel that P is fine for a commuter / daily driver on a truck, but I prefer LT for any that'll see hauling duties.

 

[Snoranger]

As many of you know, I work for a local government agency’s fleet repair dept. We only replace tires with the same tire. Brand doesn’t matter, but specs do. It must be the same size and specs as original.
As someone who can’t leave anything stock, I’ve pretty much always gone by the theory that my tires should meet or exceed the factory ratings. You don’t want to get in an accident with a lower rated tire on your vehicle… that could turn out really bad for you.