Never again running a P-rated tire (story with pics)
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Never again running a P-rated tire (story with pics)
So I took an awesome trip over Memorial Day weekend, driving from Southern California to Phoenix, then about 2.5 hours east to a hike called Cibecue Falls. It has some great camping and was a gorgeous hike, highly recommend.
The camp sites and hiking trails require a fair amount of off-roading (rocky service roads, river crossings, etc.). We also did a few specific off-road trails just for fun. The scenery was amazing...
I currently have 275/65r18 General Grabber AT2 which are P-rated. They ride great, good winter traction, wear fantastic and are very light @ 42 lbs. However, I'm never buying P-rated tires again. I was on a service road, not even one of the more aggressive off-road trails, maybe about an hour from the nearest public road. I'm doing about 40 mph, as the road was rocky but otherwise smooth. Sure enough, my dash starts blinking at me and says tire is at 26 psi, so I press "OK" and navigate to the air pressure menu. During the 5 seconds it took me to change screens, the tire dropped to 14 psi and I knew I was in trouble. I stopped the truck and sure enough, tire was toast.
The tire had about an inch gash in the center of the tread. Tire shop said it was (obviously) not repairable, and I had a hole-in-the-wall tire shop put on a used tire for $40 to be used as a spare since our trip still required more off-roading. Luckily my full size spare made it through the rest of the trip and I never had to use the sketchy spare.
Now I can't say for certain, but I'd guess an LT tire might not have been punctured by the rock that destroyed the P-rated tire, but I do know it would be less likely. I felt uneasy and not at all confident about my tires the rest of the trip while off-roading. To top it off, General doesn't make the AT2 anymore, only the ATX in an LT-rated tire (no more P-rated), so I'm going to end up replacing all 4 tires. Luckily, this happened over memorial day weekend when tire sales are great, so I'll be getting some LT 275/70r18 Nitto Ridge Grapplers this afternoon. I'll post some pictures tomorrow!
The camp sites and hiking trails require a fair amount of off-roading (rocky service roads, river crossings, etc.). We also did a few specific off-road trails just for fun. The scenery was amazing...
I currently have 275/65r18 General Grabber AT2 which are P-rated. They ride great, good winter traction, wear fantastic and are very light @ 42 lbs. However, I'm never buying P-rated tires again. I was on a service road, not even one of the more aggressive off-road trails, maybe about an hour from the nearest public road. I'm doing about 40 mph, as the road was rocky but otherwise smooth. Sure enough, my dash starts blinking at me and says tire is at 26 psi, so I press "OK" and navigate to the air pressure menu. During the 5 seconds it took me to change screens, the tire dropped to 14 psi and I knew I was in trouble. I stopped the truck and sure enough, tire was toast.
The tire had about an inch gash in the center of the tread. Tire shop said it was (obviously) not repairable, and I had a hole-in-the-wall tire shop put on a used tire for $40 to be used as a spare since our trip still required more off-roading. Luckily my full size spare made it through the rest of the trip and I never had to use the sketchy spare.
Now I can't say for certain, but I'd guess an LT tire might not have been punctured by the rock that destroyed the P-rated tire, but I do know it would be less likely. I felt uneasy and not at all confident about my tires the rest of the trip while off-roading. To top it off, General doesn't make the AT2 anymore, only the ATX in an LT-rated tire (no more P-rated), so I'm going to end up replacing all 4 tires. Luckily, this happened over memorial day weekend when tire sales are great, so I'll be getting some LT 275/70r18 Nitto Ridge Grapplers this afternoon. I'll post some pictures tomorrow!
Last edited by redranger04g; 05-28-2019 at 01:02 PM.
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Apples (05-28-2019)
#2
Senior Member
Sorry about the bad luck! Center of the tread...ouch!
Let us know what you think of the new tires. My truck feels more lethargic with just the 4 lb heavier Nitto's vs. stock. I will be curious to see what you think of the LT's.
Let us know what you think of the new tires. My truck feels more lethargic with just the 4 lb heavier Nitto's vs. stock. I will be curious to see what you think of the LT's.
