In Search of a Tire: Quiet, Soft, Light, and 30"–31" on 15x6s?

[SSTJ]

Looking for a street tire for 15" rims. To be driven on-road only, and should be relatively quiet and soft. Also lightweight, given that they're being mounted on a 2.5L TJ, where every extra pound counts double when revolving around the wheel's axis of rotation.

The search would be fairly easy if it weren't for this final criterion: 30"–31" diameter.

I can find a few 30x9.5 street tires that should be relatively quiet and soft for an LT. But as LTs, I suspect they will not be as quiet or as soft as a passenger tire. Besides, they're also heavier, around 35+ lbs. I have not had any luck looking for taller, thinner sizes like 215/85/15, etc.

Does anyone know of any unicorns that meet these criteria?

• Less than 35 lbs. Ideally even closer to 30 lbs.
• SL / P-Metric, or else notably soft for a Load Range C.
• 30"–31" diameter, regardless of width.
• Sits on a 15"x6" rim, or at least can do so if I'm driving casually, not airing down, etc.

 

[machoheadgames]

Unicorn is indeed the way to describe what you're looking for. Your only option to find something SL or P metric in those diameters would be something like 265/70R15 (30x10.5) or 265/75R15 (31x10.5), except both of those are too wide for a 6" rim and neither of them have more than 3-4 tire options, which is not really reasonable. Edit: and I just looked and they are 40 lbs anyways, so no go.

I probably shouldn't ask since you were so specific about what the diameter needs to be, but any reason you couldn't just run a 235/75 and sacrifice on 29"?

My guess is you're not going to find anything that diameter at such a low weight.

 

[TN_Project_Jeep]

If you are going on-road only, then why the insistence on a larger-than-stock tire? Just go with a stock size (215/75 or 225/75). The smaller size alone will save you weight. Plenty of options out there, especially for the 225/75R15 tires.

 

[TN_Project_Jeep]

Also, C load-range tires won't beat you up. I run E-range tires on my DD (2016 Tacoma) and have no complaints about the ride. (I also keep them inflated to about 40 psi, not the max of 80 unless I'm hauling a heavy trailer, in which case I bump up to about 60 since that's plenty for what my truck can haul/tow.)

 

[Unique Username]

You are likely looking for 235/75R15 but I run this on my stock XJ and its no more quiet of a tire than my 33" General ATx tires. Its absolutely a lighter tire but road noise is about as little as it can be.

calculator

 

[BlueC]

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-ti...13187&utm_glid=DT_AFFILIATE_ALL_CDIG_ALL_LOGO

These are expensive, but good tires. Very quiet, good traction wet or dry, and even in sand or wet snow. On my truck LTX will run about 50-60K, the same "Defender" tire on my car last about 90K.

 

[Strizzo]

look at the Passenger rated version of a firestone destination a/t or if you want something a little more aggressive look at the general grabber atx

I believe kumho has some mild a/t tires that come in P--rated sizes too. if you're looking for quiet, light and soft, that is likely the area to look.

 

[SSTJ]

Thanks for the replies so far. Just want to be sure I'm not missing any known exceptions to the rule.

 

[Harold&Cat]

If you can find 16 inch wheels , you could get a 30 inch tire that weighs between 30-35 pounds . I ran a 235/75r16 Cooper Discoverer at3 that was 30 inches tall and weighed 33 pounds . Road smooth and quiet . I have the Cooper Discoverer HT3 on the front of my pickup 235/75r15 at 35 pounds and 29 inches tall , smooth and quiet.

 

[Rickyd]

Have you looked at rolling resistance figures for various tires? I'd guess it is more important than weight

 

[SSTJ]

Have you looked at rolling resistance figures for various tires? I'd guess it is more important than weight

Great point. I suppose weight will matter more for start-and-stop driving.

 

[SSTJ]

View attachment 614667

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-ti...13187&utm_glid=DT_AFFILIATE_ALL_CDIG_ALL_LOGO

These are expensive, but good tires. Very quiet, good traction wet or dry, and even in sand or wet snow. On my truck LTX will run about 50-60K, the same "Defender" tire on my car last about 90K.

Thanks. I don't know about a 10.50 on a 6" rim? Also still 40 lbs at that size. But I see the 235/75/15 option, if I did go down in size.

 

[BlueC]

I don't know about a 10.50 on a 6" rim?

Why not? That setup will reduce carrying capacity, but I'm pretty confident you will not be towing anything heavy, so if anything it will make the ride softer. I run 12.50s on a 8 or 8.5" rirm.

Also still 40 lbs at that size.

I wouldn't worry about 40lbs, especially since your goal was 35lbs, you'll never notice it. If you're far enough down on power to notice that, you have much bigger issues than tire weight.

 

[AutoCrat]

OP may have already bought it, but here are two cool options with a great looking and performing tyre.

Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme

235/75/R15 - 32 lbs

30/9.5R15LT - 37 lbs