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I feel like I’m in tire decision hell right now and need someone to save me 😅

I just can’t decide between going with the SL or LT version of the Toyo tire. Here are some of the things I’m thinking about, if anyone has any insight it would be greatly appreciated.
  1. In real world “road” driving is there really a noticeable difference in the feel or comfort between the SL and LT? Some reviews say the LT will feel more stiff and heavy compared to the SL which makes sense but I would think with the same tire compound and tread pattern that would not be so different in day to day driving. I rarely drive my R1T that aggressively.
  2. The SL would have the efficiency advantage over the LT but based on the reviews and posts on this thread, it looks like the LTs efficiency is pretty good and pretty much on par with the stock Pirelli ATs. I would expect the efficency difference between the SL and LT to not be that significant. Anyone have experience with driving both sets of tires?
  3. The Rivian is a heavy truck. I would think airing down to 30-35 PSI when going off-road seems a little concerning to me with the SL. Would the combination of thiner sidewalls and heavy truck make for a squishy ride and more potential to sidewall issues at lower PSI?
  4. Logically the SL tires are probably what I need for 99% of my driving but in the back of my mind I keep thinking the LT tires for those 2-3 off road trips a year would give me more confidence.
  5. Looks: Being the poser that I am, I like the look of a more rugged tire! Some say the LT tires have a more bold sidewall and rugged look to them but when I look at pictures, I can’t really see the difference. Anyone notice a difference?
 

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I feel like I’m in tire decision hell right now and need someone to save me 😅

I just can’t decide between going with the SL or LT version of the Toyo tire. Here are some of the things I’m thinking about, if anyone has any insight it would be greatly appreciated.
  1. In real world “road” driving is there really a noticeable difference in the feel or comfort between the SL and LT? Some reviews say the LT will feel more stiff and heavy compared to the SL which makes sense but I would think with the same tire compound and tread pattern that would not be so different in day to day driving. I rarely drive my R1T that aggressively.
  2. The SL would have the efficiency advantage over the LT but based on the reviews and posts on this thread, it looks like the LTs efficiency is pretty good and pretty much on par with the stock Pirelli ATs. I would expect the efficency difference between the SL and LT to not be that significant. Anyone have experience with driving both sets of tires?
  3. The Rivian is a heavy truck. I would think airing down to 30-35 PSI when going off-road seems a little concerning to me with the SL. Would the combination of thiner sidewalls and heavy truck make for a squishy ride and more potential to sidewall issues at lower PSI?
  4. Logically the SL tires are probably what I need for 99% of my driving but in the back of my mind I keep thinking the LT tires for those 2-3 off road trips a year would give me more confidence.
  5. Looks: Being the poser that I am, I like the look of a more rugged tire! Some say the LT tires have a more bold sidewall and rugged look to them but when I look at pictures, I can’t really see the difference. Anyone notice a difference?
Look at weight difference. 42 vs 55. There is absolutely difference in steering feel and suspension performance. Not only is unsprung (static) weight higher, rotational mass is even higher. Rotational mass increases exponentially with increasing vehicle speed. So even a small difference in static weight can become very significant at speed.

SL, XL and LT version all follow same design: lower profile sidewall features to reduce aero turbulence/drag. What you heard is nothing more than hearsay and possibly misinterpreted info—i.e. non-EV version OC AT3 vs EV version. Non-EV version has more pronounced features on shoulders and sidewalls.

Load rating… look up your GVWR, divide by 4, compare to load index of 116 (2,756 lbs). The SL is more than adequate. LT is overkill. People pick LT because it has more material and can take more abuse before it is comprised to the point where it leaks. They didn’t pick it because SL is too weak to support weight of an R1. They shouldn’t be anyway.

What you admitted amounts to this: if you get LTs you’d be spending $ to get less return for every dollar spent. But if you wanna burn cash…

Rivian Toyo Open Country A/T III EV 275/65/20 116H tires review {filename}
 
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I expect to be in a similar spot to Truckee when I replace the Pirelli ATs next year. The SL makes more sense 95% of the time. But I have already lost one Pirelli to a sidewall slash from a rock off road, so I will probably go with the LT.
 

