Trailer Tires?

Called - Labeled "ST" tires (special trailer).
Stiffer side walls, generally higher weight rating. They have pluses and minuses
Don't know where the salesman got the idea that they are louder (maybe they are but who cares).

There is an endless, never ending, on-going, forever debate over the ST vs LT (light truck) tires.

matthewijenkins wrote:
Hi All,

I just recently acquired an old 1970 (unsure of exact year due to weathering of VIN plate) Fleetwood Wilderness. It's approximately 16' and single axle. I'd like to get some new tires for it as there's just too much dry rot cracking upon close inspection. I was talking to a guy from Goodyear who mentioned what he called trailer tires, which I assume are for utility type trailers, not travel trailers. He said they hold a lot more weight but the disadvantage is they are louder than regular tires. But I was thinking this wouldn't matter since I'll be up in my truck.

Is there any reason why this would be a bad choice? Or would they be just fine? I googled 'where to get rv tires installed' but there are not so many listings. Goodyear and Campingworld were the main ones I saw. Is there some other place to go to? I also need to buy a spare and a rim for the spare.

Suggest you find out what the weight of your trailer will be when it is fully loaded. This is a starting point to help you start narrowing your choice of tires. It will help you decide what load rating capacity tire you need, i.e. C,D,E,G. Personally i have had good luck with Good Year tires and I like there warranty polices.
I don't know much about tires for TT's. This is my first. Thanks for the help!

Main objection to ST tires seems to be speed limitation, 65 MPH I think. The stiffer sidewalls are more important on multiple axles as there is side scrub when turning, not so important on a single axle. As Dick said, starting point is actual weight of the trailer ready to travel.

I have always used LT (light truck) tires on my fivers. Any good tire dealer can provide you with appropriate tires.

Maxxis makes the only reliable ST trailer tire.

azdryheat wrote:
Maxxis makes the only reliable ST trailer tire.

Merely one person's opinion.

robsouth wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
Maxxis makes the only reliable ST trailer tire.

Merely one person's opinion.

Yeah ..over 20 Maxxis tire victims on this web may disagree with that statement.

On all of my single axle trailers up to 3500 lb axles I use P tires in a XL if I can find them as tire on a single axle do not have side shear forces like tires on a tandem axle trailer that slide sideways around every corner. Plus the P isn't speed restricted like a ST.
There is a good chance that trailer came with P tires (before ST tires came out). Passenger or truck tires were all we had back then.

Oh, good grief...not the dreaded tire thread again. This is one thread that brings out what you could call the "strongest opinions" and should run at least 6 or 7 pages based on history.

Trailer tires need to be replaced at about the 4 - 5 year mark regardless of how great they may look. For whatever reason, they don't hold up like the ones on your car, so just plan to replace about that time....obviously sooner if any sign of problems. FWIW, and these are very rarely mentioned, our HTT came with Greenball Transmasters and they served us very well for about 4 years. Replacement time and we did a thorough search and read a zillion posts. Bought Transmasters again. We had a longer trip coming at about the next 4 year mark on the second set and felt more comfortable knowing we'd be on new tires. They were getting tough to find and DH called the company and they told him that Sam's Club carries them now, so same tires again. So in the 7 years we had our HTT we had 3 sets of the same tire with not a single problem. Right after we bought the last set and with only a few hundred miles on them, we moved to our TT. Have no idea what is on it, but they've done a fine job so far - almost 2 years - and we've just found a new family for Rocky, so he'll be moving very soon.

Personal opinion is to be vigilant about checking your tire pressure before every trip and if a longer trip, check daily. While you're at it, check the torque also. Use the pressure rating noted on the tire itself regardless of what others may say. Keep your speed reasonable - most of us feel 55 - 65 max is best - and visually check them regularly. Any signs of cracking or odd wear pattern, find out what the problem is. There are some brands folks wouldn't drive to the end of their driveway on, while others would go cross-country with no problem. Some will swear that ONLY tires made in this country are safe, when truthfully, most tires are made overseas and some brands that were considered USA made a year or two ago are now overseas. Others will swear only Brand X or Y is safe and you're trying to kill your family if you buy others. I once used the word "budget" in a question re tires and had a couple of very nasty replies. Truth is that some of us have a budget for things and $400 vs $800 is sometimes not possible. You need to do your homework, research this thoroughly and buy the best your "B" will allow. Good luck and happy camping. BTW, very cool little camper!

dadmomh wrote:
Oh, good grief...not the dreaded tire thread again. This is one thread that brings out what you could call the "strongest opinions" and should run at least 6 or 7 pages based on history.

Trailer tires need to be replaced at about the 4 - 5 year mark regardless of how great they may look. For whatever reason, they don't hold up like the ones on your car, so just plan to replace about that time....obviously sooner if any sign of problems. FWIW, and these are very rarely mentioned, our HTT came with Greenball Transmasters and they served us very well for about 4 years. Replacement time and we did a thorough search and read a zillion posts. Bought Transmasters again. We had a longer trip coming at about the next 4 year mark on the second set and felt more comfortable knowing we'd be on new tires. They were getting tough to find and DH called the company and they told him that Sam's Club carries them now, so same tires again. So in the 7 years we had our HTT we had 3 sets of the same tire with not a single problem. Right after we bought the last set and with only a few hundred miles on them, we moved to our TT. Have no idea what is on it, but they've done a fine job so far - almost 2 years - and we've just found a new family for Rocky, so he'll be moving very soon.

Personal opinion is to be vigilant about checking your tire pressure before every trip and if a longer trip, check daily. While you're at it, check the torque also. Use the pressure rating noted on the tire itself regardless of what others may say. Keep your speed reasonable - most of us feel 55 - 65 max is best - and visually check them regularly. Any signs of cracking or odd wear pattern, find out what the problem is. There are some brands folks wouldn't drive to the end of their driveway on, while others would go cross-country with no problem. Some will swear that ONLY tires made in this country are safe, when truthfully, most tires are made overseas and some brands that were considered USA made a year or two ago are now overseas. Others will swear only Brand X or Y is safe and you're trying to kill your family if you buy others. I once used the word "budget" in a question re tires and had a couple of very nasty replies. Truth is that some of us have a budget for things and $400 vs $800 is sometimes not possible. You need to do your homework, research this thoroughly and buy the best your "B" will allow. Good luck and happy camping. BTW, very cool little camper!

X1, I do all the above as far as checking my tires and I also put my hand on the wheel hub to make sure they are just warm not HOT every time I stop at a rest stop. If HOT, have the bearings checked right away.

robsouth wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
Maxxis makes the only reliable ST trailer tire.

Merely one person's opinion.

And anothers.
Actually that's the opinion of many posters here.

Agree with dadmomh. Lots of people here hate the st tires, but they're really the only tires designed specifically for a trailer. The hard sidewall reduces sway, the tread design allows for a sideways "slide" on pavement (not really an issue on a single axle trailer) and the tires are designed for the typical duty cycle of a trailer, that is sitting a while followed by a several hundred mile trip. As far as these tires being limited to 65 mph, I think most people tow under that snpeed anyway. If it's a real issue, the Carlisle rh can be used at s faster speed.

Cool trailer you have there!