LT or P ????
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by BigBlueMacDaddy
I've been following this thread, and gotten quite a bit of info. I have a Black 07 XL, eight foot body, and wanted more than the plain steel wheels, even the wife doesn't like them! I bought a set of Lincoln wheels (18", and it already has a Lincoln grille!)) and have been itching to put some good tires under the truck. To keep the speedo somewhat accurate, I have been looking at keeping the width the same, and dropping the aspect from 70 to 65. I am surprised that the ride deteriorated when you made the switch from Hankooks to Michelins, I had expected it to be at least the same, if not better. My truck hauls usually only me, and the wife, maybe 200 pounds of cargo, max. I was thinking of going to a better riding tire, as I still have my 77 F350 for dirty or heavy work. (It was just getting TOO UGLY!) With all the variables you guys have mentioned, maybe I should rethink going up in size from 17 to 18, and get some new rims, and keep the Hankooks. Any thinking on anyone's part? Oh yes, has anyone had trouble with the TPMS damage as to mounting, and remounting the tires?
The only problem with the TPMS is if the person taking the bead of the tire off isn't paying attention and does it right where the valve stem it, he could break it. Other than that, nothing should go wrong. I'd mounted and dismounted tires on wheels that had the TPMS, and nothing went wrong.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 3
You can argue this all day. The ply makes a big difference in harshness. I had a set of Pro Comp 10 plys on my 05 and it rode like a tank. Bounced, banged, rattled your teeth loose. Tried some passenger tires and it was much much better. Problem is they are rated for a lot of weight and the abuse I give them.
I would stick with a LT tire but not a 10 ply.
I would stick with a LT tire but not a 10 ply.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 0
From: St. Peter
Yeah, a 10 Ply is what they run on F350's and such. I think the max you should go on a 1/2 ton would be a 6 ply. Unless you are doing something really abusive to your truck.
Dont get me wrong, i'd have a harsh ride in exchange for more carrying capacity any day, but there is a certain point where you will dangerously overload your truck before you have any effect on the tires.
Dont get me wrong, i'd have a harsh ride in exchange for more carrying capacity any day, but there is a certain point where you will dangerously overload your truck before you have any effect on the tires.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
I just put a set of LT285/55/20 Michelin LTX AT2 on. I notice a much harsher ride, so I will adjust the air pressure some. I have always felt better with a LT tire . I have had rocks off gravel roads punture P tires. The Pirelli Scorpion ATR P-rated tires that came on my truck were terrible in mud and snow.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Your saying 6 ply tires are the MOST you should have on a 1/2 ton truck?
They don't make 4 ply tires for these trucks, and the cheap O tires are 6 plys.
I think 6 ply would be the least if the truck wasn't used as a truck(no towing or anything), but a 8 ply would be a good match for these trucks when it is used as a truck(some towing, hauling, every now and then).
I just got a set of 10 ply hankook m/ts, and they are just a little stiffer/harsher than the stock 6 ply bfg(all season tires). The new tires are a lot better in side wall stability(truck lean) when driving and towing.
They don't make 4 ply tires for these trucks, and the cheap O tires are 6 plys.
I think 6 ply would be the least if the truck wasn't used as a truck(no towing or anything), but a 8 ply would be a good match for these trucks when it is used as a truck(some towing, hauling, every now and then).
I just got a set of 10 ply hankook m/ts, and they are just a little stiffer/harsher than the stock 6 ply bfg(all season tires). The new tires are a lot better in side wall stability(truck lean) when driving and towing.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
I guess I'm odd man out.
I just put my third set of Hankooks on a few weeks back.
http://www.hankooktireusa.com/produc...il.asp?pid=330
255/65-17
They are P Metric and do great for my use.
I got 55,000 miles each out of the first two sets (and could have easily made 60,000+ miles). A good tire for the money.
IMO, unless you are doing heavy hauling or towing, it's all that is needed on an F150.
I just put my third set of Hankooks on a few weeks back.
http://www.hankooktireusa.com/produc...il.asp?pid=330
255/65-17
They are P Metric and do great for my use.
I got 55,000 miles each out of the first two sets (and could have easily made 60,000+ miles). A good tire for the money.
IMO, unless you are doing heavy hauling or towing, it's all that is needed on an F150.
Last edited by BrianA; Nov 3, 2007 at 12:31 AM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 0
From: St. Peter
I think 6 ply is the most a 1/2 ton would need. Say a 275 65 18 Dueller Revo has a 114T rating, meaning it can carry 2640LBS X 4 Tires= 10,560 LBS
That is practically twice the wieght of the truck. I think the F150 GVWR is around 6,000? say you overload your truck by 2,000 lbs, you are still not overloading P rated tires.
Even a load C on tire rack.com only has a weight rating of 2561 lbs.
Lets jump up to a 10 ply. The Load E firestone transforce has a load index of 123, which is equivalent to 3472 lbs x 4 tires = 13,888 lbs. Not necessary for a 1/2 ton truck. With radial tires a 10 ply does not mean it has 10 different ply's of material. It means its strenght is equivalent to a bias ply tire that has 10 plys, even though the radial tire might only be using 5 ply's.
None the less, I still like to have at least a load C on my trucks, but that is my choice. They dont seem to have as much "radial bulge' to them.
Too many people think that p rated tires are junk, when they are really not.
That is practically twice the wieght of the truck. I think the F150 GVWR is around 6,000? say you overload your truck by 2,000 lbs, you are still not overloading P rated tires.
Even a load C on tire rack.com only has a weight rating of 2561 lbs.
Lets jump up to a 10 ply. The Load E firestone transforce has a load index of 123, which is equivalent to 3472 lbs x 4 tires = 13,888 lbs. Not necessary for a 1/2 ton truck. With radial tires a 10 ply does not mean it has 10 different ply's of material. It means its strenght is equivalent to a bias ply tire that has 10 plys, even though the radial tire might only be using 5 ply's.
None the less, I still like to have at least a load C on my trucks, but that is my choice. They dont seem to have as much "radial bulge' to them.
Too many people think that p rated tires are junk, when they are really not.
Last edited by Peter94; Nov 3, 2007 at 12:19 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bonesbike
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
7
Jun 7, 2012 06:10 PM
