I'm looking at kumho road venture mt tires and the size is LT315x75x16. Can I put lt tires on my hummer h3

 

yes. I would suggest LTs over P-metric tires anyday. Our Alpha has P-metrics on it and everytime we drive down a dirt road we get a flat.

 

Like Skeeter said....Always go with the LT's especially on a heavier rig like our Hummers and if you plan on doing anything offroad. I have been running 265/75/16's since I have owned the Hummer. Next week I am getting some 315/75/16's Duratracs for my H3. I have always went with the Duratracs. I love them and have run them on both of my trucks since they came out...

 

this from "nitto", the nitto didnt copy.
i didnt get the entire bulletin but its interesting for a guy like me who doesnt know tires. the hard ride and 50 lb caught my eye since i miss the cushy ride of my first "lux" h3!
i didnt see anything about more/less flats, it does say the p metric carries more load than the lt in same size? and lt has a little more tread depth.

TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Replacing Tires on Light Trucks
Any replacement tire on any light truck must be of a size and load range that will offer equal or higher load
carrying capacity compared to the original equipment (OE) tire on the vehicle. Furthermore, the ability of
any tire to support a specific load is solely based on the inflation pressure within the tire, and the maximum
load and inflation capability of the tire. Even tires with the most robust design and construction will fail in
service when under-inflated.
For purposes of this bulletin, light trucks include sport utility vehicles (SUV), pickup trucks, hybrid
SUV/pickup trucks, minivans and any vehicle designed as a multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, bus, or
trailer.
Many light trucks today are equipped with P-metric tires as OE. Other, more heavy duty trucks may be
equipped with LT-metric tires as standard equipment. Nitto Technical Service is aware that some tire
installers promote the replacement of original P-metric tires with LT-metric tires as a more "heavy duty"
alternative, for example:
Original Tire: P265/75R16 114
Replacement Tire: LT265/75R16 Load Range 'C'
Warning!
Please note that size-for-size, LT-metric tires require higher air pressures to carry equivalent loads of
P-metric tires, and that any failure to adjust air pressures to achieve the vehicle’s load requirement will
result in tire fatigue and eventual tire failure due to excessive heat build-up. Due to the higher PSI
requirements of LT-metric tires, they may not be suitable for replacing O.E. P-metric tires because
of the ride harshness that results from higher PSI requirements.
Load Comparison Example, P vs. LT:
P265/75R16 114 Max Load = 2,601 lbs @ 35 PSI
In order to carry the equivalent load, a LT265/75R16 Load Range C must be inflated to 50 PSI. Using this
example, even LT265/75R16 Load Range D, or E must be inflated to 50 PSI to carry the P-metric load at
35 PSI. LT tires do not offer any benefits of being "heavy duty" when under-inflated.
Replacement Tires Must Carry Equivalent Loads:
If you replace a P-metric original equipment tire with an LT-metric tire, it must be able to carry the
equivalent load. To find the equivalent load, refer to the Tire and Rim Association Yearbook and find the
load of the original tire according to the PSI shown on the vehicle's tire information placard. Then refer to
the 'Light Truck' load and inflation tables. Apply the PSI that corresponds to the required load of the P-
metric tire. See the last page of this bulletin for additional information.
Heat Build Up Example:
The enclosed photos were taken with a heat sensitive camera, and show the sidewall temperature of a
running, loaded LT-metric tire. The two photos represent an LT-metric tire at 30 PSI (cold), vs. 50 PSI
(cold), at equivalent loads. The temperature scale runs from 95° F (blue) to 122° F (white).
Please note the considerably higher running temperature of the "under-inflated" (30 PSI) LT tire vs. 50 PSI.
Any increase in the tire's running temperature will have an adverse affect on the long term
durability and safe operation of the tire.


then this guy,,,

Ply: Don't pay any attention to this 4 ply / 6 ply / 10 ply stuff. It was replaced long ago with "Load Ranges" in LT tires. "Load Range" is much less confusing because many folks think that a "10 ply tire" ought to have 10 plies - they never did - and modern tires, with their high strength cords, don't need 10 plies to get the strength. Typical Load Range E (formerly 10 Ply Rating) LT tires have 2 ply sidewalls (polyester) / 4 ply tread (2 polyester / 2 steel).

LT metrics: The design intent of LT metric tires is between the soft, cushiony P metric tires and the stiff, but durable MRT (Medium Radial Truck) tires. So P metric tires are based on a design standard that allows more flexing, where the standard for LT metrics require less flexing, (and therefore less load). What you get with an LT metric is a more durable, perhaps retreadable casing, although hardly anybody retreads these things - but that's the design intent nevertheless. However, you only get this if you follow the LT metric inflation standards - which means higher inflation pressure for the same load.

One of the little known quirks is that when P metrics are used in a light truck service (Pickups SUV, etc.), the load rating is reduced by 10%. This goes back a long ways, and is probably part of the standard to account for the stiffer suspensions in these vehicles. So if you do the calculation, the 2601 # max load referenced above gets reduced to 2365 #.

Probably the largest consideration here is what did the vehicle come with from the factory. LT metric tires have a much higher spring rate than P metrics, and changing the tire's spring rate can have some unintended, perhaps dangerous, changes in the handling of the vehicle. Springs, shocks, and sway bars were all designed by the vehicle manufacturer with the original type of tire, and it's properties. Caution and common sense go a long way in this department.

It's probably best to stay with the type of tire the vehicle manufacturer specified, rather than re-engineer the vehicle.