ST Tires changed to LT series tires

[Fishalaska1]

Originally Posted by dayle1

Most common LT tire on 3/4 ton trucks has a load capacity of 3042 lbs. My 1 ton has tires rated at 3525 lbs and a rear GAWR of 7050 lbs.

So trailers or trucks, if GAWR is very close to the OEM supplied tire capacity then it is the tires that set the GAWR limit. If tire capacity is higher than the GAWR then something else is the limiter and the excess tire capacity is unusable.

Is yours a Ford 350 SRW?

[Drewd]

All the LT tire naysayers can keep their ST tires. All I know is that this is the first year that I haven't had a trailer tire blow on me and this is the first year that I switched to LT tires. I'm using Korean Nexen LT tires and they have been awesome in over 7k miles of towing at speeds higher than 65mph.

[VanDiemen23]

St tires are only rated to 55 mph. Above that, even at max rated pressure they start to get hot and eventually fail. Run at 70-75 with a near full load and it's going to happen.

A good friend of mine is a retired Firestone engineer and multiple-time road-racing champion. He told me that on STs if running fast or in hot conditions go 10% over max sidewall pressure. It will stiffen the tire and prevent sidewall flex and heat build-up. and allow you to tow up to 65 with more peace of mind.

If you are worried about"overpressure" the tires are designed to 300% sidewall pressure, so all +10% will do is get them to "beach ball" a little and wear faster down the middle.

He runs LTs though, and he said there are only two sidewall issues to consider - the trailer may pick up a bit more sway, and the sidewalls are not as tough as the ones on trailer tires, which the manufacturers expect to get dragged over curbs and such.

As long as you pay attention to the inside tires on turns and keep them aired up to max the LTs are a better choice if you tow fast or in hot locations.

[1bigmess]

Originally Posted by VanDiemen23

St tires are only rated to 55 mph.

The ST tires on my trailer are rated for 75 MPH max. Every operator has to know their particular equipment limits and condition.

[Lloyd in S.C.]

Thanks all for the discussion!

LT's are being installed tomorrow am. Before the trip home. I think this is a good call in this specific case. They will be under loaded and run at max pressure. Again,,,, the ST tire solution is not working, and I really believe it is a wide spread problem that needs to be addressed in the industry....

#1 the tires are not up to the job.
#2 the RV's are not constructed to survive a tire failure without significant damage.

I now run a Class A, however for years prior I experienced this myself, tried multiple brands on a tri axle trailer, and had 6 tire failures in probably 40,000 miles. Maxiss, and other brands were tried, I never had tires on the trailer owned from 2004 to 2015 older than 2 1/2 years as each time one failed,,,, I replaced them all due to fear of more significant damage. I ran a tpms, was religious about checking pressure, and never had a clue till the big bang,,,,, except for when my son saw the tell tale wobble from behind. I did not have another option on my tri axle as it ran 15" tires.

Lots of discussion here about sidewall. My failures and my son-inlaws in this thread were belts in the tread failing. If you examine his failing tire at this moment on his trailer,,,, the tread has a wave in it... it will soon come apart.

Thanks all!!!

[dayle1]

Originally Posted by Lloyd in S.C.

Lots of discussion here about sidewall. My failures and my son-inlaws in this thread were belts in the tread failing. If you examine his failing tire at this moment on his trailer,,,, the tread has a wave in it... it will soon come apart.

Thanks all!!!

Good point, when my Maxxis tires started failing, it was along the shoulder at the transition from stiff sidewall to tread belt. My TPMS warned of air loss on one tire, inspection showed rubber failure at the bottom of the tread grooves as they wrapped onto the sidewall. The other tires didn't leak but had same symptom. This may be the Achillies heel for ST tires and unbalanced wheels might add to the problem (although mine had been balanced).

[Fishalaska1]

So I guy cant go wrong upgrading to 17.5" wheels and the Sailun S637 tires?

