Community Forums

tuffr2 · 03-09-2014, 07:59 AM

I think this is to keep the economy going. ST tires will need to be replaced when they blow out...money gets funneled from my pocket into the economy. It the blowout causes damage to my trailer that is a bonus to the economy as I have to funnel additional money to the dealer.

I wonder if I can use an ST tire on my truck. If not I wonder why?

smiller · 03-09-2014, 08:54 AM

The ST tire issue has been rehashed endlessly and the bottom line is that the fault is not with the ST rating specifically but rather with the poor quality of most of the ST tires on the market (and the propensity of RV manufacturers to equip new units with the cheapest OEM tires possible.) The Maxxis 10-ply are the only good ST tires that I know of (and have an excellent real-world service record) and there aren't many other good options. If you don't want to go with the Maxxis then I wouldn't just throw any LT tire on there and assume it's 'better' as most were not designed for trailer applications. I would only use a tire that the manufacturer specifies as being acceptable for trailer duty (the XPS rib is one of the few that meet this requirement and is also an excellent, if pricey, choice.)

Just FWIW the Maxxis I installed in place of the OEM tires weighed a good 10-15 lbs. more per tire and had noticeably sturdier sidewalls. I used them for about 8k miles before I sold the RV with zero problems and little or no visible wear, unlike the strange wear patterns all over the OEM tires. All ST tires are not created equal.

Scottybdivin · 03-09-2014, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastEagle

We do not recommend using passenger/light truck tires on trailers that specify ST tires. If the trailer manufacturer calls for ST tires, it is important to replace with ST tires in order to maintain the load requirement.

We are sorry, but we do not make anything that would be comparable to an "ST" rated tire.

We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Michelin.

If we can assist you further, please call us at 1-800-642-4354 (toll free) between 8:00AM and 8:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday or between 8:30AM and 4:30PM Eastern Time on Saturday.

Sincerely,

Sherry
Consumer Care Department
Certified Michelin Product Expert

Sounds like Sherry is quoting legal disclaimer due to a loaded question and contrary to the response above from Diana.

I purchased my Ribs from Discount Tire with warranty certificates. I take it back to them for free rotations and if anything happens, I will take it back to them for replacement. End of story.

smiller · 03-09-2014, 10:18 AM

The statement above is boilerplate effectively saying that only tires rated for trailer use should be used. This is true with respect to many LT tires which would be a mis-application for trailer use. But if you look at the literature for Michelin ribs there is an explicit statement that the tire can be used in all wheel positions, including trailer.

Bottom line... the Michelin ribs (a commercial truck tire) as an ST tire replacement is OK, but consumer LT tires... not so much... or at least I don't think you'll find a single tire manufacturer that recommends it.

kakampers · 03-09-2014, 01:13 PM

When we could run E load tires, XPS Rib was all we used...best E load on the market IMHO.

As for Michelin...we too were told in writing that they approved of an warranted the XPS on our trailers...no problem!

Now that we need G load, we went straight to 17.5 H loads...and they, like someone else stated, are even heavier...

Laker17 · 03-09-2014, 03:20 PM

Great choice. I pulled the trigger two years ago on the Michelins and I feel that they are definitely worth every cent (dollar). I purchased them from Costco and initially the RV dealer, where I stored my RV for the winter, had agreed to install them. Unfortunately they were not equipped to mount them as the sidewalls were very stiff. A nearby truck shop had no issues. The point being, these are tough tires and tires are the most important component of your trailer. Of coarse, I make sure that tire pressures are spot on before hitting the road, but I don't worry about blowouts. Cheers - Laker

tuffr2 · 03-09-2014, 05:04 PM

When I pondered and pondered tires the Maxxis ST tire was one that I briefly considered but that ST designation and 65 mph speed rating just did not seem like it was a tough tire.

I viewed XPS Ribs as my best option. Once I saw them I am sure they will work better than any ST tire. I sometimes tow at more than 65 mph. Especially since speed limits are 70 or more on most highways now.

JIMNLIN · 03-09-2014, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottybdivin

Sounds like Sherry is quoting legal disclaimer due to a loaded question and contrary to the response above from Diana.

I purchased my Ribs from Discount Tire with warranty certificates. I take it back to them for free rotations and if anything happens, I will take it back to them for replacement. End of story.

Load the question is right.
Even a newby would know Michelin won't recommend any of their 16" LT E at 3042 lbs capacity for replacing a ST235/80-16 E at 3500 lb capacity.

Answer from any LT tire maker depends on the questions asked.

Some folks are interested in recommending a good safe tire for long term use without ST tire issues vs others are only interested in recommending ...........

sk734 · 03-11-2014, 05:14 AM

Use LT tires you will be glad you did.