#3
Member
I would also guess that light truck rated tires ( like 10 ply ) would be tougher especially if they are off road thick tread. May do the same thing myself one day but too frugal to just
get rid of my 17" P rated wranglers without more wear on them just yet. LT tires are more expensive but will probably last much longer.
get rid of my 17" P rated wranglers without more wear on them just yet. LT tires are more expensive but will probably last much longer.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I would also guess that light truck rated tires ( like 10 ply ) would be tougher especially if they are off road thick tread. May do the same thing myself one day but too frugal to just
get rid of my 17" P rated wranglers without more wear on them just yet. LT tires are more expensive but will probably last much longer.
get rid of my 17" P rated wranglers without more wear on them just yet. LT tires are more expensive but will probably last much longer.
#5
Senior Member
Never again running a P-rated tire
I've worried about fuel mileage and compromised ride but a couple of years ago I ran across a set of "E" rated tires for my Tacoma at a price too good to pass up. The ride home from the tire store was stiff. But when I got home found they had 50 PSI in them. I've experimented with air pressure and am now running 32 PSI in them with no worse ride than the factory tires. After 2 years they are wearing evenly. They are 15 lbs heavier each, but my fuel mileage is still exactly the same. If the ride is great on a Tacoma,then running "E" rated tires on a 1500 lb heavier F150 should be easy.
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Qubie77 (06-01-2019)
#6
Senior Member
Thx for posting. I learned your lesson 35 years ago. I only run E’s on a truck.
I use the parity comparing P rated tires to sandals on your feet.
Would you hike an off road trail with sandals or combat boots?
E’s are combat boots.
Pecked out on my iPhone.
I use the parity comparing P rated tires to sandals on your feet.
Would you hike an off road trail with sandals or combat boots?
E’s are combat boots.
Pecked out on my iPhone.
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Apples (05-30-2019)
#7
Senior Member
So I took an awesome trip over Memorial Day weekend, driving from Southern California to Phoenix, then about 2.5 hours east to a hike called Cibecue Falls. It has some great camping and was a gorgeous hike, highly recommend.
The camp sites and hiking trails require a fair amount of off-roading (rocky service roads, river crossings, etc.). We also did a few specific off-road trails just for fun. The scenery was amazing...
The camp sites and hiking trails require a fair amount of off-roading (rocky service roads, river crossings, etc.). We also did a few specific off-road trails just for fun. The scenery was amazing...
As you stated above. That is why I go to the Great Southwest for my vacations. Gets me away from all the trees.
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#8
Senior Member
Like that pic of the waterfall and canyon.
Like someone else said, at least you didn't get stranded.
The OEM stock tires on my so called off road FX4 are a friggin joke, they're basically street tires.
Can't wait til they wear enough to to replace them...maybe even sooner.
There must be something about traveling from Southern Cali to Phoenix.
Back years ago when i worked for a defense contractor in Southern Cali, some friends and me decided to take a ride to Phoenix to stay a couple days with another friend there during some weekend holiday, seem to remember it was the 4th of July.
About 10 or so miles from the Phoenix city limits my water pump decided to grenade taking out the radiator with it.
Managed to limp in and eventually located an open shop during that holiday weekend (and that wasn't easy) that had a radiator and water pump.
Could of been a lot worse as it could of happened in the middle of the desert between So Cal and Phoenix.
.
Like someone else said, at least you didn't get stranded.
The OEM stock tires on my so called off road FX4 are a friggin joke, they're basically street tires.
Can't wait til they wear enough to to replace them...maybe even sooner.
There must be something about traveling from Southern Cali to Phoenix.
Back years ago when i worked for a defense contractor in Southern Cali, some friends and me decided to take a ride to Phoenix to stay a couple days with another friend there during some weekend holiday, seem to remember it was the 4th of July.
About 10 or so miles from the Phoenix city limits my water pump decided to grenade taking out the radiator with it.
Managed to limp in and eventually located an open shop during that holiday weekend (and that wasn't easy) that had a radiator and water pump.
Could of been a lot worse as it could of happened in the middle of the desert between So Cal and Phoenix.
.
#9
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Holy Toledo, that waterfall and pool... in the desert... I would spend a week in there without getting out (if I didn't suffer hypothermia).
