Do you think the $50 extra per tire (assuming same size @~32", but just LT rated sidewall) would be worth it over the P rated tire given I do 95% of my driving time on paved highways/roads while the other 5% can be anything from dirt roads to logging roads to just general paths/mud holes/pipelines.

LT235/80R17 - $212 per
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....7WDT&tab=Specs

vs.

P-Rated 255/75R17 - $160 per
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=45-69212208-2

 

Yeah, that's a pretty big price difference, but you're not exactly comparing apples to apples, either. The LT's you have listed are at least a little larger, which means more rubber. As you probbaly know, too, LT tires are generally a little heavier duty and P-metric tires. If you plan on off-roading at all, I'd say stick with the LT's just to be on the safe side. Yeah, it's an extra $200 for the set, but I'm not one to chance it. Look at the load range for each of those tires and see which one will be more robust. I'd almost be willing to bet the LT is a load range D and the P-metrc is a load range C.

Ultimately, it's your call, but if you plan to play off-road at all, I wouldn't chance it.

 

Yeah, I think the cost is worth it purely based on the fact that if I do puncture the sidewall of the cheaper one...its going to cost almost the difference to replace it.

 

That's definitely one way of looking at it.