Tire shop wont install LTs on my trailer

[N-Trouble]

My local tire shop which I have bought several sets of car/truck tires through and does install tires on trailers told me that due to liability reason associated with the lower weight rating on an LT tire they can't install them. Said I would have to take the tires/rims off the trailer and take them in separately was the only way they could do it.

Obvious reply is going to be to go find another tire shop which is what I will likely have to do. Just trying to get an idea if this is a common theme with tire shops and putting LT tires on trailers?

[Me_Again]

rhagfo wrote:


Part of my point! The tire carcass is the same as on the drivers and trailer, those ribs are likely caps (Retreads), that may have been caped with a traction tread design before! My main point is that the carcass of the tire is the same be it steer, driver, or trailer.

Thanks for the Great Photos.

NO these were not caps, the were original rib style tires that are common on many OTR trailers.

Appears to this one. Chris

http://www.dunloptrucktires.com/tires/details.aspx?prodline=160523

[rhagfo]

Me Again wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
ST's likely have a greater profit margin than LT's also.
That said look at semi tires, no special trailer tires. Truckers seldom buy new tires, always for the steer axle, but drivers and trailers usually have caps. Those seem to hold up to the scrubbing of tandem axle both on drivers and trailers.

Russ they do make Rib sytle tread tires for OTR trailers. Tread looks very similar to R250's.

These are Dunlap's.


My R250's parked next to Semi trailer at Circus Circus Feb 2015.

Part of my point! The tire carcass is the same as on the drivers and trailer, those ribs are likely caps (Retreads), that may have been caped with a traction tread design before! My main point is that the carcass of the tire is the same be it steer, driver, or trailer.

Thanks for the Great Photos.

[Me_Again]

rhagfo wrote:
ST's likely have a greater profit margin than LT's also.
That said look at semi tires, no special trailer tires. Truckers seldom buy new tires, always for the steer axle, but drivers and trailers usually have caps. Those seem to hold up to the scrubbing of tandem axle both on drivers and trailers.

Russ they do make Rib sytle tread tires for OTR trailers. Tread looks very similar to R250's.

These are Dunlap's.


My R250's parked next to Semi trailer at Circus Circus Feb 2015.

[rhagfo]

ST's likely have a greater profit margin than LT's also.
That said look at semi tires, no special trailer tires. Truckers seldom buy new tires, always for the steer axle, but drivers and trailers usually have caps. Those seem to hold up to the scrubbing of tandem axle both on drivers and trailers.

[Me_Again]

GoPackGo wrote:
Can those two tires be mounted on 80 PSI rims or do you need 110 PSI rims ?

Load range E 16" tires are rated at 80 lbs inflation. Chris

[N-Trouble]

Really wanting the Duravis R250's. Stopped by an old greasy tire shop in town. Has probably been around since the 70's. Old guy who owns the place said he would put on whatever I wanted but went on to try and convince me why STs should be used on trailers. Proceeded to draw a picture of both an ST and LT from the side showing that the LT would have a much larger contact area than the ST and would grab when turning. I know reallity is actually the exact opposite of what he was trying to tell me but this guy was to old and set in his ways to try to convince otherwise. Its just crazy how much mis-information is out there on STs.

[RAS43]

N-Trouble,
I have the Michelin LTX MS2's on my trailer.They were installed 3 years ago as a result of the BFG recall after discussion with Michelin reps. The tires are wearing well and the trailer handles just fine, even when manuveuring into a camp spot or at home next to our home. Others here won't agree maybe but I believe they are fine for trailers and a definite upgrade over BFG's.

[GoPackGo]

Can those two tires be mounted on 80 PSI rims or do you need 110 PSI rims ?

[Me_Again]

N-Trouble wrote:
Stopped by America's Tire today and they said no problem they install LT tires all the time on trailers. They were pushing the following as it is what they stock and say they install the most of.

BFG Commercial TA
Cooper Discoverer HTP
Michelin LTX M/S 2

Said they actually do a lot of the Michelin's although I don't know I have heard of anyone on this board running them. Lots of reports with the BFG Commercials though.

I know all three of those are in a different class from the Michelin XPS Rib or Bridgestone Duravis R250 (which is what I was leaning towards) but they said they could order them. Really pushing what they stocked however...

I'm thinking with the weight of my trailer however any of the three they stock should be a lot better than what I am currently running.

The best LRE LT235/85R16E or LT245/75R16E are the following.

Michelin XPS Rib
Bridgestore Duravis R250
Both are all steel ply tires.

For a poly carcass LT the Bridgestore Duravis R500 has a two ply poly sidewall where most poly carcass LT's are single ply sidewalls.

