Tire Question- truck tires or ST
So last wednesday pulling my trailer, on one of my tires the tread completley came off the tire almost like it was a retread but they were carlyle tires from the factory, probably less that 5000 miles...
Forum Discussion
I was always of your mind set. Truck tires better than trailer tires. I do not necessarily feel that way these days.
A cheap quality truck tire isn't a good idea either. But a quality trailer ST tire from a reputable tire store (I like Big-O in my region of travel) is likely preferable. Why?
I assume you have a tandem axle trailer. When you turn, those trailer tires (the tires on one side) are so close to each other, that one drags left across its pathway, and the other drags right across its pathway. The trailer turning pivot point is theoretically midway between where each tire touches the road.
So unless you are only driving straight, your two tandem tires, on each side, are constantly dragging left and right across the surface. Tight turns are worse than slight turns. That wears tread and places great force on sidewall strength.
Those side forces are what a trailer tire is designed for: stronger sidewall construction, differing tread rubber compounds to accommodate for those dragging forces.
Truck tires are designed for stronger sidewall puncture resistance (I assume) higher cargo weight carrying capacity, etc.
If you have a single axle, all those things need to be re-evaluated for your actual needs (and tire costs), but I have bought three or four tandem axle trailer tire sets from Big-O and never had a concern. My OEM (cheaper quality) tires seemed to wear out fast, but fortunately, I've never had one lose a tread or blow out.
You can find affordable, good enough quality ST tires, and I would recommend them over a LT tire just because of the design differences.
Also, trailer tires are usually designed with a tread that helps move water away from the footprint, as a towed unit being pulled by the truck and its "forward traction" design. While a truck tire is designed generally, for the type tread you buy (highway, all season, off road). If you have a LT tire with off road traction capability (maybe you think they look cool) you may well lose "pull behind, keep it in a straight line, no hydroplaning forward motion".
A cheap quality truck tire isn't a good idea either. But a quality trailer ST tire from a reputable tire store (I like Big-O in my region of travel) is likely preferable. Why?
I assume you have a tandem axle trailer. When you turn, those trailer tires (the tires on one side) are so close to each other, that one drags left across its pathway, and the other drags right across its pathway. The trailer turning pivot point is theoretically midway between where each tire touches the road.
So unless you are only driving straight, your two tandem tires, on each side, are constantly dragging left and right across the surface. Tight turns are worse than slight turns. That wears tread and places great force on sidewall strength.
Those side forces are what a trailer tire is designed for: stronger sidewall construction, differing tread rubber compounds to accommodate for those dragging forces.
Truck tires are designed for stronger sidewall puncture resistance (I assume) higher cargo weight carrying capacity, etc.
If you have a single axle, all those things need to be re-evaluated for your actual needs (and tire costs), but I have bought three or four tandem axle trailer tire sets from Big-O and never had a concern. My OEM (cheaper quality) tires seemed to wear out fast, but fortunately, I've never had one lose a tread or blow out.
You can find affordable, good enough quality ST tires, and I would recommend them over a LT tire just because of the design differences.
Also, trailer tires are usually designed with a tread that helps move water away from the footprint, as a towed unit being pulled by the truck and its "forward traction" design. While a truck tire is designed generally, for the type tread you buy (highway, all season, off road). If you have a LT tire with off road traction capability (maybe you think they look cool) you may well lose "pull behind, keep it in a straight line, no hydroplaning forward motion".
