wgander

Any suggestions for replacement tires?
My '97 1500 Express conversion van came with P235/75R 15 All Season Tires.
Shopping for replacements, some tires don't have a "P"; what does the "P" mean.
Also, prices range from under $90 to over $200 for a tire, and the speed and mileage ratings are about the same.
I've only been driving about 5,000 miles a year, mostly just me, sometimes towing my 3,000# boat a couple of miles.

canucklehead

What does the door sticker say to use? P means passenger tires which have a 4 ply sidewall. I personally would never use a passenger tire on a full size van, but you might find a 6 ply one with a higher load rating.
My personal opinion is to go with an LT tire. (light truck). There you get 6 ply minimum, and if you go to the higher load ratings, Load range E for example, you get 10 ply sidewalls. That is the best. By far. Nothing wrong with going extra on tires. Especially when towing a boat....
I have 10 ply LT 245 75 16 on my 2002 2500 passenger.

greenfire

On a 1500 you should be fine with a LT tire D load range. As mentioned check the sticker on the door jamb for minimum recommendations. (and proper inflation)


My favorite tire is Bridgestone TransForce.. HT or AT.

200OZ

X2 on what canucklehead, and greenfire said.

The "P" passenger tires are ok at best, but you will get better tire life out of an LT tire, and the ride will be more "stable". Load rage E might be a bit over board, but more common than load range "D" tire.

wgander

Discount Auto recommends Kumho Solus KR21 (235/75/R15 108T XL), Costco recommends the same Bridgestone Dueler tire they sold me last time.
Which would you go with?

canucklehead

That Kumho is a passenger tire. So that dealer is not too smart to reccommend them on a full size van.

Here is some info on load ratings. That tire is rated XL..(extra load)

I still say that you need an LT tire. At least to get the c rating.
Better tire and will last longer.
Your call.

<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="392"><tbody><tr><th width="188">
For 'Maximum Load' Ratings</th></tr><tr><th colspan="3" align="left">P-metric</th></tr><tr><td width="130">Standard Load</td><td>(SL)</td><td width="188">35 psi</td></tr><tr><td>Extra Load</td><td>(XL)</td><td>41 psi</td></tr><tr><th colspan="3" align="left">Light Truck</th></tr><tr><td>Load Range C</td><td>(LRC)</td><td>50 psi</td></tr><tr><td>Load Range D</td><td>(LRD)</td><td>65 psi</td></tr><tr><td>Load Range E</td><td>(LRE)</td><td>80 psi</td></tr></tbody></table>
P-metric tires used on passenger cars and station wagons are rated to carry 100% of the load indicated on the tire's sidewall (or listed for the tire in industry load/inflation charts). However, if the same P-metric tires are used on light trucks, (pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles for example), their carrying capacity is reduced to 91% of the load indicated on the tire's sidewall. This reduction in load results in causing light truck vehicle manufacturers to select proportionately larger P-metric sized tires for their vehicles to help offset the forces and loads resulting from a light truck's higher center of gravity and increased possibility of being occasionally 'overloaded.'For example, P235/75R15 P-metric sized, standard load tires used on cars and light trucks would be rated to carry the following maximum loads at 35 psi:
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="255"><tbody><tr><td>Cars</td><td>Full Value</td><td>2028 lbs.</td></tr><tr><td>Light Trucks</td><td>9% Reduced Value</td><td>1845 lbs.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Additionally, while a tire's maximum load is the most weight the tire is designed to carry, its load carrying capacity at lower inflation pressures is proportional to how much inflation pressure is used. For example, P235/75R15 P-metric sized, standard load (SL) and extra load (XL) tires used on cars would be rated to carry the following loads at the inflation pressures indicated:<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="437"><tbody><tr><td width="134">Air Pressure (psi)</td><td>20</td><td>23</td><td>26</td><td>29</td><td>32</td><td>35</td><td>38</td><td>41</td></tr><tr><td>P235/75R15 SL</td><td>1543</td><td>1635</td><td>1753</td><td>1852</td><td>1940</td><td>2028</td><td>
</td><td>
</td></tr><tr><td>P235/75R15 XL</td><td>1543</td><td>1635</td><td>1753</td><td>1852</td><td>1940</td><td>2028</td><td>2105</td><td>2183</td></tr></tbody></table>

greenfire

Don't ask what they recommend, tell them what you want. Spend some time reading and researching on tirerack.com. You want a LT tire with a C or D load range. Tireseasy is also good to see whats out there.


<table class="productresults" style="border: 0px currentColor; border-image: none;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><thead><tr><td colspan="4">Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 Highway All-Season
You want pleasing comfort, predictable handling and all-season on-road traction for your crossover, sport utility vehicle or pickup. hello
Highway All-Season</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class="compare" rowspan="2"><input name="compareList" type="checkbox" value="375SR5KL51OWL"></td><td class="photo" rowspan="2">Consumer Rating


Numerical Average : 7.65 / 10

(out of 555 customer reviews)
Stars : 4 / 5


See all reviews for this tire

5 star:

(337)
4 star:

(138)
3 star:

(47)
2 star:

(12)
1 star:

(4)



Warranty Rating




</td><td class="info">

• Size: LT235/75R15
  Sidewall Style: Outlined White Letters
  Sidewall Shown: Blackwall
  Serv. Desc: 104/101SLoad Index 104 = 1984lbs (900kg) per tire
  Load Index 101 = 1819lbs (825kg) per tire
  Speed Rating "S" = 112mph (180kph)
  Load Range: CMax Load = 1,985 lbs
  Max psi = 50 psi
  

</td></tr></tbody></table>

jmms

I ran 265/70R15 Primewell tires on my 2000 Conversion Van. They are Firestones house brand. Great ride, tread looks just like Michelin LTX

wgander

Thanks for the replies. The door sticker says P235/75R15, which is what I've been using.
I went with Firestone Destination, an XL 60,000 mile tire. At 99,000 miles now, I doubt I'll put 60,000 miles on them. Our Scion xB gets more than twice the MPG, so the van is only driven when necessary.

Okole

I just put a set of Michelin LTX M/S2 235/75/15 tires on my 2000 1500 passenger van.

I had Bridgestone all terrains on before which were 104 load rated. The Michelins drive far smoother, quieter and handle far better, and have a load rating of 108.

Very happy!