Tires: Driving 70 - 75 MPH - LT or ST?

[puttin]

OP,

If you're determined to drive at those speeds and jeopardise everyone's safety on the road then at least carry the maximum liability insurance you can plus an umbrella policy. If anything happens it will happen too fast for you to do anything to correct it. Your tow vehicle and trailer will quickly be disorganized...please reconsider your driving habits.

[IdahoSRT10]

Originally Posted by JIMNLIN

So have I on many occasions when buying tires for my heavier equipment/flatdeck trailers.
Better look closer as a ST 235/80-16 E weighs from 37 up to around 41 lbs depending on brand vs a LT235/85-16 E that can weigh up to 56 lbs depending on brand.

I'm just talking about the Maxxis brand. I know the Maxxis 16" weighs about the same as the Michelin Rib. I believe the OP has 15" wheels.
The Maxxis E ST held up well under a heavy load on my 5 er.

[Chuck 1935]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Tell that to CA since an RV pulling anything or anything towing a TT or 5th wheel is limited to 55 mph and they LOVE to enforce it. First ticket in almost 30 years came earlier this year for 67 in a 65 zone, but I was towing our Odyssey at the time so 12 over and $467 fine. Can't appeal it either due to the distance and needed to appear twice.

This is California's way of shaking down the truckers for additional revenue. Crossing the desert at 55 mph makes no sense when the speed limit for cars is 65 mph.

[1bigmess]

I think it's clear that the speed differential limit is shaking down more than just truckers, as a previous post has shown.

[Chuck 1935]

Originally Posted by 1bigmess

i think it's clear that the speed differential limit is shaking down more than just truckers, as a previous post has shown.

👍👍👍👍👍

[JIMNLIN]

I'm just talking about the Maxxis brand. I know the Maxxis 16" weighs about the same as the Michelin Rib.

Maxxis 8008 ST235/80-16 E weight is 43.4 lbs.

Michelin XPS Rib LT235/85-16 E weight is 56 lbs.

Now the same size Michelin LTX M/S2 weighs 43 lbs.

[tuffr2]

Seems like the Maxxis tire is a quality tire and you can not go wrong. Going from a 'D' rated tire to an 'E' rated tire is a step in the right direction. So you have that going for you.

But this is opinion only. I come down on the side that an LT tire is manufactured to higher standards than even the best ST tire.

If I were towing on a hot day with the sun at high noon on a black top road at 72mph I would want an LT tire over any ST tire.

[caissiel]

Simple,
ST tires will not do while any LT tires even overloaded will last till the threads are worn out.
That's my experience, no ST tires on my trailers.
They are only good when parked.

[schrederman]

Might be OK pulling fast if speed rating of the tires is up where you need it... but even if your equipment is within those specs, it will not keep you from getting into sway situations that happen... and get way out of control very quickly. The faster you're going, the quicker these situations get out of control and turn violent. Good luck...


Trailer tire speed ratings are not what keeps me from pulling faster than 65...

[Gordon Dewald]

I have heard that LT tires are OK as long as they are rated for multi position.

While there is debate about why you want to travel so fast we have found that we cover long distances by keeping on track when stopped. If we stop for gas we get gas, go to the washroom and get back on the road. No shopping in the convenience mart.

[guestPacer]

Yes you try to move with the flow of traffic if you want to do that not saying it's correct. Move to the far right lane if your not except to pass in some states it's the law even though some vehicles just have to be in the center fast lane hold traffic up.
I like to cruise (towing) at speeds between cars and commercial speeds. I run E rated tires at 80psi cold I also run a tire monitoring systems on all tow and trailer tires. This summer I've had the pleasure of driving in triple digests both in air and tire temps and my tires have increased 10 psi with a TPMS it gives me easy of mine. There are a lot of our brother and sister rv'ers out there who know a trailer tire blow at a low speed takes a few hundred feet if not yards to pull over. I use Tow Master SS tires by Green ball 225x75x15E (Costco)which are designed for high temp conditions and I've been very pleased.
Do the math your only gaining minutes for the increase in speed by 10 or 15 mph over the posted IMO. A smooth and steady pace will get you there almost as fast.

[1bigmess]

I always keep right unless I'm passing or there is a hazard in the right lane or I need to move left to get to my next exit/interchange/left turn.

If there are four or more lanes, I will drive in the second from the right lane to make it easier for folks to merge on and off the freeway. Changing lanes and merging are dangerous maneuvers while towing, so I try to do those things as little as possible, and make it easier for other to do safely.

Driving defensively, in my mind, is much more than simply being careful to protect myself. It's trying to anticipate problems for others and try to mitigate them, too, if I can.

I'll try not to hijack this topic any more. I feel very strongly about driving safety and keeping my head in the game behind the wheel.

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by 1bigmess

I always keep right unless I'm passing or there is a hazard in the right lane or I need to move left to get to my next exit/interchange/left turn.

If there are four or more lanes, I will drive in the second from the right lane to make it easier for folks to merge on and off the freeway. Changing lanes and merging are dangerous maneuvers while towing, so I try to do those things as little as possible, and make it easier for other to do safely.

Driving defensively, in my mind, is much more than simply being careful to protect myself. It's trying to anticipate problems for others and try to mitigate them, too, if I can.

I'll try not to hijack this topic any more. I feel very strongly about driving safety and keeping my head in the game behind the wheel.

Well said. Many folks seem to forget or ignore the fact they are supposed to share the road. The rules of the road were developed so there is an orderly sharing, that you should be able to anticipate what action the other driver will be taking in most normal circumstances.

It seems to be a free for all now with everyone demanding to go first.

[Chuck 1935]

For the thrill of a lifetime get behind a Geezer driving US 1 going to Key West !
Your tires will "time out" before you ever get there !!!