The new ST tires. Fact or fiction (marketing)

ktmrfs wrote:
AFAIK from reading gov't regulations on tire markings if the sidewall has a speed rating letter, and a load index stamped the the tire must be tested to the requirements for that speed rating and load index and pass to be sold as such.

Now, the endurance has a Load index and N (87mph) speed rating stamped. And like pointed out by huntindogm the testing for st 65mph speed rating is way less stringent than testing for any other higher speed rating such as N.

I haven't gone through all the details, to much reading, but I believe that an ST tire with a load index and speed rating stamped on the sidewall has to pass the same test sequence as any other tire with that load index and speed rating. and that test is much more severe than the ST 65mph test. basically the same test that a LT tire would need to pass with the same speed rating and load index.

now, in the past maxxis and goodyear and a few others didn't stamp load index or speed rating on the tire and had a derating with higher pressure or reduced load published for higher speeds. but without the sidewall stamp they wouldn't have needed to pass any test, just their recomendation.

But the endurance with speed rating and load index would have to pass the gov't testing for the sidewall stamps.

for many of us, switching to an LT tire is not a viable option. In 15 inch tires there are NO tires I could find that had a load index high enough, anything over LRC is hard to find, and one that I do know of that had a high enough Load Index and rating the mfg is very emphatic that it is never to be used as a trailer tire.

If you already have or have room to go up to 16 inch tires, another story. lots of options open up.

So recently I needed new trailer tires, old Maxxis had given me close to 25K trouble free miles but tread was near worn out, I decided to give the goodyear endurance a try. We shall see. Neighbor has done the same, his Carlsie were in need of replacement as well.

and just because two different tires pass the same test, does not mean they are equals. One could just barely pass, the other could pass with flying colors.