comparison ST vs LT Goodyear

PartyMarty wrote:
why are ST tires overrated ?
From the tirerack website .


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 .

So.. are YOU a tire ENGINEER?

I doubt it.

On the surface your "conclusions" would appear to be "spot on", BUT, there not even close.

First of all you have TWO DIFFERENT sizes of tires due to the SERIES (IE WIDTH).

Second of all the two tire "types" are designed for SEPARATE uses.

I you take a real close look at ST tire treads you will find less than 1/4 the tread on it compared to a LT tire. This in it's self can account for a considerable amount of weight difference.

Third, ST tires are NOT designed for TRACTION, infact the rubber compounds ARE designed to LOSE traction . This is extremely important when using on two or more axle trailers. The tires on a multiaxle trailer MUST be able to "hop" when making turns. Otherwise you will heavily stress your axles, bearings, springs, hangers and yes the frame of the trailer. Your axles can shift side to side up to two inches while making turns.

This leads to the FOURTH POINT, ST tires DO have extra strength designed into the sidewalls, they have to in order to withstand the side to side stresses of multiaxles.

While there are folks putting LTs on trailers it doesn't mean that it really is the right or correct thing to do in fact some tire manufacturers DO NOT RECOMMEND LT tire usage on trailers. Doing so you might find yourself without any warranty or recourse..

I guess I live a charmed life, 20yrs RVing using those horrible cheapo lightweight ST tires :B Not to mention have tempted "fate" not once but twice on two different TTs with those well hated junky Carlisles that everyone here on this forum LOVE to bash but yet I never had had a problem with them.

Get a grip, underinflation, overloading and road debris are your main culprit in why tires blow out... What are YOU guilty of?