Pickup Need Tires....What Load Range???

[cityboy172]

Read this.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=55

 

[MJFlores]

A buddy of mine has the same truck I bought but a year older...his came with P metric tires on his too. I haven't hauled anything yet but he pulls a heavy camper without issue. I think the P series truck tires are capable of hauling a lot more weight than people think. I believe the manufacturers put them on instead of an LT tire so the truck has a nicer feel and better ride comfort. A lot of people these days use trucks as daily commute vehicles and never really put anything in the bed or pull a trailer. For occasional trailer use...a few loads of wood a season I'd save money and go with the P rated tire. Constant heavy hauling I'd go LT. My last truck I went with P rated Nitto Crosstek tires, which were probably the best tires I've ever bought. They'll go on this new trucks as soon as the OEM tires are worn out.

 

[blades]

Letter rating is side wall , load range is a number - from say about 50 up to 123 on joe public stuff, On a truck hauling loads I only look for 120 or higher. several mfg have the same tread pattern in various load ratings. Never seen a P series truck tire, P = passenger likely just fine for soccer mom not for any decent use- it is a truck and that is how mine are used. I do not want a 2 ply sidewall tire blowing out because I have full rated load in the bed.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

I recently picked up a pick up, a 98 Chevrolet K1500 Extended Cab for $500. 150k miles and a blown motor. It also needs tires.

This truck will be a daily driver for the 4-5 winter months of the year and will be used as utility truck the rest of the year. It will be used to haul about 4 cords of wood back from the parents 50 miles away over the course of the summer as well.

So that said.....what load range tires should I get? I'm pretty sure most 1/2 ton trucks are sold stock with load range C tires but with a half cord of wood in the back I'm probably getting close to the limits.

Will load range E tires ride too rough with an empty load? Or are they just right for a 4,500lbs (empty) pig?

Thanks!

EDIT. The difference in price is considerable as well. Load Range C goes for about $500 a set for quality name brand. Load Range E costs about $200 more.

I'd go E range for better mileage, better puncture resistance

D range on a 1/2 would be fine too

Skip C range

 

[Thislilfishy]

What Redd said, I think Toyo makes a 6 ply tire that is well rated. Lighter and smoother then a 10ply with a much better load rating. My truck has the factory P rated tires on it still. What I can say, when you are running near or over the load limits, a P rated tired is driveable but add a lot of sway. You get used to it, but definitely not ideal. I run E range tires on the work truck and what I find is they are very harsh when fully inflated, and 'bouncy' below about 65psi. As with anything else, it's a game of give and take.

Ian

 

[smokedragon]

Anything being done with load range E tires on a half ton is probably overweight for what the truck is rated for.

I agree with this. I have E rated tires on my truck, but it is single rear tires F350. It hauls firewood, tractor, cars, etc on a fairly regular basis.

For a truck like that D rated is the most you would need.