I have used both the Rib(6.5 years) and R250(4.5 years now). Luck me, my placard list OEM tires as LT235/85R16E tires.

There is a very large marketing effort around the sub standard ST tires available. Remember, these are a tire type that were designed for causal local service. With little or no change they have found there way onto RV trailers that spend hour after hour on freeways for hour after hour. They carry the the 65 speed restriction to obtain the higher weight rating. Then through some new kind of magic, some manufacturers are have raised the speed restriction at higher numbers without decreasing the corresponding the wait ratings. Tire by convention for years used industry standard weight/speed relationships.

ST tires do not follow long establish industry standards and are tested at reduces standards. Why, they do not normally carry passengers.

UNBELIEVABLE! But the dirty little secret of the RV industry.

Chris

[W5CI]

I would find someone else who wanted to sell me some tires. I have 235/85/16LT's on my Cedar Creek. all they ask here is where to put the new tires

[N-Trouble]

Stopped by America's Tire today and they said no problem they install LT tires all the time on trailers. They were pushing the following as it is what they stock and say they install the most of.

BFG Commercial TA
Cooper Discoverer HTP
Michelin LTX M/S 2

Said they actually do a lot of the Michelin's although I don't know I have heard of anyone on this board running them. Lots of reports with the BFG Commercials though.

I know all three of those are in a different class from the Michelin XPS Rib or Bridgestone Duravis R250 (which is what I was leaning towards) but they said they could order them. Really pushing what they stocked however...

I'm thinking with the weight of my trailer however any of the three they stock should be a lot better than what I am currently running.

[traindriver]

I had goodyear tires for many years. Not only did they refuse to mount them on my trailer, when I told them they were going on a trailer, they refused to sell me the tires period. So there will never be another goodyear tire on my car, truck trailer, or anything else I own Thank You goodyear Danville, Ill

[Irelands_child]

I have a Tire Rack qualified installer come to my home and install tires. So far, two sets of 16" China Bombs have been replaced on two different 5ers plus a he installed a new set of tires on my last truck with a new set to be installed soon on the current truck. All he wants is his 107 dollars for removal from the axle, demount old, remount new, new metal valves, balance and reinstall. Here and gone in an hour or less.

Unfortunately, tire stores don't know the real life story on tires and the required testing and specs for an LT vs not much for an ST. The ST is rated for about 3400 pounds - and that's with zippo margin. The LT is rated for 3042 but does have something like a 40% margin or somewhere in the real world numbers of 4200# real capacity(my numbers are not 'gospel' but are close). There are those that say that the ST tires are built to squirm on tight turns. Great, but don't those folks understand that an LT on a truck wont do much of that squirm and that for all intent is really a desirable trait. How much of your tow time is spent at some tight angled turn? How much lateral stress do you really want to put on a 'cost improved' RV's suspension by a tire that wont skid a bit rather such as an LT? Then of course, some 'premium' level trailers already have LT tire. What will a tire store do with them? Try to convince the owner he really should put crappy Tow Max tires on his big buck RV.

Then there are the rib tires that Michelin and Bridgestone manufacturer which are all position trailer rated though actually an LT.

The beat goes on. And on. And on

[rhagfo]

smkettner wrote:
GY-LT says 3024. Could be a misprint.

GY-ST is 3420. So the LT is rated lower numerically on the sidewall.

http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-selector.aspx

No reason for confusion.

Or are you trying to choose the absolute lowest rated tire for the scale weight of the axle?
Would you go lower rated on your truck based on scale weight?
Good luck with that.

Yes, size for size the LT is rated lower than an ST. That said, if the weight I am carrying on the LT doesn't exceed it capacity. I will take an LT rated tire any day of the week.
If NC Hauler is concerned, he can go to a "G" rated tire and rim. I just don't see that is is needed, I will be replacing my tires some time this year due to age, not failure.

[N-Trouble]

smkettner wrote:
GY-LT says 3024. Could be a misprint.

GY-ST is 3420. So the LT is rated lower numerically on the sidewall.

http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-selector.aspx

No reason for confusion.

Or are you trying to choose the absolute lowest rated tire for the scale weight of the axle?
Would you go lower rated on your truck based on scale weight?
Good luck with that.

I would take a lower rated LT over a higher rated ST china bomb any day of the week. Those in the know, know its not all about the number stamped on the side of the tire. Lot more margin built into LTs, and ST vs LT track records speak for themselves. Its unfortunate however that many tire shops aren't in the "know" when it comes to ST vs LT tires and simply go by the numbers...