Another tire dilema

camp-n-family wrote:
Father is supposed to leave this morning for a 5 day trip, about 1k kms round trip. Last night while inspecting the fiver he noticed that 2 of the 4 tires had cracks in the sidewalls near the rim. The trailer was bought new in May last year so he called the dealer about the tire warranty. The process will take too long so he went to his mechanic. He ordered new tires last night, same ones he puts on his trailers.

He goes in this morning to have them installed. They are Carlysles load range D with a max 80psi. The stock tires were 50psi max. I don't think the rims are rated for 80psi and the mechanic said to just air the tires up to 50.

Questions; Are the new Carlysles any good? Is it ok to only air them up to 50psi? Tires weight rating is well over the weight of the fiver so they won't be near max load.

NHTSA really doesn't get into tire/rim vehicle fitments as long as the basic Minimum standards are met with the Original Equipment tires and any replacements that follow. They even tell you how to fit "P" rated tires to truck/trailer axles.

It's always going to be best to get a replacement tire recommendation from the vehicle manufacturer. They really do have the ultimate responsibility to do that. Many of the manufacturer representatives you may talk to on the phone about that are often reluctant to offer suggestions because they just don't know their manufacturers policy (s). Many manufacturers don't even make replacement recommendations beyond what size the OE tires are/were.

Plus sizing is always an option. You have to find a tire dealer/retailer that has personnel with plus sizing experience. An employee with extensive plus sizing experience will not install replacement tires that do not meet the size/load requirements of the OE tires found on the vehicle tire placard/certification label. You don't want to end up with replacement tires that are not suited for the task you want them to perform. Probably the tire best suited to replace the ST tire is an all position or steer LT tire with a straight 4/5 rib design. I would also opt for a low mileage tire - 40K or less - with less dense tread compounds.

Here are a couple of references. One is for tire fitments in the CDN market place and the other explains - in depth - the process of plus sizing your OE tires with suitable replacements.

Click Here!

And Here!

FastEagle