QuestionBarry
I've appreciated your answers to other questions. I've read about being cautious about putting "P" tires on a truck. But, I wonder about putting "LT" tires on a passenger vehicle, a 2000 Toyota 4 Runner (4x4).
Most of our travel is on paved roads, however - we live 3 miles off the "black top" down a very rough dirt and rocky road. In the past year, after buying 4 new "6 ply tires" - there have been 4 flats due to rocks puncturing the tire (3 through the tread and 1 through the side wall). The tires are "P"245/75R16. I want to put heavier duty tires on the vehicle, and go back up to the MFR size.
I'm thinking of a "LT" tire instead of "P". My idea is to gain in the number of plies on the tread, and side wall. The cost is more for the "LT", and the ride may be rougher - but the annoyance factor is bad now and I'm already buying new tires!
Three of the 4 tires have been replaced because I was forced to drive on the tire (to get to a place where I could change it) and I was told this ruined the sidewall. The 4th tire has a patch over the puncture. My wife wants stronger tires.
Will the "LT" tire do give us this extra protection against the rock punctures? A number of manufactures say their tires are "Light Truck" tires, but the "P" remains in the sizes. From what I've read, this means th sidewall has fewer plies, and it rides softer.
We'll sacrifice softer for fewer flats.
Thank you
Don
AnswerDon,
I am not a fan of using LT tires in place of "P" tires and this is one of those.
LT tires DON'T have more plies. Read the sidewalls! They both will have 2 plies of polyester and 2 steel belts.
Here's what I would suggest:
Use a larger tire - and use less inflation pressure. The key here is to "envelope" whatever it is that is puncturing the tire. The idea of using thicker tires - well, it's somewhat true, but most of the time this falls in the area of an "old wive's tale".
Contact Tire Rack and Discount tire and see what tire size they recommend.