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I feel like I’m in tire decision hell right now and need someone to save me 😅

I just can’t decide between going with the SL or LT version of the Toyo tire. Here are some of the things I’m thinking about, if anyone has any insight it would be greatly appreciated.
  1. In real world “road” driving is there really a noticeable difference in the feel or comfort between the SL and LT? Some reviews say the LT will feel more stiff and heavy compared to the SL which makes sense but I would think with the same tire compound and tread pattern that would not be so different in day to day driving. I rarely drive my R1T that aggressively.
  2. The SL would have the efficiency advantage over the LT but based on the reviews and posts on this thread, it looks like the LTs efficiency is pretty good and pretty much on par with the stock Pirelli ATs. I would expect the efficency difference between the SL and LT to not be that significant. Anyone have experience with driving both sets of tires?
  3. The Rivian is a heavy truck. I would think airing down to 30-35 PSI when going off-road seems a little concerning to me with the SL. Would the combination of thiner sidewalls and heavy truck make for a squishy ride and more potential to sidewall issues at lower PSI?
  4. Logically the SL tires are probably what I need for 99% of my driving but in the back of my mind I keep thinking the LT tires for those 2-3 off road trips a year would give me more confidence.
  5. Looks: Being the poser that I am, I like the look of a more rugged tire! Some say the LT tires have a more bold sidewall and rugged look to them but when I look at pictures, I can’t really see the difference. Anyone notice a difference?
This is me 100%. I just ordered the SL version and am scheduled for install next Sat. Debating whether I should’ve gone LT.

You make any decisions yet? I’ve gone off roading probably 2-3 times since buying my truck about a year ago. I don’t intend to go a ton, but it’s nice to have the option. A little more side wall protection might help with confidence a bit when in the middle of nowhere.
 

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I expect to be in a similar spot to Truckee when I replace the Pirelli ATs next year. The SL makes more sense 95% of the time. But I have already lost one Pirelli to a sidewall slash from a rock off road, so I will probably go with the LT.
This is me 100%. I just ordered the SL version and am scheduled for install next Sat. Debating whether I should’ve gone LT.

You make any decisions yet? I’ve gone off roading probably 2-3 times since buying my truck about a year ago. I don’t intend to go a ton, but it’s nice to have the option. A little more side wall protection might help with confidence a bit when in the middle of nowhere.
I think we are in the same boat here! I haven’t pulled the trigger yet but right now I’m leaning toward the LT for the following reasons:
  1. I’m currently on the stock Pirelli Scorpian AT Plus tires which are 57 lbs and for my daily road driving I actually like them. The Toyo LT’s are 56 lbs, so actually a pound lighter. I would think if I’m good with the drive of my current Pirelli’s on the road then the Toyo LT’s would give a similar experience and at least the same efficiency. So road experience would be a wash from what I’m currently use to.
  2. I do want to get into off roading more and I think the LT’s would give me a little more peace of mind and confidence with the extra sidewall protection. I just don’t want to be worrying about my tires when I’m off road. Plus I have a roof top tent over my spare on my R1T. I’ve tested getting my full size spare out and it’s possible but a pain in the a$$. A blown tire couldn’t definitely ruin a trip.
Having said that, I think the SL would be just fine. I saw one review that says the SL’s sidewalls are actually better than the Pirelli’s even though the tire is 14lbs lighter. Not sure if that’s true or not. If you look at the Toyo review from “MotorSport Unplugged” on Youtube, he went with the SLs and has done a lot of off roading without any issues. Dominic Wilkerson went with the LT’s and is also very happy! Maybe there is not a wrong choice? I would love to hear some feedback from someone with experience on both the SL and LT but I haven’t found that yet.
 

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I think we are in the same boat here! I haven’t pulled the trigger yet but right now I’m leaning toward the LT for the following reasons:
  1. I’m currently on the stock Pirelli Scorpian AT Plus tires which are 57 lbs and for my daily road driving I actually like them. The Toyo LT’s are 56 lbs, so actually a pound lighter. I would think if I’m good with the drive of my current Pirelli’s on the road then the Toyo LT’s would give a similar experience and at least the same efficiency. So road experience would be a wash from what I’m currently use to.
  2. I do want to get into off roading more and I think the LT’s would give me a little more peace of mind and confidence with the extra sidewall protection. I just don’t want to be worrying about my tires when I’m off road. Plus I have a roof top tent over my spare on my R1T. I’ve tested getting my full size spare out and it’s possible but a pain in the a$$. A blown tire couldn’t definitely ruin a trip.
Having said that, I think the SL would be just fine. I saw one review that says the SL’s sidewalls are actually better than the Pirelli’s even though the tire is 14lbs lighter. Not sure if that’s true or not. If you look at the Toyo review from “MotorSport Unplugged” on Youtube, he went with the SLs and has done a lot of off roading without any issues. Dominic Wilkerson went with the LT’s and is also very happy! Maybe there is not a wrong choice? I would love to hear some feedback from someone with experience on both the SL and LT but I haven’t found that yet.
Pirelli AT Plus Elect are 48 lbs, not 57. LTs do have more material and higher load limit. If the trails you run don’t include rock crawling there really isn’t a need for them. You’d just be sacrificing energy and driving dynamics for peace of mind. There are some LTs that aren’t as heavy, around 52.
 

