75mph ST tire

[gmw_photos]

I offer this only as info for the always entertaining and ongoing argument....ooops, I mean "discussion" regarding tires. I was out this morning shopping for a new horse trailer, so of course I looked down at the Chinese ST tire, and saw "75mph" on the sidewall.
I know nothing at all about these tires other than they were round and black, so this is neither a recommendation nor an indictment of them.

"Castle Rock". These were 15" load range D.

[gmw_photos]

For those that find it interesting reading about tires and how they are marketed in differing global markets, the Kumho 857 is illustrative of how a given product may be promoted/sold in different regions.

If we look on the kumho usa site, we see they call it a tire "for light trucks, vans and transporters"....but here in north america, they also call it a "trailer tire". Sizes are limited here to just three sizes in 14" rim dia.

If we look though at kumho australia, we see it is simply marketed as a "light truck/commercial usage". There it is available in rim diameters of 12 through 16", in various widths.

Same with some other markets such as the United Kingdom, and various pacific rim countries. More info is on their worldwide site as well.

It could be if a person did some digging on other manufacturers websites, you might find similar info on specific tires within their product lines.

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CapriRacer wrote:


In general, yes, that is a good thought process. But I would have done it differently.

First, I wouldn't tie the tire's load carrying capacity to the axle's load carrying capacity as it just might be that the vehicle manufacturer didn't do a good job of this.

Second, I think every tire should have a 15% design reserve capacity. This is in line with what the car and pickup truck manufacturers use - and they have a ton of experience and good sources of feedback.

Thanks again for your comments Barry. Always good to have an engineers point of view.
I do understand that some RV's are made with axles that are barely ( or not even ) up to the load task. Buyer beware there for sure.

In my case under my Funfinder, I have tandem 2800 pound axles. On the CAT scale, I have between 3400 and 3500 on the axles. I end up with 3500 lbs sitting on 5600 lbs of axle capacity sitting on 7500 pounds of tire capacity. This has worked well over the last almost 30K miles.

Again, the trailer owner needs to do some easy homework and simple math to ensure they can achieve good reserves.

[RinconVTR]

gmw photos wrote:
Rincon ( or anybody else wanting to read the trailer manufacturers position on this ) I would suggest you check out the owners manuals for some trailers. Many are available online.
I can tell you the owner manual for my Titan horse trailer and my Load Max ( Load Trail ) equipment trailer both state in the manual that fitting either LT or ST is appropriate to their trailers. Same with 4Star horse trailers, and the above mentioned Platinum.
The new Platinum I am buying will have LT from the factory.
In the case of horse trailers, it's typical what I see is only the higher priced trailers come with LT.

Airstream travel trailers fit Michelin LT tires from the factory, either standard on some models, or optional on most other models.

Yes...but keep going. Tell us the EXACT tire make and model. What exactly do they claim is acceptable? What exactly are the mounting at the factory. And finally...the size. 16" right?

Those who think there is no difference between an LT for trucks and an LT for trailer are sadly mistaken. I continue to be misunderstood here because of this single fact.

Take the Goodyear G614 as a perfect example. It's an LT. But does Goodyear say it can be mounted on a truck? Nope. Trailers only and limited sizes.

Direct from Kumo; "The 857's "primary application is to be mounted on a trailer." Special features claim is can be mounted on vehicles, but then look at the limited sizing. There are no current US truck tire sizes listed.

Michelin XPS RIB - Produced in 16" sizes only common on trailers today. (Great tire @ 3x the cost of ST's)


I have yet to find anyone running a matching LT (non ALL SEASON not meant for trailer service) on their truck and trailer.

Ya'll know you can find failures of every popular LT tire I listed here, right? Even as a minority on the road, there are plenty of LT failure reports and trash talk. As more people buy them, more reports of failure will come.

This is just like an oil and gas debate...there is ZERO data suggesting one is better than the other. Period.

