I was checking out replacement tires for my fiver. I emailed B.F.Goodrich telling them I wanted to replace my ST tires with LT tires and asked which Commercial T/A tire would work on my trailer. This is their response:B.F.Goodrich replied" wrote:ST (Special Trailer) tires are constructed with heavier materials in the casing as compared to light truck tires giving the ST tires more strength and load carrying capacity. ST tires also have a stiffer sidewall and flex less making them more compatible with the trailer’s suspension system. We do not recommend using light truck tires on trailers that specify ST tires. If the trailer manufacturer calls for ST tires, it is important to replace with ST tires in order to maintain the load requirement. Thank you for choosing BFGoodrich.It is our goal to ensure that your issue has been resolved or your question answered to your satisfaction. If we can assist you further, please respond to this email or call us at 1-877-788-8899 (toll free) between 8:00AM and 8:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday or between 8:30AM and 4:30PM Eastern Time on Saturday.Sincerely,MillieConsumer Care DepartmentCertified BFGoodrich Product ExpertGuess I'll be looking at Goodyear or ??? for an LT tires.

If they tell you the ST is better than the LT for your 5 why would you persist in going to an LT? As I was told, your best insurance is those round black things that hit the road.

IF you go Goodyear. Go ahead and cut holes in them. It will save time

B.F.Goodrich replied" wrote:ST (Special Trailer) tires are constructed with heavier materials in the casing as compared to light truck tires giving the ST tires more strength and load carrying capacity.What has more capacity a 3000 rated ST or a 3000 rated LT?What a maroon.

Lots of us use ST tires without incident. I've not had a problem with GY Marathons, even though they were *gasp* ...made in China. I did, however replace the oe lr d with lr e. I believe new processes are in place over the last few years which have improved QA. YMMV.

B.F.Goodrich says NO to LT tires | Good Sam Community

39 Replies

BeerCan
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013
jjj wrote:
My fiver came stock with usa Tacoma 235/85-16 LT tires with a aggresive off road looking tread and I just replaced them with a new set of Michelin LT tires. I will stick with the LT tires since my old ones were 8 years old and not one issue with them. My fiver has a 14000 gvw and 6000 lb. Axels. I keep them covered all the time and only use 303 protectant on them. I wish I could have found a new set of the Tacomas Lt's but I did't even know who made them.

FYI Tacoma tires used to be made by Cooper but they stopped. Now a company called Parish tire owns the name and presumably having them made in China http://www.parrishtire.com/wholesale/
jjj
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013
My fiver came stock with usa Tacoma 235/85-16 LT tires with a aggresive off road looking tread and I just replaced them with a new set of Michelin LT tires. I will stick with the LT tires since my old ones were 8 years old and not one issue with them. My fiver has a 14000 gvw and 6000 lb. Axels. I keep them covered all the time and only use 303 protectant on them. I wish I could have found a new set of the Tacomas Lt's but I did't even know who made them.
BeerCan
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013
I am not anti ST, but I am definitely pro LT so I do have a bias. I have a hard time reconciling the email BFG wrote you. I recently had 2 similar sized tires, one ST and one LT, right next to each other. The difference was enormous, the LT weighed at least 20lbs more and a portion of it was the sidewall. Not that weight is everything but I have to think more rubber = more durable. I was not comparing the same brand tire and did not use scientific method so this is JMHO. BTW I do not think ant major rubber company will recommend an LT tire because of litigation issues.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Jul 13, 2013
tandkj wrote:
If they tell you the ST is better than the LT for your 5 why would you persist in going to an LT? As I was told, your best insurance is those round black things that hit the road.

A lot of folks here are under the belief that THEY are smarter than the engineers that designed the tires.

Tires blow out, that IS a fact, it happens and can happen to ANY type of tire on ANY type of vehicle but yet folks insist the evil tire manufacturers are conspiring to make total junk of the ST tires. Even better yet, the belief that one tire manufacturer is better than all the rest.

There are MANY reasons as to why tires blow out, more often it has to do with overloading and underinflation along with ROAD HAZARDS (I personally had a 10 ply LT truck tire blow out on my truck, the cause, a BOLT went through the tread).

Folks give it a rest, move on with life and get back to camping..

There ARE valid reasons as to why EVERY VEHICLE CARRIES a spare tire...
brirene
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013
Lots of us use ST tires without incident. I've not had a problem with GY Marathons, even though they were *gasp* ...made in China. I did, however replace the oe lr d with lr e. I believe new processes are in place over the last few years which have improved QA. YMMV.
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 13, 2013
B.F.Goodrich replied" wrote:
ST (Special Trailer) tires are constructed with heavier materials in the casing as compared to light truck tires giving the ST tires more strength and load carrying capacity.

What has more capacity a 3000 rated ST or a 3000 rated LT?
What a maroon.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2013
.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2013
IF you go Goodyear. Go ahead and cut holes in them. It will save time
tandkj
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013
If they tell you the ST is better than the LT for your 5 why would you persist in going to an LT? As I was told, your best insurance is those round black things that hit the road.

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B.F.Goodrich says NO to LT tires

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