PartyMarty wrote:
fla-gypsy wrote:
PartyMarty wrote:
regarding weight reduction with LT tires ?
That is the misunderstanding .
The ST scale is so weak that the placard on the side of equivalent size tires shows the ST tire at a higher weight rating than the similar sized LT tire .
even though the LT tire is more tire from the same manufacuter.
The LT Tire definitely is more tire than than the same size ST tire .
from the tire rack website here is a comparison between ( nearly ) identical 235/80R16E tires :
From the tirerack website .
Goodyear ST 235/80 R 16 E
price = $ 135 each
weight = 34 # each
section width is 9.2 "
tread width= 6.8 "
diameter is 30.7 "
rated 3420 # at 80 psi on ST scale
Goodyear LT 235/85 R 16 E
price = $ 157 each
weight = 50 # each
section width is 9.3 "
tread width= 7.0 "
diameter is 31.7 "
rated 3042 # at 80 psi on LT scale
So the Goodyear ST tire is rated for 112.4 % higher load rating than the equivalent Goodyear LT tire .
And they will sell this ST tire for only 86 % of the LT tire .
And the ST tire has less mass for cordage , plys , caps and so forth because it weighs 76 % of the Goodyear LT tire .
This is very telling as to how much lower the ST standards are in relation to the LT standards .
Further the ST tire has plainly stamped on the sidewall " for trailer use only " .
The LT tire has no disclaimer .
to recap :
the manufacturer is the same.
both tires are 235 ( one is 80 = 80% and the other is 85 = 85% )
both tires are load range E or 80 PSI .
The ST tire is cheaper ( 86% cost ) .
The ST tire has less rubber and cords .
The ST tire weighs 76 % of the LT Tire .
The LT tire only gets a 3042# rating on the LT scale .
The cheaper / lighter ST tire gets a 3402 # rating on the less demanding ST scale .
This is very clear .
Goodyear , the manufacturer , has to build a much tougher tire for LT use such as on our heavy duty pickups .
If what you say is true then why do they derate the tire? Couldn't there be specific design differences that account for a higher weight rating? Why would they derate a tire that is capable of more weight? I have heard this argument before but other than a weight difference in the two tires I see no reason to believe it can carry more then the maker says it can.
From the data shown above the LT tire is definitely more tire than the equivalent sized ST tire .
The manufacturer is the same .
The ST scale is so weak that the manufacturer can post the higher capacity on the sidewall .
And charge considerably less for an ST tire which makes it to appear to be a bargain .
In the real world the LT tire is just plain 112 % more tire than the ST tire .
Too many buyers have been fooled by this ST tire over-rating and that has lead to failures .
I guess you were also wrong when you said the OP had 16 inch tires .
Also I think Lowsuv missed one .
This could have been maxxis failure # 23 on this forum .
Besides no maxxis passenger car tire has placed above the LOWEST 25 % in consumer reports tire tests .
What makes you think their ST tires are somehow equal to the name brands ?
The OP stated he had 16" tires in one of his posts so no mistake on my part (see my signature line). In this case the OP indicated by his own information that he had made the mistake of running these underinflated and mismatched with the spare tire. We are not talking about car tires here so that is irrelevant. My own personal experience of Maxxis vs Duro's (mfg in China) are the basis for my decisions. The Duro's cracked into dust in 18 months vs Maxxis tires I ran for 6+ years. BTW, I can't decide what anyone else should use but I will continue to spend my $$ on Maxxis ST tires when a ST tire is the only option until someone else builds a better one. In a 15" trailer tire there are no options. All of the info supplied by posters here about ratings for LT tires is interesting but none of it is supported with anything other than their statements just like mine is. Placing more weight on an LT tire than it is rated for would be foolhardy IMO and that is what some of you are suggesting.
