LT tires for 5th

[StirCrazy]

who is running LT tires on their 5th wheel and what kind are you running? I want to replace all my tires this year and was looking at the sailun but that would require new rims to use properly so I am wondering what the dark side is running 😉

Steve

[MFL]

C Schomer wrote:
My last several trailers have had 6K axles, and I will only use 16 inch LT tires. One manufacturer told me that ST tires are not built to the safety standards that any tire for carrying passengers are. Craig

I agree with above, but all ST tires are not created equal. I replaced my 8yo Providers last Summer, with another set of same. Here is a description from e-trailer. "Provider radials are constructed with double polyester cords and double steel belts for increased durability and endurance. A protective layer of nylon is wrapped around the steel belts to help prevent tread separation. Provider radials are bake tested - a process usually reserved for automotive tires - to ensure that the rubber holds up over time."


Also from e-trailer "Provider radial with automotive-grade tread"

speed rated 81 mph

These came OEM on my FW and gave superior service. They are available in many sizes/load ranges.

Jerry

[fj12ryder]

"When it comes to tires, you are going to have to do your research and go with your gut."

Boy, there's some pretty deep wisdom there. Geeze.

[nickthehunter]

I’ll throw this into the mix: Clicky

[C_Schomer]

My last several trailers have had 6K axles, and I will only use 16 inch LT tires. One manufacturer told me that ST tires are not built to the safety standards that any tire for carrying passengers are. Craig

[StirCrazy]

.

[garyp4951]

Sailun tire chart

[fj12ryder]

Or FastEagle? 🙂

[MFL]

But,but...ST (SPECIAL trailer) has to account for something! 🙂

It does not mean extra firm, heavy sidewall. Where is Roger Marble when you need him??

Jerry

[fj12ryder]

StirCrazy wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

MNRon wrote:
StirCrazy - good comments here about LT vs ST specs and testing. What hasn’t been mentioned yet is that ST have stiffer sidewalls for the tire scrubbing that will happen on tandem and triple axle trailers. LT are designed with more margin and to higher standards, but they are designed for a different application than ST. I would recommend sticking to ST, and specifically recommend looking at Sailuns (that I have good experiences with - besides, much cheaper than a good LT tire).

I've heard that tons of times that ST tires have stiffer sidewalls, none of which I've ever seen in the real world. ST tires have wimpy sidewalls compared to good LT tires. The old ST dealer's story keeps coming up and refuses to go away, even though it's wrong. Repeating wrong data doesn't make it right.

they don't have thicker or stiffer sidewalls they have sidewalls made to take the twisting and such from sharp scrubbing turns better. people tend to explain/interpret that wrong

So the thinner more flexible sidewall makes them more resistant to twisting and scrubbing? Nope, not buyin' it. 🙂

[fj12ryder]

StirCrazy wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

StirCrazy wrote:

MNRon wrote:
StirCrazy - good comments here about LT vs ST specs and testing. What hasn’t been mentioned yet is that ST have stiffer sidewalls for the tire scrubbing that will happen on tandem and triple axle trailers. LT are designed with more margin and to higher standards, but they are designed for a different application than ST. I would recommend sticking to ST, and specifically recommend looking at Sailuns (that I have good experiences with - besides, much cheaper than a good LT tire).

yup and that's what I have always said myself, but I was looking into it as a few new rv's are coming out with LT tires, so it muddies up the water. I was going to go with sailun but after talking with them, they should be run at 110psi not at 80, so that would mean I would need new rims also. more to think about.

I've run Sailun's at less than 110 psi, but not as low as 80 psi. I ran mine down at 90-95 psi, with no issues and they lasted 6+ years and still looked good. I had a triple axle at the time and my load was about 5,000 lbs. per axle, so they were way over tired.

ya I was just going by what sailun told me. They said they should be run at full pressure for best tread wear, fuel economy and tire life.

That sounds like typical CYA. If they say you can run the pressure you feel is suitable for your trailer, then when someone ruins a tire due to excessively low pressure, they blame the company because they said it was okay to run lower pressure.

[StirCrazy]

fj12ryder wrote:

StirCrazy wrote:

MNRon wrote:
StirCrazy - good comments here about LT vs ST specs and testing. What hasn’t been mentioned yet is that ST have stiffer sidewalls for the tire scrubbing that will happen on tandem and triple axle trailers. LT are designed with more margin and to higher standards, but they are designed for a different application than ST. I would recommend sticking to ST, and specifically recommend looking at Sailuns (that I have good experiences with - besides, much cheaper than a good LT tire).

yup and that's what I have always said myself, but I was looking into it as a few new rv's are coming out with LT tires, so it muddies up the water. I was going to go with sailun but after talking with them, they should be run at 110psi not at 80, so that would mean I would need new rims also. more to think about.

I've run Sailun's at less than 110 psi, but not as low as 80 psi. I ran mine down at 90-95 psi, with no issues and they lasted 6+ years and still looked good. I had a triple axle at the time and my load was about 5,000 lbs. per axle, so they were way over tired.

ya I was just going by what sailun told me. They said they should be run at full pressure for best tread wear, fuel economy and tire life.

[StirCrazy]

fj12ryder wrote:

MNRon wrote:
StirCrazy - good comments here about LT vs ST specs and testing. What hasn’t been mentioned yet is that ST have stiffer sidewalls for the tire scrubbing that will happen on tandem and triple axle trailers. LT are designed with more margin and to higher standards, but they are designed for a different application than ST. I would recommend sticking to ST, and specifically recommend looking at Sailuns (that I have good experiences with - besides, much cheaper than a good LT tire).

I've heard that tons of times that ST tires have stiffer sidewalls, none of which I've ever seen in the real world. ST tires have wimpy sidewalls compared to good LT tires. The old ST dealer's story keeps coming up and refuses to go away, even though it's wrong. Repeating wrong data doesn't make it right.

they don't have thicker or stiffer sidewalls they have sidewalls made to take the twisting and such from sharp scrubbing turns better. people tend to explain/interpret that wrong

[JIMNLIN]

so when looking to switch if my tires I have now are 235/80R16.. what size of LT tire should I be looking for since that size is exclusive to st tires.

Your ST235/80-16 probably is a load E and may have 3400-3600 lbs capacity. As mentioned several times a same size ST won't have the same capacity as a LT235/85-16 E at 3042 lbs capacity.
However if your trailer has 5.2k or 6k axles then the LT235/85-16 E or the LT245/75-16 E both have 3042 lbs capacity have always been a good replacement.
The LT 235/85 is around 31.7" tall vs the LT245/75 @ 30.7".

Also as noted if your trailer has 7k axles then a 16" LT E won't work.

ST E have stiffer sidewalls than same size/load range LT E is simply internet myth.
And of course a 16" Sailun S637 load G has a much stiffer sidewall then a 16" LT load E.
Goodyears G614 LT235/85-16 load G is about the same weight as the Sailun and same stiff sidewall.

ST and LT both have the same bead unseating resistance tests/strength tests per FMVSS 571. Both pas those tests.

[MNRon]

Sidewall design - try flexing a Sailun sidewall. I’ve had tire shops that have older equipment struggle with 3 techs to mount/dismount them. Definitely very stiff sidewalls.

Regarding pressures, you can find Sailun psi load tables and air down if you don’t need 4400lb per tire. Lately I typically have been running 95-100 psi on our 7k axles.