tires blown and questions

[hotshott]

No reputable tire dealer will put truck tires on a trailer rim, and if they do, walk away quickly. If your trailer tires are blowing up, their is a reason for it. Most likely heat / poor alignment of axles, or the tire itself. Go find your self the tires that are put on low boy construction trailers. Hard rubber compound, and a very high ware ratio.

[myredracer]

So if a trailer tire has an expected life of 5,000 - 12,000 miles, if a TT is driven from the plant in Indiana to the west coast, the tires could have only about 50% life left in them before you even take it home? (In the worst case)

From Goodyear's Marathon info.: "LT type tires are actually on a lower formula and would require a significant size or load change to meet the trailer load requirements. We typically find that a narrower tread width and a shallower non-skid (tread depth) provides a better overall performance in a free rolling position. This is one case where wider is not better."

It appears that to upgrade to D rated tires you may need to use a wider rim, so you could be limited depending on what your camper has now. And it would seem the wider D rated tires will decrease performance.

So there is an LT tire for trucks and another for RVs?

I'm wondering about the speed ratings. After driving on the interstate last summer, I found it hard sometimes to keep under 65 mph when on a long flat stretch and everyone else, including semis, are blasting past you. Would LT tires up the max. allowable speed much so you can cruise occasionally at say 70 mph?

[jeeplj8]

Originally Posted by myredracer

So if a trailer tire has an expected life of 5,000 - 12,000 miles, if a TT is driven from the plant in Indiana to the west coast, the tires could have only about 50% life left in them before you even take it home? (In the worst case)

From Goodyear's Marathon info.: "LT type tires are actually on a lower formula and would require a significant size or load change to meet the trailer load requirements. We typically find that a narrower tread width and a shallower non-skid (tread depth) provides a better overall performance in a free rolling position. This is one case where wider is not better."

It appears that to upgrade to D rated tires you may need to use a wider rim, so you could be limited depending on what your camper has now. And it would seem the wider D rated tires will decrease performance.

So there is an LT tire for trucks and another for RVs?

I'm wondering about the speed ratings. After driving on the interstate last summer, I found it hard sometimes to keep under 65 mph when on a long flat stretch and everyone else, including semis, are blasting past you. Would LT tires up the max. allowable speed much so you can cruise occasionally at say 70 mph?

As has been stated numerous times, at least two manufactures (greenball and goodyear) have stated max speeds of 75mph.

[bakken]

Originally Posted by myredracer

It appears that to upgrade to D rated tires you may need to use a wider rim, so you could be limited depending on what your camper has now. And it would seem the wider D rated tires will decrease performance.

Huh?
The "D" rating has nothing to do with the size of the tire, it is merely the load-carrying capacity that changes.

[myredracer]

If you look at Goodyear's Marathon data, the "D" rated tires they have 7 "C" rated tire sizes for between 4.5" & 5.5" rim widths. I am assuming that not all towables have the 6" to 7.5" "approved" rim widths for their D rated tires.

Goodyear RV Tires

[bakken]

Originally Posted by myredracer

If you look at Goodyear's Marathon data, the "D" rated tires they have 7 "C" rated tire sizes for between 4.5" & 5.5" rim widths. I am assuming that not all towables have the 6" to 7.5" "approved" rim widths for their D rated tires.

Goodyear RV Tires

Are you trying to say that if you upgrade from a 175/80R13 to a 235/80R16 that the width of the rim is your major concern?
Usually it is difficult to go to a larger tire due to clearance issues.

[dustman_stx]

I understand the differences in forces applied to a tire on a vehicle versus a tire on a trailer. However, I have seen MANY trailers run LT tires, both RV and ag use, and I've scoured the forums on this issue- and I have yet to see the types of problems with LT tires that ST tires encounter. We can throw numbers, suggestions, recommendations, etc. around all day long, but it still boils down to the fact that ST tires have a reputation for failing that for whatever reason LT tires don't have. I can't think of any ag trailer of the multitudes I have been around ever having an ST tire on them. If it was a problem to run LT tires on a trailer for the reasons that have been mentioned, EVERYONE in the ag community would be aware of it.

[myredracer]

Just saying that notwithstanding clearance issues, you can't just upgrade to D rated tires without looking at your rim width. Some owners *may* already have rims in 6 or 6.5" width suitable for D tires (in 15" size). I should have said that there are only 2 tires in the C rating (for 15") not 7 as that includes 13 & 14" tires.

[bakken]

myredracer, if you look at each individual tire size, you will see that the rim width does not change between C-rated tires and D-rated. The rim width only increases with larger tire sizes.
My camper came with 225/75R15 C-rated tires, and I replaced them with 225/75R15 D-rated. The required rim width is exactly the same.
So I simply don't understand what your point is?

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by bakken

myredracer, if you look at each individual tire size, you will see that the rim width does not change between C-rated tires and D-rated. The rim width only increases with larger tire sizes.
My camper came with 225/75R15 C-rated tires, and I replaced them with 225/75R15 D-rated. The required rim width is exactly the same.
So I simply don't understand what your point is?

I have to agree with Bakken here. I changed from c rated that were in stalled to D rated. For one reason is the sidewall cons't and they were max out for the axle weight. I have a friend who has been in the business all his life. I questioned the inflation info that Herk gave out. Once again he was right. The big difference is the way the tire is made. St has a compound that will last longer in the sidewall then LT. When you back up you put a lot of pressure on it being that it is a fixed axle. It's comes down to the the sidewall pressure. Also I went from 6 ply C rated sidewall to 8 ply with the D rated. My rim can go to 65lbs. max that is the max of D rated PSI. As for as anyone can put on LT on there trailer is absolute BS, Some states will not allow it. You can always find a hungry trier shop that will do it. Knowing that no one would really sue them. As always I'm probably wrong but that is my reasoning and I'm comfortable with it.... and stay safe please

[mikey]

TeJay,

Well put my friend. Bobby Bradley @ FR should see your post!

Travel safe, keeping a close eye on TPMS, and enjoy your journey!