What indicates that a tire is designed for light truck applications?

A tire designed for light truck applications is indicated by the designation "LT" in its size. This prefix is specifically used to categorize tires that are engineered to meet the requirements of light trucks, which include vehicles like pickups and vans. These tires typically have a higher load capacity and are constructed to handle the demands of light-duty hauling and off-road capabilities, which differ from those of passenger car tires.

In contrast, the presence of a "P" designation is meant for passenger car tires, while the absence of any prefix might indicate that the tire is either a standard passenger tire or an alternative type, not specifically for light trucks. A size that starts with a number typically relates to a passenger tire's sizing format, not light truck tires. Hence, the presence of "LT" is the clear indicator of a tire's suitability for light truck applications.