Tire Blowout Questions

JJBIRISH wrote:
while the LT suggestion isn’t a bad one, for light duty trailers it isn’t always the best answer if there is a best answer, and generally is a better recommendation for the heavier trailers and 5 er’s…

there are all kinds of considerations that need to be taken into account before changing to a LT if you even can… but most people the recommend fail to include the problems this can cause… from clearances for the tire to compatible rims for what will almost always be a bigger tire or a higher air pressure tire for the same load requirements, and more than likely both a bigger tire with higher air pressure…


they often mention the straighter and stiffer side walls of the LT tire, but never mention that the straighter stiffer sidewalls with the higher PSI and bigger tire will create a much harsher ride, this is especially true for the short sprung suspensions that are on most trailers… that this has a negative effect on the whole trailer the in the case of RV trailers and chassis are built to absolute minimal standards for weight and cost reasons…

most people that suggest them absolutely refuse to believe there are liability risk if everything isn’t done correctly and the tire companies won’t except the risk of changing to a different type of tire than the manufacture choose and listed on the placard…

they point out the higher speed ratings without acknowledging the those speed ratings are derated for trailer use… an example would be the Michelin XPS is only rated for 75 MPR as a trailer tire in their catalog…

yes there are a lot of arguments and a lot to argue about when it comes to tires… the real problem comes from the many posters that only recognize what they have done as the only answer let alone the best answer…

unfortunately many of us are stuck with the ST tire like it or not… we need to from an opinion about them for our use for which ever reason… I have made my opinions about the ST tire and I did it only after extensive research…

while I don’t have a problem with the Carlisle (I have used many of them), but the argument of one poster that they are now in the last two years built like a Maxxis, somehow means the Maxxis are now no good and I have to be or even should be a convert to Carlisle... that is as ridiculous as saying that somehow makes another’s opinion of the Maxxis any less valuable…

and nothing is more ridiculous than the cheerleader comments… using that logic, Honda and Yamaha generators, fantastic fans, and Michelins XPS tires must be pretty crappie to…

what nonsense, give me a break…

Jack,
My searching has found numerous LT tires that will "fit" these smaller trailers. A short list would include:

Contiental Vanco 2 ( USA )
185R-14C
195/70R-15C
215/70R-15C
225/70R-15
All the above in load indexes from 100-110 (1764 lbs-2337 lbs )

In Canada, all of the above, plus also the Vanco 8
184-14
195/70R-15C
225/70R-15C

Yokohama Y356
in 14", both LRC and LRD
in 15" LRD

Kumho
in 14", three different sizes, LRD

Nexen ( new kid on the block....kind of an unknown ??? )

14"LRC and LRD
15" LRD

....my point is, I believe there are plenty of choices to meet the size needs of the trailers running 14 and 15 inch wheels in the the typical 5.5" to 6" rim width.

Whether or not the coach and or frame can handle the potentially "stiffer ride" is open for discussion, but I am inclined to say that if I have to compromise down to an inferior tire in order to give the chassis an acceptable ride, then I need to think about the weaknesses of the chassis instead of compromising tire durability/reliability.

For what it's worth, and admitting this is just one data point so it means darn little to nothing, but when I switched from ST to LT tires on this trailer, I have not noticed any difference in "things being rearranged, drawers opened, stuff falling to the floor" after traveling. I admit that may not even be something that is an indication of tire compliance. But, it might be ? And again, a bit anecdotal data, many guys over on the airstream user forum report that switching to LT tires has had no negative effects on their trailers. That is a brand known for needing a "soft ride" to maintain the integrity of the riveted aluminum structure.

At any rate, for those users who are interested in shopping for LT tires, a bit of searching around should yield tires in a rim size ( both diameter and width ) and load capacity to meet your trailer needs.