Community Forums

L.C.Gray · 02-03-2018, 10:05 AM

Made the move and ditched my ST’s!

2 sets in 6 years where tires were showing defects long before tread was showing wear. Only had about 2,500 miles on each set.

Got rid of the 225/75/R15 ST tires for LT225/75/R16 BFG Commercial T/A’s

Trailer is 10,000 GVWR with an actual axle weight of 6,400 lbs loaded and ready to camp. The BFG’s are rated at 2,680 lbs each (ST’s rated at 2,830 lbs) so I’m still running a good 4,000+ lbs under my new tires capacity. The BFG’s are actually about a 3/4 inch shorter tire so theres no clearance issue. Only downside was it required a change to 16” wheels. The tires cost about the same as a “quality” (if there is such a thing) ST tire so that was a wash, just incurred the expense of 4 new wheels. This is an easy swap on 6 lug axles, but my tire guy tells me that suitable 5 lug 16” wheels can be a problem.

For $300 in wheels, and a net loss of 400 lbs weight capacity that I didn’t need, I have a tire package that will last at least twice as long, that I’m confident in and now can giddy-up and go faster on the interstate if I want to. Well worth the cost if you ask me.

keymastr · 02-03-2018, 02:18 PM

Sounds good! Hope they last like they should. I always heard there were sidewall differences in ST tires to allow for the scrubbing and bending they take when turning sharp. Never had confirmation of that though, just web talk. If I knew for sure I would be switching my next set too.

2500HD · 02-03-2018, 02:21 PM

I have a set of 225/75/16's I put on when our trailer was new in 2016 we have about 7,000 miles on them now. I have no worries about tires or my speed. Top speed is limited by my comfort level. The price on Sailun 235/85/16's has dropped significantly recently. If I was buying today I'd buy those.

hone eagle · 02-04-2018, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keymastr

Sounds good! Hope they last like they should. I always heard there were sidewall differences in ST tires to allow for the scrubbing and bending they take when turning sharp. Never had confirmation of that though, just web talk. If I knew for sure I would be switching my next set too.

I dont think so ,posts from tireman (pdf) show in print that the bead seating standards are exactly the same.
In fact michlean 'ribs' are the factory reccomdation for closely spaced axles, and btw they also state 'max sidewall indicated pressure ' on a closely spaced (trailer) application.Proly to mitigate the turning/sidewall issue.

JIMNLIN · 02-04-2018, 07:49 PM

I've ran two sets of the BFG Commercials LT215/85-16 E at 2680 lbs capacity on my 11k 5th wheel trailer with 5200 lb axles. Ran the first set to 55k miles and just over 50k miles on the second set.
My truck tire dealer made me a heck of a deal last summer on Firestone Transforce HT. I've used the Transforce HT on other equipment trailers.
I keep them pumped to 80 psi at 75 mph on the interstate or sitting in the trailer shed.

jenandjon · 02-05-2018, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keymastr

Sounds good! Hope they last like they should. I always heard there were sidewall differences in ST tires to allow for the scrubbing and bending they take when turning sharp. Never had confirmation of that though, just web talk. If I knew for sure I would be switching my next set too.

They guy I get my tires from has a camper also. He ran LT tires until he seen a guy at the campground turn real sharp. He said it pealed the tread right off the tire. Because there is no side wall flex like a trailer tire has. There are variables to account for that are unknown. Age of tire, tire pressure, How hot was it that day, Was the tire already separating? He talked me out of LT tires and sold me a set of 12 ply Carlisle tires with a 75 mph speed rating. I bet they are twice the weight as the tow max tires I was running. Around $80 a peace because I'm mounting them myself.

hone eagle · 02-05-2018, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenandjon

They guy I get my tires from has a camper also. He ran LT tires until he seen a guy at the campground turn real sharp. He said it pealed the tread right off the tire. Because there is no side wall flex like a trailer tire has. There are variables to account for that are unknown. Age of tire, tire pressure, How hot was it that day, Was the tire already separating? He talked me out of LT tires and sold me a set of 12 ply Carlisle tires with a 75 mph speed rating. I bet they are twice the weight as the tow max tires I was running. Around $80 a peace because I'm mounting them myself.

A 'guy' saw a 'guy' ........ is there such a thing as a double anecdote

CecilD · 02-05-2018, 09:55 AM

How is a 16" tire of the same width and aspect ratio as a 15" tire 3/4" shorter? Math doesn't add up. Should be 1" taller. I've considered LT tires but they don't make them in my 16" tire size and I don't have room to go larger.

L.C.Gray · 02-05-2018, 10:19 AM

As far as the whole sidewall thing goes... I've been using P and LT tires on every kind of trailer I've owned or pulled for decades and never had any issues with tire life or durability whether on bumper pulls or goosenecks. I never had an ST tire on anything until buying my first travel trailer.

Overall I think this ST tire use is a lot about putting on a higher weight rated tire instead of stepping up to the next more appropriate sized axles, wheels and standard tires as a cost saving measure.

All I know is I don't plan on owning another ST tire ever. If I buy a new unit in the future that'll be the first change made.

Wallaby Dan · 02-05-2018, 02:14 PM

For those with 15" wheels Maxmus makes 15 inch trailer tires up to 12 ply. I put those on mine and no issues whatever.

CharlesinGA · 02-05-2018, 05:16 PM

Airstream now puts the 16 inch LT tires on some models out of the factory, and there are number of people on the Airforum that attest to the fact that after a number of ST blowouts over several years and the switch to LT's they no longer experience blowouts or rapid tread wear.

Charles

keymastr · 02-05-2018, 05:47 PM

I think as L.C.Gray mentioned, the biggest issue is that most new trailers come with axle/wheel/tire combinations that barely are enough to cover the weight of the trailer minus the tongue weight. Whether ST or LT there would be far less problems if axles and tires were rated at least one weight range higher.

jenandjon · 02-05-2018, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hone eagle

A 'guy' saw a 'guy' ........ is there such a thing as a double anecdote

I know him personally. If that is what he said, then thats what happened.

hone eagle · 02-06-2018, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenandjon

I know him personally. If that is what he said, then thats what happened.

I believe it absolutely ,it can happened and it has happened to all kinds of tires.
What is not known and cant be known is what led up to the 'peeling',tires are reefed sideways everyday makes me cringe when I see it ,I have done it.

It just struck me funny the way you posted it
sorry