LT tires on TT
I was telling a buddy of mine how I upgraded my TT tires from ST's to LT's (Michelin RIBS) and he would like to upgrade to LT's also. He asked if he could go to any LT tire as long as they had the cor...
Forum Discussion
Huntindog wrote:
Wait just a minute! What about the ST's much vaunted weight capacity advantage?
You are now saying that it's not real, because it can't pass a test at that rating.
And what about the low inflation test which the ST doesn't have to do?
I'm confused by your questions/statements as they don't seem to line up with what I said. So allow me to start at a different location and proceed from there:
ST tires DO have more published load carrying capacity than LT tires. Those are commonly called the "Rated Loads". NHTSA uses the term "Max Load", but all those words are referring to the same thing.
ST tires have to pass the tests appropriate for those types of tires and LT tire have to pass test appropiate for those types of tires - and they are different.
- BUT - What I am saying is that IF the tests reference the "rated load" and IF LT tires and ST tires were tested in exactly the same way (except for the difference in rated load), then the ST tire is being subjected to a more severe test.
So let's take a look at the low pressure test you pointed to:
That test is done at 100% of the rated load - and there is a difference in that for comparably sized ST and LT tires. For example:
LT235/85R16 Load Range E = Max Load 3042#
ST235/85R16 Load Range E = Max Load 3640# (+20%)
In other words, the ST tire would be loaded 20% more for the same test conditions.
Please note that this low pressure test follows the endurance test (uses the same tire), so the ST tire would have already experienced much more severe testing conditions BEFORE this test started.
That is what I am pointing out.
