ST235/80R16 Tire Replacement
I wish to go to the LT tires, and the shop I called said they do not make them in that size, I would have to go to an LT235/85R16 tire. He said since this tire is a bit larger than the old, you have ...
Forum Discussion
I have been reading with great interest all of the tire threads for a long while now. I have been, and still am, a professional mechanic for 39 years. I feel this gives me a different perspective because I see the results of mistakes by automotive manufactures. Does anyone remember the Ford Explorers of the nineties with the rollover problems. Ford did not heed their own advice that the vehicle needed to be a couple of inches wider and then used tires without the extra nylon cap. On top of that they recommended 26 psi. Auto manufactures have always dragged their feet on safety improvements. Many times it took federal mandates to make those improvements.
My DW's Chevy 1500 tire placard on the door does not mention LT tires, but many times on this forum I have seen people recommending LT tires on 1/2 ton pickups and not a peep of opposition. I am sure GM would recommend use what is on the tire sticker on the door and be silent on anything else. Reminds of when I was a kid and the church I attended and another church were arguing over the use of a piano in church. My church argued that the bible did not specifically authorize its use and the other church said the bible did not specifically deny its use. Who is right? Ford recommends the use of Motorcraft oil and filters. But really, if other companies parts meet or exceed Ford specs then that is all that matters.
The same of using LT tires on a trailer. If it meets or exceeds the recommended load does it really matter? I have not seen any evidence that it is a bad thing. Any accidents that one can say was caused by using LT tires that would not have been caused by using ST's?
That being said, I have decided to replace and upgrade the 3 1/2 year old tires on my trailer. The original are ST205/75/14 'C'. I have ordered ST205/75/15D for the simple reason of availability. I really wanted Goodyear Wrangler HT LT215/15/15 'D' or Conti's Vanco 2, but the availability was slim to none, whereas Walmart does carry ST205/75/15C and there are Walmarts everywhere. I feel that this a good enough upgrade.
My DW's Chevy 1500 tire placard on the door does not mention LT tires, but many times on this forum I have seen people recommending LT tires on 1/2 ton pickups and not a peep of opposition. I am sure GM would recommend use what is on the tire sticker on the door and be silent on anything else. Reminds of when I was a kid and the church I attended and another church were arguing over the use of a piano in church. My church argued that the bible did not specifically authorize its use and the other church said the bible did not specifically deny its use. Who is right? Ford recommends the use of Motorcraft oil and filters. But really, if other companies parts meet or exceed Ford specs then that is all that matters.
The same of using LT tires on a trailer. If it meets or exceeds the recommended load does it really matter? I have not seen any evidence that it is a bad thing. Any accidents that one can say was caused by using LT tires that would not have been caused by using ST's?
That being said, I have decided to replace and upgrade the 3 1/2 year old tires on my trailer. The original are ST205/75/14 'C'. I have ordered ST205/75/15D for the simple reason of availability. I really wanted Goodyear Wrangler HT LT215/15/15 'D' or Conti's Vanco 2, but the availability was slim to none, whereas Walmart does carry ST205/75/15C and there are Walmarts everywhere. I feel that this a good enough upgrade.
