Francesca Knowles wrote:
Tireman9 wrote:
RE LT load limits vs ST Load limits.
Ther is no direct simple factor to convert load/inflation tables from ST loads to LT loads. ST tires have higher rating becsuse they have shallower tread depth (cooler running), A lower speed limit 65 vs 75 or higher for LT and ST type are intended for Trailer use only in Highway Service. I know of no state that allows people to travel in trailers while in motion so would interpret this to mean not intended to transport people.
I think this interpretation incorrect, for the following reasons:
1) Many States do in fact allow passenger transportation in travel trailers, fifth wheels, or both.
According to this 2010 towing laws by State article, carrying passengers in travel trailers is allowed in eight States:Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnestota, Mississippi, Missouri, and Nebraska. The allowance includes fifth wheel trailers.
Nine other States allow passengers in fifth-wheel type trailers only: Montana, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
2)LT vs. ST tire "safety" can't be a factor in safety-related prohibitions, since some States actually prohibit passenger transport in truckcampers, among them the "passengers in trailers O.K." North Dakota.
Prohibitions re. trailer passenger transport in all other States are due to the flimsy construction/flying objects nature of trailers/campers, which aren't designed for the protection of life like ordinary vehicles are. (My personal view is that the same holds true for the "living space" areas of most motorhomes, in which passenger protection ends at the cockpit area.)
3) ST tires are installed only on trailers due to intended-use design differences, one of which is noted above: shallower tread depth for cooler running (and better performance re. rolling resistance). The other critical difference that bars their use on drive vehicles is that they are NOT designed for traction/steering axles. Deeper, more aggressive tread and softer sidewalls are what folks need/want for drive vehicles. Those factors reduce the efficiency of a trailer tire, which only needs to "follow" the tow vehicle.
Thanks for correcting my error. My bad.