Arctic Owl · 03-11-2014, 04:31 PM

Yeah, everyone is an expert & know better then the tire manufacturers representative or engineers or designers of the products. In my mind it does not matter if he or she is making a "legalize" answer. They are giving an honest answer & everyone is free to choose to abide & believe or not.
JMHO

Reg

caissiel · 03-12-2014, 05:34 AM

I can only find LT load range G tires for my unit.
WHY?

FastEagle · 03-12-2014, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caissiel

I can only find LT load range G tires for my unit.
WHY?

You can find ST235/85R16F rated at 3960# at 95 psi if you're willing to use them. The are interchangeable with your LRG tires because they - your LT tires - are for trailer service.

FastEagle

jimcumminsw · 03-12-2014, 09:11 AM

I always find it interesting in the debate between ST/LT tires for RV trailers. How some people will site chapter and verse that you can only use ST tires on an RV trailer if you use LT tires the earth will come to a stop and the sky will fall in.

Will what I find interesting is that even the RV industry uses LT tires on trailers instead of ST tires on some models even in the same manufacture of trailers. Such as Heartlands RV trailers, the Landmark series offers as standard LT235/85R16-G rated tires but the next model down which is the Bighorn 5er has as standard ST235/80R16-E tires.

So my advice is to review your needs for your trailer and what are the axle loads and what are they rated for. In my case the Keystone Cougar has 6 lbs axle ratings but the actual certified sticker by the manufacture is for 5,300 lbs each. The trailer was original equipped with the ST 15” size tires but I upgraded to a ST235/80R-16 size tire. I than replaced them with the LT245/75R/16 Michelin XPS Rib all position tire after I had a catastrophic tire failure causing over $3K in damage.

Jim W.

FastEagle · 03-12-2014, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimcumminsw

I always find it interesting in the debate between ST/LT tires for RV trailers. How some people will site chapter and verse that you can only use ST tires on an RV trailer if you use LT tires the earth will come to a stop and the sky will fall in.

Will what I find interesting is that even the RV industry uses LT tires on trailers instead of ST tires on some models even in the same manufacture of trailers. Such as Heartlands RV trailers, the Landmark series offers as standard LT235/85R16-G rated tires but the next model down which is the Bighorn 5er has as standard ST235/80R16-E tires.

So my advice is to review your needs for your trailer and what are the axle loads and what are they rated for. In my case the Keystone Cougar has 6 lbs axle ratings but the actual certified sticker by the manufacture is for 5,300 lbs each. The trailer was original equipped with the ST 15” size tires but I upgraded to a ST235/80R-16 size tire. I than replaced them with the LT245/75R/16 Michelin XPS Rib all position tire after I had a catastrophic tire failure causing over $3K in damage.

Jim W.

It’s not what you can do for your trailer that counts. It’s what you’re supposed to do. As your RV trailer is being built the vehicle manufacturer is going to rely on inputs from those that were delegated to insure safety standards are followed. The regulations and standards for tire/wheel fitment for RV trailers requires the vehicle manufacturer to select what - in their opinion - is the best option for that trailer. Costs are always going to have an influence on tire/rim selections. It’s the same in the automotive industry. You can go look at new vehicles at your favorite auto dealers showroom and find Bridgestone tires on a SUV. Right next to it the half ton truck will have Hankook tires. The bottom line for RV trailers is the vehicle manufacturer selects and certifies tires for the vehicle. Without any other options spelled out in the owner’s manual crossing tire designs will be a no-no. For RV trailers, tire load capacities rule the day. Every bit of the information you can amass, pro or con, about such and such tires doesn’t hold water if they are not equal to or exceed the load capacity of the Original Equipment tires. Take a good look at your trailer’s owner’s manual. It’s going to tell you to use replacement tires of the type found on your trailer’s certification label or others that may have recommended there in the owner’ manual. It will also tell you if in doubt to seek advice from themor the tire manufacture. The word key was the. It means the tire that was OE on your trailer. Does that make me a supporter of ST tires? NO! I’m just posting how it’s supposed to be done. When asking tire manufacturers such as Maxxis about replacements, they will only recommend a higher load capacity if available in that size. Otherwise, ask the Vehicle manufacturer. TRA guidelines are bigger is better in that the replacement must have load capacities equal to or greater than the OE tires. Ditto for the RMA. Tire manufacturers do not want to interfere with the vehicle manufacturers mandate to select and certify OE tires. So, they have written numerous notices and bulletins informing their retailers not to do it. Most of the big guys in the tire industry have disclaimers in their tire warranties for misapplications. Some have gone so far as to reference the tire safety warnings in your trailers owner’s manual as another disclaimer.

Some RV trailer manufacturers are more receptive to their owners requests and will give a green light to any replacement tire design used for replacements as long as it equals or exceeds the load capacity of the OE tires.

FastEagle