question on tire research

JIMNLIN wrote:
The issue with Mark Polk isn't speed/overload or inflation but rather his blogs on tires in the past have said LT tires can't be used on trailers or ST have a stiffer sidewall or Discount Tire nonsense/etc;

Comments like that tells most folks with trailering experience he has no idea what he's talking about.
Mark has pushed that agenda for years although he might have become better educated on the subject and now preaches a different tune.

Most folks with multiple tire issues have upgraded to a better class/brand of tire or a higher rated tire and had no more issues.

Just curious but your pretty vocal about the ST vs LT issues.
How many years and how many miles and how many heavy trailers have you towed ??

As I stated earlier have been Rv'ing since 1973 and towing travel trailers and fifth wheels since 1977 until we traded for the mh in 08 and we are going back to a FW in November. As to miles look at my sig. We have hit every state numeous times with the exception of 3 and have also traversed all of Canada and never had a ST tire blow, So the total miles would probably be in mid to upper 5 digit range. I also meeti every summer with a group of 100-200 who mostly tow trailers and fifth wheels and there may be one or two who had tire failures along the way. Yes it happens, but based on the number of ST's on the road it is not extreme.

The info I've gathered is by researching as much as possible over the last 41 years since I don't want my family in jeopardy. I also managed a 50 vehicle fleet for 15 years and personally discussed the issue with tire reps and they all say ST's are engineered for trailer and LT's are engineered for trucks. LT's have been know to pop off the rim in tight turns due to the stiff side walls so nothing is perfect. As a matter of record MICHELIN just had a major recall for tires on the E-450 chassis used for MH's.

What I have said from the beginning and I will say it again.... If you overload and run a tire underinflated, too fast for it's rating or older than 5-6 years (especially if they sit for long periods) they will fail and that is what you will read on every tire site.(Mark Polk, Tire Safety or whoever) I see it everytime we travel people towing at 75 or faster and they are just asking for trouble or they are on the side of the road with a flat.

Forgot one very important piece of the puzzle. Dexter has always said to make sure your rims are rated for the tire being installed. YOU CAN't PUT LT's on rims designed for only ST's. Something else most people don't check.