Tire recommendation (E rated?)
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Tire recommendation (E rated?)
***double posted in the 2004-2008 thread--wasn't sure where it best fit! Sorry mods!***
2005 5.4 SCAB 6.5' bed 4x4 with tow package. No mods, no lift. I'm currently running Nitto Terra Grappler 285/70/17s on stock 6 lug rims without rubbing etc, but aside from looking cool, they're not very useful for anything but killing my already not great mileage. I'm trying to set her up for best/safest towing and hauling and I'm seeking recommendations from you fine folks for STOCK size tires (I got the truck with 235/75/17s, but 255/70/17 is also an optional stock size. That's the one I'd prefer). Assuming E rated will be the right move, I just want to make sure they won't wear out the brakes or be unbearably loud. I'm also open to experience with tune/CAI/exhaust for my needs. Thanks for the input all!
2005 5.4 SCAB 6.5' bed 4x4 with tow package. No mods, no lift. I'm currently running Nitto Terra Grappler 285/70/17s on stock 6 lug rims without rubbing etc, but aside from looking cool, they're not very useful for anything but killing my already not great mileage. I'm trying to set her up for best/safest towing and hauling and I'm seeking recommendations from you fine folks for STOCK size tires (I got the truck with 235/75/17s, but 255/70/17 is also an optional stock size. That's the one I'd prefer). Assuming E rated will be the right move, I just want to make sure they won't wear out the brakes or be unbearably loud. I'm also open to experience with tune/CAI/exhaust for my needs. Thanks for the input all!
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That is an extremely rare size for an LT.
BFG K02 is the only one I can think of.
I would go with a 265/70R17 (only 0.6" taller) which is a common 3/4 ton size.
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S gets good MPG and wears like iron if you can afford them.
No LT is ever going to match a passenger tire for mpg. Just a fair warning.
BFG K02 is the only one I can think of.
I would go with a 265/70R17 (only 0.6" taller) which is a common 3/4 ton size.
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S gets good MPG and wears like iron if you can afford them.
No LT is ever going to match a passenger tire for mpg. Just a fair warning.
Last edited by Gene K; Jun 3, 2020 at 08:23 PM.
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No LT is ever going to match a passenger tire for mpg. Just a fair warning.
I upgraded to E rated 275/70/18's on my Ford. They are also 15 lbs heavier per tire, but they are 1.5" taller with a much more aggressive tread. I've lost 1.5 mpg on the Ford.
To the OP, it is aggressive treads, wide tires, and tires that are significantly taller than stock that hurt fuel mileage. Most wider, taller, tires with aggressive tread tend to be heavier, but it isn't the weight that is hurting you. If you WANT to go to an E rated tire there isn't much downside other than cost. But you don't NEED to go to an E rated tire. A P series tire inflated properly will carry more weight than your truck is rated to haul. The numbers on the door jamb are for best ride in an unloaded truck. The PSI recommendation on the tire is for max hauling. Somewhere between those is where you want to be when hauling or towing any weight.
The primary advantage of an E rated tire on 1/2 ton and smaller trucks is a more rugged sidewall and tread area that will better resist damage from driving off road or on rough gravel roads. I run E rated tires on both my Ford and Tacoma for that reason.
No LT is ever going to match a passenger tire for mpg. Just a fair warning.
I also think a 265/70/17 is a good compromise. It will be a little narrower, and shorter than what you have, but not too small. You'll get some power back for towing and combined with the narrower tire you should see a little better fuel mileage if you don't go crazy with a real aggressive tread pattern. Michelin is never a bad choice, but I like these too. A little more aggressive for a 4X4. It varies, but expect to pay about $50 more for the same tire in an E rating. Only you can decide if it is worth the extra expense.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...SATP&tab=Sizes
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The E rated LT265/75/16's I put on my 2007 Tacoma give me EXACTLY the same fuel mileage as the P265/70/16 factory tires even though the new tires are 15 lbs heavier each. The new tires are only slightly taller, same width, and have a similar mildly aggressive AT tread.
I upgraded to E rated 275/70/18's on my Ford. They are also 15 lbs heavier per tire, but they are 1.5" taller with a much more aggressive tread. I've lost 1.5 mpg on the Ford.