[Hatchet67]

Just an update on the LT tires we installed last year. So far 3,600 trouble free miles on them. I know it's not much yet but it is a start. They traveled to AL, NY, GA, PA and all the states in between. The only issue I've had so far is the Anderson Leveling wheel chocks don't fit too well between the tires due to the larger diameter. I had to trim one of them down a bit. I do not notice any additional sway or handling issues while towing. I'll keep everyone posted as time goes on.

[FastEagle]

Misquotes/misinformation is often used by some posters to stress a point or just say something is OK when it is actually an error.

Can anyone show a reference that says it's OK/safe for a RV trailer owner to install replacement tires that that are under the load capacity capabilities of the Original Equipment tires?

Why do posters want to use tires just because they can carry a given load or are equal to the axles load capacities? Can you show the reference. (Government or Tire Industry)?

Proper tire inflation and load capacity reserves are the prime secrets to longer RV trailer tire life.

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by FastEagle

Misquotes/misinformation is often used by some posters to stress a point or just say something is OK when it is actually an error.

Can anyone show a reference that says it's OK/safe for a RV trailer owner to install replacement tires that that are under the load capacity capabilities of the Original Equipment tires?

Why do posters want to use tires just because they can carry a given load or are equal to the axles load capacities? Can you show the reference. (Government or Tire Industry)?

Proper tire inflation and load capacity reserves are the prime secrets to longer RV trailer tire life.

Tires and the discussion of tires seems to be a "black magic" topic. Everyone has their ideas and theories and are able to quote specific examples of instances that support their position.

IMO a set of tires that meet the weight requirements and which are properly inflated and maintained will always do the job.

As an observation all you have to do is observe the number of people leaving a campground without checking the tire pressures. Maybe they did it yesterday or at the start of the trip and the tires are properly inflated. When traveling at 62 miles an hour observe the number of units that pass going well over 65. Perhaps all of them have changed the ST to a higher speed rated tire but most IMO drive like they do their car and are probably not aware of the speed rating of an ST.

It seems that the GPS says "Arrival Time" and many see "Time to Beat" so the challenge is on.

[Bob_C]

Isn't that the truth!...

[JIMNLIN]

I'll keep everyone posted as time goes on.

.
Its not necessary as most long time trailer owners know the benefit of the LT tire on a trailer. Your finding out what many found out years ago.....good for you. Its a good feeling knowing you have tires that can last 40k-60k miles and 6-8 years of trouble free service.
Hell before the tire industry gave us the ST tire all we had for heavier trailers was a truck tire (LT tires today). Our lighter trailers used passenger car tires (P tires)


Opinions and replies on a tire thread on a RV website come from new trailer owners......someone who has owned 1-2 rv trailer and never worn out a tire........long time rv owners with hundreds of thousands of miles on several rv trailers.....and self styled experts who offer no help for those looking for a better tire......folks who make a living pulling trailers....etc/etc.
So for those looking for help I would use google and look at the many trailering websites (rv and non rv) and see which brands or tire types work but more importantly which brands/tire types have no issues or the least number of issues.

[Hatchet67]

Originally Posted by FastEagle

Misquotes/misinformation is often used by some posters to stress a point or just say something is OK when it is actually an error.

Can anyone show a reference that says it's OK/safe for a RV trailer owner to install replacement tires that that are under the load capacity capabilities of the Original Equipment tires?

Why do posters want to use tires just because they can carry a given load or are equal to the axles load capacities? Can you show the reference. (Government or Tire Industry)?

Proper tire inflation and load capacity reserves are the prime secrets to longer RV trailer tire life.

FastEagle, all I can say is the ST tires with the load capacity reserve inflated to the correct pressure failed enough times, causing enough damage and costing me too much money to continue. I know the tires I purchased have a higher load rating then what they will carry and I've run the same brand and model tire on my haul rig for years without failure so why not give it a try.

[mike keller]

I had two Trailer King blowouts in one day with about $3500 in damage. Went with the Michelin XPS Rib 235/80R16.
Also y'all who have had blowouts with these cheap China tires need to contact NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. Only way to get these tires removed from market. Remember the most important safety item on your rig is the tires. I will be making a complaint once I have insurance issues completed.