What exactly are off-road LT tires?
Off-road LT tires are built for tough or rugged surfaces where certain vehicles normally go to maintain the needed stability.
In this article, we tell you what makes them unique from other types of tires and if you have the right pair. So just hold still as we take you for a little ride.
WHAT DOES LT MEAN ON A TIRE?
The LT initials you see on the surface of a tire simply stands for Light Truck. This means the tire is intended for larger vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks which are suited for carrying heavy items. Such a tire appears to be thicker than usual to ensure it’s not easily damaged.
ARE LT TIRES BIGGER THAN PASSENGER TIRES?
Yes, they are. Common sizes for passenger tires are around 15-16 inches but light truck tires are usually at 19-24 inches. This is understandable because bigger tires are meant to endure the large weight of trucks as opposed to those of typical sedans.
When it comes to a durability battle in P vs LT tires, LT tires are also more rigid (harder) than passenger tires as far as sidewalls are concerned for them to be better suited against the harsher environment. Whereas passenger tires are a bit soft because they’re designed for usual road travels.
WHAT ARE LT TIRES GOOD FOR?
Due to the nature of their design, LT tires are mainly useful when it comes to the following:
- Towing heavy objects
- Swaying resistance
- Going over gravel surfaces
- Resiliency against punctures
HOW LONG DO LT TIRES LAST?
Like a lot of tires in the market today, the life expectancy of off-road LT tires depends on how often and what you use them for. Many people say that on normal usage, tires would last up to 6 years given that you don’t use them to extreme measures with the needed maintenance checks.
However, if you use them regularly and going on challenging terrains is something unavoidable adding the fact, they have to sustain heavy loads, then they can go for up to 3-4 years only. If you want to be sure whether your LT tires are still at par or if they must be replaced, you may do the coin test and refer to the tread depth chart.
HOW MUCH DO LT TIRES COST?
When it comes to price difference, LT tires are ahead of the ordinary passenger tires. That is, the former is more expensive than the latter. Below’s a price comparison between the 2 based on whether you’ll be buying them in bulk or individually.
Estimated Tire Costs
| Tire Type | Per Piece | Set of 4 |
| (LT) Light Truck Tire | $100-$300 | $600-$700 |
| (P) Passenger Tire | $60-$100 | $300-$500 |
CONCLUSION
Getting off-road LT tires is a matter of utility and preference. Where you’ll be usually going and for what reason are your main bases. If you’ll be doing your usual rides on the roads with very little to no stuff to carry, then buying LT tires won’t be advisable at all.
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