LT Tire Longevity on TT?

I treat LT's on the trailer just like the tires on the truck. They get replaced when they show blisters, cracking, or the tread is low on 32nds. I've never seen any signs of aging on my LT's any earlier than about 7 years. Even on the cheap ones.

I am with the dodge guy, gimme a break.

Now for a once upon a time story. My 16 foot flatbed still has the original tow master tires on it. 17 years and counting. It stays in the pole barn.

By the way, do you think U Haul changes out all the tires every 3 years?

To the OP, my only thought is to closely inspect them and let your conscience be your guide.

Per Carlisle our oldest ST tire maker;

Time and the elements weaken a trailer tire.
– 3 to 5 years is the average life expectancy of a trailer tire,regardless of mileage.
– It is estimated that in approximately three years, roughly one-third of a tire's strength is gone
– After three years, depending upon storage and conditions of usage, consider replacing trailer tires even if they have tread depth remaining.

– After five years, trailer tires should be replaced in all cases.
..............................................................

I ran the first two sets of 16" LT E BFG Commercials for 55k and 52k miles and 7 and 8 years of service on my 11200 lb trailer. Both sets were getting close to the tread wear bars so I sold them to guys with lawn service trailers.
All my trailers sit in the tractor barn or trailer shed.

The sun ruineth all.

rhagfo wrote:
....snip...

Question for those with dedicated TV that run low miles, how often do you replace the tires on your TV? Do you base on wear, mileage, or age??

Our F350 dually is used only to pull the big horse trailer and the equipment trailer. 2006 and it only has 60K miles. The original BFG LT tires needed to be replaced at eight years due to cracking ( sidewall and tread ). They still had a lot of tread left. It was right around 45K miles at the time.

Interesting, I just replaced the four Tacoma LT OEM tires on our 5er last Sparin they were 12 12 years old. Just started to develop sidewall hairline cracking at the bead. Maybe added air twice in the four years we had the fiver before replacing with Yokohama LT 235/85-16 E’s (OEM size).

Question for those with dedicated TV that run low miles, how often do you replace the tires on your TV? Do you base on wear, mileage, or age??

Michelin says after five years, tires should be inspected annually by a qualified inspector, then at ten years replaced if still in service.

I've run numerous LT tires out to close to ten years on both trucks and trailer without problems.
Same with P tires on cars.

3 years give or take.

I never EVER run any tire on anything that rolls on the highway more the 4 years unless its stored indoors and off the ground. Even then, I question running them at highway speed.

I have had new E rated ST Maxxis tires blow out in less than a year with less than 3000 miles on them. When crossing the desert in summer ST tires blow out due to heat, LT tires do not. It took me a while to figure this out but LT tires are designed to deal with heat and ST tires are not. Maybe where the temps are lower in summer a ST tire will last for years but when the pavement is so hot the asphalt is melting they blow out fast.

SO to answer the question I am comfortable with LT tires for as long as it takes for them to get cuts, cracks, or worn. I watch for center tread bulges, uneven wear, etc. and in 3yrs have not noticed anything that indicates tread separation/over heating. I am still on my first set and they have already lasted longer than any ST tire I ever owned.

Terryallan wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
3 years! come on guys, even for ST tires that is a bit much not to mention a waste! I go 5 years, 6 years if they haven't seen many miles. and LT`s I would go 7 years.

I just finished a 4k mile round trip to Yellowstone and Colorado this summer on 5 year old tires. So next year the 15k mile tires will get replaced.

After having blown 3 yes 3 tires. That were inflated properly. On 2 different trailers. I will never run a 4 year old tire again. Sitting on the side of the road changing a tire is not my idea of fun. Not to mention trying to find a place to pull over on a 2 lane road. And then having to drive over an hour at night with out a spare to a town. Yes. I blew the first one 70 miles from a town.
Tires that sit a lot, just rot.

You should buy a lottery ticket. You got some good luck.
Me. I invested in another spare. So now I carry 2 spare tires.

I don't think you should compare Chinese TowMaster and Marathon tires to a good LT tire. The OP wanted to know about how long he might want to run a good tire. Tires that can only be expected to run three years are something that nobody should install.

dodge guy wrote:
3 years! come on guys, even for ST tires that is a bit much not to mention a waste! I go 5 years, 6 years if they haven't seen many miles. and LT`s I would go 7 years.

I just finished a 4k mile round trip to Yellowstone and Colorado this summer on 5 year old tires. So next year the 15k mile tires will get replaced.

After having blown 3 yes 3 tires. That were inflated properly. On 2 different trailers. I will never run a 4 year old tire again. Sitting on the side of the road changing a tire is not my idea of fun. Not to mention trying to find a place to pull over on a 2 lane road. And then having to drive over an hour at night with out a spare to a town. Yes. I blew the first one 70 miles from a town.
Tires that sit a lot, just rot.

You should buy a lottery ticket. You got some good luck.
Me. I invested in another spare. So now I carry 2 spare tires.