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LOFAT36's avatar
LOFAT36
Explorer
Sep 11, 2016

Flogged to death but require info on tires

Okay my question is why should I go to light truck tires as opposed to trailer tires ? I do no off roading unless you consider a 1/8 mile of gravel off road. I don't get it, better ride, stability, price ? Please explain.

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  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Sep 12, 2016
    LTs are tested for many features that TT do not need and are rated for truck service and higher speeds. Some folk consider this a plus.

    STs were developed for trailer service, including TTs and most but not all are limited to 65 mph. Their main features are stiffer side walls, different rubber compounds and a tread designed for towing. Some folks consider this a plus.

    Both are made by name brand companies, both are made by bargain basement price driven manufacturers.

    The TT manufacturers put over a million STs on the road every year on their tow behinds and 5vers.

    The light truck manufacturers put Ps on their 1/2 ton and LTs on there 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.

    Both these manufacturers believe they have selected the proper tire for its intended application.

    Some folks are not in agreement with their choice.

    It is your money and your choice as to what or who you wish to believe.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2016
    brirene wrote:
    Huntindog wrote:
    As usual, whenever this topic comes up... An ST fan will make all sorts of excuses as to why ST tires fail, such as curbing, over speeding, under inflating, the sky is blue etc.. Then smugly proclaim that those who had ST tire failures simply did not understand the limitations of the ST tire design... And that when used within their limitations they will give good service.


    To that I say that many of us DO understand the ST tires limitations. We DO understand the much lower testing standards for the ST tires, and we find those limitations.......... Well, limiting.


    And just as predictably, LT folks will come along and smugly and condescendingly explain that anyone who uses ST's really doesn't understand, is kind of simple minded and easily duped, and doesn't mind throwing their money away on an inferior product, totally dismissing the miles collectively towed without issue. Apparently, one can only really understand (wink, wink) the issue if they're using LT's. Once again, research and use what YOU'RE comfortable with. :)
    Well I WAS one of those ST believers and threw a LOT of money away on inferior ST tires, before I finally made the switch around 2006 to LTs. Not a problem since.

    I figure if sharing what I have learned will help someone to avoid the mistakes I made... I should do so... For those that just want dismiss my experience.. It is your money. Believe me or not... It is your choice... At least I tried.
  • brirene's avatar
    brirene
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2016
    Huntindog wrote:
    As usual, whenever this topic comes up... An ST fan will make all sorts of excuses as to why ST tires fail, such as curbing, over speeding, under inflating, the sky is blue etc.. Then smugly proclaim that those who had ST tire failures simply did not understand the limitations of the ST tire design... And that when used within their limitations they will give good service.


    To that I say that many of us DO understand the ST tires limitations. We DO understand the much lower testing standards for the ST tires, and we find those limitations.......... Well, limiting.


    And just as predictably, LT folks will come along and smugly and condescendingly explain that anyone who uses ST's really doesn't understand, is kind of simple minded and easily duped, and doesn't mind throwing their money away on an inferior product, totally dismissing the miles collectively towed without issue. Apparently, one can only really understand (wink, wink) the issue if they're using LT's. Once again, research and use what YOU'RE comfortable with. :)
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Sep 12, 2016
    smkettner wrote:
    Have you read a hundred tire threads and still cannot decide?
    x2. Knows it's been flogged but hasn't bothered to read them??
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Sep 12, 2016
    LOFAT36 wrote:
    > Flogged to death but require info on tires
    What does this even mean?

    Have you read a hundred tire threads and still cannot decide?

    Need more details to know your situation or I am calling troll on this one.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2016
    As usual, whenever this topic comes up... An ST fan will make all sorts of excuses as to why ST tires fail, such as curbing, over speeding, under inflating, the sky is blue etc.. Then smugly proclaim that those who had ST tire failures simply did not understand the limitations of the ST tire design... And that when used within their limitations they will give good service.


