Just beacuse others do something sure doesn't mean it's right or safe. Ive been in a campgound and seen someone pulling a tandem axle camper with a bent, twisted, class 1!!, hitch and no brakes. Guess what he made it there. Was this decision right, or safe to himself, his family, or others on the road? Hell no. But it got him there. And it was much cheaper than buying the stuff to do it right. It doesn't matter what the trailer or it's contents are worth. What does matter is that by trying to save a few bucks, you are knowingly endandering the lives of anyone with you and other innocent people on the road. Peoples lives are worth much more than whatever is on your trailer. Bottom line...... You can afford the truck, you can afford the gas, you can afford the trailer, you can afford whats on the trailer, you can also afford to use tires designed for it. You can't afford to kill someone over ignorance, I don't care how much you make. Make the right decision. Tow safely everyone.

-Scott

 

AMEN to that.

There is NO substitute for having the right equipment.

"If you are going to do it - and you can afford it - DO IT RIGHT!"

A sixty thousand dollar note for a pile of tangled aluminum and wood because the insurance did not buy off on the hitch, tires, or rims would be a disaster, even if no one got hurt.

 

Trailer experts all insist in using ST tires. Scot Ferguson is correct. Do not believe anyone who tells you LT's are as good as ST's. They are talking through their hats. Trailer Life magazine has gone over this issue several times and everytime they put thumbs down on anything else but ST's.

I don't care how many rigs anyone claims to have seen or purchased with LT's in place of ST's. It's a foolish and dangerous gamble for you, your rig, and anyone else travelling on the road near you.

 

ST tires have shallower tread depth and more flex built into the sidewall. Lt tires have stiffer sidewalls,usually more belting, and deeper tread. The UV inhibitors built into ST tires are activated by heat build up as the tire is used,if the trailer doesn't move much it does no good.

 

bfife -

Everything I've read indicates ST tires have stiffer sidewalls than LT or P tires (Here's a quote from trailertires.com: "Trailer tire construction varies substantially from automotive tires, therefore it is essential to choose the correct tire for your towing application. In general, trailer tires have the same load range (or ply) from bead to bead and are bias ply construction. This allows for a stiffer side wall which provides safer towing by helping to reduce trailer sway problems. The use of 'Passenger Car' (P) or 'Light Truck (LT) tires a on a trailer is not recommended because their construction, usually radial or bias belted, allows for more flexible side walls. This could lead to increased trailer sway and loss of control"

Steve

 

thats what i thought. my trailer tires are 12 ply, no flex.

 

Has anyone had any good experience with UV protectant products for tires? aside from a cover.

 

The only real protectant are the covers which I use religiously. Here's the reason why: My neighbors ignore the city ordinance on leash laws and allow their pet dogs to roam at night. They liked to target my trailer's rims. Over time the painted rims began to rust from their acid ****, which got me pissed! I mean they were at it every week and if I was away the urine just sat there.

Now I have aluminum rims on my new trailer. I like to use 303 Aerospace UV proctectant on all things vinyl or rubber:http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=protectant

 

cangim -

Pops is right; 303 is good stuff!

Steve

 

Yup, I use it on my tires and the fiberglass on my trailer. It's also good on rubber roofs

 

What about using LT tires on a tandem axle bumper pull camper? Dry wieght 3300lbs. 27 ft long. Factory was 205/75/14 goodyear trailer tires. 4 ply. Load range B.