PokerCamper wrote:
john&bet wrote:
Back in '05 my 12,100gvw Montana came with made in USA LT tires on 5080# rated axles. In '13 I put new Firestone Transforce LT's on. Now have over 9k on them. No problems yet just like the OEM's.
It's my understanding that light truck tires shouldn't be used on RVs because of the less rigid side walls. I've read that in multiple places online, so I'm curious what most folks on here think.
ST sidewalls are stiffer than car tires or P rated tires. They are however not as stiff as most LT tires.
There is a whole bunch of marketing that exist around ST trailer tires. However generally the product falls way short of the marketing claims.
But one must remember that many ST trailer tire companies only claim a service life of 3-5 years and mileage of 8-10 or 12K miles.
In contrast a good quality LT will give 6-8 years of trailer service and 40K+ miles.
Take Goodyear who manufactures two lines of trailer tires. They identify their Marathon ST line up as an economical offering and based on price, market their G614 trailer tire as a high end steel ply carcass product. The Marathon ST235/80R16E rated to 3420 weighs in at 35 pounds and the G614 LT235/85R16G rated to 3750 weighs in at 57.5 pounds. Most LT235/85R16E rated to 3042 pounds weigh in at 41-44 pounds. There are a couple LT235/85R16E tires built similar to the GY G614 with steel ply carcass that weight 55 and 60 pounds. I have used both of these and they are more or less bullet proof. 6.5 years and 40K+ on Michelin XPS Ribs and now have Bridgestone Duravis R250's on the trailer, and could not be happier with the service and peace of mind they have provided.
ST trailer tires were originally intended for local service on small utility type trailers, and with little change in overall design and construction have found their way to use on the interstates highways on large tall heavy RV trailers that by most accounts over tax their inflated load ratings and light construction.
Thus we have tire thread after tire thread about failed tires and damaged trailers.
How do they end up on RV trailers? The trailer manufacturers purchase wheels and tires pre-mounted by the truck or train car load for a price per unit that you would have a hard time believing. There are two or three large companies that specialize in providing this service at deeply discounted cost vs what you pay for the same product.
Chris
