Trailer Tires

[chrisbailey13]

I did not author this, I am only sharing information I found.

Trailer Tire Applications•Trailer tires are designed for use on trailer axle positions only. They are not built to handle the loads applied to, or the traction required by, drive or steering axles.

•An "LT" designation on a trailer tire size specifies load range only. It is not designed for use on light trucks.

•Do not mount "ST" or "LT" trailer tires on passenger cars or light trucks.

Inflation•Always inflate trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall.

•Check inflation when the tires are cool and have not been exposed to the sun.

•If the tires are hot to the touch from operation, add three psi to the max inflation.

•Underinflation is the number one cause of trailer tire failure.
Load Carrying Capacity

•All tires must be identical in size for the tires to properly manage the weight of the trailer.

•The combined capacity of the tires must equal or exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the axle.

•The combined capacity of all of the tires should exceed the loaded trailer weight by 20 percent.

•If the actual weight is not available, use the trailer GVW. If a tire fails on a tandem axle trailer, you should replace both tires on that side. The remaining tire is likely to have been subjected to excessive loading.

•If the tires are replaced with tires of larger diameter, the tongue height may need to be adjusted to maintain proper weight distribution.
Speed•All "ST" tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph.

•As heat builds up, the tire's structure starts to disintegrate and weaken.

•The load carrying capacity gradually decreases as the heat and stresses generated by higher speed increases.
Time•Time and the elements weaken a trailer tire.

•In approximately three years, roughly one-third of the tire's strength is gone.

•Three to five years is the projected life of a normal trailer tire.

•It is suggested that trailer tires be replaced after three to four years of service regardless of tread depth or tire appearance.
Mileage

•Trailer tires are not designed to wear out.

•The life of a trailer tire is limited by time and duty cycles.

•The mileage expectation of a trailer tire is 5,000 to 12,000 miles.
Why Use An "ST" Tire•"ST" tires feature materials and construction to meet the higher load requirements and demands of trailering.

•The polyester cords are bigger than they would be for a comparable "P" or "LT" tire.

•The steel cords have a larger diameter and greater tensile strength to meet the additional load requirements.

•"ST" tire rubber compounds contain more chemicals to resist weather and ozone cracking.
Storage

•The ideal storage for trailer tires is in a cool, dark garage at maximum inflation.

•Use tire covers to protect the tires from direct sunlight.

•Use thin plywood sections between the tire and the pavement.

•For long term storage, put the trailer on blocks to take the weight off the tires. Then lower the air pressure and cover the tires to protect them from direct sunlight.
Maintenance•Clean the tires using mild soap and water.

•Do not use tire-care products containing alcohol or petroleum distillates.

•Inspect the tires for any cuts, snags, bulges or punctures.

•Check the inflation before towing and again before the return trip.
Keys to Avoiding Trouble•Make sure your rig is equipped with the proper tires.

•Maintain the tires meticulously.

•Replace trailer tires every three to five years, whether they look like they're worn out or not.

These facts are courtesy of Discount Tire.

[Huntindog]

RJsfishin wrote:
Best bet is don't drive in hot weather.
Next best bet is always start w/ max pressure on sidewall, then adjust for treadwear. And if loaded to the max or more, add to the sidewall pressure to keep heat down. Better to have center treadwear than have it come apart. And it will come apart in hot weather if running hot.
Yep, I used to work for a tire shop, I seen it all.
Me ??? Very simple,.... I just don't drive in hot weather, period !

That's pretty easy for you to say.
How hot does it get in oregon?
If I didn't drive in hot weather, then there is many months of the year where I couldn't drive at all. Hot weather in Phoenix AZ is a way of life.
Getting up to the cool mountains offers some respite, but in order to get there, one must drive in hot weather.. No matter. Good LT tires can handle it just fine.

[JohnnyT]

Moved

[klutchdust]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

RJsfishin wrote:
And if loaded to the max or more, add to the sidewall pressure to keep heat down.

I just don't drive in hot weather, period !

That first statement can be dangerous.

NO tire company in the world recommends going beyond the MAXIMUM pressure on the sidewall; that's why it is called MAXIMUM.

If you get into that situation, you need the next higher load range tires.

And then, living where you do maybe you can avoid really hot weather; alas most of us can't so we just need to deal with it properly and safely.

I am a survivor of a 10.00 x 20 trailer tire explosion. Adding more air than recommended is dangerous and foolish. I am fully trained and experienced however failures occur. I'll leave it at that.

[Vulcan_Rider]

RJsfishin wrote:
And if loaded to the max or more, add to the sidewall pressure to keep heat down.

I just don't drive in hot weather, period !

That first statement can be dangerous.

NO tire company in the world recommends going beyond the MAXIMUM pressure on the sidewall; that's why it is called MAXIMUM.

If you get into that situation, you need the next higher load range tires.

And then, living where you do maybe you can avoid really hot weather; alas most of us can't so we just need to deal with it properly and safely.

[chrisbailey13]

RJsfishin wrote:
Best bet is don't drive in hot weather.
Next best bet is always start w/ max pressure on sidewall, then adjust for treadwear. And if loaded to the max or more, add to the sidewall pressure to keep heat down. Better to have center treadwear than have it come apart. And it will come apart in hot weather if running hot.
Yep, I used to work for a tire shop, I seen it all.
Me ??? Very simple,.... I just don't drive in hot weather, period !

