rbpru wrote:
Regardless of what we want, think or wish, I have yet to see any tire company advertised their LT tires for ST use. I appears they would rather lose sales rather than sell LTs into the trailer market.Actually because of the high failure rate of STs, they sell more tires than they would if the industry primarily used the more expensive LTs.
And it is very likely that they make a higher profit, percentage wise on STs.
Thruout my life, I have found that when ANYTHING doesn't seem to make sense.... Look at the money aspect of it. Then it makes perfect sense
Even those companies that do not make ST tires do not try to sell their LTs for trailer use. It likely goes back to the money. LT tires are more reliable, so less frequent replacement is needed. LT tires are subject to much more stringent testing which costs more... And they really do not have to advertise the LTs for this service. Those of us that are dissatisfied with STs will find the better LT tires without advertisement.
The fact that some of the tire makers will tell you that you can use their LTs for trailer service, would indicate that they are not the first choice. Their first choice is PROFIT!! The more the better.
It has nothing to do with selling the best tire for the job.
There is absolutely no doubt that the LT tires are tested to several more standards than STs. However, it appears the additional testing has little to do with the needs of an ST tire. Now that is just being silly. I know that you have read the testing standards that I have posted here several times. You KNOW what the more severe tire testing entails... Yet for some reason you want to discredit it without stating what it is. SHAME SHAME.
One of the tests has to do with low inflation testing. AN LT has to run at reduced pressure at full load at high speed for a long time without failing. There is no such test for an ST. Tell us all how that test is not important for a trailer tire?
Why some travel trailer makers allow or recommend LTs may be related to the TT design or intended use. I softer ride or more aggressive tread bite for off road boon docking comes to mind.This is pure speculation/fantasy on your part.
Perhaps just maybe, the RV manufacturers that equip their units with LTs actually want better tires... They DO seem to be the makers with the better reputations for quality, and are sold at higher price points than the average trailer.
All of this is a moot point, since there is no law that says you must use ST tires. If, for whatever reason, a person wishes to ignore the recommendations of the industries that make the tires and the manufacturers that use the tires, they are free to do so.YOU almost tell the whole truth here, but not quite (big suprise) I will help you.
It IS ILLEGAL to use an ST on a automobile of any type. This is molded right on to the sidewall of all STs. But is is perfectly LEGAL to use a LT tire on a trailer.
Heck, I suppose one could even consider passenger car tires because they used them in the old days. I wouldn't begin to advise such a crazy idea but then someone will surely tell me how well they work in this or that TT application. Actually P tires CAN work in certain trailer applications. It is perfectly legal to do so. And they are tested to higher standards than STs. They do however have more limitations. They must be derated for trailer service, and their weight ratings are not very high to begin with. Still, if your trailer is light enough, and you can fit a P tire that will operate within the required weight range... They can be an excellent choice.
Be safe.
