Tires- LT or ST

[2stonesthrow]

TIre recommendations? We are towing 8500# travel trailer. We’ve had numerous blowouts with China bombs over the years, partly due to Texas heat and high speeds. We are over the blow outs and need something that will hold. We currently have 15” but looking to go to 16” LT that can handle higher speeds of 75mph. What has worked for you with the higher speeds? Tia!

[theoldwizard1]

LT tire are fine IF the stated load (in lbs) stamped on the side of the tire meets your load requirements. Use the maximum pressure stated on the side of the tire.

There is a much larger selection on LT tires compared to ST tires. Better pricing.

[Grit_dog]

^Great points. And while I can’t argue the virtues of going to stout 16” LT tires IF they’re even remotely warrAnted and fit without any major modifications, the fact remains, the OP can get stout 15” ST 2800lb rated 80psi tires very conveniently and more economically.
And since the OP said his trailer is 8500lbs, there is less than 2000lbs load on each tire. If a 35% increase in tire capacity compared to the load isn’t enough, I’m not sure what’s being gained by up-sizing even more.
Not to mention that virtually any 15” trailer tire made today is actually within capacity for his camper, albeit with less reserve capacity.

[valhalla360]

Have you weighed the trailer and checked against Payload rating of the tires?

Also, do you check the tire pressure regularly?

Most blowouts are overloaded or under inflation.

A lot of people going to LTs increase the payload rating and keep a closer eye on pressure...then credit the fact they are LTs.

[Boon_Docker]

Carlisle Radial Trail HD have great reviews.

[Durb]

Mine were $600 and some change for a set of four three years ago. I doubt they have tripled in price.

[BarryG20]

Goodyear Endurance tires for $450 each? Wow that seems very excessive or they sure went up in price substantially in the last year or so. I paid well under half that for them in 235/80/16 size.

[Grit_dog]

StirCrazy wrote:

time2roll wrote:
GY Endurance or Carlisle Radial Trail HD are both quality speed rated ST tires.
.

I get a kick out of that every time I see it. Carlisle tires are one of the cheapest tires where I live and every tire shop steers you away from them as they have had to many issues with them, but down there everyone seems to love them.

As for endurance, I am sure they are great but at almost 450.00/tire they are not one I'll ever buy...

Except the OP is in the US, so the 15” GYE tires that are the right size and load range for his trailer are $160-170 and even 16” ones are 2 for $450….

[Grit_dog]

eHoefler wrote:
I run LTs on all my trailers except the Fifth wheel, it has MTs on it.

Mud terrains?

[StirCrazy]

time2roll wrote:
GY Endurance or Carlisle Radial Trail HD are both quality speed rated ST tires.
.

I get a kick out of that every time I see it. Carlisle tires are one of the cheapest tires where I live and every tire shop steers you away from them as they have had to many issues with them, but down there everyone seems to love them.

As for endurance, I am sure they are great but at almost 450.00/tire they are not one I'll ever buy...

[eHoefler]

I run LTs on all my trailers except the Fifth wheel, it has MTs on it.

[2_many_2]

Michelin XPS Ribs

[time2roll]

GY Endurance or Carlisle Radial Trail HD are both quality speed rated ST tires.
LT should hold up well in all conditions.

Either way make sure the tires are load rated for the entire trailer GVWR.

[JIMNLIN]

15" trailer wheels can come in 5 or 6 lug hubs. If you have 6 lug wheel your part way there.
I doubt you can find a 5 lug 16" trailer wheel. Trailer wheel need to have a zero off set.

My old 1997 11200 lb 5th wheel trailer came with 5200 lb axles/6 lugs and 15" ST225/75-15 D Marathons. Sold wheels/tires to a guy with a lawn service trailer.

I bought four 16" grey steel modular trailer wheels (1997) from my local commercial trailer mfg. I thought I had wheel well clearance issues so went to a LT225/75-16 E at 2680 lbs. Next sets have been a bit taller in a LT215/85-16 E at 2680 lbs. Run all my LT E tires on rv and non rv trailers at max 80 psi.

The taller (32" dia) LT235/85-16 E at 3042 lbs capacity works better on heavier trailers with loaded 5.2k...6k axles.

LT tires that their mfg has recommended to me for my trailer use are;;
Cooper Discoverer HT-3
Bridgestone R-238 all steel ply carcass commercial grade
Michelin XPS Rib commercial grade all steel ply carcass
Goodyear Wrangler HT
BFG Commercial A/T 2
Firestone Transforce HT

Be sure and make your wheel well measurements first for proper clearance issues.

[NamMedevac_70]

I have had excellent service from Maxxis and Goodyear ST tires on my 4500 lb TT and I use only LT tires on my tow truck (Ram 1500). At your weight for the TT I would use LT tires. Rolling, rolling, rolling

[BB_TX]

I had a 35’ 5er and used 16” Michelin XPS Ribs LT tires to replace the OEM Chinese tires. Rated for 3,042 lbs which was fine for my trailer. I also live in Texas and towed in temps as high as 106 at 70 mph for hours at a time. 1st set lasted 9 yrs and replaced due to age even though they only had about 17,000 miles and still looked new. (Michelin says inspect yearly at 5 and replace at 10). Replaced with another set and sold it 4 yrs later. Never a flat or even a low tire. Added 2-4 lbs air at the start of the season and good until next year. But they are not cheap.