Hey gang. I always come to you all for my truck questions!

I'm looking to buy a replacement set of tires for the Xterra (07 4x4 S).

I need some advice/info/opinions reguarding load range on tires. What is the load range of the OEM tire? Tire Rack does not list it for the tire that came on the X.

We tow a 5,000 pound trailer that sometimes creeps up to 5,600 pounds tops. **IF** I am understanding correctly, if I buy a Load Range C version of the tire I am looking at, it will have a stiffer sidewall which will help with sway. The Load Range C tire will also allow a higher air pressure in the tire to allow it to carry a heavier load. The tire will be heavier so I may see a hit in gas milage, and will ride a little rougher. Am I wrong in any of that?!?!

Details: I am looking at the Firestone Destination A/T. I want to goto the bigger size that comes on the Off Road packaged Xterras (265/75/16). I can get that tire with NO LOAD RANGE LISTED for $116, or I can get the exact same tire with a Load Range C listed for $135.

My Xterra is driven on the road/highway 98% of the time, but I wanted to have SOME off road ability so I don't look like a TOTAL punk!

Hey gang. I always come to you all for my truck questions!

I'm looking to buy a replacement set of tires for the Xterra (07 4x4 S).

I need some advice/info/opinions reguarding load range on tires. What is the load range of the OEM tire? Tire Rack does not list it for the tire that came on the X.

We tow a 5,000 pound trailer that sometimes creeps up to 5,600 pounds tops. **IF** I am understanding correctly, if I buy a Load Range C version of the tire I am looking at, it will have a stiffer sidewall which will help with sway. The Load Range C tire will also allow a higher air pressure in the tire to allow it to carry a heavier load. The tire will be heavier so I may see a hit in gas milage, and will ride a little rougher. Am I wrong in any of that?!?!

Details: I am looking at the Firestone Destination A/T. I want to goto the bigger size that comes on the Off Road packaged Xterras (265/75/16). I can get that tire with NO LOAD RANGE LISTED for $116, or I can get the exact same tire with a Load Range C listed for $135.

My Xterra is driven on the road/highway 98% of the time, but I wanted to have SOME off road ability so I don't look like a TOTAL punk!

OK, ALL the tires ARE load rated...but not all with a Letter like C, D, E, etc.

:D

BTW - A C load rating is LIGHT duty, NOT heavier....a D or E for example would be heavier duty.

The STOCK tires on the 2007 OR for example are Load Rated as 114.

114 means its rated to carry 2,601 lb at the MAXIMUM tire pressure on the sidewall....and, if on a light truck (LT) rig, you reduce that by ~ 10-15%.

IE: Passenger Car Tires (P) are not designed to handle the stress of being on a light truck (LT), so if you use a P tire you make sure you do not exceed its rated capacity by never going over ~ 90% of what the sidewall is rated for.

So if the X CAME with a P type tire rated for 2,601 lb, they already took that into account (We hope...).

:D

That means, as ~ 90% of 2,601 lb is 2,341 lb, that the replacement tires should be able to MINIMALLY support 2,341 lb if an LT, and at LEAST 2,601 lb if a P-type tire, etc.

To add to your headaches...that load is ONLY at the MAXIMUM tire pressure for that tire....

...so you REALLY need to look at the psi specified for that 114 rated tire on the X, to be able to CALCULATE the actual WEIGHT that the tire DID support.

IE: (Making up numbers...do not use my math) If the X's placard said to use 30 psi on the tire, and the max psi was 44, the tire was being used to support ~ 1,596 lb.

As the X weighs ~ 4,500 lb, and ~ 70% might be transferred to one axle on braking, etc...that's ~ 3,150 lb for 2 tires to share, or ~ 1,575 lb...a pretty similar number.

SO - All that gobildy gook means that if you get an LT tire, you want it to be able to support AT LEAST 1,600 lb at some attainable PSI for that tire...

...a fairly easy objective.

Now, as you might be loaded up sometimes, and want to either be able to run a lower psi for a softer ride, and/or have a larger margin of safety as far as load carrying capacity....you get a tire that can carry MORE than that weight.

The more it can handle OVER that, the stronger it will be.

:D

For the AT you are talking about, in a 265/75/16, there's a 112 rated version that only is rated for 2,470 lb at 50 psi, and a 114 rated version good for 2,604 lb at 44 psi.

The 112 is about a C load range-ish version....and is even LIGHTER DUTY than stock.

In general, the tire would NOT be a great choice for you.

The 114 rated version would be a stock equivalent tire, not something heavier duty as you seem to be interested in/wanting for towing, etc.

TJTJ-----Thanks for a LOT of good information. I had to reread it several times to fully understand, but it did soak in! I think you saved me from making a mistake with my choice....Thank you.

So, now I'm really confused....

The Firestone Destination A/T is available in the exact same size as both a "P" (Passenger car tire?), and as a "LT" (Light Truck). The "P" version of the tire has a Service Description of 114S. Meanwhile, the "LT" version has a Service Description of 112 R. Uh....So the "Passenger Car" version of the tire which is cheaper by $20 per tire can carry more weight than the "Light Truck" version of the exact same tire?!?!

To remind everyone for this conversation, the OEM tire for the Xterra S has a Service Description of 111, and the EOM tire for the Xterra Off Road has a Service Description of 114.

I'm just really confused as to why the LT version of the tire which cost more has a LOWER weight carrying capacity.

Anyway, I am really leaning toward the 114 rated tire with the 2,600 pound capacity. That allows me to account for all my passengers, vehicle weight, weight of all my gear in the back of the truck, plus the tounge weight of my heaviest loaded travel trailer, AND have a nice reserve.