LT tires for 5th

LT tires all that I use. I have BF Goodrich. I have new tires installed every 6 years.

Michelin LT XPS RIB


C.B.

what's the advantage to running LT tires?

capn wrote:
what's the advantage to running LT tires?

Generally speaking, LT tires are of a better quality than ST tires, but they lack carrying capacity compared to ST tires.

I've ran nothing but LT tires on all my rv trailers and GN trailers in commercial service starting in the early '80s.
For trailers with 6k or 5.2k axles the Michelin XPS Ribs and Bridgestone R-238 are a commercial grade all steel carcass tire.
The LT235/85-16 E @ 3042 lbs 80 psi in above brands gives a tandem axle trailer 12168 lbs capacity.
Your trailer in sig shows to have a 12250 gvwr ....less 2500 lb hitch weight on the truck leaves around 2500 lbs on each tire. Plenty of reserve capacity per tire.

LT poly carcass tires I've used in a LT235/85-16 E are;
Cooper Discoverer HT-3
BFG Commercial T/A 2
Firestone Transforce HT2.

Tires above are recommended by their mfg for trailer service per email/1-800 to me.

For trailers with 7k-8k axles the all steel carcass commercial class Sailun S637 in a ST235/85-16 load G 110 psi at 4400 lbs per tire capacity are top shelf.

Running Goodyear Wrangler HT LT235/85-16 on a Fifth wheel and Gooseneck trailers. The Gooseneck tires will be 6 years old this summer. Will go with the same tire. Been perfect, no issues or complaints. Trailer is within weights for an LT tire.

Did a lot of research on LT vs ST and the only things the people at the tire stores could tell me is that an ST tire is made for a trailer, vs an LT for a truck or vehicle, so more attention to traction vs going straight. In addition, ST tires are not tested LT tires are.

For me, last time around Goodyear Endurance was about $15 more per tire, so cost was negligible.

You also get a 20% discount on Goodyear if you are a USEF member.

fj12ryder wrote:

capn wrote:
what's the advantage to running LT tires?

Generally speaking, LT tires are of a better quality than ST tires, but they lack carrying capacity compared to ST tires.

Our rig came with 17"ST commercial tires, I dont think the 17 lt tires would hold up very well with 16K gvwr

ST tires are rated at max load
LT tires are rated at 80% of theoretical max load, because of the continual varying load of the intended vehicle and the lack of knowledge of tires in the general public.

I have run LT tires on all of my trailers since the 90's. I usually wear the tires out long before aging out.

I actually run MT tires on our fifth wheel, load range J. When it was time to replace the LT Hankook tires, it was suggested to me to look into the 17.5 MT's. I researched and found I could purchase new steel wheels and tires for $5.00 more per wheel than it would cost for new tires alone. I jumped from a 3750 pound capacity per wheel and tire combo, to 6005 pounds per wheel and tire.

I was having issues with the 16" wheels, cracking and welds breaking anyways, so I stepped up to the 17.5's. That was 6 years ago, haven't had a tire or wheel issue since.

capn wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

capn wrote:
what's the advantage to running LT tires?

Generally speaking, LT tires are of a better quality than ST tires, but they lack carrying capacity compared to ST tires.

Our rig came with 17"ST commercial tires, I dont think the 17 lt tires would hold up very well with 16K gvwr

Which is why I stated "they lack carrying capacity compared to ST tires". And that works out to about 3,200 lb./tire, and even the 16" LT tires are rated to almost 3,100 lbs. So not that far off.

What happened to the Bridgstone Duravis for 16" wheels and "medium" weight FWs? They were all the rage a few years ago for those wanting to go to LTs.

Lyle