I recently replaced my 5ver trailer tires 225/80R16 ST Goodyear Marathon (made in US) with Michelin MS 245/75R16LT (the same tire my truck came standard with) they were the same "external" diameter only wider. The trouble is they want to grip too much in tight turns and mounted on aluminum rims has me concerned about breaking a rim. At the same time I replaced all the tires on the truck with Michelin MS 265/75R16 to increase the load capacity. Since doing this I find the truck and trailer move around more almost floating,even to the point of a little trailer sway at higher speeds.
I dropped the front tire pressure to 65PSI and 80 PSI in the rear, it didn't make any difference.

Was it a mistake to put the 265s on the truck and what about the trailer?

 

?????? Don't know Busbyboy, hope not. Maybe when they get worn in they will be less squirrelly. ?If it ain't broke, don't fix it?

 

the tires probably ...and you need to settle in it will get better . new tires can seem loose when new it should get better

 

ST tires have a stiffer sidewall to prevent flexing and squirming, this maybe what you are feeling having gone to an LT tire on the trialer.

 

I was told to use ONLY trailer tires on trailers and NOT to use passenger tires because of the issues with turning (too much grip wont allow them to slip a little, which puts too much stress on the trailer).

 

That MS rating is likely the cause. I put Michelin LT's on mine (street tread) and it pulls great. Actually much better than the bias ply trailer tires ever did.

I will not ever put another Chinese tire on anything unless they become the only tire manufacturer in the world. Last year I blew 2 Chinese trailer tires tires on the way to Florids and 4 more on the way back.

 

the truck should be fine... only use ST tires on an RV trailer!!!!!

 

I always use trailer tires as well, I tried truck tires once and they did not last and same effect had trailer sway. Stay with ST tires, they run cooler as well.

 

I don't mean to hijack this thread and at the same time possibly ask some dumb questions, but here it goes:

What is the differance between LT and ST?

 

Busboy- We replace tires on a regular basis at work (due to normal wear). They always seem to "float" a little for the first 1000 miles or so. Really bad at first then gradually getting better. I would not worry to much about the truck. That should improve. I don't have much experience with truck tires on a trailer. Trucks at work are 1 ton fire trucks with service bed and 300 gallons of water. They weigh about 16,000 lbs.

 

LT-light truck(as in a pickup up to 1 ton)

ST-I "think" stands for special tire as is intended for trailers only. The sidewalls are stiffer to reduce sway and aren't intended for use and a steering axle.

P-passenger tire, for use on cars and light SUVS, better handling caracterisitcs but less weight rating.

 

LT = light truck
ST = special trailer

I've ALWAYS heard, never run an LT on a trailer, there is a specific difference in tires, engineered for specific uses. Here is a link about it.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/inf...rTireFacts.dos

 

Sorry cLAYH, breezed thru the replies, didn't see yours.

 

I don`t have any personal experience myself, but I have heard from a few sources that British Columbia does not allow any tire on a trailer that is not ST rated.

 

I am running 16'' BFG Commercial LT 'E rated' tires on my toyhauler. They run great! I feel much more confident in them than I did my chinese made ST tires.





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