The China-Bomb debate Put to rest
Almost every week or more a thread appears with someone with a tire question. And just as predictably the China Bomb experts come out and start decrying all Chinese made tires. Then usually they re...
Forum Discussion
Huntindog wrote:4X4Dodger wrote:Huntindog wrote:rbpru wrote:Are you suggesting that the ST tire sales are anywhere close to LT tire sales?
There are over a million ST tires use annually just on TTs and 5vers, not to mention horse trailers, cargo trailers, utility trailers etc. plus the stores that service the farm and ranch market.
The ST tire world extends far beyond our little TT corner of the world.
If I may add:
The issue is that with the Millions of ST Tires IN USE just in the USA the numbers of failures represent a MINUSCULE percentage that is statistically irrelevant. ie. Nothing can be learned or assumed by it.
By and large tires OF ALL kinds are very reliable and rarely fail. If used properly, kept properly inflated, and not overloaded. Those by the way are the NTHSA's own list of what constitutes most failures.
NOT manufacturing defects.
How do you account for the HUGE difference in miles used per year?
The average vehicle is driven well over 12K a year
Many TTs are only towed 150-200 miles two are three times a year... I have read that many TTs don't move at all after they are three years old! Of course that is blasphemy here on a TT enthusiests board.. But I believe it to be true, just from the number of TTs I see parked at residences that never move.
Those owners are well served by the cheapest tires they can get.
You bring up an interesting point. But if you read the entire NHTSA Rule you see that no assumption was made regarding the number of miles driven in testing the tires. Lt and ST Radial Tires were tested to the same standard.
While you are undoubtedly right about the mileage differences and that many trailers sit for long periods. I have put about 20k on my trailer in the last 17 months 5000 miles of that in the last two months. And many many many people do put lots of miles on their ST tires.
You are also right, at least in my view, that those who do use their trailers for one or two camping trips per year are probably better off with cheaper tires.
