4 season info

A guy asked me today, what is the difference between an E rated ST tire and a E rated LT tires :h

On another note, I just bought this 2003 3500 Ram with the Cummins and a 6spd (212,000 on the ODO) a year ago. Came from an 06 Ford F350 with the Powerstroke. I can NOT believe that this Cummins pulls so well! I've heard it for years, but couldn't get around that fact I had to get a Dodge to get a Cummins. This thing is an animal!. I wouldn't even hook this 15k GVWR camper to that Ford, EMPTY. It would be overheating, and lack any kind of real power. I truly think there was something wrong with that engine, because I had it live tuned, bigger turbo, all the things that were supposed to make it a heavy hauler, to no avail :S

I ran the same Commercial T/A tires for years on my Laredo and had no problem. You are better off with those than ST's any day. Keep then at 80 psi and enjoy.

The weight rating is the same for both tires, and the tag on the kingpin (thanks drfife) says axles are rated at 6k each. There's no guarantee that ALL tires will keep you from a blowout, just lessons your chances a bit with each individuals choice. I feel like I made a good decision, with your help. Thank you

2006PSDSD wrote:

drfife wrote:

2006PSDSD wrote:
I'm trying to buy a new set of tires, but want the OE spec size. There isn't a tag in the normal place on this camper to tell me such info. Does anybody know what it should run?

FWIW, it has 235/85/16 load range E, now

Excel often puts their tag beside the king pin on the horizontal section of the overhang.

You'll get a kink in your neck reading it.

I saw that, but don't remember seeing the tire size. I'll have to double check, thanks.

I have a set of these waiting to be installed. Can't swing 200/tire
BFG

Make sure the replacements are rated at the same as the originals for weight capacity, not size. If $200/tire is not in the the picture try $4-5000 for repairs if one blows.

I've ran those BFG tires. They did Ok, good for 4 years and take them off. Maybe 5 years but no more.
My rig has 17.5 tires, I changed those at 5 years also.

drfife wrote:

2006PSDSD wrote:
I'm trying to buy a new set of tires, but want the OE spec size. There isn't a tag in the normal place on this camper to tell me such info. Does anybody know what it should run?

FWIW, it has 235/85/16 load range E, now

Excel often puts their tag beside the king pin on the horizontal section of the overhang.

You'll get a kink in your neck reading it.

I saw that, but don't remember seeing the tire size. I'll have to double check, thanks.

I have a set of these waiting to be installed. Can't swing 200/tire
BFG

2006PSDSD wrote:
I'm trying to buy a new set of tires, but want the OE spec size. There isn't a tag in the normal place on this camper to tell me such info. Does anybody know what it should run?

FWIW, it has 235/85/16 load range E, now

Excel often puts their tag beside the king pin on the horizontal section of the overhang.

You'll get a kink in your neck reading it.

Thanks guys, that's why I was asking. Typical tire know-it-all at the tire shop, and ill informed patron :)

2006PSDSD wrote:
They are LT's currently, Rusty. The tire shop said that the ST's will handle better on the camper. The tire I chose does have steel belts, which I was intent on finding. Hopefully I can get a few years out of these tires, if we keep the camper. Plans are to use this to live in for a while, then sell and go to a toy hauler style popup

Do not install ST tires on your Excel.

Get LT load range G 16" tires. There are several good brands to choose from.

Do a forum search for "LT 16" tires".

With all respect, you may want to read some of the tire threads in this forum before you let the tire shop talk you into some cheap "ChinaBomb" ST tires. I doubt the tire shop guys have ever pulled a 5th wheel RV - they are just going by the literature touting the supposed benefits of the ST ("Special Trailer") tire. The LT tires I listed above are recommended by their respective manufacturers for trailer service, and the XPS Ribs specifically are a favorite for the heavily loaded gooseneck trailers used by the hot-shot rigs in the oil fields because of their toughness, durability and long mileage.

The tires I listed don't just have steel belts - the carcass plies are also steel.

Rusty