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Unless you are 100% committed to the idea of running an LT tire, then it’s best to go with a mid weight tire…one plus/minus of LT is that it’s likely going to last an extra 12 months or more when compared to non-LT tires…good for those who want/need LTs, but punishment for anyone that has regrets…
 
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Pirelli AT Plus Elect are 48 lbs, not 57. LTs do have more material and higher load limit. If the trails you run don’t include rock crawling there really isn’t a need for them. You’d just be sacrificing energy and driving dynamics for peace of mind. There are some LTs that aren’t as heavy, around 52.
Thanks for that correction on that! I see I had that written down in my notes wrong. I totally get what you’re saying about the SL tires and driving dynamics on the road is important as that is where 95% or more of my miles will be. Although I don’t mind my truck driving like a truck :cool:

For off road, I’m not sure I’m on the same page as you in that unless you are doing rock climbing the LTs are not needed. I certainly don’t seek out technical terrain and mainly stick with fire roads and tamer trails but I’ve also done enough off roading to know that trails can be very unpredictable, especially different times of year. I’m sure you know this as well.

I am warming up to the idea of getting the SLs but the one concern I still have is the sidewall protection. Our local Rivian club did an excellent talk on tire selection a couple weeks ago (I can send the link if your interested) and one of the members who runs off road training classes was mentioning he never seen so many sidewall issues as he has with the Pirelli AT tires. My biggest concern is that the Pirelli ATs are also SL tires, and the Toyo SL is actually 3 pounds lighter. I would think they would have to sacrifice some material/protection to be 3 pounds lighter? Having said that, I haven't seen people complaining about the side walls on the Toyo SLs like the Pirelli's but could the Toyo SLs really offer much better sidewall protect when they are both SLs and the Toyo is even lighter? Have you heard any reviews on the sidewall protection of the SLs compared to the Pirelli ATs or just in general? Thanks
 

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If you haven't already, be sure to do a web search for a better price before you buy. I don't know that there's a better price out there right now, but I found them for $347 each about five weeks ago, and Discount Tire matched that price.

Edit: I'm going to send you a link (and a phrase to google, if you don't want to click on the link), as I just found them for only slightly more than I paid.
Got any more of those links? I’m getting ready to put some of these on this weekend. TY!
 

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Got any more of those links? I’m getting ready to put some of these on this weekend. TY!
TH Motorsports is the site where I found them for $347 in July; they're showing the same price as Tire Rack (about $410) right now, however. Guessing you can get $100 off (for four) somewhere around Christmas/New Year's.
 

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I've got 15K miles on my LTs. I am satisfied as I off road quite a bit (Colorado). I considered the SLs but could not find any efficiency data on the SL tire that showed it is more efficient than the LT. AFAIK, the efficiency is about the same, which is counterintuitive given the weight difference. I'm at 2.25m/kWh 15K miles in, which is virtually identical to the stock 20" Pirellis. Not bad mouthing the SL at all, but if the efficiency is truly the same between the SL and LT, there would be less reason to go with a less durable tire.
 

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I've got 15K miles on my LTs. I am satisfied as I off road quite a bit (Colorado). I considered the SLs but could not find any efficiency data on the SL tire that showed it is more efficient than the LT. AFAIK, the efficiency is about the same, which is counterintuitive given the weight difference. I'm at 2.25m/kWh 15K miles in, which is virtually identical to the stock 20" Pirellis. Not bad mouthing the SL at all, but if the efficiency is truly the same between the SL and LT, there would be less reason to go with a less durable tire.
If tested under same exact conditions with the same exact driving, physics won’t lie. Lighter = more efficient. And you won’t ever find this info online from other users because conditions and use aren’t ever the same. The SL is around 3 lbs lighter than the Pirelli AT Plus. The LT is 7 lbs more. Significant difference, especially when motion (and rotational mass) is involved.
 

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If tested under same exact conditions with the same exact driving, physics won’t lie. Lighter = more efficient.
Only if rolling resistance and aerodynamics remain the same.

Weight increases acceleration resistance, which of course impacts efficiency in stop and go traffic. It does not impact steady state speed.

If your primary concern is highway efficiency, i.e. long-distance travel, weight is the least important factor. You want low rolling resistance and better aerodynamics.
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