Something to think about..LT or ST tires

[tinner12002]

I think all or most tire stores are watching more about what tire/size that came on the item that the tires are being put on and not wanting to stray from that because of the liability that is involved.
That would or could be a nasty lawsuit for both the trailer owner and the tire store if an LT tire blew out on a trailer that was suppose to only have ST tires and caused an accident causing a death. I'm betting the courts would rule in the victims favor that ST tires should have been on that trailer.
Just my .02 and something I always try to keep in mind.

[Ric_Flair]

CapriRacer wrote:

danojeno wrote:
Thank goodness my local Discount/America's Tire shop didn't get the memo on this. They boldly recommended LTs to replace my failing STs.......

Which is funny because my local Discount Tire store would have nothing to do with replacing the passenger car tires on my trailer with other passenger car tires. They insisted the tires had to be ST's - in spite of the fact that the Passenger car tires were only loaded to 70% of their rated load carrying capacity!

And my Discount Tire was happy to sell, mount, balance and install 6 brand new Goodyear G614s LTs in place of the******that was on it.

Next.....

[CapriRacer]

danojeno wrote:
Thank goodness my local Discount/America's Tire shop didn't get the memo on this. They boldly recommended LTs to replace my failing STs.......

Which is funny because my local Discount Tire store would have nothing to do with replacing the passenger car tires on my trailer with other passenger car tires. They insisted the tires had to be ST's - in spite of the fact that the Passenger car tires were only loaded to 70% of their rated load carrying capacity!

[danojeno]

tinner12002 wrote:
I think all or most tire stores are watching more about what tire/size that came on the item that the tires are being put on and not wanting to stray from that because of the liability that is involved...

Thank goodness my local Discount/America's Tire shop didn't get the memo on this. They boldly recommended LTs to replace my failing STs. The LTs were a different size too. I sleep better knowing I have a much better tire on the trailer. Just because Walmart and Sams have a policy doesn't mean it has anything to do with LT vs ST. More likely, these blanket policies prevent under-trained employees from going rogue and replacing stock tires with inadequate or improperly sized tires. Maybe your hypothetical lawyer can start suing manufacturers for using crappy ST tires.

[stsmark]

When I changed over to LT's Les Schwab, who's shops are pretty conservative gave me a little push back until I showed them I was still over on the axle rating. 6000 lb axles with 6084 of tire.

[Newvision08]

With all the speculations of ST and Lt tires and lawyers, how about all the people running 70 to 75 on an st tire rated much less. Let the lawyers handle that when a blow out occurs the Rv manufacturer isn't responsible. At least the Lt candle handle the heat and speed.

[lincster]

big buford wrote:
I like to vacation on vacation. Not change tires. I prefer to go with what works.

Exactly right!!!!!!!!!

[Winged_One]

joebedford wrote:
The whole argument is moot. Only ST tires blow out causing death, not LT tires.

🙂

:B ROFLMAO, so true!

[allcool]

Wow, its amazing to see some STILL really believe that ST tires are the only way to go... incredible.

[captainjohn2008]

CapriRacer wrote:

captainjohn2008 wrote:
I just replaced tires on my truck. First shop I visited would only replace with the factory stock tire size, stating liability issues. The next shop I visited and bought tires from put on the size I wanted, no questions asked. I was only going up one tire size, one load range up as well. Far as I can tell I put on a better tire, so what "Liability" issue would there be. First time I encountered this, I'm always changing to a slightly larger tire on my rides. JMHO.

I am not a lawyer, but I have meet some very sharp ones in my time - and those can convince Eskimos to buy refrigerators.

This would be all about following procedure. As an expert on the subject, I can make a very convincing argument - and I can argue the opposite. The lawyer's job is to convince a jury (or a judge) that doing something non-standard causes issues. Not hard to do.

I'm not going to disagree with you as I know these things are different in the U.S. Up here in the "Great White north' these things couldn't be further from our minds. It's just a cultural difference really. I put a higher rated tire on so that's an improvement over factory stock which makes it even safer. Safer, better tires, I think a lawyer, any lawyer would have a hard time convincing a court that what I did was bad. Believe me, I sleep very soundly at night. By the way, we don't use the term "Eskimos" any more they are referred to as "Inuit". Just Sayin.

[JIMNLIN]

azdryheat wrote:

tinner12002 wrote:
I think all or most tire stores are watching more about what tire/size that came on the item that the tires are being put on and not wanting to stray from that because of the liability that is involved.
That would or could be a nasty lawsuit for both the trailer owner and the tire store if an LT tire blew out on a trailer that was suppose to only have ST tires and caused an accident causing a death. I'm betting the courts would rule in the victims favor that ST tires should have been on that trailer.
Just my .02 and something I always try to keep in mind.

Your entire post is based on pure speculation on your part with no basis in fact. Please, come back when you have facts and substance to support your argument.

Good point and like the GVWR debate is simply a scare tactic or a crock full of ....... .

These guys like to scare folks into their reasoning with the lawsuit tactic/civil lawsuits/etc but have never backed their claims up with a credible link to a court ruling or civil lawsuit ruling stating their claims.

[CapriRacer]

captainjohn2008 wrote:
I just replaced tires on my truck. First shop I visited would only replace with the factory stock tire size, stating liability issues. The next shop I visited and bought tires from put on the size I wanted, no questions asked. I was only going up one tire size, one load range up as well. Far as I can tell I put on a better tire, so what "Liability" issue would there be. First time I encountered this, I'm always changing to a slightly larger tire on my rides. JMHO.

I am not a lawyer, but I have meet some very sharp ones in my time - and those can convince Eskimos to buy refrigerators.

This would be all about following procedure. As an expert on the subject, I can make a very convincing argument - and I can argue the opposite. The lawyer's job is to convince a jury (or a judge) that doing something non-standard causes issues. Not hard to do.

[captainjohn2008]

I just replaced tires on my truck. First shop I visited would only replace with the factory stock tire size, stating liability issues. The next shop I visited and bought tires from put on the size I wanted, no questions asked. I was only going up one tire size, one load range up as well. Far as I can tell I put on a better tire, so what "Liability" issue would there be. First time I encountered this, I'm always changing to a slightly larger tire on my rides. JMHO.

[LoneStar1]

I guess that means I cannot replace the P245/70/17 tires on my 1/2 ton truck with LT tires or even a larger size because the door tire sticker only lists P245/70/17 and nothing else. I guess being as the truck only lists this size that was all it was designed for. Heaven forbid if we modify anything to make it better or safer.

[fly-boy]

fly-boy wrote:


In no way would a person be in trouble for replacing cheap ST tires with better quality LT tires.


That's just it though, its not "getting in trouble". It's personal liability. Of course you can do what you want. We all can. But sadly we live in a highly litigious society. Lets say you blow an LT and a piece flies off and causes someone in a nearby car to get seriously hurt. Your trailer came with STs. One savvy lawyer is all it takes to file a civil lawsuit that you deviated from manufacturer specs and you'll have a tough time getting a personal liability rider after its all settled. And I guarantee you that no how much documentation you provide to show that LTs are better, all the plaintiffs lawyer needs is a statement from the manufacturer stating they didn't design the trailer for LT tires. I'm not saying that's right, it just is. Its the world we live in today.

There is no personal liability when you replace an ST tire with an LT tire unless you are mounting a tire that the wheel can't accommodate due to size, weight or air pressure capacity. LT tires are better period and any mainstream tire outlet will know this and tell you this.

[joebedford]

The whole argument is moot. Only ST tires blow out causing death, not LT tires.

🙂