Using truck tires on TT

[GringoPete]

I am late to this thread but am thinking of replacing our 7 year old original (low mileage) TT tires with comparable Goodyear Endurance tires, simply due to the original tires' age. But I am thinking, even with high speed ratings on the GY tires, is the engineering of the TT itself a factor in travel speed? Do higher speeds put more stress on the TT components or am I overthinking this? Maybe this is covered in a different thread

[grassy]

most st tires have a speed rating of 65 or a bit less..

[FastEagle]

Originally Posted by GringoPete

I am late to this thread but am thinking of replacing our 7 year old original (low mileage) TT tires with comparable Goodyear Endurance tires, simply due to the original tires' age. But I am thinking, even with high speed ratings on the GY tires, is the engineering of the TT itself a factor in travel speed? Do higher speeds put more stress on the TT components or am I overthinking this? Maybe this is covered in a different thread

Theoretically a tire can carry its maximum load capacity up to its speed rating.

[FastEagle]

Originally Posted by grassy

most st tires have a speed rating of 65 or a bit less..

Most newer ST tires have speed ratings higher than 65 MPH.

[Tireman9]

It is a fact that the load formula for ST type tires is based on an assumed max operating speed of 65 mph.


The High Speed test which is used for the letter coding is a test developed for passenger tires and is really just a relative measure of heat resistance. It is a 30 minute not 30,000 mile test so a tire only needs to be good at its load and the stated speed then the tire is considered scrap.


I suggest that people consider the speed symbol on the tire sidewall as they would the engine red-line in their car / truck. You can run that fast but not without doing some permanent damage.


When comparing "Truck tires" i.e. LT with TT tires i.e. ST type you MUST look at the stated load capacity as ST tires have a higher stated load capacity because they have an actual lower speed capacity as part of the load formula. Also the DOT testing for LT tires from 2002 is much more stringent than for ST tires from the '70's.

[FastEagle]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

Yeah, but what about a consensus?

Wouldn’t having enough people who agree to disregard tire manufacturers recommendations, vehicle manufacturers recommendations and National safety regulations make it ok to use improper equipment?

NOPE!

[Tireman9]

QUOTE
Originally Posted by RVPioneer
Yeah, but what about a consensus?

Wouldn’t having enough people who agree to disregard tire manufacturers recommendations, vehicle manufacturers recommendations and National safety regulations make it ok to use improper equipment?

How would you feel about a consensus on having heart surgery if you just asked 9 people on the street and one actual heart surgeon?Since everyone has a heart, is everyone's opinion of equal value? would you just go with the majority vote?

[tuffr2]

Just a question, are tire blowouts a problem on travel trailers and 5th wheels?

Are tire blowouts a problem on trucks?

The way I answer these questions tells me everything i need to know.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by Robert Clark

You can reference Carlisle Radial Trail HD Trailer Tire. These tires offer a sense of stability ...

I'll never buy another Carlisle tire after both tires on a new boat trailer basically disintegrated after less than 2 years and less than 5,000 miles.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Just a question, are tire blowouts a problem on travel trailers and 5th wheels?

Are tire blowouts a problem on trucks?

The way I answer these questions tells me everything i need to know.

Wonder if the "Blowout" were actually Run Low Sidewall Flex Failure or if they were Belt detachments?
This post explains the difference.

[grassy]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Just a question, are tire blowouts a problem on travel trailers and 5th wheels?

Are tire blowouts a problem on trucks?

The way I answer these questions tells me everything i need to know.

I have not had a flat on my trailer since I switched to LTs.. 50+ K miles ago..my tires are now 6 years old and i have put 20k on them in the last 2 years..but I have been told my many that Sts were "designed" for trailers and LTs are dangerous..

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by grassy

I have not had a flat on my trailer since I switched to LTs.. 50+ K miles ago. My tires are now 6 years old ...

Plus there are more brands and sizes to choose from !

Forget letter load ratings or ply ratings. All tires have a maximum load rating on the sidewall.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

Plus there are more brands and sizes to choose from !

Forget letter load ratings or ply ratings. All tires have a maximum load rating on the sidewall.

Correct. The main difference is that motor vehicles tend to have 20% to 40% reserve load while RV trailers tend to have less than 10% with a majority being in a state of overload when the tire loading is actually measured.


IMO there is a great tendency to jump to the conclusion that tires on RV's are "defective" because of the zip code of the plant where the tires are manufactured. I think this would be similar to claiming that all RV made in Indiana are also "defective" because we see so many people complaining of problems in their RVs that were made in Indiana.


While it is possible to change from ST type to LT type and have no problems, many times people making such a change tend to pay more attention to load and inflation of their tires than the average RV trailer owner.

[L.C.Gray]

Originally Posted by odinjunior

This reminds me of the Car tire on a motorcycle issue.

Perzactly…. Going Darkside on the RV...