Its time for new tires and also time to get a little bigger. The vehicle is a 99 Rodeo and i'm considering either 265/70/16 or 245/75/16 on stock rims. I've searched extensively for answers to no avail. The question is not so much size but load rating, how is a 'LT' load range 'E' tire going to ride versus a 'P' or 'LT', 'C' range. Any experience or information especially with Rodeo's would be appreciated.

Tim B.
99 Rodeo

P = Passenger car tire
LT = Light Truck tire

The Load range is the weight carrying capacity of the tire. C is around 2500lbs/tire D is around 3000lbs per tire and E is more. Tires with higher laod ratings will be tougher tires, thicker, stiffer sidewalls for example. Loadrange E tires are comonly found on 3/4 and 1ton work trucks, I would not recomend them for a Rodeo. They'll be stiff and ride pretty rough. I have "C" tires on my Amigo, and they ride pretty good, D range tires are ok too. I would also stay away from P rated passenger tires, they aren't really the best choice for a 4000 lb truck. They have weak sidewalls that lead to vague handling, and don't seem to last as well.

Good Luck

Mike W

AMEN TO THAT!

I had a set of LT-245/75/R16-E tires for a while...
And to put it mildly: I ABSOLUTELY HATED THEM!

I had nothing but trouble out of them, mainly because they were "too much tire" for the weight of my vehicle. --- If my own experience with E-load-rated tires on a Rodeo is any example, I would very strongly advise that you get something else.


When I was running those things, I frequently made the joke that I could drive over a dime and tell you if it was facing heads or tails... To say 'They were way-too-stiff' is a huge understatement!


But here's the good news:
I've been all-smiles since switching to the LT-265/75/R16-C

...and hopefully you'll have equal luck with those 70s. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


HTH


Cheers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Smiley

I personally experimented and reserched what's better for 2-gen Rodeo, on stock rims wihout major mods. I have a 2002 one. My conclusion is that the tires must be:

- all-terrain
- 265/70-16
- Load rate C

I have Dunlop Radial Rover RV/XT which satisfies these conditions.

Oleg

Thanks a lot fellas! I believe I found your information regarding Sport King AT's Smiley (epinions)and this got me re-thinking the 'E' rated tires. I also found your post Oleg regarding the 265/70/16's, which pointed me in the direction of this size and 'C' rated tires. I think I will continue my quest for this size and rating. Also have you been impressed with your tires Oleg, have you been off road with them yet??

Thanks Again,

Tim B.

Yes, I've been numerous times. Just yesterday I made extra difficult, suitable only for modified trucks, the Slickrock trail ("road" from Alpine Lake to Uttika reserviour in Sierra Neveda mountains of CA). Second half of this trail if very rocky with some boulders and sharp rocks. The Dunlops have sidewall thread which helps a lot on rocks. They perform great everywhere, but remember this is all-terrain tires, not mud tires.

Oleg