Flogged to death but require info on tires

[LOFAT36]

Okay my question is why should I go to light truck tires as opposed to trailer tires ? I do no off roading unless you consider a 1/8 mile of gravel off road. I don't get it, better ride, stability, price ? Please explain.

[rbpru]

Please keep in mind that along with weight, speed and anticipated use; cost is certainly a major consideration to the TT makers. If cost were not an object we would likely find the TT makers touting some sort of semi trailer tires.

As far as I recall STs are the only tires that are designed, recommended and sold specifically for the TT market. While some of the tire makers, when asked, will agree their LTs can be used for TT service; I do not know of any tire company that advertises their LTs as suitable for both light truck or trailer service. It seems they would rather pass on those sales, or if they are larger enough, suggest one of their ST products.

We are all of course, free to speculate why that is.

[westend]

LOFAT36 wrote:
Okay my question is why should I go to light truck tires as opposed to trailer tires ? I do no off roading unless you consider a 1/8 mile of gravel off road. I don't get it, better ride, stability, price ? Please explain.

Better durability and higher speed ratings.

FWIW, I have Carlisle Radial Trail RH, load D, on my axles. They have a higher speed rating than typical ST tires. They seem to be a good tire and readily available across the US at Discount Tire.

[JIMNLIN]

The Carlisle Radial Trail RH have been out since early '13. This from their new home page;

""Launched in early 2013, the Carlisle Radial Trail RH Radial Trailer Tire for Toy Haulers, Boat Trailers, Cargo Trailers, Utility Trailers, Stock Trailers and other towable applications. The new and improved second generation Radial Trail RH combines two new Carlisle technologies.""
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

IMO some ST supporters are over the top with their comments like;
""And just as predictably, LT folks will come along and smugly and condescendingly explain that anyone who uses ST's really doesn't understand, is kind of simple minded and easily duped, and doesn't mind throwing their money away on an inferior product,....... ""

IMO these type remarks serve no purpose other than bash some with a differing opinion.

[Huntindog]

rbpru wrote:
That is, manufacturers use the type of tires they believe is suitable for their intended application.

Interesting take.

I have not noticed a horde of manufacturers rushing to equip their units with the "new" Carlise tire. In fact I have not read of any doing so.

This might mean that the manufacturers do not believe that it is a quality tire.

Or it might mean that it costs a little more than the others, and they won't pay more for a tire.

[Huntindog]

brirene wrote:
Wow, lots of old information being tossed around here. 2006? Low speed ratings? How many threads have you seen recently about "China bombs"? Except for the brother of my uncle's girlfriend on her mother's side had a blowout 8 years ago. Used to be on here all the time. Carlisle has improved their design already over one that I've yet to see a bad review about. Higher speed ratings too. I don't care what tires anyone runs. As was stated, it's your money. But at least base your argument on information from the current decade.

Someone before you just stated that the 'new Carlise has been out 5 years.
I am dead positive that is not true. Someone else recently posted they had been out about 10 months. I believe that is a lot closer to the truth.
As for giving out info that is current.... I did. The tire testing standards. That is the one thing you can hang your hat on. All other claims are just that. Marketing claims. Made by the same companies that have always claimed that the tires they produced were great.

[CKNSLS]

brirene wrote:
Wow, lots of old information being tossed around here. 2006? Low speed ratings? How many threads have you seen recently about "China bombs"? Except for the brother of my uncle's girlfriend on her mother's side had a blowout 8 years ago. Used to be on here all the time. Carlisle has improved their design already over one that I've yet to see a bad review about. Higher speed ratings too. I don't care what tires anyone runs. As was stated, it's your money. But at least base your argument on information from the current decade.

Yep this rhetoric is so old-part of the reason this forum is down to 11 pages. People get tired of the same old out dated garbage.

[rbpru]

The information I stated is still factual. The fact that some TT manufacturers use LTs reinforces my statement. That is, manufacturers use the type of tires they believe is suitable for their intended application.

As was noted, LTs are usually found on high end TTs, representing a small portion of the TT market. Their reasons for using LTs is known to them but one can assume that LTs were selected to meet the TT maker's design criteria.

Volumes can and have been written about why some manufacturers choose LTs over STs. Suggestions include everything from superior performance, to feeding the vanity of the anticipated buyer. All of which is just conjecture as to why they were selected.

If one feels safer on LTs, for what ever the reason, that is what they should buy.

If one prefers a higher load rated tire, they are available.

Since many people do quite well with the OEM tires that came with their TT, I do not expect a major shift to LTs any time in the future. But, as always I could be wrong.