Just gorgeous scenery, and what I hope to retire to (and endure the summer heat).
To make a long story endless, I last month purchased FIVE E-Load Range M/Ts and five wheels. It was a CHUNK of change, yes, and I'm still paying for 'em, but I have them.
I also bought them when I didn't *need* them! fortunately, for until I can get my Bilstein 6112-and-spring combo assembled (trouble with my usual strut compressor), and because I'm taking a pavement trip to Montana soon (said Zappa), I put my existing, 1.1" smaller A/Ts back on the truck.
I really would like to re-gear my truck before I run my M/Ts too much farther. I would replace the existing 3.31 ring and pinion with at least a 3.55 since the M/Ts are 2.2" taller than the factory Michelin MTX. blah blah blah
redranger, I'm in southern CA too. Next time you might travel to that region of AZ please consider another truck and tent to tag along?
Just gorgeous scenery, and what I hope to retire to (and endure the summer heat).
To make a long story endless, I last month purchased FIVE E-Load Range M/Ts and five wheels. It was a CHUNK of change, yes, and I'm still paying for 'em, but I have them.
I also bought them when I didn't *need* them! fortunately, for until I can get my Bilstein 6112-and-spring combo assembled (trouble with my usual strut compressor), and because I'm taking a pavement trip to Montana soon (said Zappa), I put my existing, 1.1" smaller A/Ts back on the truck.
I really would like to re-gear my truck before I run my M/Ts too much farther. I would replace the existing 3.31 ring and pinion with at least a 3.55 since the M/Ts are 2.2" taller than the factory Michelin MTX. blah blah blah
redranger, I'm in southern CA too. Next time you might travel to that region of AZ please consider another truck and tent to tag along?
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Holy Toledo, that waterfall and pool... in the desert... I would spend a week in there without getting out (if I didn't suffer hypothermia).
Just gorgeous scenery, and what I hope to retire to (and endure the summer heat).
To make a long story endless, I last month purchased FIVE E-Load Range M/Ts and five wheels. It was a CHUNK of change, yes, and I'm still paying for 'em, but I have them.
I also bought them when I didn't *need* them! fortunately, for until I can get my Bilstein 6112-and-spring combo assembled (trouble with my usual strut compressor), and because I'm taking a pavement trip to Montana soon (said Zappa), I put my existing, 1.1" smaller A/Ts back on the truck.
I really would like to re-gear my truck before I run my M/Ts too much farther. I would replace the existing 3.31 ring and pinion with at least a 3.55 since the M/Ts are 2.2" taller than the factory Michelin MTX. blah blah blah
redranger, I'm in southern CA too. Next time you might travel to that region of AZ please consider another truck and tent to tag along?
Just gorgeous scenery, and what I hope to retire to (and endure the summer heat).
To make a long story endless, I last month purchased FIVE E-Load Range M/Ts and five wheels. It was a CHUNK of change, yes, and I'm still paying for 'em, but I have them.
I also bought them when I didn't *need* them! fortunately, for until I can get my Bilstein 6112-and-spring combo assembled (trouble with my usual strut compressor), and because I'm taking a pavement trip to Montana soon (said Zappa), I put my existing, 1.1" smaller A/Ts back on the truck.
I really would like to re-gear my truck before I run my M/Ts too much farther. I would replace the existing 3.31 ring and pinion with at least a 3.55 since the M/Ts are 2.2" taller than the factory Michelin MTX. blah blah blah
redranger, I'm in southern CA too. Next time you might travel to that region of AZ please consider another truck and tent to tag along?
I've seen your thread, your wheels and tires look great! I have 3.31s too, so a 33 inch tire is the largest I would ever go without re-gearing (though I know some guys on the forum run 35s with stock gearing). I'll report back when I get them put on how much power and mpg I lost. Hopefully not too bad, but might throw on a tuner to get some of it back. I was supposed to get the tires on today, but looks like the shop didn't get them in time. Ridge grapplers should be going on tomorrow now. I thought about a milder all terrain, but I got a deal I couldn't refuse on the ridge grapplers.
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Apples (05-28-2019)