Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-13-2014, 12:33 AM   #21
Senior Member
 
Taranwanderer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NEPA
Posts: 1,477
Are the load ranges on LT tires the same as ST tires? Like, is a load range E tire rated for the same weight, whether it's a ST or an LT? Is an "E" always an "E?" If so, why would you ever want to use LT tires on a camper? There's no need for traction and cornering? Is there another reason to use LTs?
__________________
2015 XLR Hyperlite 30HFS5 (mods being performed regularly)
2009 Salem LA 292fkds (gone)
Nights- ('12)23 ('13)23 ('14)15 ('15)31 ('16)27 ('17) 20 (‘18)21 (‘19)23
2019 Honda CRV (camping support vehicle)
2014 Harley Davidson FLHX (XLR cargo)
2011 Ram 2500 CC 4X4 CTD, B&W Companion (toy hauler hauler)
Taranwanderer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2014, 12:39 AM   #22
Incheon, S. Korea
 
BigBaron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Incheon, South Korea
Posts: 1,142
Yes-the load ranges are the same, but... Everything I've seen says that an LT tire's load rating is 90% of its listed rating when used as a trailer tire.
__________________
Me, Julie, Lil' Barry, Faith, and OSD Fang
2012 Coachmen Clipper 126 - Don't even have a TV anymore.
I don't know when we'll be able to go camping again...
BigBaron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2014, 06:37 AM   #23
Mod free 5er
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBaron View Post
Yes-the load ranges are the same, but... Everything I've seen says that an LT tire's load rating is 90% of its listed rating when used as a trailer tire.
IIRC, the 9% reduction is if you use P tires on a trailer. LT & ST no reduction.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=70
__________________
OldCoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2014, 01:48 PM   #24
Senior Member
 
Airdale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,839
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taranwanderer View Post
Are the load ranges on LT tires the same as ST tires? Like, is a load range E tire rated for the same weight, whether it's a ST or an LT? Is an "E" always an "E?" If so, why would you ever want to use LT tires on a camper? There's no need for traction and cornering? Is there another reason to use LTs?
The only acceptable load capacity description for Special Trailer (ST) trailer tires and Light Truck (LT) tires is the lettered load range. However, load ranges across those two designed tires are not compatible with each other. Here is an example; the LT235/85R16E has a load capacity of 3042# at 80 psi. The ST235/85R16E has a load capacity of 3640# at 80 psi. The internal construction materials allows the ST to carry more weight than the LT.

Airdale
Airdale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2014, 06:47 PM   #25
Incheon, S. Korea
 
BigBaron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Incheon, South Korea
Posts: 1,142
Thanks, Coot!
__________________
Me, Julie, Lil' Barry, Faith, and OSD Fang
2012 Coachmen Clipper 126 - Don't even have a TV anymore.
I don't know when we'll be able to go camping again...
BigBaron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2014, 11:11 PM   #26
Senior Member
 
Taranwanderer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NEPA
Posts: 1,477
Quote:
Originally Posted by Airdale View Post
The only acceptable load capacity description for Special Trailer (ST) trailer tires and Light Truck (LT) tires is the lettered load range. However, load ranges across those two designed tires are not compatible with each other. Here is an example; the LT235/85R16E has a load capacity of 3042# at 80 psi. The ST235/85R16E has a load capacity of 3640# at 80 psi. The internal construction materials allows the ST to carry more weight than the LT.

Airdale
So, according to this example, these two tires probably have a different load range, despite the fact that they're the same size physically--right? Or do they have the same load range because they have the same number of plys?
__________________
2015 XLR Hyperlite 30HFS5 (mods being performed regularly)
2009 Salem LA 292fkds (gone)
Nights- ('12)23 ('13)23 ('14)15 ('15)31 ('16)27 ('17) 20 (‘18)21 (‘19)23
2019 Honda CRV (camping support vehicle)
2014 Harley Davidson FLHX (XLR cargo)
2011 Ram 2500 CC 4X4 CTD, B&W Companion (toy hauler hauler)
Taranwanderer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2014, 11:45 PM   #27
Senior Member
 
Airdale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,839
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taranwanderer View Post
So, according to this example, these two tires probably have a different load range, despite the fact that they're the same size physically--right? Or do they have the same load range because they have the same number of plys?

Yes the load range is related to the ply rating of the tire.

The load range for LT tires cannot be compared with ST tires because they are from a completely different design. The internal structure of ST tires is comprised of materials larger and stronger than those of like sized LT tires.

Airdale
Airdale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2014, 07:22 AM   #28
Senior Member
 
Taranwanderer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NEPA
Posts: 1,477
Quote:
Originally Posted by Airdale View Post
Yes the load range is related to the ply rating of the tire.

The load range for LT tires cannot be compared with ST tires because they are from a completely different design. The internal structure of ST tires is comprised of materials larger and stronger than those of like sized LT tires.

