Tell Me About My TV Tires

[masterdrago]

We picked up our F150 today and I'm not sure that I'm happy about the OEM tires. I've been reading the tow forums on several truck and RV places and hear folks mentioning soft, squirm, LT or P series tires. Here is what this truck has for OEM with a 7050 GVWR:

Wrangler Territory HT M&S 275/60R20 115T 2679# @51PSI
Traction A, Temperature B
Tread 2 Polyester +2 Steel = 1 Polyamide
sidewall 2 Polyester

And one more thing: we both hate the shiny chrome wheels that were forced on us due to other Ford build criteria.

I've not weighed the camper fully loaded yet but suspect ~7,000# with ~900# at the receiver hitch. Payload is yellow tagged at 1,777#.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Well, 115 is the load index # that says the tire can carry 2679 pounds if inflated to 51 psi. It's an LT tire.
It's not the most capable tire on the shelf, but looks capable of what you are asking of it. IMO, I would wear those out before buying another set of boots.

[Ynot4me2]

I have the regular P on mine and can't wait to change them. Real nice comfortable ride when not towing or hauling and that's where all the good stops. I'm planning on getting the Michelin Defender this fall.

[masterdrago]

Well, 115 is the load index # that says the tire can carry 2679 pounds if inflated to 51 psi. It's an LT tire.
It's not the most capable tire on the shelf, but looks capable of what you are asking of it. IMO, I would wear those out before buying another set of boots.

How do we know it is an LT tire? Or a P tire?

[Hoopy Frood]

It should be on the sidewall in front of the tire size. Like: LT 235/85 R 16.

[Capt Bob]

I have the regular P on mine and can't wait to change them. Real nice comfortable ride when not towing or hauling and that's where all the good stops. I'm planning on getting the Michelin Defender this fall.

The Metric P is indeed a smooth ride. I too went with the Mich Defender rather than their "E". I think you'll find it's a nice compromise between a more stable tow and a smooth non tow ride.

[masterdrago]

It should be on the sidewall in front of the tire size. Like: LT 235/85 R 16.

Our now sold 5r had "ST" in front of the size

[jproctor9]

We picked up our F150 today and I'm not sure that I'm happy about the OEM tires. I've been reading the tow forums on several truck and RV places and hear folks mentioning soft, squirm, LT or P series tires. Here is what this truck has for OEM with a 7050 GVWR:

Wrangler Territory HT M&S 275/60R20 115T 2679# @51PSI
Traction A, Temperature B
Tread 2 Polyester +2 Steel = 1 Polyamide
sidewall 2 Polyester

And one more thing: we both hate the shiny chrome wheels that were forced on us due to other Ford build criteria.

I've not weighed the camper fully loaded yet but suspect ~7,000# with ~900# at the receiver hitch. Payload is yellow tagged at 1,777#.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Believe that is a P-metric tire and not an LT tire. According to Tire rack.com, the "SL" stands for Standard Load for P-metric tires.

Tire Rack shows weight of your tire as 38lbs. The lightest LT tire I could find in that size is the Firestone Destination X/T at 52 lbs. So you can infer a considerable difference in construction and sidewall.

I'd change to LT tires. The difference in towing is noticeable.

[NB Canada]

I have my Bridgestone dueller LT tires that came on my truck new
They work great but when I picked up my trailer 1300 KM away it was in the winter and I had my P metric snow tires on They worked perfectly and I don’t believe there is any difference between the two
It is your money but I would run them

[Hoopy Frood]

The weight carrying capacity of the P-metric tires is less than the LT tires, and the construction of the LT tires is supposed to be more robust which supports it's superior weight carrying ability.