[CapriRacer]

gmw photos wrote:
Barry, to look at this more specifically for a given application though, is the following a good thought process:

1. Ensure the tire(s) I am choosing have a load capacity that exceeds the capacity of the axle fitted ( bearing in mind whether single or dual, and the different load capacities when used either way ). And further of course, compare the capacities of both the axle and tires to the actual load as weighed.

1a. define "how much" load reserve is logical ? Maybe 20% ?

2. Ensure the tires have a speed rating that is appropriate for the intended use, again with a logical "reserve".

3. Have accurate weights of the axles, and preferably by individual tire location.

To the subject of getting individual tire weights, I am getting ready to attempt to come up with a accurate method of getting individual tire weights using a Sherline tongue scale. I no longer have access to scales used for determining weights on race cars, but I "think" I can come up with something using the Sherline. I'll report back whether this experiment works.

In general, yes, that is a good thought process. But I would have done it differently.

First, I wouldn't tie the tire's load carrying capacity to the axle's load carrying capacity as it just might be that the vehicle manufacturer didn't do a good job of this.

Second, I think every tire should have a 15% design reserve capacity. This is in line with what the car and pickup truck manufacturers use - and they have a ton of experience and good sources of feedback.

[gmw_photos]

A little levity is always good. But to bring it back on topic, I'm hoping Barry will weigh in on my questions/comments above regarding matching tire capacities and axles, etc.

[coolbreeze01]

Huntindog wrote:


No No, it has to do with the color of the trailer.
LTs only work on white trailers.... Everyone else is stuck running STs.:B

Kind of where I thought the logic was coming from. Carry on :R

[Huntindog]

SprinklerMan wrote:

gmw photos wrote:
Kind of off original topic, but I'm shopping for a new horse trailer, and it looks like I'm going to settle on a Platinum brand aluminum trailer. Was looking at them today, and checked out the tires. GY Wrangler HT 16" LT tires fitted from the factory.

They work on horse trailers because the wheels spin different than a rv

No No, it has to do with the color of the trailer.
LTs only work on white trailers.... Everyone else is stuck running STs.:B

[gmw_photos]

SprinklerMan wrote:

gmw photos wrote:
Kind of off original topic, but I'm shopping for a new horse trailer, and it looks like I'm going to settle on a Platinum brand aluminum trailer. Was looking at them today, and checked out the tires. GY Wrangler HT 16" LT tires fitted from the factory.

They work on horse trailers because the wheels spin different than a rv

....yep, it's the magnetic attraction created by the worlds most wonderful large animal .....

[SprinklerMan]

gmw photos wrote:
Kind of off original topic, but I'm shopping for a new horse trailer, and it looks like I'm going to settle on a Platinum brand aluminum trailer. Was looking at them today, and checked out the tires. GY Wrangler HT 16" LT tires fitted from the factory.

They work on horse trailers because the wheels spin different than a rv

[gmw_photos]

Rincon ( or anybody else wanting to read the trailer manufacturers position on this ) I would suggest you check out the owners manuals for some trailers. Many are available online.
I can tell you the owner manual for my Titan horse trailer and my Load Max ( Load Trail ) equipment trailer both state in the manual that fitting either LT or ST is appropriate to their trailers. Same with 4Star horse trailers, and the above mentioned Platinum.
The new Platinum I am buying will have LT from the factory.
In the case of horse trailers, it's typical what I see is only the higher priced trailers come with LT.

Airstream travel trailers fit Michelin LT tires from the factory, either standard on some models, or optional on most other models.

[gmw_photos]

CapriRacer wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
No......each tire type/size/load range carries its own load rating.
Nor does it mean a ST 235/85-16 E load range at 3640 lb capacity tire test per the FMVSS test procedures is less stringent than a ST235/85-16 load F at 3960 lbs capacity. ......

But what about an LT235/85R16 Load Range E rated at 3085# at 80 psi, where an ST235/85R16 Load Range E is rated at 3640# at 80 psi? Isn't the equivalent ST tire being tested at a higher load than the LT?

Barry, to look at this more specifically for a given application though, is the following a good thought process:

1. Ensure the tire(s) I am choosing have a load capacity that exceeds the capacity of the axle fitted ( bearing in mind whether single or dual, and the different load capacities when used either way ). And further of course, compare the capacities of both the axle and tires to the actual load as weighed.