Airdale
So, then again I ask--why would you want to use LT tires on your TT or 5-er if ST tires (of the same load range) are stronger then LT tires? What's the benefit of jumping over to a LT tire?
__________________
2015 XLR Hyperlite 30HFS5 (mods being performed regularly)
2009 Salem LA 292fkds (gone)
Nights- ('12)23 ('13)23 ('14)15 ('15)31 ('16)27 ('17) 20 (‘18)21 (‘19)23
2019 Honda CRV (camping support vehicle)
2014 Harley Davidson FLHX (XLR cargo)
2011 Ram 2500 CC 4X4 CTD, B&W Companion (toy hauler hauler)
Taranwanderer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2014, 05:41 PM   #29
Incheon, S. Korea
 
BigBaron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Incheon, South Korea
Posts: 1,142
IMO, from what I have learned about tires LT tires are much more resistant to road damage and speed related damage. The testing methods for an LT tire are about three times as stringent as the methods for an ST (according to Epenydad's post IIRC).
From personal experience, I have not seen an LT fail catastrophically without some form of damage, and they usually failed almost immediately.
We've all seen the pictures of ST tires...
I do not have a fiver, but have had many large commercial trailers for my construction company. I only used truck tires and we never had a problem with tires.
That's my two cents.
__________________
Me, Julie, Lil' Barry, Faith, and OSD Fang
2012 Coachmen Clipper 126 - Don't even have a TV anymore.
I don't know when we'll be able to go camping again...
BigBaron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2014, 05:44 PM   #30
Mod free 5er
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
Suggest you peruse this article.

Trailer Towing – ST Tires vs. LT Tires | RV 101® your education source for RV information
__________________
OldCoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2014, 11:12 PM   #31
2007 WildCat 32QBBS
 
18CrewDually's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,349
Quote:
Originally Posted by Airdale View Post
The only acceptable load capacity description for Special Trailer (ST) trailer tires and Light Truck (LT) tires is the lettered load range. However, load ranges across those two designed tires are not compatible with each other. Here is an example; the LT235/85R16E has a load capacity of 3042# at 80 psi. The ST235/85R16E has a load capacity of 3640# at 80 psi. The internal construction materials allows the ST to carry more weight than the LT.

Airdale
Actually the Marathons are at a lower rating of 3420#.
The 378# difference would be completely irrelevant on a 5er with axles that are rated at 6000#s. Either tire overrates the axles. (3042 x 2= 6084)

LT's in the appropriate load range for the # axles is the way to go. Zero blowouts or concerns. I've been running them on trailers for 19 years. All the commercial flatbed goosenecks I've seen are running LTs too, and they're hauling alot more weight for alot more miles. If LT's hold up on the steer axle of my 4x4 crew cab diesel dually (heavy) they of course will handle the trailer axle weight.

Forest River is wise to this and are now equipping the Cedar Creek and others with LTs.
http://www.forestriverinc.com/FifthW...?page=features
__________________
*Current: 2005 Ford F350 Crew Cab Dually 6.0 diesel 4x4*
*Retired: 1987 F350 Crew Cab Dually 6.9 turbo diesel
2007 Forest River WildCat 32QBBS
18CrewDually is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2014, 05:49 AM   #32
Incheon, S. Korea
 
BigBaron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Incheon, South Korea
Posts: 1,142
Could FR finally be responding to all the bent axles and tire blow outs? Hmmmm....
__________________
Me, Julie, Lil' Barry, Faith, and OSD Fang
2012 Coachmen Clipper 126 - Don't even have a TV anymore.
I don't know when we'll be able to go camping again...
BigBaron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2014, 09:03 PM   #33
Senior Member
 
Taranwanderer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NEPA
Posts: 1,477
As an aside here, I need to clarify something, so please correct me if I'm wrong. From what I can find online (which I know, isn't always gospel,) it seems that a tire's "load range" is just an indicator of the number of plys in the tire's construction, while the "load rating index" actually tells you how much weight a tire can carry. Does this sound right? And why do some tires have one but not the other? They sure don't make it easy to compare apples to apples, do they?
__________________
2015 XLR Hyperlite 30HFS5 (mods being performed regularly)
2009 Salem LA 292fkds (gone)
Nights- ('12)23 ('13)23 ('14)15 ('15)31 ('16)27 ('17) 20 (‘18)21 (‘19)23
2019 Honda CRV (camping support vehicle)
2014 Harley Davidson FLHX (XLR cargo)
2011 Ram 2500 CC 4X4 CTD, B&W Companion (toy hauler hauler)
Taranwanderer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 02:30 PM   #34
Senior Member
 
Airdale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,839
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taranwanderer View Post
As an aside here, I need to clarify something, so please correct me if I'm wrong. From what I can find online (which I know, isn't always gospel,) it seems that a tire's "load range" is just an indicator of the number of plys in the tire's construction, while the "load rating index" actually tells you how much weight a tire can carry. Does this sound right? And why do some tires have one but not the other? They sure don't make it easy to compare apples to apples, do they?
Only LT and ST tires use the load range as a formula for figuring a tire’s load capacity at increments up to and including the maximum load capacity a tire is allowed to carry. Passenger tires use the load index/service description method for determining load capacity.

