This is the paragraph that caught my attentionAlso consider that Special Trailer (ST), as well as Light Truck (LT) tires are fully rated for trailer applications. This means ST- and LT-sized tires can carry the full weight rating branded on the sidewalls when used on a trailer.As did this one However when P-metric or Euro-metric tires are used on a trailer, the load capacity branded on the sidewalls must be reduced by 9%. This means P-metric or Euro-metric tires with a maximum branded load rating of 1,874 lbs. for use on a car is only rated to carry 1,705 lbs. when used on a trailer.here is the link to the entire articlehttp://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=219

IMO Trailer Mfg. always recommend ST tires only and not LT tires because the sidewalls are not the same.I would suggest to check with your Trailer Mfg. for what they recommend.

Sure am glad my trailer mfg. installed LTs as OEM.

Old-Biscuit wrote:Sure am glad my trailer mfg. installed LTs as OEM.Yes, it depends on the manufacturer and the size of the trailer. Usually it requires a large size LT tire to carry the same capacity of a smaller size ST tire. Then cost and tire clearances become an issue.

Nomadac wrote:IMO Trailer Mfg. always recommend ST tires only and not LT tires because the sidewalls are not the same.I would suggest to check with your Trailer Mfg. for what they recommend.Not always , my sunnybrook recommended either ST or LT Its a 10K lb trailer

Nomadac wrote:IMO Trailer Mfg. always recommend ST tires only and not LT tires because the sidewalls are not the same.I would suggest to check with your Trailer Mfg. for what they recommend.Two of my four trailers state in the owners manuals that either ST or LT are correct fitment for their trailer. I also have the manual for the third of four trailers I own, and the only thing they mention is to maintain inflation pressure to max sidewall listing, and to check the torque of the lug nuts.I don't have a manual for the fourth trailer, it is older and I bought it used.You guessed it.... I like, and use LT tires on my trailers.Buy what you like. Your trailer and your money.

Interesting article on tire rack about tire applications

24 Replies

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Feb 11, 2016
When and if LTs become a significant part of the TT tire market, I predict you will see the same percentage of tire of failures.

Your scenario has already happened.
Before the ST tire came along all we had was a passenger or a truck tire for our trailers (not just RVs). We simply didn't have these type issues.

I don't see our domestic tire makers go back into the tire market just to produce say 13"/14"/15" LT tires for trailers. No more tires that size than they could sell it would be a bust.
In the US there were about 7.6 Mil cars and 8.7 Mil light trucks and 400 thousand heavy trucks produced in 2014. There were about 253 Mil. passenger tires plus 33.6 Mil. LT tires and 23.1 MIl medium and heavy truck tires sold at replacement and OE.

Then there is the marketability issue. Example is Michelin recommends the XPS Ribs for commercial trailer application in their old adds.
They don't use that add anymore as marketing says some prospective tire buyers may not want a tire that is advertised for commercial trailer use..... on their expensive 3/4 or one ton truck/burb/large suv/etc.
And yes (for the eagle :)) Michelin still recommends the XPS for commercial trailers and RV trailer use
Community Alumni
Feb 11, 2016
I believe you missed my point. There's already tons of trailers out there running LTs that are subjected to the exact same conditions as towable RVs for years. These trailers are carrying the same weights, being stored for long periods of time out in the sun, running over pot holes, tire pressures aren't being checked each time, and experiencing temporary overloading.

If anything they are applications where LTs are subjected to harsher conditions than what you would find with a travel trailer. When a company needs to bring their 6500 lbs bobcat to a construction site, both the truck and trailer head down. The trailer tires are subjected to the same harsh conditions as the truck's tires. Often times its 4x4 terrain that's very uneven and rocky. Even after being subjected to such harsh conditions, guys don't report that their tires just blew up on the highway for no apparent reason.

Between truck and trailer applications I've seen with my own eyes over the years, manufacturers stating that the tires can be installed on trailers, and installers installing them on trailers, I have no problem with anyone running LTs on their TT. They have more than proven themselves worth for the application.
rbpru
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2016
My point has been alluded to many times.

When and if LTs become a significant part of the TT tire market, I predict you will see the same percentage of tire of failures. Not because LTs are inferior but because they will be subjected to the same care, maintanance, abuse, road hazards and nonchalance as the STs.

I could be wrong..... but I got the Super Bowl right. :)

Take care and be safe.
Arcamper
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
Our camper came with Lt's from the factory.
Nvr2loud
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2016
mrw8i wrote:
Pick up an unmounted ST tire and compare it with an unmounted LT ribbed tire. One is substantial and the other is not.

Which tire is substantial? I don't ever remember holding an unmounted ST tire so I'm completely unsure about it. LT tires seem fairly thick and heavy however.
Nvr2loud
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2016
I have ST tires on two of my trailers, both came with ST tires and both do not have equivalent sized LT tires available that can carry the same load, so I don't even need to compare.

My other two trailers have LT tires on them, they have caused zero issues.

I've had no problems with either LT or ST tires failing. I keep them inflated and inspected properly, always use metal valve stems, and get lots of life out of them.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
proxim2020 wrote:
rbpru wrote:
It will be interesting to see the back tracking that will take place when the LTs in trailer service start failing.

The number of TT tire failures is relatively small and virtual all TTs come with STs. If the percentage of LTs grows to any significant amount, I suspect the results will be the same.

Time will tell.

HAHAHA. You do realize that LTs are used in many other applications beyond RVs for quite a while now? They are used on boat trailers, construction trailers, landscape trailers, car haulers, livestock trailers, etc for decades. Before ST tires, you put a P or an LT on your trailer. It's not some new hot trend lol.

The hot, relatively new, trend is cheap, made in China junk. What is never said in these arguments, is the fact that the makers of this cheap junk may not have the same ethics as we are accustomed to. All the testing, weight ratings and standards mean nothing if the people directly involved in the production don't care. Even worse, the trailer builders in this country apparently downgraded their ethics as well, opting for cheap over safety.
Community Alumni
Feb 10, 2016
rbpru wrote:
It will be interesting to see the back tracking that will take place when the LTs in trailer service start failing.

The number of TT tire failures is relatively small and virtual all TTs come with STs. If the percentage of LTs grows to any significant amount, I suspect the results will be the same.

Time will tell.

HAHAHA. You do realize that LTs are used in many other applications beyond RVs for quite a while now? They are used on boat trailers, construction trailers, landscape trailers, car haulers, livestock trailers, etc for decades. Before ST tires, you put a P or an LT on your trailer. It's not some new hot trend lol.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2016
rbpru wrote:
I know that people switch from STs to LTs all the time with good results. But the TT industry puts a million tires on the road every year.

Let's see what happens when a significant number of them are LTs.
Huntindog
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
rbpru wrote:
I know that people switch from STs to LTs all the time with good results. But the TT industry puts a million tires on the road every year.

Let's see what happens when a significant number of them are LTs.
It's not all that hard to figure out.

Since everyone here has had their tire problems m disappear when they awitched to LTs, then you either believe that it has been an incredible coincidence, or the LT tires are better suited for our use..
Many of us went to extreme lengths to give STs a chance... When that failed, LTs fixed it.
I don't believe in miracles. I do believe in better tires. LT tires are simply better tires.
Once again, read and try to comprehend the govt. testing standards for each type. The LT tires must pass a much more demanding test. These tests has nothing to do with marketing propoganda. They are just the facts of the matter. Believe it or not, that makes a big difference.