Not driving in hot weather when you live in FL is a bit of a challenge.

[fla-gypsy]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
There are many half truths in this document meant to generate tire sales

Can't believe I missed that.
Now to go back and read it again.
Marketing propaganda takes many different forms.

I counted 12 contradictions, lies, marketing hype and half truths in this list attributed to Direct Tire. I'm not sure they put this together but if they did I would never buy a tire from them.

[RJsfishin]

Best bet is don't drive in hot weather.
Next best bet is always start w/ max pressure on sidewall, then adjust for treadwear. And if loaded to the max or more, add to the sidewall pressure to keep heat down. Better to have center treadwear than have it come apart. And it will come apart in hot weather if running hot.
Yep, I used to work for a tire shop, I seen it all.
Me ??? Very simple,.... I just don't drive in hot weather, period !

[Vulcan_Rider]

fla-gypsy wrote:
There are many half truths in this document meant to generate tire sales

Can't believe I missed that.
Now to go back and read it again.
Marketing propaganda takes many different forms.

[mowermech]

When my trailers need tires, I will install the same tires I have on my truck: LT load range E. I will inflate them according to the load.
IF tires should be inflated to the sidewall pressure, why did Jeep say that the LT Load Range E tires on my '06 Rubicon should be inflated to 33 PSI for normal driving, and 12 to 15 PSI for off-road?
Oh, right, ST tires are "different". Yes, they are, that is why they will be replaced with LT Load Range E if at all possible. Obviously, nobody makes LT tires to fit the little ATV trailer!

[fla-gypsy]

There are many half truths in this document meant to generate tire sales

[3oaks]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

chrisbailey13 wrote:


Inflation•Always inflate trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall.

•If the tires are hot to the touch from operation, add three psi to the max inflation.


These facts are courtesy of Discount Tire.

Most of those points can be considered "facts"; some shouldn't be.

My trailer plus load NEVER exceeds half of the load rating of the tires. Therefore using the max. inflation pressure will result in poor contact area, increased center wear and a harsher ride than necessary. It won't really hurt anything but the tires will wear out quicker. This situation is preferred to under-inflation though.

Tires will ALWAYS be "hot to the touch" after driving in the summertime. Blindly following this recommendation, especially combined with the other one above, could result in a dangerous situation. What if you feel them again in a few hundred miles and the STILL are HOT ???

Well I think most of Discount Tire's points are pretty accurate. Like anything else, people have to apply a little common sense. :@

[klutchdust]

guidry wrote:
When my 3 OEM **** tires separated after only one and a half years and 12,000 miles, the tire supplier, Lions Head, to my RV manufacturer emailed me a warranty denial letter that quoted Discount Tire's website study on life of trailer tires. I ended up calling Discount Tires attorneys who sent a letter to Lions Head.

Another problem is that the less expensive tires are cheap imports that are basically ****. Sadly the US doesn't make as many tires as they used to. Manufacturers put garbage on to get the product out

the door.

[guidry]

When my 3 OEM **** tires separated after only one and a half years and 12,000 miles, the tire supplier, Lions Head, to my RV manufacturer emailed me a warranty denial letter that quoted Discount Tire's website study on life of trailer tires. I ended up calling Discount Tires attorneys who sent a letter to Lions Head.

[klutchdust]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

chrisbailey13 wrote:


Inflation•Always inflate trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall.

•If the tires are hot to the touch from operation, add three psi to the max inflation.


These facts are courtesy of Discount Tire.

Most of those points can be considered "facts"; some shouldn't be.

My trailer plus load NEVER exceeds half of the load rating of the tires. Therefore using the max. inflation pressure will result in poor contact area, increased center wear and a harsher ride than necessary. It won't really hurt anything but the tires will wear out quicker. This situation is preferred to under-inflation though.

Tires will ALWAYS be "hot to the touch" after driving in the summertime. Blindly following this recommendation, especially combined with the other one above, could result in a dangerous situation. What if you feel them again in a few hundred miles and the STILL are HOT ???

I thought the same thing concerning the tires being hot. I carry a temperature checker and would compare tires during a trip.A difference in temperature and i would use a pressure gauge. Next time

you walk past a big rig at a rest area just touch one of the tires on the drive axle.A little warm aye?

[Vulcan_Rider]

chrisbailey13 wrote:


Inflation•Always inflate trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall.

•If the tires are hot to the touch from operation, add three psi to the max inflation.


These facts are courtesy of Discount Tire.

Most of those points can be considered "facts"; some shouldn't be.

My trailer plus load NEVER exceeds half of the load rating of the tires. Therefore using the max. inflation pressure will result in poor contact area, increased center wear and a harsher ride than necessary. It won't really hurt anything but the tires will wear out quicker. This situation is preferred to under-inflation though.

Tires will ALWAYS be "hot to the touch" after driving in the summertime. Blindly following this recommendation, especially combined with the other one above, could result in a dangerous situation. What if you feel them again in a few hundred miles and the STILL are HOT ???