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 correct load carrying capability. I don't know the answer and thought I'd post it here for your opinions. Thanks in advance for you comments.

YES......Provided they fit the rims and the rims are rated for the psi/load capacity of the LT tire

Old-Biscuit wrote:YES......Provided they fit the rims and the rims are rated for the psi/load capacity of the LT tireX2!

ST and LT tires are rated differently when it comes to load range so can't be swapped size-for-size. Tell your friend to instead make sure that the load rating of any LT he's looking at is at least as high as that of the ST's he's replacing. Preferably higher.

I suggest a tire and wheel load capacity to support the full trailer GVWR.LT is always better than ST IMHO.Have him post the trailer GVWR and oem tire spec for best suggestions.

smkettner wrote:I suggest a tire and wheel load capacity to support the full trailer GVWR.LT is always better than ST IMHO.Have him post the trailer GVWR and oem tire spec for best suggestions.TT GVWR is 9000 and current tires are ST225 75 R15 LR-D and he wants to go to LT225 75 R 16 LR-E. New rims are rated to 90psi

LT tires on TT | Good Sam Community

gmw_photos
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
Francesca Knowles wrote:
proxim2020 wrote:
I'm not saying that one tire is superior or inferior to the other tire. I just can't see why a comparable LT tire pressurized correctly, couldn't replace an ST.

If of the correct load range,it can- and if someone is saying otherwise I'm missing it.

The disagreement as I see it is the continuing insistence by a few that only LT's are fit for trailer use; this because of the fervent belief that "any LT is better than every ST". That's ridiculous on the face of it, and completely insupportable by the evidence.

Which evidence is so lacking that this thread has now degenerated to its usual Last Stand Argument, which is always some version of the below quoted "only LT users really care about their families" bushwa.

gmw photos wrote:

...................snip................
If something were to happen to these girls, all because I tried to cheap out on tires, I could never live with myself...........snip...............

:R

Not my intent at all Franseca. My point was to illustrate that most things in life can be looked at as a risk vs reward situation. My example was trying to say that whatever possible reward I might get by buying a cheaper product is not worth the potential added risk that I suspect may go along with that choice.

I go back, once again to suggest that if you think ST tires are the correct choice for your little fiberglass camper, pulled by a small sedan, in the way you use it, then by all means, use them. But for me and my use, I have found what works better for me.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
proxim2020 wrote:
I'm not saying that one tire is superior or inferior to the other tire. I just can't see why a comparable LT tire pressurized correctly, couldn't replace an ST.

If of the correct load range,it can- and if someone is saying otherwise I'm missing it.

The disagreement as I see it is the continuing insistence by a few that only LT's are fit for trailer use; this because of the fervent belief that "any LT is better than every ST". That's ridiculous on the face of it, and completely insupportable by the evidence.

Which evidence is so lacking that this thread has now degenerated to its usual Last Stand Argument, which is always some version of the below quoted "only LT users really care about their families" bushwa.

gmw photos wrote:

...................snip................
If something were to happen to these girls, all because I tried to cheap out on tires, I could never live with myself...........snip...............

:R
MrVan
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
I unintentionally experimented with two sets of Load Range E Chinese made ST tires. Both sets failed with less than 10,000 miles and were 3 years old. Now have LT tires installed. So far so good. I would have much preferred to not have had to learn the hard way.
gmw_photos
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
coolbreeze01 wrote:
.....snippage.....

Thanks JJ, but I'm experimenting with a new set of E rated Towmax STR trailer tires at the moment.

And therein lies the real crux of this whole thing. This goes back to my comment in an earlier post, "buy some tires, go towing, see what works, or what fails, for you, your trailer, your situation".

I applaud those of you who are willing to experiment, and do beta testing. I am beyond that in my life. I no longer have the desire nor wish to take the time to mess with experiments. I just want to get in and go.
And it's like I have said before, when I have a horse trailer hooked up, with four, expensive Arabians in there, and three priceless teenage girls in the back seat of the truck, I want what I feel will be the most reliable tire ( and everything else for that matter). I want what is least likely to have me at the side of a road changing a tire while drunks and other incompetents zoom by me.
If something were to happen to these girls, all because I tried to cheap out on tires, I could never live with myself.

"Your tires, mileage, and situation may vary"
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
JJBIRISH wrote:
coolbreeze01 wrote:
proxim2020 wrote:
I just can't see why a comparable LT tire pressurized correctly, couldn't replace an ST.

I haven't been able to find a 225 75 15 E rated LT tire. My ST's are rated to 2,830 lbs @ 80psi.

Not saying ST or LT is best, I just want 15" tires rated at E capacity.

click

click

Thanks JJ, but I'm experimenting with a new set of E rated Towmax STR trailer tires at the moment.
JJBIRISH
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
coolbreeze01 wrote:
proxim2020 wrote:
I just can't see why a comparable LT tire pressurized correctly, couldn't replace an ST.

I haven't been able to find a 225 75 15 E rated LT tire. My ST's are rated to 2,830 lbs @ 80psi.

Not saying ST or LT is best, I just want 15" tires rated at E capacity.

click

click
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
proxim2020 wrote:
I just can't see why a comparable LT tire pressurized correctly, couldn't replace an ST.

I haven't been able to find a 225 75 15 E rated LT tire. My ST's are rated to 2,830 lbs @ 80psi.

Not saying ST or LT is best, I just want 15" tires rated at E capacity.
FastEagle
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
When the RV trailer manufacturer selects the ST tire for fitment on any of their trailers and certifies that fitment on the trailer's certification label it becomes the standard for that trailer or line of trailers. At the trailer manufacturers discretion other tires such as the LT can be options if so stipulated in the trailer's owner's manual.

