Is there any real reason I should use ST tires instead of LT tires?
I have a 25 foot 5th wheel that currently has Goodyear 225/75/15 load C tires that are about 8 years old. I am just wondering why I should use ST tires. I am also thinking of going to load range D. But, I am not sure of the rim ratings.
Thanks
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June 2004 F350 6.0L, 4 Door Supercab XLT SRwd Short Bed, Automatic, Deluxe Aluminum wheels, Class V Trailer hitch receiver, 3.73 standard rear end. Line-X bed liner, 5th wheel hitch, Brakesmart trailer brake control and powerlock starter interlock.
Is there any real reason I should use ST tires instead of LT tires?
I have a 25 foot 5th wheel that currently has Goodyear 225/75/15 load C tires that are about 8 years old. I am just wondering why I should use ST tires. I am also thinking of going to load range D. But, I am not sure of the rim ratings.
Thanks
Higher weight capacity (if needed) than like size LT's.
I think your right. I went and looked at some LT's at Sam's Club and noted they did have a lower weight rating. Seems odd to me because my current trailer tires are rated load C.
I am already concerned that my rig pushes the upper limits of the tires on it already. From memory - I think I have about an 8600 GVW. The ST's are rated at 2150. The LT's were 1874.
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June 2004 F350 6.0L, 4 Door Supercab XLT SRwd Short Bed, Automatic, Deluxe Aluminum wheels, Class V Trailer hitch receiver, 3.73 standard rear end. Line-X bed liner, 5th wheel hitch, Brakesmart trailer brake control and powerlock starter interlock.
I think your right. I went and looked at some LT's at Sam's Club and noted they did have a lower weight rating. Seems odd to me because my current trailer tires are rated load C.
I am already concerned that my rig pushes the upper limits of the tires on it already. From memory - I think I have about an 8600 GVW. The ST's are rated at 2150. The LT's were 1874.
15" ST load E will get you 2,830 lbs. The 15" 6-bolt rims are good for about 2,600 if I remember correctly.
Is there any real reason I should use ST tires instead of LT tires?
In 15" sizes, yes. The sidewall is much stiffer in the ST tires, so they can take the abuse of being dragged sideways around sharp turns and when jacknifing the trailer. There are plenty of brands of 15" ST tires on the market.
In 16" sizes, there is very limited selection in ST tires, but there are a few "real truck all position" tires available. For example, the Michelin XPS in size LT235/85R16E is a real truck tire rated "all position", which means it is good for steer axle, drive axle, or trailer axle on a truck. The only 16" ST tire I know about is the Goodyear Marathon, and I won't buy them because I've had nothing but trouble from Marathon tires.
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I am also thinking of going to load range D. But, I am not sure of the rim ratings.
After blowing out three nearly-new load range C Marathons on my 25' 5er, I upgraded both tires and wheels to Cooper Custom Trailer Plus ST225/75R15D on new 6" wide wheels. My stock wheels were only 5" wide, and the 225s require 6" wide wheels.
Later I needed new tires on a 16' flatbed utility trailer, and I upgraded that trailer to ST225/75R15E on 6" wide rims. The load range E tires are available from Denman. http://www.denmantire.com/catalog/22.pdf
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My Sierra Blanca is a '99.5 PSD CrewCab hot-rod Towing Machine! BTS tranny; TurboRamAir intake and 4" stainless turbo-back exhaust; DP-Tuner tunes flashed into an Edge Evolution tuner; ISSPRO EV gauges and TTM; AIC; SP-Diesel exhaust brake and torque converter controller. I special-ordered it new and plan to drive it until it quits.
Ideally, and this is personal preference only, I'd much rather run LT's than ST's, assuming of course that I could stay within the load ratings. And yes, but don't ask me why, an ST has a higher load rating for the size than an LT, even in a 16" (ST235/80's are rated higher than LT235/85-16's, as I remember). I've NEVER had an LT separate, throw a cap, or just blow out for no obvious reason like ST's seem prone to do (all 3), and on many occasions I've run LT's well over their rated capacity (do as I say, not as I do?) and well past the wear bars. In that application, I'd try for LT7.00R-15's in a 10ply, and if that's not enough tire (depending on your axle weights), I'd probably try for a 16" if I had the room (most camper trailers could stand a little lift anyhow, if you tow with a 4x4). Although I'm still pondering 14.5"'s, there's a thread on that down the list a ways. I think it looks like a pretty good option, they look like a really stout tire compared to any ST 15" E I've ever seen, and they seem to be cheaper to boot (but you need new rims).
I believe my current tires are original. The trailer is a 1999. The tires are Goodyear Marathons.
Because of this I thouhgt I might stay with Marathons. But, my local dealer stocks Greenball's. Any feedback on them? I can get them in load range D which would be a higher rating then my current tires.
