ST vs LT tires.
What is it about this subject that causes threads to close sooooo quickly? The last lasted 8 hours!!! before it was closed. So let's try this again, but folks - let's keep it civil. No name ...
Forum Discussion
McZippie wrote:
Capri Racer, thanks for your reply and no offense intended but you didn't answer my questions...........
The reason not to use ST tires on tow vehicles is the difference in what each vehicle does.
The trailer merely follows the tow vehicle, while the tow vehicle has to steer and power the unit forward. That's additional stresses on the tow vehicle's tires that aren't on the trailer tires. Yes, the trailer has brakes, but that is intermittent - not like the constant force needed through the drive tires. - And, yes, the trailer does corner, but the primary force in turning the trailer occurs at the hitch - which means the tow vehicle is generating that force through its tires.
So what about traction? Obviously the trailer tires don't have to have as much traction capability if most of the work is being done by the tow vehicle.
What about treadwear? Since most tire wear occurs in the cornering mode, and most of the cornering work is done by the tow vehicle, the trailer tires don't need to be long wearing. - and, yes, there is wear that occurs on the drive tires, that isn't present on the trailer tires.
So, overall, while the casings may be the same (or similar) between ST tires and LT tires, the tread is generally completely different - and in the case of LT tires, needs to be of a higher traction and wear capability.
And that's why ST tires are unsuitable for tow vehicle usage.