I don't think you will find any major tire manufacturer that will dispute the trailer manufacturer's discretion to use tires designed for trailer service. I don't think you can find a major tire manufacturer that will willfully step over the line and recommend LT tires for replacement tires where there is no such recommendation from the trailer manufacturer. (Unless the LT tire is rated by it's manufacturer as a trailer tire). A letter or phone call from a manufacturer's technical expert does not carry any weight without the actual tire manufacturers official recommendation (s).

FastEagle
JJBIRISH
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
JIMNLIN wrote:
All this has been answered for you many times before JJ but I'll play your silly words game with 'ya :Z.

JJ asks wrote:
So what did you guys say to your sales man when he told you or you will have to stop on the way home and buy safe tires for your new rig???

All this has been answered for you many times before JJ but I'll play your silly words game with 'ya .
Really??? That’s funny.. dancing around the question isn’t answering them…

JJ asks wrote:

So what did you guys say to your sales man when he told you or you will have to stop on the way home and buy safe tires for your new rig???

?????
I always ask the tire manufacturer for their certain line of LT/P tire selection for my vehicles before approaching one of their tire dealers for service.
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Instead of answering you skirt the question… so you go ahead and buy a new trailer with ST tires… SO… what do you say to that salesman that sold you the trailer and says OTW you need to replace the tires on the way home to have safe tires???
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Quote:

Just exactly where on the mfg. web site or in their catalogs have any of these tires been recommended for trailer use???

As you well know its not on their website. We simply do a email or 1-800 to their tech line folks for the tire makers recommendations.
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Why is this the case, and why different answers for different people with the same question???
Oh I do know well the silence it’s so deafening that its extinct… but why the silence in the first place, why isn’t it there even in the small print…
I mean it’s the magic bullet , the holy grail of trailer tires, the cat’s meow,… it seems they would have the town crier proclaiming it, in the square, and shouting it from the roof tops…

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Quote:

like if the tire mfg. will not assume the added liability, why should I???

Thats just your assumption however We get the full manufacturers warranty protection with their P or LT tires when used on our trailers.
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It’s what the warranty ambiguously says or wait a minute doesn’t say…
Maybe a copy and paste would work here…
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Quote:

now let me get this straight…

we have for profit companies that have a better tire for our trailer use, but they would rather keep it a secret from you…

it’s a lawful product and they will whisper that its better in your ear, but can’t tell you so out loud…
Quote:

and you are the same people saying a local dealer should do warranty work for the local resident that bought foreign…

one of the free market mysteries of all time…

Funny conjecture and lacking in credibility of the actual free market system. The same type non sense could be made about replacing a P with a LT.
The ST is a low volume niche tire when we look at the overall big picture in number of tires sold. It doesn't makes sense for the P/LT tire maker to advertise their tires are for trailer use also . Who would want a tire that is advertised made for a trailer on their trucks/vans/SUVs/etc.
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Yes the same type of nonsense could be made about replacing a p with a LT… but why that is far less of an issue here…
The ST is a nitch market tire whose sales are up year on year, margins are up, but even if the low sales don’t justify an advertising campaign for them there is nothing giving them cause to not promote them…
IT IS THEIR JOB TO SELL TIRES, NOT TO DISCOURAGE THEIR USE… I mean according to some they are God sent to the trailer user a comment that was actually made…
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Quote:

and you are the same people saying a local dealer should do warranty work for the local resident that bought foreign…

Actually its the tire manufacturer and their dealers who gives us their full warranty protection for their LT tires on our trailers.
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Which clause in the warranty gives us that protection… really not just what you think might do it… what clause…

If you mean an e-mail you got might make you feel covered but by warranty but warranty wording says,
“No representative, employee or retailer has the authority to make or imply
any representation, promise or agreement, which in any way varies the terms of
this warranty. “

Quote:

why is it so many have never had a ST tire on the road failure.???

NO one has ever disputed that fact that I know of.
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It is disputed by every LT advocate that says it’s the only answer, when it’s obviously not...
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But the very big fact remains the ST has a much higher failure rate than the P or LT when the latter is used in a trailer position.
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The common belief but one that no one has ever backed up with any data at all… no one has even proven it to contains any truth to it…
The biggest problem with the ST tire is its owner, that for whatever reason fails to document the failure... Chances are he violated the tire restriction and didn’t follow through in his part of the required Maintenance …

would be so much better instead of trying to play word games, to find verifiable legitimate answers from the tire manufacture that doesn’t have to be answered covertly in secret code…
Community Alumni
Apr 03, 2014
Everyday I tell myself to skip this topic, but yet I keep coming back. This topic has obviously turned into a beating of a dead horse (now I'm adding to it), but I'm pleasantly surprised that it hasn't turned into third grade class full personal attacks and petty name calling that you typically find in topics like this. I have to commend you guys for exercising restraint and keeping it civil.

However, even after others report decades of experience towing numerous trailers with LTs, the debate still goes on that LTs should not be used. I'm not sure if anyone has given a reason why LTs could not be used beyond, "No one specifically recommends them." To me it's just common sense. You can find an LT that has an equivalent capacity. Quality control across the board seems to lean heavily towards the LT classification. LTs are designed for a steer or drive axle, so a trailing axle would be a piece of cake for the tire. That might also increase rolling resistance slightly, but it wouldn't prevent you from using it. People report that LTs wears just as good or better than an ST. Some LTs may tow slightly different, but I have yet to find a person who says it made towing unsafe. Not to mention that lots of people are running LTs successfully and have for decades. Not to mention the thousands of others who are running LTs on other types of trailers and aren't posting about it on forums. I can't recall a thread anywhere where someone regretted putting properly fitted LTs on their trailer. I'm not saying that one tire is superior or inferior to the other tire. I just can't see why a comparable LT tire pressurized correctly, couldn't replace an ST.