LT Tires on a Trailer

[Alex_AGB]

Anyone running a light truck tire on their trailers? If it's not good idea, why? I need to get a set some time this year and I want something that lasts because I spend a lot of time on the highway.
I was think of getting a Load rang E tire, I've always used load range E tires on my trucks because they last longer than a tire of the same make with a lower load rating and don’t wander as much because of the stiffer side wall.
My trailer is an tandem, aluminium Venture with 15" wheels and the boat is the one in my signature.

Oh andI just spent 45 minutes searching this forum so don’t tell me I’m beating a dead horse…

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

I would think they would be fine, just overkill and more expensive. If you want to spend the money I don't think it would be an issue. Just keep in mind that rot and age generally take out trailer tires long before wear does so you may not get any extra life by spending more on those tires than regular trailer tires. I could be wrong but that's just my two cents worth.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

several previous discussions recommended against non-trailer tires b/c they couldn't handle the greater side pressure exerted on turns. Same reason to keep them fully inflated, which can be high on trailers.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

Many will disagree, but that is all we ever run on our dual axle car trailers and I've not had any issues. I've always found them to be less expensive and easier to get ahold of than trailer tires rated for the same weight.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

On 8 ply LT tires, I don't think so.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

On 8 ply LT tires, I don't think so.

E rated are 10 ply and they cost about $120 a piece at Fleet Farm as opposed to around $190 for an ST in the same size

 

[Thalasso]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

On 8 ply LT tires, I don't think so.

. People don't understand you have to go up in the LT tire rating to = rating of trailer tire

 

[boatfire]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

For me at least, LT tires are the only way to go. I hate having trailer problems on the road with my tandem axle for my 28' CC, which a variety of ST trailer tires caused me three times. I switched to E-rated LT tires and not a single issue since.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

Well, I used to run P/U take off's on my tandem axle utility trailer that I have hauled 4500# on several occasions. I got tired of the sidewall flex on the P235-15's (2100# rated at 35 psi....8400# total rating) when turning corners so I bought a set of Shield Brand 8 ply bias tires and pump them up to 40# or so with a heavy load (55# rated) and go on my way. No more sidewall flex and they cost me $40 at my local full service (farm, OTR, truck, auto, lawn tractor, 4 wheeler, you name it) tire dealer.

Other thing is the trailer sits outside and having bought them in '05, I have yet to find ANY cracking in the tire, tread area, tread to sidewall interface, sidewall to bead interface; nowhere. Great tires, great deal.

I do run Shield SL 205/14's LRC on my boat trailer and they show no signs of any cracking for the same period. I don't know what chemical mix they use in their rubber, but they have the right numbers.

Mark

 

[Thalasso]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

Well, I used to run P/U take off's on my tandem axle utility trailer that I have hauled 4500# on several occasions. I got tired of the sidewall flex on the P235-15's (2100# rated at 35 psi....8400# total rating) when turning corners so I bought a set of Shield Brand 8 ply bias tires and pump them up to 40# or so with a heavy load (55# rated) and go on my way. No more sidewall flex and they cost me $40 at my local full service (farm, OTR, truck, auto, lawn tractor, 4 wheeler, you name it) tire dealer.

Other thing is the trailer sits outside and having bought them in '05, I have yet to find ANY cracking in the tire, tread area, tread to sidewall interface, sidewall to bead interface; nowhere. Great tires, great deal.

I do run Shield SL 205/14's LRC on my boat trailer and they show no signs of any cracking for the same period. I don't know what chemical mix they use in their rubber, but they have the right numbers.