1a. define "how much" load reserve is logical ? Maybe 20% ?

2. Ensure the tires have a speed rating that is appropriate for the intended use, again with a logical "reserve".

3. Have accurate weights of the axles, and preferably by individual tire location.

To the subject of getting individual tire weights, I am getting ready to attempt to come up with a accurate method of getting individual tire weights using a Sherline tongue scale. I no longer have access to scales used for determining weights on race cars, but I "think" I can come up with something using the Sherline. I'll report back whether this experiment works.

[gmw_photos]

RinconVTR wrote:


But in regards to this specific tire, find one trailer OEM mounting these on a new trailer or ANY tire OEM who recommends using these in trailer service and you might get my attention. Until then...

....ok, here you go, I am shopping new horse trailers right now. Platinum brand all aluminum trailers....original equipment fit this tire in 16" load range E

EDIT: ( goodyear Wrangler HT )

[JIMNLIN]

CapriRacer wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
No......each tire type/size/load range carries its own load rating.
Nor does it mean a ST 235/85-16 E load range at 3640 lb capacity tire test per the FMVSS test procedures is less stringent than a ST235/85-16 load F at 3960 lbs capacity. ......

But what about an LT235/85R16 Load Range E rated at 3085# at 80 psi, where an ST235/85R16 Load Range E is rated at 3640# at 80 psi? Isn't the equivalent ST tire being tested at a higher load than the LT?

Yeah.... just as it should be as the tire maker gives the ST a higher load rating.
The higher rated tire will always be subjected to a higher loads in the FMVSS testing regardless of tire type/size but IMO that doesn't mean the higher rated tire's testing procedures is more stringent.

However as SeniorGNC research finds tire strength tests show both ST and LT tire testing is identical.

The testing gap procedure differences between the ST and LT is endurance and high speed performance.

[Huntindog]

RinconVTR wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:

RinconVTR wrote:

If you feel LT's are better for you, great. Good luck finding them in 14" and 15"...and make sure your wheels and stems can handle the high PSI you now have to run.

Love my 15" USA, LT, Goodyear Wrangler HT's. :B

Come on man...keep up.

How many times have I said LT for TRAILER SERVICE....ONLY.
I have never seen a tire like you speak of.

You sir, have mounted an all season LT tire on your trailer never intended for trailer service. That, in my opinion is no different than mounting a P rated tire because you are using it for something it was never designed for.

And try to tell me LT's are tested more than P tires...and then why you think this is ok, but not in reverse. The aurgument is the same! What a silly debate...OEM tire "test specs". The Google experts can post in red or blue (or whatever color) all they want...its being ignored cause its nothing but internet squawk. And they will ignore me. That's how it works. We move on.Ignore me all you want. I am posting easily verifiable facts. You are not... I will let others reading this decide for themselves.

But in regards to this specific tire, find one trailer OEM mounting these on a new trailer or ANY tire OEM who recommends using these in trailer service and you might get my attention. Until then...
Arctic Fox comes to mind right away. A TT company with a GREAT reputation for building TTs tough TTs

[Huntindog]

CapriRacer wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
No......each tire type/size/load range carries its own load rating.
Nor does it mean a ST 235/85-16 E load range at 3640 lb capacity tire test per the FMVSS test procedures is less stringent than a ST235/85-16 load F at 3960 lbs capacity. ......

But what about an LT235/85R16 Load Range E rated at 3085# at 80 psi, where an ST235/85R16 Load Range E is rated at 3640# at 80 psi? Isn't the equivalent ST tire being tested at a higher load than the LT?

That is a pretty extreme example of the STs higher load rating. in most sizes ranges, the difference is not all that much. But you are correct. Size for size the ST does have an advantage... Still the test for LTs is far more stringent... Especially the low pressure high speed test, which the ST doesn't even have to do.

As for the load ratings... It is pretty easy to select an LT tire that is rated high enough to do the job.