Trailer Tires Vs Light Truck Tires For Your Trailer

[Fishing Rhino]

Reposting this article.  Lost in the crash.

 

There has been much discussion about trailer tires, with as many opinions as posters.  Or so it seems.

 

This is the best article I have read that explains the differences, and the pros and cons of each type of tire.  I had thought about going to the light truck tires when the time came to replace the tires on my boat trailer.  After reading this article, no time, no way.

 

http://rvingwithmarkpolk.com/2012/11/08/trailer-towing-st-tires-vs-lt-tires/

[speed craw]

Im glad you found this . I will post this up in my from showroom at the goodyear I work at . I worked a location just right off the interstate , and the things you would see are disturbing . I would have to educate some people on why you would use certain tires and or the reasons for the conditions of the tires . Granted every now and then you would find some good ole boys who litterally had no clue .

 

This video is packed with good info:

 

[BassnChris]

I read that article. As soon as I was finished, I hopped up and ran outside in my house shoes and gym shorts to look at my trailer tires. Now I know that 28!defrees is not cold for a lot of folks and it does get a good bit colder here at times.......my neighbors are probably wondering what the heck the crazy neighbor is up to now? Running around out the pretty cold night in house shoes and gym shorts. I was concerned since I bought my boat and trailer used. Had not given that issue a great deal of thought. But to my delight they are ST tires. Even says for trailer service only....although hard to read because the crazy neighbor takes pic in the dark :-)

Ahhhhh...........I feel better now.

Thanks for the information........probably saved me from myself and that bargain hunting crazy neighbor.

[FD.]

That's a good read Tom.  I need to bump up my boat trailer tires 10 psi because I run 70-75 mph on the Goodyears.

 

Thanks for posting it.

[BassnChris]

That's a good read Tom.  I need to bump up my boat trailer tires 10 psi because I run 70-75 mph on the Goodyears.

 

Thanks for posting it.

Yeah....me too........I forgot about that part.....thanks for jogging my memory.

Very important point.

[Bass_Fanatic]

So if the tire is rated for 65 psi, but I drive 75 mph, I need to put 75 psi in it?

[Fishing Rhino]

So if the tire is rated for 65 psi, but I drive 75 mph, I need to put 75 psi in it?

 

I wouldn't advise it.  The problems with overinflation are stated in the article.  Too much pressure, hit a pot hole or any other object and you greatly increase the risk of damaging the cords of the tire, or having a blowout.  Before adding the extra pressure, the author had a few qualifications for the tires so they can stand the extra pressure.

 

Here is some additional information taken from a Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Product Service Bulletin, PSB #2011-13.

This bulletin provides important information to help your customers obtain the best performance from “Special Trailer” tires. Please review the following important points with your trailer tire customers. Special Trailer (“ST”) Tires: Goodyear Marathon trailer tires are widely used in a variety of towable trailer applications and are designed and branded as “ST” (Special Trailer) tires. Industry standards dictate that tires with the ST designation are speed rated at 65 MPH (104 km/h) under normal inflation and load conditions. Based on these industry standards, if tires with the ST designation are used at speeds between 66 and 75 mph (106 km/h and 121 km/h), it is necessary to increase the cold inflation pressure by 10 psi (69 kPa) above the recommended pressure for the rated maximum load.

• Increasing the inflation pressure by 10 psi (69 kPa) does not provide any additional load carrying capacity.
• Do not exceed the maximum pressure for the wheel.
• If the maximum pressure for the wheel prohibits the increase of air pressure, then the maximum speed must be restricted to 65 mph (104 km/h).
• The cold inflation pressure must not exceed 10 psi (69 kPa) beyond the inflation specified for the maximum load of the tire.

ST Tire Life Expectancy:

It is quite possible for a tire to wear from the inside out. What this means is you cannot see the tire’s internal wear and fatigue and without warning you have a blowout when you least expect it. I mentioned a moment ago that under-inflated tires cause excessive heat resulting in tire failure. The same is true of an over-inflated tire when it comes in contact with pot holes, curbs and other common obstacles found on and alongside the highway. It is totally unrealistic for RV owners to expect ST trailer tires to last as long as P or LT tires do. ST tires are subjected to more weight, more sidewall stress and more user related tire issues, so it’s only natural they won’t perform as long as automobile tires.

[tnriverluver]

I run ST trailer tires on my camper and enclosed trailer.  However I have a 1990 Alumacraft Angler that has a 70 series trailer tire that is no longer made in that size.  13in.  I had to end up putting a set of Kelly car tires on it that at least had a better weight rating than the old trailer tires.  Only Kelly and one Chinese manufacturer now make the size tire (too cold to go look at what the size is LOL) and because of very close fender clearances almost nothing else will work.  I now run Maxxis 8008R 's on most all my other trailers.  They seem to be a step above most other trailer tires nowadays.  The boat had a set of Goodyear Eagle trailer tires on it when I bought it that looked to have been on for the entire 22 years of it's life at that point.