Tires for tow vehicle

[2-2-Camp]

I have a Toyota 4Runner (1997) and a Coleman Sedona pop up.
I am in the market for new tires for the 4Runner. It was suggested to me today to upgrade to a small truck tire instesd of a passenger tire
for the 4Runner since I was towing a Pop Up. Does anyone out there
have some knowledge on this subject. I am open to opinions on tire
recomndations as well. Thanks for eveyones input.

[my95yj]

I can see someone recommending that since a truck tire will be rated "usually" stiffer, say like a D or E rating compared to a softer riding car tire. Carrying heavier loads in trucks this is usally ideal to keep the tire from bowing out and causing an unsafe situation. In your case, with the light tongue load placed on the 4runner, I would recommend, getting the same tires again if you liked the way they handled around town. The truck tires will be stiffer and will handle the daily bumps in a rougher fashion. My .02  HTH's

I have a Toyota 4Runner (1997) and a Coleman Sedona pop up.
I am in the market for new tires for the 4Runner. It was suggested to me today to upgrade to a small truck tire instesd of a passenger tire
for the 4Runner since I was towing a Pop Up. Does anyone out there
have some knowledge on this subject. I am open to opinions on tire
recomndations as well. Thanks for eveyones input.

[flyfisherman]

I have a Toyota 4Runner (1997) and a Coleman Sedona pop up.
I am in the market for new tires for the 4Runner. It was suggested to me today to upgrade to a small truck tire instesd of a passenger tire
for the 4Runner since I was towing a Pop Up. Does anyone out there
have some knowledge on this subject. I am open to opinions on tire
recomndations as well. Thanks for eveyones input.

I've driven a pick'em-up truck for so long now, I don't know how to act when I get into a regular car!  Had them for work and for pleasure, the latter is what I'm doing now.  Pull a small Starcraft (GVWR of 2090 lbs) with a full size GMC Sierra; obviously, the truck can tow much more.  But I tote so much junk along these days, I like having all the extra tow and cargo carrying capacity.  Today,  I prefer the "P" passenger tires in that the ride going down the road is so much more comfortable (and adequate, to be sure).  Should I be towing and hauling heavier loads, like you, I'd be considering the LT (light truck) tire.  The LT's are stronger and have more rigid sidewalls, but they ride stiffer (and cost more).  Like I said, I like comfortable riding down the road ... in fact, the Sierra rides better than some passenger cars I've had in the past!  Here's a site for some more information, just in case you might have missed it ...

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/tiresafety.htm


Present tire size on the Sierra is P-255/70R/16



Fly

[wynot]

I have a Toyota 4Runner (1997) and a Coleman Sedona pop up.
I am in the market for new tires for the 4Runner. It was suggested to me today to upgrade to a small truck tire instesd of a passenger tire
for the 4Runner since I was towing a Pop Up. Does anyone out there
have some knowledge on this subject. I am open to opinions on tire
recomndations as well. Thanks for eveyones input.

I ran into the same conflict when we changed tires on the Tahoe.  LTs will work, but they will cost a LOT more and ride rougher.  A popup adds a load, but nothing that your normal P tires can't handle.
 
I dumped our GoodFear Wrangler STs, and replaced ours with Cooper ATRs - Great tire!!!  Tread is more aggressive, but it works well for our use, which often includes gravel and dirt roads in our travels.  Great in snow.

[dademt]

I have a Toyota 4Runner (1997) and a Coleman Sedona pop up.
I am in the market for new tires for the 4Runner. It was suggested to me today to upgrade to a small truck tire instesd of a passenger tire
for the 4Runner since I was towing a Pop Up. Does anyone out there
have some knowledge on this subject. I am open to opinions on tire
recomndations as well. Thanks for eveyones input.

If you go to tire rack you can check out the ratings on the individual tires and figure out what the weight capacity is.  Most likely you are no where near the limits with regular tires.  You would most likely only get into trouble if your toyota was fully loaded with people and stuff and you had the front of the popup to heavily loaded adding excessive tongue weight.  Also, very hot days would make the tires softer and less able to handle the stress.  But if that is not your driving style, you don't have to go with heavier tires.  I personally like my offroad tires because of volunteering with a rural ambulance squad and I tend to pick load range E since I like to drive a little harder then most.

[ScoobyDoo]

When I had wheels that would take both I always put P's on the front of my pick-up and LTs on the rear. I have had the Ram almost 2yrs and havn't overloaded it. This is not normal.

[Wild Wild Qwest]

Yeah, like dademt said>  Check out Tire Rack and mix and match tires to find what fits and what alternatives you have.

[wynot]

Yeah, like dademt said> Check out Tire Rack and mix and match tires to find what fits and what alternatives you have.

I wander the Tire Rack site all the time, but the only disadvantage is that they don't have ALL tires that are out there.
 
For example, If I only used Tire Rack, I would never have experienced the Coopers.

[2-2-Camp]

Thanks to everyone for their response. Today we will be going
to CostCo to have our new tires put on. We went with the
Michelin Cross Terrain. They are a bit pricy but should be
what I am looking for.

[jstaddwtr]

I was going to suggest COSTCO.  We bought our LT Michelins there.  The trick, if you have the time is to wait for the Michelins sale.  We got for LTs at significant discount.   Yes, the ride is a little harder but there is less of a side wall sag....you know ...you come out to the car when the vehicle has not moved for awhile and the tires look kinda flatter on one side?   The LTs do it as they all do but not noticably.  I like the strength of the sidewalls.

Anyway, sounds like you are getting what you want.   Be extra careful with your 4runner....they have one of the highest roll over rates in the industry although Toyota has been successful in hiding it.  Great vehicle though!

Good luck!