We live in Florida & the summer heat destroys our tt tires. We keep them covered & don't drive over 65 mph, and yet, we blow tires every 2 years. We were advised by another RVer to use truck tires on the tt. Has anyone done this or do you have any recommendations?

Have not done it myself. I ran into a campground host this week that suggested truck tires. Until that moment, I would have never thought of that. He was one of the hosts at Florida Caverns State Park.

Doing a search, you will see a lot of LT vs ST tires discussions. Entertain yourself with them.

14"/15"/16" light truck and passenger tires were used for many years before the tire industry gave us the infamous ST tire. Trucks don't use 14" or 15" wheels anymore so all those sizes LT and big P tires we used are history. We have a fair selection of 16" LT tires up 3750 lbs for using on a trailer. I could find and make a list of LT or P tires but it would be easier if you could tell use what size/load range the OEM tires are on your trailer......or trailers axle ratings and its GVWR.

I modified the suspension on our small fifth wheel just so I could run 16" LT tires on it. You want to stick to ST or LT tires, and LTs only come in 16" and bigger. For 14" and 15" another option is to switch to better brands of ST tires--Maxxis is popular and that is what I use for 14" and 15" trailer needs. If possible it would be a good idea to increase the rating of the ST tire that you're using by going to a higher ply rating (such as switch from C to D) or a wider tire (215 to 225). Search for threads on tires--probably one of the top 3 topics. In fact this thread will probably explode just after everyone wakes up.

Truck tires and trailer tires are two different animals. The truck ones are not as strong in the sidewalls and the general method of building is different.The main problem with having a trailer just sit is they rot out from the inside as the need to move to lube the inside.

Truck tires on tt? | Good Sam Community

rbpru
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2016
Why would anyone expect a tire that was specifically designed to be use for trailer service; straight running, a non-steering axle, straight running tread design, stiff sidewall and service below 65 mph expect it to be suitable for two vehicle service?

Still, there are fools out there that will ignore the intended purpose of the tire then sue the company because it did not work right. Hence the required warning.

Tires are marked in many way, my riding lawn mower tires say "not for highway use" to keep some nimrod from putting them on a boat trailer.

I suppose if you want to scream down the highway, drive over sharp rocked river washes, or drag your TT into other such adventures, the robust construction of the LT offsets the fact that they not the recommendations choice for normal trailer use.

Non if this keeps those who think they know better from doing what they want; never was never will.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 21, 2016
rbpru wrote:
It never fails to amaze me the length people will go to to justify their positions when it comes to the "improvements" they espouse.

Let's just ignore the recommendations of those who do it for a living and are going to be sued if they make a mistake. After all they are just trying to find the cheapest way etc. etc. etc.

Heck, believe what you want; you have to live with the results.

Meeting the required govt. regulations is an excellent defense for any lawsuit...
The govt. has given it's blessing to a lower testing standard for ST tires. Obviously they DO recognize that ST tires are not good enough for passenger service, hence the requirement to have that molded right into the sidewall.
The govt. also obviously recognizes that the LT tire, with it's higher testing standard is suitable for both types of service..Hence there is no requirement to have a warning molded into it's sidewall.

In addition many high end TTs do come with LT tires...

Of course the cost concious consumer may decide that the ST tire is good enough for their use.. And in many cases thay are correct. Many if not most TTs only get towed 2-3 times a year for short distances.. I have read that after thre years, of ownership, most TTs rarely get used.
With that kind of average use, I can see why many consumers don't want to spend very much on their TT tires. For those that tow often, heavy, long distances, or in demanding conditions,,,,they often find that the ST tire is not reliable.. For those people LT tires can solve the problem.

It is not about being "right". It is about educating people on the choices they have.

It is your money, and your choice.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 21, 2016
JIMNLIN wrote:
Samsonsworld wrote:
I put brand new Michelin LT's on my travel trailer and had 3 blow outs in six months....said no one....ever.

So tell us which Michelin LT tire/size and load range you had on your 7k trailer.
A 7000 lb trailer is around 1750 lb capacity per tire.
I am pretty sure that was a "tongue in cheek" comment.

IOW, It just doesn't happen.
rbpru
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2016
It never fails to amaze me the length people will go to to justify their positions when it comes to the "improvements" they espouse.

Let's just ignore the recommendations of those who do it for a living and are going to be sued if they make a mistake. After all they are just trying to find the cheapest way etc. etc. etc.

Heck, believe what you want; you have to live with the results.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2016
Samsonsworld wrote:
I put brand new Michelin LT's on my travel trailer and had 3 blow outs in six months....said no one....ever.

So tell us which Michelin LT tire/size and load range you had on your 7k trailer.
A 7000 lb trailer is around 1750 lb capacity per tire.
Samsonsworld
Explorer
Jan 20, 2016
I put brand new Michelin LT's on my travel trailer and had 3 blow outs in six months....said no one....ever.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 20, 2016
Boon Docker wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
Boon Docker wrote:
" Not for Passenger use " Thats on the side of every ST tire

That would because they are not rated for the high speeds that some morons like to drive.

I gotta ask for a link stating this.
I have never heard that as a reason. In fact a FEW ST tires do come with higher speed ratings... But I am pretty that even they must state the not for passenger use on the sidewall.

The main reason for the warning is the ST tires have a stiffer side wall giving them less traction for vehicle use, but the speed rating is all part of the equation.

A warning should be put on "P" and "LT" tires also, stating " Not for Trailer Use". Thinner side walls can accentuate trailer sway.

That is a myth. Check the weights of an equal LT vs an ST. The LT will be heavier. Often a LOT heavier. Look at unmounted ones. feel them. The LT is just a lot heavier duty. There is no warning on the LTs mandated by the govt. simply because it is not needed on LTs.
Many of the high end TTs come with them. Low range and mid range generally do not. That fact alone speaks for itself.

The ST tire is just a cheap tire that the govt. deems good enough for TT use, but insuficient for passenger vehicle use. The govt. has determined that LT tires meet the requirements for both types of use.

Read the testing standards a few posts back to see why.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Jan 20, 2016
Huntindog wrote:
Boon Docker wrote:
" Not for Passenger use " Thats on the side of every ST tire

That would because they are not rated for the high speeds that some morons like to drive.

I gotta ask for a link stating this.
I have never heard that as a reason. In fact a FEW ST tires do come with higher speed ratings... But I am pretty that even they must state the not for passenger use on the sidewall.

The main reason for the warning is the ST tires have a stiffer side wall giving them less traction for vehicle use, but the speed rating is all part of the equation.

A warning should be put on "P" and "LT" tires also, stating " Not for Trailer Use". Thinner side walls can accentuate trailer sway.
crollman
Explorer III
Jan 20, 2016
Boon Docker wrote:
" Not for Passenger use " Thats on the side of every ST tire

That would because they are not rated for the high speeds that some morons like to drive.

Actually they don't all say that. The Constancy Ly188 ST205/75R14s gathering dust in my garage say "for trailer use only". The meaning is a little different.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 19, 2016
Boon Docker wrote:
" Not for Passenger use " Thats on the side of every ST tire

That would because they are not rated for the high speeds that some morons like to drive.

I gotta ask for a link stating this.
I have never heard that as a reason. In fact a FEW ST tires do come with higher speed ratings... But I am pretty that even they must state the not for passenger use on the sidewall.