LT Tires Vs. P Tires For Trucks, Vans, and Jeeps

 LT (Light Truck) Tires

The main characteristic that sets light truck tires apart from standard passenger tires is their construction. LT tires feature more-rigid sidewalls and deep tread lugs for extra durability and traction in extreme conditions.

Despite their title, light truck tires can be used across various vehicles, including mid-size, full-size, and heavy-duty pickups, SUVs, and vans. Generally, light truck tires are ideal for vehicles that regularly carry heavy loads or trek across extreme terrain. Due to the stiff, multi-ply sidewalls, LT tires are resistant to flexing and punctures, making them ideal for an adventure rig, hunting truck, or heavy hauler. 

LT tire sizing can also differ from traditional P-metric sizing. Instead of using a combination of imperial and metric measurements, some LT tires are measured only in imperial units. For example, a 35x12.50r15 LT tire measures 35-inches tall, 12.50-inches wide, and fits a 15-inch diameter wheel.

LT Tires Pros and Cons

For easy viewing, let’s briefly recap the major pros and cons of LT tires. 

Pros

• Durable multi-ply sidewalls 

• Deep tread grooves for increased traction

• High load rating

Cons

• Considerably heavy

• Reduced fuel efficiency

• Rough ride quality

• Typically priced higher

P (Passenger) Tires

Where once passenger tires were only recommended on light, passenger vehicles–such as compact, mid-size, and full-size cars, crossovers, and compact SUVs–modern passenger tires are found across nearly every class of vehicle. 

P (passenger) tires are characterized by their mild construction, engineered for fuel efficiency, on-road traction, and excellent ride quality. Typically, passenger tires are constructed with thinner sidewalls and shallower tread lugs than comparable LT tires, making for a more-flexible tire carcass and, thus, improved ride quality. 

However, the reduction of sidewall thickness and tread depth makes for a lower load capacity and reduced traction in extreme conditions.

P (Passenger) Tire Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick pros and cons list to help you decide if P tires better suit your vehicle. 

Pros

• Comfortable ride

• Increased fuel efficiency

• Excellent on-road performance

• Lightweight

• Typically priced lower

Cons

• Reduced durability

• Reduced traction off-road

• Reduced load rating

What’s Your Budget?

Budget is always a worthwhile consideration when selecting a new set of tires for your vehicle. If you’re looking to save a few bucks and P-metric tires fit your driving style/conditions, consider a set of passenger tires over their light truck counterparts. 

Regarding modern tires, you can’t go wrong with either P (passenger) or LT (light truck) sizes; however, one variation may suit your needs better than the other. Hopefully, this guide has aided you in your next tire purchase, and for all your tire needs, don’t forget to check out RealTruck’s wide selection of LT and P tires.