Wondering Why Duratrac's?

[Koz]

P-metric and LT-metric are sizing systems, which may seem like a trivial detail until you take into account the separate load/inflation curves.

OK, what does this mean? A size change means a different overall diameter of the tire.

Koz

 

[Koz]

I can't tell you how much time I spent with these charts and researching for the best pressures to use. After all was said and done, the best results were to use the highest pressure that produced a full contact patch (without a harsh ride). This produced the best handling on the road/highway and the best gas mileage. That number for "P' tires is 40psi and between 55 and 65 psi on "E" tires. When towing you bump up the rear tires to near max pressure. On trailers I run max pressure (65 lbs on my trailer). I constantly hear of trailer tire failures when people use the charts and weigh the trailer and determine they do not need to use max pressure.

Also through the years I found that unless off-roading is your main concern you should stay as close to the OEM size as possible. The further you deviate from the OEM overall diameter the more negative adverse effect you will have on the overall ride of the vehicle. Also when you replace your OEM tires select the type of tire that best matches the type of driving you do and the conditions they will be driven in. There is no need to put an oversized LT on a vehicle that will not be towing or carrying extra weight. There is no need to put larger/heavier tires on a vehicle that will only see pavement. You certainly don’t need mud tires for bad weather or on a vehicle that only does mild off-roading. If you do these things you have expect the negative adverse effect on handling, ride, braking, longevity and the big hit in gas mileage.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the quality of the tire and how well they work to improve the overall ride is MOST important!

Koz

 

[phillyd2]

I’ve come to the conclusion that the quality of the tire and how well they work to improve the overall ride is MOST important!

So after countless hours of researching you are bravely concluding that a product's built quality and its performance actually matter?

Sorry brother but that really struck me as a Duh statement. :lol:

No malice meant. Cheers!

 

[Koz]

So after countless hours of researching you are bravely concluding that a product's built quality and its performance actually matter?

Sorry brother but that really struck me as a Duh statement. :lol:

No malice meant. Cheers!

My point was, people are more concerned with the appearance, size, how much extra weight they can carry, etc., when what they should be concerned about is, is this tire going to improve the ride quality and perform the tasks needed and not have an adverse effect!

Also, as far as pressures, try the pressures I recommend and I think you will be presently surprised. If they don’t work for you, you can always go back to what the OEM recommends.

Koz

 

[JB.]

OK, what does this mean? A size change means a different overall diameter of the tire.
Koz

Only that there are things to consider when making the switch, just as there would be with a literal size change.

 

[JB.]

Since this thread is still going, I put a thread in the general discussions forum that may be of interest.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gener...tires-need-more-air-pressure.html#post1006153

 

[JB.]

If LT tires have stiffer sidewalls can someone explain to me why it requires higher pressures. I'm just trying to understand. Thanks.

Heat generation/retention and, according to <a href="http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/110300-ask-tire-engineer.html" target="_blank">this</a> tire engineer, rubber formulations that tend to be less resistant to developing cracks when flexed, though that comes from memory and I don't have the exact citation.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I have to agree with koz that most people only care about how their 4runner will look with bigger tires even though they will never/seldom go off road. You will get more satisfaction from your 4runner leaving it close to stock size (within 1" height). No one else will agree with us so put on whatever size/tread pattern you want and deal with the negatives. Just do not complain to us you use to much gas and you lost some of your power. Send some pictures now and then of how tough your truck looks with the big tires.

 

[Koz]

Only that there are things to consider when making the switch, just as there would be with a literal size change.

I do understand why you went with the LT REVO2. I went the same way myself years ago. I had a supercharged Prerunner that had serious traction problems in bad weather and (at that time) it was the only tire that worked well with this vehicle. I tried four different tires before the REVO and they all failed in the snow and on wet surfaces. The REVO was great on-road (and even high speed) and worked well off road.

Koz