I could use a bit more lift as well. But really did not feel it is worth the price of new rims. I have thought about 7.00 or even a 7.50 x 15 LT tire because, I believe they are a bit taller. My rims are 6".
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June 2004 F350 6.0L, 4 Door Supercab XLT SRwd Short Bed, Automatic, Deluxe Aluminum wheels, Class V Trailer hitch receiver, 3.73 standard rear end. Line-X bed liner, 5th wheel hitch, Brakesmart trailer brake control and powerlock starter interlock.
And yes, but don't ask me why, an ST has a higher load rating for the size than an LT
I know a few tires engineers. They tell me that ST tires have a higher load rating because they are used in vehicles that don't carry people. P and LT tires have a much larger factor of safety than ST tires due to liability concerns. There is no engineering reason that an ST would have a higher load rating than the same size LT tire.
__________________ Mark
Former Automatic Transmission Engineer 1988-2007
...But, my local dealer stocks Greenball's. Any feedback on them? I can get them in load range D which would be a higher rating then my current tires...
I have 16" 10-ply Greenball tires on my trailer. This is the experience I've had with them (happened twice).
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2004 F350, 6.0L TorqShift, SRW, CC, LB, Lariat, 4X4, Built Feb 2004
8" Lift, 37x13.5x17 Tires, 4.88 Gears, Turbo-back Exhaust, Gauges, Air Bags...
Did they roll off the rim? Have you had other tires in the same application that worked better? What did you go to?
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June 2004 F350 6.0L, 4 Door Supercab XLT SRwd Short Bed, Automatic, Deluxe Aluminum wheels, Class V Trailer hitch receiver, 3.73 standard rear end. Line-X bed liner, 5th wheel hitch, Brakesmart trailer brake control and powerlock starter interlock.
LT tires in a 15" diameter will only be available in a load range of D or less (correct me if I am wrong here). ST has at leat 2 options in load range E that seem to be acceptable - Maxxis, and Denman (my preference). Stay away from Carlisles in any load range at all costs, and most chinese tires on principal. Other then Maxxis, I have heard only bad. The ST is supposed to be a better tire for trailers, and probablyis in 15" due to the limited selection in LT tires there. There is a definate advantage to the LT in 16" tires with way more selection. Check to see if you can fit 16" wheels - If you can, do it now and save headaches over the long haul. 15" tires on a trailer are not a good comprimise on 5th wheels (personal experience here!).
Doug
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Did they roll off the rim? Have you had other tires in the same application that worked better? What did you go to?
The tread was separating from the tire. I was fortunate and caught it before the tire completely failed, which probably would have caused damage to the trailer. These tires came with the trailer new. Like you, I am researching replacement options. Since I have 16" rims, I am leaning towards LT tires - probably Michelin. Only problem is I need 7 tires = $$$.
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2004 F350, 6.0L TorqShift, SRW, CC, LB, Lariat, 4X4, Built Feb 2004
8" Lift, 37x13.5x17 Tires, 4.88 Gears, Turbo-back Exhaust, Gauges, Air Bags...
The tread was separating from the tire. I was fortunate and caught it before the tire completely failed, which probably would have caused damage to the trailer. These tires came with the trailer new. Like you, I am researching replacement options. Since I have 16" rims, I am leaning towards LT tires - probably Michelin. Only problem is I need 7 tires = $$$.
I found three out of six during a rotate and balance that had the same zig-zag separation in your photos, also original from the factory. New to me, not wishing bad on you but I’m glad to see mine wasn’t a freak occurrence.
As we speak, my tire guy is looking up prices for Denman 225/75 15" 8 ply and 10 ply. (Denman's website shows both 8 and 10 ply)
I would be interested in what you find out. I did not see a dealer list on their website.
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June 2004 F350 6.0L, 4 Door Supercab XLT SRwd Short Bed, Automatic, Deluxe Aluminum wheels, Class V Trailer hitch receiver, 3.73 standard rear end. Line-X bed liner, 5th wheel hitch, Brakesmart trailer brake control and powerlock starter interlock.
2005 Chev Duramax/Allison 3500LS DRW Crew Cab
2006 Chev 6.0L/4L80e 3500WT DRW Ex-Cab 9'Flat-GN
) and well past the wear bars. In that application, I'd try for LT7.00R-15's in a 10ply, and if that's not enough tire (depending on your axle weights), I'd probably try for a 16" if I had the room (most camper trailers could stand a little lift anyhow, if you tow with a 4x4). Although I'm still pondering 14.5"'s, there's a thread on that down the list a ways. I think it looks like a pretty good option, they look like a really stout tire compared to any ST 15" E I've ever seen, and they seem to be cheaper to boot (but you need new rims).
Automatic Transmission Engineer 1988-2007
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