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12-28-2011, 09:45 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Forest River Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 254
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Light truck tires
I would like to get your opinion on the use of light truck tires instead of trailer tires on travel trailers and 5er's. My friend has been going this route for many years and feels that you can purchase a better quality tire, with a lot better selection of brands and load ratings. As well the pricing is better as you seldom see trailer tires go on sale. His idea makes some sense to me, but I am not sure.
As well I have spoken to a gentleman that has been in the tire business for over 40 years and he as well feels this is the way to go.
This all said, there is no greater experience that what is available on this forum.
__________________
I HAVE NEVER FAILED, BUT I HAVE HAD SUCCESS IN FINDING OUT WHAT DOESN'T WORK.
I PLAN TO LIVE FOREVER. IT'S WORKING SO FAR.
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12-28-2011, 09:51 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Posts: 5,173
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Akibase that sounds alot like asking if you can use semi tires instead of RV tires on your motorhome. I don't see a problem as long as they are the right size and load range for the weight. Of course, i'm a long way from being a tire expert.
__________________
Travel well, travel safe,
Jim
2006 Tiffin Phaeton - 2011 Cadillac SRX
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12-28-2011, 12:26 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,768
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We had a Keystone Montana for five years. The owner's manual said either ST or LT tires would work as long as they meet the cargo capacity requirement. After some tire problems we got rid of our Chinese ST Missions and put on Bridgestones...problems gone.
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2014 American Eagle 45T
DD 13, 500 HP
Pulling a Honda CRV
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12-28-2011, 12:54 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,406
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Just be sure that your wheels can take the air preasure used in LT tires. Some have to change the wheels also. Just a thought.............
__________________
2014 Fleetwood Storm 32H "The Dream Catcher"sold * THOUSAND TRAILS * *US ARMY 1965-1967 * Disabled Vietnam Veteran 1966-1967 * Life Member VFW *
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12-28-2011, 03:31 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 181
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I switched about 3 years ago from ST to LT and will not go back. I prefer the LT, much better built tire.
__________________
"A bad day camping is better than a good day of work"
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12-28-2011, 03:46 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 2,762
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Supposedly the sidewalls in trailer tires are stiffer, to compensate for turning. Because trailer axles are stationary and don't turn, the tires are subjected to increased friction when turning, hence the stiffer side walls, which supposedly reduces the amount of sideways "roll" when turning.
At least that's what I heard.
__________________
Burns & Diane
2005 Winnebago Aspect 26A/2012 Subaru Impreza toad
Illinois! - Where the politicians make the license plates......
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12-28-2011, 05:39 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Kingston, Wa. USA
Posts: 1,221
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I went that way in 1970 on a single axle TT. I went from 14" 4ply trailer tires to 15" LT 6 ply tires. 25 years later when I traded it in, the tires were still on it. The only problem was with the wheels (Ford car wheels) but that is another story.
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Cliff
'01 3500 Ram QC HO 6sp. BD Exhaust Brake
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12-28-2011, 06:14 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North East Texas
Posts: 4,946
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my 2006 cedar creek fiver came from the factory with LT series tires.
they worked quite well
__________________
USN Retired, Life time member of the DAV.
Enjoying the 2008 Damon Tuscany 4056, #3998 no your eyes are fine, there are really 6 slides
2022 F150 King Ranch or 2012 Edge toads
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12-28-2011, 11:02 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,126
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LT tires on ALL my trailers...NEVER any issues, unlike the "ST" trailer specific tires.
I have used LT tires since 93 and towed all over the country, with thousands of trouble free miles
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12-29-2011, 05:23 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Phx, Arid~zona
Posts: 11,106
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I had 12.1K, 33' 5er and went thru about 5 brands and load rated 15" ST tires with blow outs and separations. I changed to Yokohama 215/85-R16 LT tires and never looked back. So did several friends with toy haulers and enclosed trailer with the same results. Do it, you won't regret it one bit.
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12-29-2011, 05:29 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 8,854
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I've never had ST tires that didn't have tread separation problems (I'm classifying the Goodyear G614 RST trailer specific tire as an ST even though its sidewall designation is LT235/85R-16). On a previous 5th wheel, I switched to LT Michelin XPS Ribs and never had another problem. On my current 5th wheel, I've switched to 17.5" Michelin XTS load range J tires, and they've been trouble-free as well.
One thing to watch, though, is the load rating on the LT tires. Some ST tires have higher maximum load ratings than the equivalent size and load range LT tire. You might have to go up on size and/or load range when substituting an LT tire - if you go up on load range, then you have to ensure that your wheels are good for the higher inflation pressures.
Rusty
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12-29-2011, 05:39 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Phx, Arid~zona
Posts: 11,106
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I put ST tires on my 7000# rated enclosed, but my loaded weight is only 5280 with full fluids. I also put TPMS sensors on it. If one blows or separates, I'm going with LT tires.
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12-29-2011, 08:07 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Summerfield Fl.
Posts: 300
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Changed to Lt tires on my 28 ft enclosed as soon as oem tires failed did not take long. The truck tires are way better the only problem is when you do have a failure the truck tires are steel belted and will sometimes damage the rig where trailer tires are mostly fiberglass belted and won't tear the trailer sides up. At least that is how mine worked.
__________________
Tom Homestead Fl.
2017 Tiffen Pheaton
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12-29-2011, 02:36 PM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 203
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Akibase
I would like to get your opinion on the use of light truck tires instead of trailer tires on travel trailers and 5er's. My friend has been going this route for many years and feels that you can purchase a better quality tire, with a lot better selection of brands and load ratings. As well the pricing is better as you seldom see trailer tires go on sale. His idea makes some sense to me, but I am not sure.
As well I have spoken to a gentleman that has been in the tire business for over 40 years and he as well feels this is the way to go.
This all said, there is no greater experience that what is available on this forum.
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ST tires are all made in China.
Chinese trailer tires = JUNK!
Use LT tires with the correct rating = HAPPY
GWinger
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