Good explanation about trailer tires vs LT

Boon Docker wrote:

There are a lot of people out there that fall for the hype about LT tires on their trailer instead of the proper ST tires. So sad that they have been misinformed.

There's no hype involved. Before there were proper ST tires available, LT was the only practical option. Now that there's the Goodyear Endurance, I see no need to continue to use LT tires. If I'm wrong about these Endurance tires (time will tell), I'll go back to LTs. The STs are rated for less speed and more weight, which seems to be a better fit. And the sidewalls are stiffer than LTs, noticeably so.

This argument is much like "which diesel truck is the best". Everyone has their own opinion based on their own experience, and that is the best way to make the proper decision on what tires you select.

However, the discussion has to consider the fact that many, many of the trailers sold today come with 15" wheels. Have you checked to see how many American tire manufacturers make an LT tire in this size?

From the many posts I've seen on the Goodyear Endurance it seems like it might be the best solution if you are stuck with 15" choices.

myredracer wrote:
Blah, blah, blah... Just some unknown sales dude. I'd rather get my info. from an industry professional like say Roger Marble's rvtiresafety.net blog - tons of great info. from a retired tire engineer...

Yep, Roger is the man. He spent his entire career as a tire engineer and freely shares his knowledge without trying to sell anything.

12th Man Fan wrote:
I am sure there are some good ST tires out there but I prefer the LT. My last two trailers came with LT tires.

All the extra rubber and steel in the St tires just cause more damage when they blow out.

If an LT tires weigh more than an ST tire, I don't think there is actually more rubber and steel in the ST tire. It's just put together poorly.

I am sure there are some good ST tires out there but I prefer the LT. My last two trailers came with LT tires.

All the extra rubber and steel in the St tires just cause more damage when they blow out.

Count me among the uninformed after having 2 ST tires destroy themselves after less than 2 years and 8,000 miles. Went to LT tires and have never looked back.

No hype, just tires that work.

twodownzero wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
Why is it that ST tires are so temperamental? You gotta treat them a certain way, care for them a certain way, blah, blah blah. They are what they are - cheaply made junk tires that aren't worth buying. There's a reason the ST tires are stamped with "Not for passenger car use", or words to that effect, because they are not safe. I'll stick with my Michelin XPS Rib commercial truck tires on my 5th wheels. Been using Michelin LT's for the past 9 years and have yet to have a tire issue. And I don't have to baby them, they're made for trucks, after all.

Nonsense. ST tires are not rated to provide TRACTION for steering or driving, that's why they say not to put them on passenger cars. Good ST tires work just fine. Mine even work better; they're rated for more weight than a similar LT tire.

That's not to say that LT tires aren't good, commercial rib tires are a great choice for trailers. I, too, used them for years until I found GOOD, American made ST tires. In theory, ST tires are better in some ways, as they are made for trailer service. The sidewalls on the ST tires I'm running were noticably stiffer than the LT tires they replaced when I was mounting them (by hand).

I found a great deal on the Goodyear Endurance tires and so I'm running them. At full price, the XPS Rib was similar in cost and I considered that. I ended up paying slightly over $500 for four Goodyear Endurance tires with the rebate and they are rated for more than I needed, so I ran with them. If not for the rebates, I would have probably bought the XPS ribs.

LT tires in 16" are rated for more speed and good ST tires for more weight. I thought it more likely I could use the latter and the tires I use are rated for 87 MPH, which is faster than my pocketbook allows me to pull 10k+ lbs. Truck tires are rated for 112+ MPH, which might be great on an empty pickup truck but is useless for a 5th wheel.

YMMV.

There are a lot of people out there that fall for the hype about LT tires on their trailer instead of the proper ST tires. So sad that they have been misinformed.

azdryheat wrote:
Why is it that ST tires are so temperamental? You gotta treat them a certain way, care for them a certain way, blah, blah blah. They are what they are - cheaply made junk tires that aren't worth buying. There's a reason the ST tires are stamped with "Not for passenger car use", or words to that effect, because they are not safe. I'll stick with my Michelin XPS Rib commercial truck tires on my 5th wheels. Been using Michelin LT's for the past 9 years and have yet to have a tire issue. And I don't have to baby them, they're made for trucks, after all.

Nonsense. ST tires are not rated to provide TRACTION for steering or driving, that's why they say not to put them on passenger cars. Good ST tires work just fine. Mine even work better; they're rated for more weight than a similar LT tire.

That's not to say that LT tires aren't good, commercial rib tires are a great choice for trailers. I, too, used them for years until I found GOOD, American made ST tires. In theory, ST tires are better in some ways, as they are made for trailer service. The sidewalls on the ST tires I'm running were noticably stiffer than the LT tires they replaced when I was mounting them (by hand).

I found a great deal on the Goodyear Endurance tires and so I'm running them. At full price, the XPS Rib was similar in cost and I considered that. I ended up paying slightly over $500 for four Goodyear Endurance tires with the rebate and they are rated for more than I needed, so I ran with them. If not for the rebates, I would have probably bought the XPS ribs.

LT tires in 16" are rated for more speed and good ST tires for more weight. I thought it more likely I could use the latter and the tires I use are rated for 87 MPH, which is faster than my pocketbook allows me to pull 10k+ lbs. Truck tires are rated for 112+ MPH, which might be great on an empty pickup truck but is useless for a 5th wheel.

YMMV.

Why is it that ST tires are so temperamental? You gotta treat them a certain way, care for them a certain way, blah, blah blah. They are what they are - cheaply made junk tires that aren't worth buying. There's a reason the ST tires are stamped with "Not for passenger car use", or words to that effect, because they are not safe. I'll stick with my Michelin XPS Rib commercial truck tires on my 5th wheels. Been using Michelin LT's for the past 9 years and have yet to have a tire issue. And I don't have to baby them, they're made for trucks, after all.

I couldn't make it through 8 minutes of that nonsense. Use the tires recommended for your application. If you buy ST tires, make sure they are 1) made in America, 2) rated for the speed you're driving 3) rated for the load you're carrying and 4) properly inflated. My choice, after much deliberation, is the Goodyear Endurance.

The only other tires I'd consider are an all steel, American made 16" tire like the Michelin XPS Rib (truck) or the Goodyear G614 (trailer service). There may be some others. Both of them cost more than the Goodyear Endurance, so we'll see how my current tires last and I'll decide if I think it's worthwhile to change for the next set.

Chinese tires are garbage and should be avoided at all costs.