St tires vs LT tires

alaska511 wrote:
I just ordered the GoodYear Unisteel G614RST 14 ply.

I don't think I can do a lot better than these.

Just something to think about.
I use to have a neighbor that ran two log trucks in the PNW, after many year of cutting up tires on the gravel roads and blowouts, he tried dropping pressure from 110 psi to 90 psi. He ran his trucks full loaded and his tires issues almost disappeared!! If you are looking for a stronger tire because of gravel roads, might rethink, or just run at a lower psi.

Jumping in
I asked same question
2001 30ft cardinal 12500 gvwr
Wanted r250, but when they finally came in, they were 26 months old already.

Americas tire said he could not find any newer. Michelins were 360 more.
I opted for the yokohamas. Very solid tire..

alaska511 wrote:

Me Again wrote:

alaska511 wrote:
I just ordered the GoodYear Unisteel G614RST 14 ply.

I don't think I can do a lot better than these.

Those tires are very big over kill for a trailer with a GVWR of a little less than 12K. Michelin XPS Ribs or Bridgestone Duravis R250 would have been a much better match for a lot less money.

The trailer loaded comes in heavier than the GVW on that ridiculous sticker. This has been the case with nearly every RV I have ever seen. Call the weight police. Overkill truly is what I was going for. I don't want to worry about it, and we have some rough roads to travel.

"Better match" opinions leave a lot out of the equation.

To each their own, however I had a similar size and weight 5th wheel for 11 years. With only 10K on the axles, the G614 will beat the trailer up if you inflate them beyond around 80 pounds. I ran 71 pounds in both my ribs and R250s. Ribs were on it for 6.5 and 40 some thousand miles. I sold them on CL for 200 bucks and installed R250's, which I also ran at 71 lbs of inflation. Wear was even and handling great.

BTW, your wheels may not be rated for more that 80 lbs inflation anyway.

Chris

Me Again wrote:

alaska511 wrote:
I just ordered the GoodYear Unisteel G614RST 14 ply.

I don't think I can do a lot better than these.

Those tires are very big over kill for a trailer with a GVWR of a little less than 12K. Michelin XPS Ribs or Bridgestone Duravis R250 would have been a much better match for a lot less money.

The trailer loaded comes in heavier than the GVW on that ridiculous sticker. This has been the case with nearly every RV I have ever seen. Call the weight police. Overkill truly is what I was going for. I don't want to worry about it, and we have some rough roads to travel.

"Better match" opinions leave a lot out of the equation.

alaska511 wrote:
I just ordered the GoodYear Unisteel G614RST 14 ply.

I don't think I can do a lot better than these.

Those tires are very big over kill for a trailer with a GVWR of a little less than 12K. Michelin XPS Ribs or Bridgestone Duravis R250 would have been a much better match for a lot less money.

I just ordered the GoodYear Unisteel G614RST 14 ply.

I don't think I can do a lot better than these.

fj12ryder, I can't give you "one" (but I bet a Google search can)!!! But, if you are the "one", it gets pretty personal! The court system makes seemingly "unreasonable" decisions almost daily.I prefer to be cautious, and hopefully remain safe from a ridiculous court decesion.

memtb wrote:
djgarcia, The primary difference is "beefer" cording in the sidewalls of the ST tires, whether it be polyester or steel. Trailer tires, because of their use, experience much more "side loading" during the sharp turn of the trailer. The stiffer sidewalls reduce the probability of the tire "rolling" off of the bead during an extremely sharp turn. If you look at commercial truck tires... You have "steer" tires, drive or traction tires, and trailer tires. Granted, these are a more "specialized" service, but the logic is the same! memtb


If you do a Google search, you can get a better explanation than I am capable of providing!!

Also... In our world of lawyers and litigation, if you use an LT tire in place of an ST tire and a tire failure caused a major (injuries or fatalities) auto accident.... you "may" be held liable in court!!

Sorry to say, while the tread pattern may be different in Commercial semi tires the carcass are all the same. Steer, driver or trailer are all the same carcass construction,.
Steer tires CAN'T be retreads they need to be new. Once the tread is worn these become capped and used as either trailer or driver tires. Commercial truck tires will likely be retreaded three to six times before they are dumped.

Chris, you pretty much said what I was trying to say about the ST's. One had to do research and purchase an upgrade over what most units had. Example: back in the day the Goodyear 614's (I think),we're a pretty good tire ( Michlien also had a real good tire) and a considerable upgrade over most standard rv tires. Though very expensive! Goodyear Marathons (cheap imports)are garbage, just as were many other ST's on the market!!! Just their way of competing with cheap imports. The sad truth is, we can't trust most anything in any market venue that is "a great deal"! We the buyer have to do much research and try to make the best decision based upon that research.Good deals come at a premium price!
Sorry if I've offended anyone! The gentleman asked for opinions, and I offered what IMHO, was the best advice I could offer.
As far as the lawyer/litigation comment: I place them and politicians in the same despicable category! memtb

memtb wrote:
Howard, I merely offered what the tire manufacturers (Goodyear technician statement) say about their products. Perhaps, and I pray it "never" happens, your expert testimony could be used in the defendants court case!! memtb

I'm more than willing to say I'm wrong, and all it will take is an example of someone losing a court battle due to running LT tires with adequate weight rating instead of ST tires. Show me one and I'll admit I'm wrong.