ST vs LT Trailer Tires
In This Article:
Will ST Tires or LT Tires Provide Superior Performance on Your Trailer?
ST vs. LT Tires: What’s the Difference?
Am I Sacrificing Tire Safety If I Use LT Tires on My Trailer?
So, Which Tire Type is More Efficient and Safer for Use with a Tow Behind Trailer?
When You Need Trailer Tires, Count on Treadworld
Will ST Tires or LT Tires Provide Superior Performance on Your Trailer?
Got a little time to kill? Visit your favorite forum and ask for input relating to ST tires vs. LT tires. Then sit back and wait for the fireworks to begin. It will rival what you might get if you opened up a discussion on vaccines. Or animal rights. Or gun control. The debate has gone on for years. The “ST” in ST trailer tires stands for “special trailer,” and the “LT” in LT tires stands for “light truck.” You would think that the question could be answered pretty quickly, wouldn’t you? Which type of tire will give you better performance with your trailer? But like so many things in life these days, there are no quick, simple answers. That’s why the tire experts here at Treadworld decided to dive head first into the controversy, and give you the lay of the land. What is the difference between these two types of trailer tires? And what are the pros, and cons, of running special trailer tires as opposed to light truck tires? And finally, how will your decision influence tire safety, and getting you and your load safely to your destination? Keep reading to find out.
ST vs. LT Tires: What’s the Difference?
ST tires are designed for use on trailer axle positions only, and are not intended to be used for the load or traction requirements of a drive or steering axle. ST tires are specifically designed to handle the higher load requirements and demands of trailer towing. Since no one is riding in them while they’re being towed, travel trailers and fifth wheel camper trailers are not concerned with providing a smooth ride for passengers—the job of an ST tire is to be pulled behind a vehicle. ST tires are manufactured with strengthened sidewalls to prevent the tire from rolling under the rim when cornering and turning while carrying a heavy load. Unless otherwise indicated, ST tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph because lower speeds are prudent with heavy loads, but thanks to technology advances, many of today’s ST tires are rated for higher speeds. For instance, both our RubberMaster ST All-Steel Trailer Tires Radial and our RubberMaster ST Trailer Tires Radial feature an “M” speed rating, which translates to 81 miles per hour.
LT tires are designed for what you would expect from the name—SUVs, vans or light pick-ups. Manufacturers developed LT tires to hold up and dissipate heat under a load, while still providing some flex for a ride that is as comfortable as possible. LT tires are not manufactured with the thicker sidewalls that are essential for ensuring the tire can handle a heavy load, like ST tires. In theory, LT tires can be used in place of ST tires, but not the other way around—which is why the debate rages on, and why some trailer dealers sell trailers equipped with LT tires. Though LT Tires give a stiffer ride than passenger tires, they are still designed with the passengers’ comfort in mind, unlike ST Tires.
The major construction difference between ST tires and LT tires can be found in the larger polyester or steel cords used in manufacture. Typically, the cords will have a larger diameter and greater tensile strength in ST tires, to meet the additional load requirements. Along with the construction differences, the rubber compound used in ST tires is typically harder, giving it more sidewall strength, and it has more chemicals that resist aging and UV rays. Light truck tires have more tread patterns available for you to choose from, which is really of little consequence when you’re traveling down the open road with little concern about traction. ST tire treads are designed to provide low resistance for ease of towing and better gas mileage.
Am I Sacrificing Tire Safety If I Use LT Tires on My Trailer?
That’s really the important question, isn’t it? And the answer to this question is a kind of a soft “no,” but of course there are the ever-present “considerations”. As mentioned, some camper trailers these days come with an option for LT tires, including some from well-known manufacturer Airstream. Which would seem to be a tally in the LT tires column. As we’ve established, you can put LT tires on your trailer, but the question remains, “should you?” LT tires generally have a higher speed rating, often ranging as high as 100 mph, but as a practical matter, do you see yourself literally racing down the highway hauling a heavy trailer load? Not to mention the impact on your gas mileage, which will be noticeable in additional gas stops. Still a higher speed rating is an indication that a tire has heat-resisting properties—which is really a good thing because as you know, heat is the enemy of long-lasting tires. Whether you’re running ST tires or LT tires, both will suffer heat build-up if they’re driven too fast for too long, if they’re under-inflated, or if your trailer is overloaded.
A big reason tires fail is they are not properly inflated for the load. Failure to maintain the correct tire pressure for the load can result in excessive treadwear, uneven treadwear, poor handling, and overall tire fatigue, which can all lead to tire failure. Under-inflated tires can result in extreme heat buildup that leads to blow-outs, and over-inflated tires can lead to loss of traction and premature tire wear.
A trailer’s weight capacity should be strictly adhered to when you’re loading your trailer, and in fact, one of the oft-repeated tires safety tips is to hedge your bets by keeping your load 10%-15% below the maximum recommended weight. It’s important to keep in mind is that, if you take LT and ST tires that are the same size, at the same inflation pressure, ST tires will be rated for around 20% more load capacity thanks to their heavier construction. If you switch to LT tires for your trailer, the tire inflation pressure and/or the size of the tires must be capable of matching the load capacities of the trailer. If you increase the size of the tire to compensate for load capacities, you may need larger wheels, and you will definitely require sufficient clearance for the larger tires. Additionally, the weight on the trailer from front- to-back and side-to-side must be carefully considered to avoid having too much tongue weight, too little tongue weight and/or too much weight placed on the trailer’s tires. Bottom line? Whichever tire you choose must have a sufficient load capacity for your trailer load.
Keep in mind that it’s not unusual for trailer tires to wear from the inside out, keeping you from seeing the tire’s internal wear and fatigue—which can lead to a blowout without warning, when you least expect it.
So, Which Tire Type is More Efficient and Safer for Use with a Tow Behind Trailer?
Did we answer the question conclusively? No, we wouldn’t dream of telling you what to do when it comes to equipping your trailer with ST tires or LT tires. This is America after all, the land of freedom of choice. It boils down to this. Our RubberMaster ST Trailer Tires and RubberMaster ST All Steel Trailer Tires are specifically designed for the loads and motion that RV trailers, camping trailers, teardrop trailers, toy haulers, any pull behind trailers, experience. Though putting LT tires on your trailer is not wrong, LT tires are not engineered especially for the job you’re asking them to handle.
When You Need Trailer Tires, Count on Treadworld
When you’re looking for new trailer tires, or a spare trailer tire, count on us here at Treadworld to provide you with the high-performing, long-lasting trailer tires you want, in a wide range of styles and a huge selection of sizes. We also have Treadworld Trailer Tire Assemblies available, including All Steel ST Radial Trailer with Modular Wheel, ST Radial Trailer with 8-Spoke Wheel and ST Radial Trailer with Modular Wheel. All our RubberMaster Trailer Tires are manufactured to strict tolerances from top rubber compounds, then triple-tested for quality, balance and uniformity before being X-rayed to be sure they’re perfect. Easy ordering, fast shipping plus your satisfaction is guaranteed with our no-hassle Ultimate Advantage Warranty. Don’t hesitate to contact our tire experts via live chat or email with any questions you may have, and to get the ideal trailer tires, and wheels and inner tubes—or the perfect ATV tires, UTV tires, lawn and garden tires, and many others—from our extensive selection.
