LT tires on TT

gmw photos wrote:

MM49 wrote:
The LT crowd loses a little credibility when they recommend a LT for the 225/75-R15 size. There isn't a load range E LT tire available. These talkers would have you upgrading to 19.5" wheels. More hot air than common sense.
MM49

I think we'd probably find that most 15" wheels would be in the 2600 to 2850 pound capacity. As for tires, for instance, a Good Year Marathon ST tire in that 15" size would only have a capacity of 2540 pounds.

If you need a load range E tire, there are many choices in 16", in both ST and LT types that would have load capacities of 3000 plus to 3400 plus. And of course 16" wheels are designed typically for these higher inflation pressures and higher weight loading.

I guess I have missed the posts where anybody made a recommendation to go from a 15" to a 19.5" on a trailer.

So I take your not a salesman.
MM49

JIMNLIN wrote:

Jbechtoldt wrote:
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.

IMO the OP has his answers in the first few pages.
Then as Barney says it became a same old same old quotes and opinions as the last ST vs LT thread and the one before that and the one before that and blather blather.

Maybe a sticky topic ST vs LT like the "gas vs diesel" topic in the tow vehicle forum would eliminate hijacking a OP thread(s).

Starting on page two you sprinkled nine posts in this thread.

FE

Jbechtoldt wrote:
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.

IMO the OP has his answers in the first few pages.
Then as Barney says it became a same old same old quotes and opinions as the last ST vs LT thread and the one before that and the one before that and blather blather.

Maybe a sticky topic ST vs LT like the "gas vs diesel" topic in the tow vehicle forum would eliminate hijacking a OP thread(s).

I have a sunset creek , with a lippert frame and axels , the owners manual specifies ST or LT tires . Of a similar or greater capacity .

Ask yourself this ..... Why dont most of the manufacturers of ST tires also make LT tires ? There is certainly a larger market for LT tires , Why are the majority of ST tires made overseas ? Why are most made by companies no one has heard of ?

Why do most all rv makers put on ST tires ? Because of cost , they are cheaper , it adds up quickly. What about problems ? Play the law of adverages , the chances of ST tires failing in the first year are much less than year 3 and out of warranty. Its all about $$$$$ . American companys cant compete with the liabilaty issues , sue a chinese company .
,

PS
I wish Michelin made ST tires!

Wow..... I am no expert but it seems to me to boil down to:
1) ST vs LT - there are pros and cons to each. Weigh these and decide based on your driving/towing habits.
2) buy the best quality tires you can afford for the most peace of mind regardless of designation.
3) many trailers come from the factory with marginal tires based only on load capacity. Consider your loads and upgrade load capacity as necessary.
4) MAINTAIN, MAINTAIN, MAINTAIN!!! Check pressures EVERY trip. Check temps. At every stop. Never drive over the rated speed for the tire.

And all I wanted were simple answers to simple questions…

Drug companies and doctors PRESCRIBE their drugs for off label use all the time on every drug they make except for one…

But tire companies for some reason are not permitted to prescribe a very appropriate tire they sell for your off label use…

I am sure tire manufactures spend a lot of money proof reading and scrubbing all the literature in there brochures , catalogs and web sites of the words trailer, trailer use or anything to indicate use by trailer… I am sure because they have been so effective at it…

I believe the process is a little irrational to avoid selling a legal product to a rational buyer that wants to buy it… go figure

And while all of you LT users and LT advocates shout out you superior wisdom about the use of LT tires as though you had an epiphany and are about to part the waters and allow the rest of us in…

Your tire dealers and your tire mfg.’s aren’t nearly as excited and apparently are not sharing in this great epiphany… One thing for sure they are not doing is lining up behind you to show their support for your help…

That’s really funny and more than strange, because their marketing departments are willing to stretch the truth to the point of non-recognition to propel their product to the top to pick up even the smallest additional market share…

But I can assure there is a reason for this, and a good one… they are not doing this because they’re too busy and don’t want the sales…

Just one truism not mentioned by the LT advocates… The ST tire is designed as a part of the trailers suspension system…

The replacement LT wouldn't be and would be a 2 up size with higher air pressure and straighter side walls…
With the LT you have more weight compounded by the fact that it is unsprung weight…

Straight sidewalls – higher air pressure – heavier – unsprung rotational weight… all contribute to a very harsh ride… harsh enough to cause problems with or breakdown to the axles, bearings, springs, chassis, and throughout the unit…

But let me beat you to it, universally you all haven’t experienced any of that… you trailers ride better pull better and are more stable than anything on the road all since changing to LT tires… it’s a miracle…

Holy cow, let it go! :R Or at least stop the quotes of quotes of quotes etc.
Barney

gmw photos wrote:

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.

:B
The more condescending you get, the weaker your "argument" becomes!

Presumably (and obviously) your "permission" to choose tire type doesn't extend to the thousands of trailer toters with respectably big trailers out there. Unless they "care" about their families, they must follow your lead. Got it!

Must be sure to pass this along to my brother per his toyhauler. Which reminds me: He/I don't care about our employees either, since there are so many ST's on equipment trailers in the fleet. And here we were thinkin' that just because they've served so well, we were doing the right thing. :S

MrVan wrote:
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.

I know the feeling. In years past, I too have been the one at the side of the road changing failed tires. Which was part of what led me try different things, ask different people, and research alternatives.
It's always good to be open minded about the possibility there is a better way to do something.