75mph ST tire
I offer this only as info for the always entertaining and ongoing argument....ooops, I mean "discussion" regarding tires. I was out this morning shopping for a new horse trailer, so of course I looke...
Forum Discussion
rbpru wrote:
The more I think about this I believe the answer is simple.
The trailer industries, boat, horse, cargo, utility and RV wanted; 1.)A stiff walled tire to resist the side torque while turning a multi-axled trailer. 2.) a low rolling resistance straight running tread. 3.) A top speed of 65 mph. 4.)a reasonable life span. (5 years).
This would be a specialty tire (ST) designed and tested to meet just those 4 criteria. Without having to worry about traction, steering, road noise, high milage and a host of other condition expected of powered vehicles, an inexpensive tire could be made.
Ok let's take these one by one.
1. The ST tires that came on this trailer, when I dismounted them had a loose flexy sidewall, compared to a much stiffer sidewall of the light truck tires that I use for replacements. Scratch that one.
2. Take a look at the tread of a Mich XPS rib, Kumho 857, Hankook RA08, or GoodYear G26 Cargo, just to name a few. Yep, straight running rib style tread. Radial ply carcass construction contributes to low rolling resistance.
3. Top speed of 65 mph ? A good analogy would be running your engine at or very near redline all the time. I prefer to be able to operate at only 50% to 60% of redline. Same with my tires, so a higher speed rating gives me that reserve.
4. Reasonable lifespan. I have approx 25K miles on the Kumho 857's on this trailer. They have used up about 3/32" of the original 11/32". I get simlilar long life ( mileage ) out of LT tires on my equipment trailer, and both of my horse trailers. Our trailers roll though....we use them, they get miles. They don't just sit.
That's my two cents based on personal experience.
