I've been following this thread as time has allowed and have a question for CapriRacer. My question is, "Have I made an unsafe choice in tires?"
I replaced a set of Karrier LoadStar ST235/80-16 tires rated at 3500 lbs. @ 90 PSI with a set of Bridgestone R250 LT245/75R16 tires rated at 3042 lbs. @ 80 PSI. (For what it's worth, the wheels on the trailer are aluminum and rated at 3100 lbs. @ 80 PSI.) These tires are on a Cardinal 34TS 5er with a GVWR of 14.4K lbs. with 12k allotted to the axles. We consistenly load the trailer to approx. 12.5k-13k lbs. with ~9850 lbs. on the axles.
Now, if I understand correctly, to help reduce the chance of failure in the ST tire, it should be loaded to no more than 85% of its rated capacity? If that's the case, 85% of 3500 lbs. would be 2975 lbs., so the Bridgestone tires rated at 3042 lbs. should be okay? Or am I missing something?
I guess that's a few more than one question. Thanks for any insight you can provide.