[brirene]

Wow, lots of old information being tossed around here. 2006? Low speed ratings? How many threads have you seen recently about "China bombs"? Except for the brother of my uncle's girlfriend on her mother's side had a blowout 8 years ago. Used to be on here all the time. Carlisle has improved their design already over one that I've yet to see a bad review about. Higher speed ratings too. I don't care what tires anyone runs. As was stated, it's your money. But at least base your argument on information from the current decade.

[creeper]

I've had multiple friends who I advised to swap out to LT truck tires. They laughed. 3 had blow outs on new campers so far. 1 did extensive damage to their new camper. They all have LT tires now and after many miles have no problem. I don't see a rash of LT tires exploding.

Most ST tires have low speed ratings and would be hard to keep under it or keep from riding at the max speed most of the time. .

[CKNSLS]

"As for the "new" Carlise ST tires now being sold... Maybe they will pan out... But this is the same company that for many years told us how great their previous ST tires were... I am not interested in experimenting with my money on their tires any more. Fortunantly for Carlise, there is a new batch of consumers that are eager to believe and spend their money on them. I wish them well, and hope that they have better luck than many of us have had."


Yep-old attitude. The new Carlisle tire has now been out for approximately 5 years and has had very good reports.

Once a product is less than reliable a company can't improve it? Not according to you.

[Huntindog]

rbpru wrote:
The TT manufacturers put over a million STs on the road every year on their tow behinds and 5vers.

That is hardly a testament to quality. The industry as a whole is not generally considered to be high quality... Many threads about this right here on this forum.

OTOH... Many high end manufacturers DO spec their units with LTs as either standard equipment, or as an optional upgrade.

A fact that I KNOW from previous posts that you are AWARE of and have NOT disputed, but never bring up in these discussions.

[rbpru]

LTs are tested for many features that TT do not need and are rated for truck service and higher speeds. Some folk consider this a plus.

STs were developed for trailer service, including TTs and most but not all are limited to 65 mph. Their main features are stiffer side walls, different rubber compounds and a tread designed for towing. Some folks consider this a plus.

Both are made by name brand companies, both are made by bargain basement price driven manufacturers.

The TT manufacturers put over a million STs on the road every year on their tow behinds and 5vers.

The light truck manufacturers put Ps on their 1/2 ton and LTs on there 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.

Both these manufacturers believe they have selected the proper tire for its intended application.

Some folks are not in agreement with their choice.

It is your money and your choice as to what or who you wish to believe.

[Huntindog]

brirene wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
As usual, whenever this topic comes up... An ST fan will make all sorts of excuses as to why ST tires fail, such as curbing, over speeding, under inflating, the sky is blue etc.. Then smugly proclaim that those who had ST tire failures simply did not understand the limitations of the ST tire design... And that when used within their limitations they will give good service.


To that I say that many of us DO understand the ST tires limitations. We DO understand the much lower testing standards for the ST tires, and we find those limitations.......... Well, limiting.

And just as predictably, LT folks will come along and smugly and condescendingly explain that anyone who uses ST's really doesn't understand, is kind of simple minded and easily duped, and doesn't mind throwing their money away on an inferior product, totally dismissing the miles collectively towed without issue. Apparently, one can only really understand (wink, wink) the issue if they're using LT's. Once again, research and use what YOU'RE comfortable with. 🙂

Well I WAS one of those ST believers and threw a LOT of money away on inferior ST tires, before I finally made the switch around 2006 to LTs. Not a problem since.

I figure if sharing what I have learned will help someone to avoid the mistakes I made... I should do so... For those that just want dismiss my experience.. It is your money. Believe me or not... It is your choice... At least I tried.

[brirene]

Huntindog wrote:
As usual, whenever this topic comes up... An ST fan will make all sorts of excuses as to why ST tires fail, such as curbing, over speeding, under inflating, the sky is blue etc.. Then smugly proclaim that those who had ST tire failures simply did not understand the limitations of the ST tire design... And that when used within their limitations they will give good service.


To that I say that many of us DO understand the ST tires limitations. We DO understand the much lower testing standards for the ST tires, and we find those limitations.......... Well, limiting.

And just as predictably, LT folks will come along and smugly and condescendingly explain that anyone who uses ST's really doesn't understand, is kind of simple minded and easily duped, and doesn't mind throwing their money away on an inferior product, totally dismissing the miles collectively towed without issue. Apparently, one can only really understand (wink, wink) the issue if they're using LT's. Once again, research and use what YOU'RE comfortable with. 🙂

[2oldman]

smkettner wrote:
Have you read a hundred tire threads and still cannot decide?

x2. Knows it's been flogged but hasn't bothered to read them??