Mark[/QUOT





You went from a passenger car tire to a truck tire. That is what made the diff. for you. Some truck manf. put pass tires on, rated for the load of the vehichle, to make for a better ride.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

I'm not an insurance savy person especially with claims but just suppose you blew a tire, caused a serious accident and the investigation found you had 'truck' tires instead of 'trailers' tires on the trailer and blames you for running the wrong tires. Really worth saving a few bucks on truck tires and not use tires that are specified for trailer use?
Mark

 

[Thalasso]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

I'm not an insurance savy person especially with claims but just suppose you blew a tire, caused a serious accident and the investigation found you had 'truck' tires instead of 'trailers' tires on the trailer and blames you for running the wrong tires. Really worth saving a few bucks on truck tires and not use tires that are specified for trailer use?
Mark

You can leagally run truck tires on a trailer. There is a Federal formula to use. I forget what it is, but the truck tire has to be rated higher then the trailer tire.That is why you go from a D rated trailer tire to a E rated truck tire.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

Yes you can run truck tires on trailers just not trailer tires on a truck. As long as the tires meet or exceed what the trailer is speced for your good.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

You can leagally run truck tires on a trailer. There is a Federal formula to use. I forget what it is, but the truck tire has to be rated higher then the trailer tire.That is why you go from a D rated trailer tire to a E rated truck tire.

Where in my post did I use the word legal? Ever heard the pharase: Perception vs. reality? I'm coming from an insurance/coverage point of view where on a written accident report where an officer writes the type of tire used that a "trailer" type would not be questioned the way a "truck" tire might. Why would you want to have to 'prove' your truck tire was fine where a trailer tire might not be under that scrutiny? I've read that some Carlisle trailer and truck tires are EXACTLY the same tire except for what is stamped on it but having a tire stamped 'trailer' running on a trailer makes sense to the commona person where running the exact same tire but marked 'truck' running on a trailer might not. Maybe in other areas of the country this would not be an issue but living/driving/towing in wonderful litigious Southern California makes me do whatever I can to play it safe for the proper perception.
Mark

 

[H20Rat]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

Where in my post did I use the word legal?

Because 'legal' defines if you are negligent or not... It is not illegal to run non trailer rated tires on a trailer, as long as you don't exceed the rating. (which actually isn't illegal either) Since you are within the bounds of the law, you are not negligent, therefore your insurance will act entirely differently. If you get into a wreck because of your trailer, your insurance is going to pay one way or another.

Coming from an insurance background, I can tell you it is almost unheard of that your liability won't cover you even if you are running illegal. We had lots of cases where someone was pulling far above what their vehicle was rated for. Not once was a claim denied do to that, EVER. The only times when non-payment was even considered was gross intentional negligence and if multiple laws were broken.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

http://www.taskmasterproducts.com/acatalog/whybuytrailertires.pdf
LT tires can be used on a trailer without derating needed.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

http://www.taskmasterproducts.com/acatalog/whybuytrailertires.pdf
LT tires can be used on a trailer without derating needed.

There's no debate on whether the properly rated 'truck' tires can be used on a trailer; I even noted the example of Carlisle tires being exactly the same just with the different letter designations. I know for a fact, at least here in SoCal, when an accident occurs and you were completely in the right and get plowed into, the "offenders" insurance company will somehow try and find some little thing or loophole to put part of the blame on you so as not to pay an injured parties medical expenses; even over a year later.
What I'm saying is that for maybe a few (if any) extra bucks, I'm going to buy and put "trailer" tires on my trailer so should something happen to a tire(s) in the event of an accident, any doubt about whether it was the proper tire is not an issue at all, regardless of what might be "legal". I'd rather be safe than sorry.
You guys go ahead and put all the truck tires you want on your boat trailers and hopefully you will ever need to find out if that was a good decision.
Mark

 

[oldjeep]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

I know for a fact, at least here in SoCal,

Well there's your problem right there

 

[MarkSee]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

Well there's your problem right there

Yep, I'm lucky my wife wasn't killed, only the car totalled, when that guy in a truck plowed into her while stopped on the freeway.
thanks for you concern.

Mark

 

[bruceb58]

Re: LT Tires on a Trailer

Yep, I'm lucky my wife wasn't killed, only the car totalled, when that guy in a truck plowed into her while stopped on the freeway.
thanks for you concern.

Mark

What your accident has to do with an LT or ST tire used on a trailer is beyond me.

Did you happen to read my link? That was the manufacturer of an ST and an LT tire saying you can use an LT on a trailer. What am I missing here?