    To that I say that many of us DO understand the ST tires limitations. We DO understand the much lower testing standards for the ST tires, and we find those limitations.......... Well, limiting.
    There is no logical reason why an ST tire on a TT should have to be babied so that it doesn't fail. We feel that the TT follows the TV, and its tires don't fail at anywhere near the rate that the ST tires do. No matter how we drive it.
    As for the "new" Carlise ST tires now being sold... Maybe they will pan out... But this is the same company that for many years told us how great their previous ST tires were... I am not interested in experimenting with my money on their tires any more. Fortunantly for Carlise, there is a new batch of consumers that are eager to believe and spend their money on them. I wish them well, and hope that they have better luck than many of us have had.

    But remember this. The ST tire testing standards are what they are.
    And the LT tire testing standards are what they are.
    .
    This link to the govt. testing standards tells it all.
    Tire testing standards
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Sep 11, 2016
    It won't take long for this thread to become yet another in the endless arguing that goes on in the name of "information".


    Yup, you just put in your two cents into another thread in the name of endless information. I have to think the OP knew who he was asking about tire issues when posting this thread and also knew that the answers would be all over the spectrum. I give him that much credit to decipher the responses for himself and the intelligence to know where to ask questions on tire manufacturer's forums or anywhere else if he wants that input.
  • gmw_photos's avatar
    gmw_photos
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2016
    Note to the original poster: there are some pretty logical and reasonable answers to your questions.
    But coming to a good conclusion is going to be very hard indeed if you only go by what you read on a RV forum. It can be challenging to sort thru all the words that are written on this subject on this forum.

    My take on it is, if this is really important to you, do a LOT of research from as many sources as you can find, temper that with years of personal experience and observation, then come to your own conclusions.

    It won't take long for this thread to become yet another in the endless arguing that goes on in the name of "information".

    Best luck to you, safe towing, and enjoy your travels.
  • SprinklerMan's avatar
    SprinklerMan
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2016
    Why I went with LT tires . Past experience with ST tires . I own 6 or 7 trailers from RV to boat to equipment . After numerous tire failures with ST tires , it was more cost effective to move up to the LT tire and on smaller trailers a P rated tire . I use my old ST tires on my landfill trailer , I dont run fast or far .
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Sep 11, 2016
    LOFAT36 wrote:
    Okay my question is why should I go to light truck tires as opposed to trailer tires ? I do no off roading unless you consider a 1/8 mile of gravel off road. I don't get it, better ride, stability, price ? Please explain.


    We have GY LRD Marathons with 3 seasons and 15-20K miles on them. I expect to get another 2 seasons out of them at which time they will be retired regardless of how they look and replaced with same. ST tires are quite different than LT tires and need more "care" in their use. Stay under 65 mph at all times. (There are one or two brands that are rated higher tho.) Never tow under-inflated and keep them at max. sidewall psi. Don't whack them hard in potholes or speed bumps all the time, avoid road shoulders and don't "curb" them. Check pressure before every leg of a trip and add or subtract air as needed. If you have enough change in elevation and/or temp. on a trip, the pressure can change quite a bit. On our last trip it went up and down about 5 psi. We carry a 12 volt compressor.

    You want to have a good cushion of reserve load capacity in ST tires. It is recommended to have at least 15 percent. We have about 30 percent. Some TT manufacturers put tires on their TTs that have almost no reserve capacity. Also, some TTs can weigh a fair bit more on one side due to slides, kitchen, etc. and cause one side to be near or even over the rated load capacity. It's a good idea to go to a scale and weigh a TT.

    Internal heat buildup is a killer on ST tires and that's why it's important to stay under 65, to maintain the correct psi at all times and to have decent reserve load capacity. Many will also recommend replacing ST tires at 5 year intervals despite how good them may look on the outside.

    For some good reading, go to rvtiresafety.com and read what a retired tire engineer has to say about ST tires.

    Many are adamant LT supporters while others are quite happy with their ST tires. If you want to go above 65 mph a lot, then install some LTs. I've found sometimes that 65 is just a bit on the slow side and a rating of 70 mph would be better, but it will depend n where you intend to travel.

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