ST vs LT Tires

1kotonk · 05-22-2017, 12:11 PM

What are your thoughts on using LT tires vs ST tires. Also if using ST tires do you follow the 55 MPH max speed. It seems I am the only one on the highways towing at 55 MPH..

Eagle · 05-22-2017, 01:35 PM

Sir, most ST tires are rated at 65 mph ....... NOT 55 mph...depending on the load ratings.

Most 15" dia ST tires are rated at 65 MPH but some with M speed rating are 80 MPH as shown here:

http://taskmasterproducts.com/produc...der-st-radial/

gmw photographics · 05-22-2017, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1kotonk

What are your thoughts on using LT tires vs ST tires. Also if using ST tires do you follow the 55 MPH max speed. It seems I am the only one on the highways towing at 55 MPH..

You have asked probably the most controversial question in all of the RV trailering world ! If people actually end up participating in this thread, at the end, it will be, to the uninformed, a toss-up argument, with no clear answer, and a whole lot of downright incorrect information tossed around.

It generally falls in the same category as politics, religion and money.

If you go over to rv dot net forums, there are enough threads on it to keep you busy reading for the next several weeks.

twinster2 · 05-22-2017, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmw photographics

It generally falls in the same category as politics, religion and money.

And at what interval you should change your motor oil.

Eagle · 05-22-2017, 05:08 PM

gmw is so correct and much of it falls into 'customer preference' IMO.

And Twinster2, I change motor oil per the vehicle mfg specifications to maintain mfg warranty coverage.

1kotonk · 05-22-2017, 07:17 PM

Eagle, thanks for the heads up. For some reason I was thinking I saw max speed on my Good year Marathons 55 MPH. Yeah on my last trip people were flying by me. I am making another Modesto run this wed. Once I get over the Grapevine it's going to be Cruz control at 65 MPH.

twinster2 · 05-22-2017, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle

gmw is so correct and much of it falls into 'customer preference' IMO.

And Twinster2, I change motor oil per the vehicle mfg specifications to maintain mfg warranty coverage.

Actually I change mine more frequently than the manufacturer recommends. I do it at 5K and the manufacturer recommends 10K.

1kotonk · 05-22-2017, 07:27 PM

Lol, yeah I've been doing a lot of reading in the ST vs LT debate and your right their is no correct answer. I hate to admit this but years ago I put LT, Tires on my 4x8 utility trailer. I didn't know about the difference between the ST and LT. The tire shop suguested it. I used to pack that trailer down and tow it up and down the Grapevine, Sequoia, and where ever. I would tow that thing 75-80 mph where ever I went. I guess God looks out for fools.

team dougherty · 05-22-2017, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinster2

And at what interval you should change your motor oil.

and if supertech oil is as good a name brand oil.

Eagle · 05-23-2017, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1kotonk

Eagle, thanks for the heads up. For some reason I was thinking I saw max speed on my Good year Marathons 55 MPH. Yeah on my last trip people were flying by me. I am making another Modesto run this wed. Once I get over the Grapevine it's going to be Cruz control at 65 MPH.

Here is a service bulletin from Goodyear on their Marathon ST tires.

https://www.tirerack.com/images/tire...plications.pdf

Happy Camping.

**LJAZ** · 05-23-2017, 07:57 AM

Historically ST tires have been speed rated to 65 mph. Over the last few years several manufacturers have been coming out with ST tires with higher speed ratings. Goodyear, Carlisle and Maxxis come to mind.
As previously stated this is one of the those long debated topics with supporters on each side who are convinced there solution is best. And in the end it is - for them. The best thing you can do IMHO whichever way you decide to go is make sure the tires are properly sized for the load and kept inflated to the proper psi. Underinflated or overloaded tires either ST or LT are a problem waiting to happen.

profdant139 · 05-23-2017, 09:09 AM

I use ST tires for one reason only: that is what the manufacturers recommend for trailers, and they know they will get sued if they mislead the customers and someone gets hurt. So I am relying on their economic self-interest.

By the way, I am now using the new Goodyear Endurance, rated for higher speeds and higher loads and made in the USA, not China. I have Load Range D, which is way too much for my little trailer. I am very risk-averse. And, just to complete the picture, I never tow over 63 mph, and I change my oil every 3000 miles, and I brush my teeth three times a day.

(All of those statements are true.)

1kotonk · 05-23-2017, 05:26 PM

Thanks Eagle

1kotonk · 05-23-2017, 05:39 PM

profdant139, dang, I bought my Marathons 6 months ago. I was looking for a tire with a higher load range but nothing was available to fit on the rim size of my TT. I was thinking of purchasing larger rims. I think my TT has 15 inch rims are you using stock rims?

profdant139 · 05-23-2017, 05:50 PM

These are 14 inch, and yes, these are the stock rims that came on my 2012 X-139. The Endurance just came on the market a couple of months ago. You should be fine with Marathons -- just keep them at 50 pounds. We wore out our Marathons in four years of heavy use -- we put about 40,000 miles on them, and some of that was off-pavement.

twinster2 · 05-23-2017, 07:24 PM

Regardless of the speed rating for the tire, no one should be towing a travel trailer down the highway faster than 65 mph. The reason for that restriction goes beyond the trailer tire rating. Higher speeds increase stopping distance and overall control of the rig in cases of emergency. Those are the same reasons why 18 wheelers have speed limits of 55-60 mph. Towing safety should be our highest priority.

Eagle · 05-23-2017, 08:00 PM

Truck speed limits vary from state to state ... from 55 to 80 depending on the state per this: https://www.thebalance.com/commercia...-state-1361600

However, I don't tow my toy hauler over 65 MPH for safety reasons.

1kotonk · 05-24-2017, 02:05 AM

Profdant139, thats good to know because we have the same TT, 40K in 4 years is more than Ill ever do, good to know. I bought an portable tire compressor and will keep my tires at 50 psi.

Twinster2, good advise.

Eagle, thanks again.

**LJAZ** · 05-24-2017, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle

Truck speed limits vary from state to state ... from 55 to 80 depending on the state per this: https://www.thebalance.com/commercia...-state-1361600

However, I don't tow my toy hauler over 65 MPH for safety reasons.

Yup, Arizona interstate speed limit is 75 outside of the metro areas. Which means most traffic is doing 85 including the big rigs. I try not to get blown off the road doing 65, although I do get passed by a lot of other folks towing trailers doing 75+, hope their tires are rated for that.

Eagle · 05-24-2017, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1kotonk

Profdant139, thats good to know because we have the same TT, 40K in 4 years is more than Ill ever do, good to know. I bought an portable tire compressor and will keep my tires at 50 psi.

Twinster2, good advise.

Eagle, thanks again.

I also carry a small twin tank air compressor to run...off my Honda EU2000i inverter/generators, if ever needed. The gens also have a battery charger to use if needed. Maybe once/twice a year I stay where they are not full hookups, but carry the gens and air compressor anyway. Some say it's 'over prepared' but just how I roll.