The charts for ST and LT tires are very similar in the way the load capacities are displayed. But it’s very important to remember to never use one for the other.

Airdale

p.s. Load range for LT & ST tires both refer to the old ply rating standard; I.e…a 10 ply rated tire is a load range E.
Airdale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 05:39 PM   #35
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 496
I always use LT tires on my trailers. I don't do ST china bombs.
__________________
Doc
____________________________________
2014 V-Cross Platinum 365VTSB (Bought Labor Day 2014)
TV: 2016 GMC 3500 Denali - Motor Ops Tuned
Days Camped 2016: 28
Days Camped 2017: 25 so far
DocGTO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 10:42 PM   #36
Senior Member
 
Taranwanderer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NEPA
Posts: 1,477
I'm thinking it's going to have to be Goodyear Marathons. The 235/80R16 size has a load range E, load index of 3420#, and a speed rating Q (which is 100 MPH and will never be reached while I'm driving it!) Plus they're not made in China. The ST tires are better at handling more weight, I still don't see the advantage of using LT tires. But the China bombs gotta go for sure. The factory stocker Westlake tires have decent reviews, but they'll be coming off soon enough...
__________________
2015 XLR Hyperlite 30HFS5 (mods being performed regularly)
2009 Salem LA 292fkds (gone)
Nights- ('12)23 ('13)23 ('14)15 ('15)31 ('16)27 ('17) 20 (‘18)21 (‘19)23
2019 Honda CRV (camping support vehicle)
2014 Harley Davidson FLHX (XLR cargo)
2011 Ram 2500 CC 4X4 CTD, B&W Companion (toy hauler hauler)
Taranwanderer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2014, 05:52 AM   #37
Incheon, S. Korea
 
BigBaron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Incheon, South Korea
Posts: 1,142
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taranwanderer View Post
I'm thinking it's going to have to be Goodyear Marathons. The 235/80R16 size has a load range E, load index of 3420#, and a speed rating Q (which is 100 MPH and will never be reached while I'm driving it!) Plus they're not made in China.
As far as I can tell, ALL Goodyear Marathons are rated for 65 mph and are made in China now. Has this changed? Almost all tires are made in China. Sigh...
__________________
Me, Julie, Lil' Barry, Faith, and OSD Fang
2012 Coachmen Clipper 126 - Don't even have a TV anymore.
I don't know when we'll be able to go camping again...
BigBaron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2014, 05:55 AM   #38
Senior Member
 
BBBlue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bassett, Va
Posts: 322
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBaron View Post
As far as I can tell, ALL Goodyear Marathons are rated for 65 mph and are made in China now. Has this changed? Almost all tires are made in China. Sigh...
The Goodyear Marathon tires that were on my 5th wheel were rated at 65 mph, made in China, and blew out(1) with 6K on the tire.
__________________
BTCM(SW) Ret USN
2013 Sanibel 3500
2013 Ram Truck 3500 Laramie Longhorn Dually
BBBlue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2014, 01:31 PM   #39
Senior Member
 
Taranwanderer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NEPA
Posts: 1,477
I stand corrected: the Marathons are, indeed only rated to 65MPH. So LT tires it's going to be. Now, to get the load range I need, it looks like I'm going to have to jump up from a ST 235-80R16 to a LT 265-75-R16. Does anyone see any issues with this, as long as there's no clearance problems with the inch greater diameter?

The truck wants to run at 72 MPH in the right RPM range, and dropping to 65 kills me on every little hill...
__________________
2015 XLR Hyperlite 30HFS5 (mods being performed regularly)
2009 Salem LA 292fkds (gone)
Nights- ('12)23 ('13)23 ('14)15 ('15)31 ('16)27 ('17) 20 (‘18)21 (‘19)23
2019 Honda CRV (camping support vehicle)
2014 Harley Davidson FLHX (XLR cargo)
2011 Ram 2500 CC 4X4 CTD, B&W Companion (toy hauler hauler)
Taranwanderer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2014, 02:21 PM   #40
2007 WildCat 32QBBS
 
18CrewDually's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,349
Going to a 265 from a 235 will be an increase in width by 30mm. As long as you have the room it shouldn't be a problem.
__________________
*Current: 2005 Ford F350 Crew Cab Dually 6.0 diesel 4x4*
*Retired: 1987 F350 Crew Cab Dually 6.9 turbo diesel
2007 Forest River WildCat 32QBBS
18CrewDually is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
5th wheel, tire, truck, wheel

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:28 AM.