To the OP, it is aggressive treads, wide tires, and tires that are significantly taller than stock that hurt fuel mileage. Most wider, taller, tires with aggressive tread tend to be heavier, but it isn't the weight that is hurting you. If you WANT to go to an E rated tire there isn't much downside other than cost. But you don't NEED to go to an E rated tire. A P series tire inflated properly will carry more weight than your truck is rated to haul. The numbers on the door jamb are for best ride in an unloaded truck. The PSI recommendation on the tire is for max hauling. Somewhere between those is where you want to be when hauling or towing any weight.
The primary advantage of an E rated tire on 1/2 ton and smaller trucks is a more rugged sidewall and tread area that will better resist damage from driving off road or on rough gravel roads. I run E rated tires on both my Ford and Tacoma for that reason.
No LT is ever going to match a passenger tire for mpg. Just a fair warning.
I also think a 265/70/17 is a good compromise. It will be a little narrower, and shorter than what you have, but not too small. You'll get some power back for towing and combined with the narrower tire you should see a little better fuel mileage if you don't go crazy with a real aggressive tread pattern. Michelin is never a bad choice, but I like these too. A little more aggressive for a 4X4. It varies, but expect to pay about $50 more for the same tire in an E rating. Only you can decide if it is worth the extra expense.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...SATP&tab=Sizes
I upgraded to E rated 275/70/18's on my Ford. They are also 15 lbs heavier per tire, but they are 1.5" taller with a much more aggressive tread. I've lost 1.5 mpg on the Ford.
To the OP, it is aggressive treads, wide tires, and tires that are significantly taller than stock that hurt fuel mileage. Most wider, taller, tires with aggressive tread tend to be heavier, but it isn't the weight that is hurting you. If you WANT to go to an E rated tire there isn't much downside other than cost. But you don't NEED to go to an E rated tire. A P series tire inflated properly will carry more weight than your truck is rated to haul. The numbers on the door jamb are for best ride in an unloaded truck. The PSI recommendation on the tire is for max hauling. Somewhere between those is where you want to be when hauling or towing any weight.
The primary advantage of an E rated tire on 1/2 ton and smaller trucks is a more rugged sidewall and tread area that will better resist damage from driving off road or on rough gravel roads. I run E rated tires on both my Ford and Tacoma for that reason.
No LT is ever going to match a passenger tire for mpg. Just a fair warning.
I also think a 265/70/17 is a good compromise. It will be a little narrower, and shorter than what you have, but not too small. You'll get some power back for towing and combined with the narrower tire you should see a little better fuel mileage if you don't go crazy with a real aggressive tread pattern. Michelin is never a bad choice, but I like these too. A little more aggressive for a 4X4. It varies, but expect to pay about $50 more for the same tire in an E rating. Only you can decide if it is worth the extra expense.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...SATP&tab=Sizes
https://www.fueleconomy.gov
Don't know why I can't get a hyperlink but copy and paste.
Last edited by Gene K; Jun 3, 2020 at 09:36 PM.
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There's more to it than just the weight of the tire. LT tires have a stronger core that deforms less than P tires, so the tread is forced to deform more, which produces more rolling resistance. An LT tire is always going to require more gas, but in a similar size, the difference may not be enough for one to readily pick out in their mpg logs.
E tires definitely provide better puncture resistance, but so do C and D tires. If you're not going to be hauling/towing max weight regularly, C's provide a compromise between durability and comfort.
If you go down the rabbit hole, P-XL's provide a stronger sidewall only, no more puncture resistant in the tread blocks than other P tires.
E tires definitely provide better puncture resistance, but so do C and D tires. If you're not going to be hauling/towing max weight regularly, C's provide a compromise between durability and comfort.
If you go down the rabbit hole, P-XL's provide a stronger sidewall only, no more puncture resistant in the tread blocks than other P tires.
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Well at.least with the OEM tires Ford has worse ratings with LT Tires. The mpg ratings for.the trucks equipped both ways are on the EPA Site.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov
Don't know why I can't get a hyperlink but copy and paste.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov
Don't know why I can't get a hyperlink but copy and paste.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find...41024&id=41025
Last edited by MikeD134; Jun 4, 2020 at 10:24 AM.
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LT tire is on the left, not sure what the right side tire is.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find...41024&id=41025
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find...41024&id=41025
The >7599 is the 7600 (17") and 7850 (18") HPP.Truck with 200 lb more curb weight and standard 3.73.
The truck on the left is rated 1 mpg better city and 2 mpg better highway with the standard passenger tires.
Last edited by Gene K; Jun 4, 2020 at 05:47 PM.