LT Tire vs ST Tire
I assumed I wanted ST Tires for my camper and some people are telling me to go with LT Tires. Now I'm confused, and guess I shouldn't assume.
Forum Discussion
Contrary to the earlier post there is no consensus.
They are made differently for different purposes, and choosing one over the other involves trade-offs. Read up on the pluses and minuses of each then decide which is best for you.
In a nutshell:
ST are made to be towed, not be the tower. They have stiffer sidewalls, heavier cords, a different tread design, and different profile. The rubber is chemically different. ST tires reduce trailer sway and have very little rolling resistance. ST tires are designed to be stored and sitting unmoved for extended periods. Because of these factors they have a shorter life. ST tires seldom wear out, they age out. Need to be replaced every 3-4 years regardless of tread condition. ST tires have an upper speed limit, commonly 65 MPH, and are designed to be inflated to max sidewall pressure.
LT tires will last longer and take more road hazard abuse. Because they are made to be on the steering and power axles they have a thinner more flexible sidewall, which may increase trailer sway. They are designed for traction and pulling the vehicle around corners on wet/slippery roads, and brake differently. They grip the road better than ST (more rolling resistance), leading to decreased fuel mileage. LT tires are made to have acceptable handling properties at different inflations, so you can alter inflation to match conditions and load. Sitting unused and not moved for extended periods is hard on LT tires.
So consider the type of use you are going to give the tires, weigh the pros and cons or each, and then decide, realizing that whichever you choose you are giving up something.
They are made differently for different purposes, and choosing one over the other involves trade-offs. Read up on the pluses and minuses of each then decide which is best for you.
In a nutshell:
ST are made to be towed, not be the tower. They have stiffer sidewalls, heavier cords, a different tread design, and different profile. The rubber is chemically different. ST tires reduce trailer sway and have very little rolling resistance. ST tires are designed to be stored and sitting unmoved for extended periods. Because of these factors they have a shorter life. ST tires seldom wear out, they age out. Need to be replaced every 3-4 years regardless of tread condition. ST tires have an upper speed limit, commonly 65 MPH, and are designed to be inflated to max sidewall pressure.
LT tires will last longer and take more road hazard abuse. Because they are made to be on the steering and power axles they have a thinner more flexible sidewall, which may increase trailer sway. They are designed for traction and pulling the vehicle around corners on wet/slippery roads, and brake differently. They grip the road better than ST (more rolling resistance), leading to decreased fuel mileage. LT tires are made to have acceptable handling properties at different inflations, so you can alter inflation to match conditions and load. Sitting unused and not moved for extended periods is hard on LT tires.
So consider the type of use you are going to give the tires, weigh the pros and cons or each, and then decide, realizing that whichever you choose you are giving up something.
