I am looking at new tires, and its down to BFG KO2 and Falken Wildpeak AT3W both in 285/70/17 size. The BFG is a LT in load range C, Max Load 2755 Lbs, max pressure is 50PSI, 50.3LBS per tire. The Falken is a P-metric, max load is 2833 with a max pressure of 51 PSI and weighs 50.5LBS. ( Info from the Falken Website). 51 PSI seems high? I assume it is correct given this is what is on the Falken Website spec sheet?

What is the advantage in this case of the LT? Would they have the same ride quality? Those Falkens are strong tires, even in P-Metric, as far as I have been told. I am surprised to see the have a higher load index and a max PSI of 51?

I want a tire that does keeps a nice ride. I do not like Load range E tires so my choice came down to these two. My real question is regarding the specs on the P-Metric Falken. It seems better than the BFG in load range C. Can someone educate me?

Thanks

 

P rated tires in the same size will carry exactly the same weight as LT D rated tires. Which will be more than the GVWR of your truck. 2833 lbs/tire = 11332 lbs. Your trucks GVWR is less than 8000 lbs, probably closer to 7000. You don't NEED LT's to carry the weight in a 1/2 ton truck. The biggest difference between a P rated tire and an LT is much tougher sidewalls. Especially E rated tires. If you do much driving on rough roads, or off road the tougher tires come out cheaper in the long run. The tread will last longer and you'll be far less likely to damage a tire to the point it can't be saved. Ruining a P series tire with 10,000 miles on it and having to replace it costs more than buying 4 LT's and having them all last 50,000 miles.

A C rated LT tire isn't really designed for trucks, but for lighter weight SUV's like Jeep Wranglers. But it will be enough tire for your truck. But generally speaking I'd just as soon have P's as C rated LT's.

The air pressure listed is the MAXIMUM. You might put that much air in if carrying a load at or near the max the truck is rated for. Under "normal" driving 35-40 PSI is fine and it will ride just fine.

Personally, I'd just buy E rated tires. They will be rated at 80 PSI, but once again there is no reason to put that much air in them on a 1/2 ton truck. Keep them at about 35-40 PSI and they will ride just as good as a P rated tire with 40-45 PSI in them.

 

Not sure if it applies or not. But all my trucks running LT E's never had a flat and I run them to 100,000 miles or 8 years what ever is first.
All my pickups with P's, had flats occasionally from picking up screws or nails before they ever reached their end of life.

 

What experts ?

 

Currently running Falken Wildpeak AT3 in LT275/70/18 on my 2018. Love the ride. Went from Michelin LTX AT2 in an LT tire to these. Amazed at how quiet they are and how well they handle. My tires are rated to 80 psi max but I typically run what Ford recommend on the door sticker around 38 - 42 psi except when towing my 7500lb loaded travel trailer. Then I go up to 50 psi max.
Yes, they are heavy at 59 lbs but the LT tire also has 18/32 tread depth vs about 14/32 for P or SL rated. Ride quality is slightly stiffer, but more planted and handles much better than OEMs.

 

The SADIE's.

You know the Self Appointed Duty Internet Experts, or SADIE.

LOL

 

If you're running through the woods, would you wear tennis shoes (P rated tires) or combat boots (E rated tires). It's your feet, do what you want.

I've torn up too many P rated tires. And it doesn't take much to trash a P rated tire.

That's my expert opinion. LOL

 

The load rating on the ATW3 is reduced by a factor of 1.1, so the load capacity is 2833/1.1=2575 lbs. It is still a good tire, but it really depends on your application. If you drive on dirt or gravel roads, the ATW3 will work fine. If you drive off road around branches, stumps, bigger rocks, the LT is the only way to go because you will puncture a sidewall on the ATW3. The ATW3 weighs less than the BFG so fuel mileage will be better. I shifted to LT tires a number of years ago. When I hunted and drove on logging roads, I replaced several P-rated tires due to sidewall punctures. I have never had a flat or puncture on a LT tire in 30 years.

 

Put Michlein LTX A/Ts on my F150 at 20,000 to replace the crap tires Ford put on it. They still had lots of tread left at 103,000 when I traded it last week. Still smooth as silk too. I'll never use anything else when the stockers wear out.

 

Interesting. The tires Ford put on my 2014 F150 were anything but crap. It's about to hit 71,000 miles, and the original BF Goodrich Rugged Trail TA LT245/75R17 LRE tires still look good, and still have a decent about of tread. Before fall towing season begins, I plan to replace them. Not because the worn out tread requires it, just because I want new rubber for this fall.