Hey All,Total noob, trying to soak all this RV stuff in all at once. The Maxxis ST tires on my recently purchased 2001 TT "look" like new, but I don't know how old they actually are, so don't know how much life I should consider they really have in them. I need to research how to read the date code on them.When I do buy new ones, I'm wondering why ST's? With their 65 MPH speed limit, there has to be some redeeming properties that make them desirable for TT/RV use?Without knowing anything - which I don't - on the face of it, seems obvious to put LT's on. They can be had in load ratings plenty heavy enough and not be stuck in the slow lane with the semi's all the time.- Coyote

Trailer Towing – ST Tires vs. LT TiresI stick with the STs personally, and a good quality ST at that. You're on vacation, why rush to get somewhere, burn more fuel, and a better chance of getting in a wreck.Also, you tires should have a date code on them.

The date code will be in line with the DOT information and if the tires were manufactured after year 2000 will be four numbers with the first two representing the week of the year and the last two representing the year...2311 would be the 23rd week of 20111002 would be the 10th week of 2002

Short primer on ST tires...http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=219

In the beginning we used truck tires (LT) or passenger car tires (P) on our RVs. In the '70s American tire makers gave us the ST tire which was a compromise between the P and LT but more importantly as Goodyear said "the ST tires were economically priced". They were to be used on trailers only and not suitable for use on other vehicles.I've owned several different RV trailers and many different sizes of equipment trailers for my business. After taking possession of any trailer the first thing I always do is dump the ST tires and go with a LT. It may require changing wheels or modding the trailers suspension but for zero issues with tire in the long haul its worth it for me.I run LTs on my RVs for seven years average and in the 55k-60k mile range with zero issues at any speed I choose. My equipment trailers were on the road much more and have ran many a set up to the 70k range however those miles were in 18-24 months or so. That sold me on LT over and ST.

One reason for using ST tires is the load rating for the tire size. While LT's would be nice, often it is impossible to find a LT tire in the size for the trailer that will carry the required load. For example, in 225/15" tires, LT's are hard/impossible to find above LRC, while ST's are available in LRE in the same size.Once you go to 16" rims then you can get LT's with LRE or higher so they make sense to consider.

Why ST tires? | Good Sam Community

Huntindog
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
JIMNLIN wrote:
I like yanking JJs chain as he gives us long impressive flowing posts like a couple of his posts.

IMO we should all be working together and give folks looking for a better brand or tire type some input on what actually works out here instead of backing a tire company into the liability corner.

Hell I can ask any LT tire maker the right question and they will have to give the usual CYA liability answer like the BFG and Vanco email responce.
They also will give a trailer owner a thumbs up simply by wording the email/1-800 differently.
Its all about ones agenda.

Most folks understand that ploy.

Give me a TT that I like everything about except the tires, and I WILL find a way to get good tires on it.
I look for solutions to problems. Don't get hung up on what isn't possible, but rather what IS possible.
JJBIRISH
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
Beachums
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
Huntindog wrote:
kedanie wrote:
How about one of you guys try being the bigger man and just walk away from a fight that neither will win!!!!!!!!!!!

Enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually I won the day I walked away from ST tires.

There sure are a few egos on this thread, I keep going back to the title to make sure I am in a tire thread on a RV site..... You would think that the topic would be of much more consequence with the tone of most of these posts.

Also, You lost before you even finished the first word with that red font....... Are you trying to be a mod or something?

I guess someone smarter than me wouldn't even bother to post this opinion, but what can I say.......I guess I need to go on a camping trip or something
FastEagle
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
When writing posts in a medium (RV trailer tires) I’ve found it best to use the language common to the that particular medium.

Safety Standards and Industry Standards are the most common terms used throughout the tire industry.

In this first reference, rules are determined and put into play for all to follow.

Click to view ref

In this second reference, a single regulation is explained. It reefers to other like regulations that may also apply.

Click to view ref

When you go into the big daddy (Code of Federal Regulations) and use the key word tire, you will get 418 hits. When a regulation is on file and current it has precedence.

Click to view ref

Personal views of active regulations vary from “so what” to “hogwash”. Litigators will apply them as they are currently written.

FastEagle
Huntindog
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
Beachums wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
kedanie wrote:
How about one of you guys try being the bigger man and just walk away from a fight that neither will win!!!!!!!!!!!

Enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually I won the day I walked away from ST tires.

There sure are a few egos on this thread, I keep going back to the title to make sure I am in a tire thread on a RV site..... You would think that the topic would be of much more consequence with the tone of most of these posts.

Also, You lost before you even finished the first word with that red font....... Are you trying to be a mod or something?

I guess someone smarter than me wouldn't even bother to post this opinion, but what can I say.......I guess I need to go on a camping trip or something

I like colors. Losing is a state of mind. I don't have that state of mind. I seek solutions to problems. That is what winners do.
I am going camping too. I hope your tires, what ever they are treat you well.

Have a nice trip
Shavano
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
This thread has run its course.

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