OK I'm going to say up front this sounds like total BS to me but who knows.
A friend of mine has a 5er with a GVWR of 16k. Came with Chinese 16 inch ST's from the factory. Well he blew a tire last weekend. The tires had a "E" rating and show 3200 lbs max load. Kinda funny how if you take 16k, allow for 20% pin, you get 12,800 which divided by 4 comes out to 3200.
Several contributing factors IMO. It was 95 degrees, Chinese tires and he was going 70 mph. The failure was actually a tread separation and departure, came off in chunks. The carcass was still inflated to 80.
He called his tow service and the first guy didn't have a jack big enough to lift 16k pounds (his words). Couldn't understand he wasn't lifting 16k. But he refused to do the tire.
So my buddy calls me and since he's only 20 miles out, i grab some stuff and head his way. By the time I get there the towing service had sent a heavy truck and was working on changing the tire.
My friend mentions going to LT's and the towing guy warns him the DOT will pull him over and fine him $240 per tire.
First how is a DOT guy going to know unless he happened to get close enough to look at the tires?
Why would DOT even get involved with personal use?
Has anyone seen anything stating LT tires cannot be used on a 5er?
Of course the repair guy could not site an instance or provide a reference? Just something he "knew".
Has anyone seen anything stating LT tires cannot be used on a 5er?
Since many trailers come from the factory with LT tires the statement is typical myth about tires spread around by unknowning people.
Now, I have my coffee and snacks ready for the usual tire "discussion".
DOT has police that sneak around CG's at night checking for illegal LT's on TT's and 5'ers. These tire police receive the same rigorous training that the police that check for torn-off mattress tags receive.
Seriously - there's been so much debate on the use of LT's on TT's and 5'ers, with so much speculation. But I've never heard a FIRST HAND account of someone being fined or penalized for this. In fact, show me a reasonable SECOND HAND account! Lots of debate and discussion, but no tickets or fines....
belairbrian wrote: OK I'm going to say up front this sounds like total BS to me but who knows.
A friend of mine has a 5er with a GVWR of 16k. Came with Chinese 16 inch ST's from the factory. Well he blew a tire last weekend. The tires had a "E" rating and show 3200 lbs max load. Kinda funny how if you take 16k, allow for 20% pin, you get 12,800 which divided by 4 comes out to 3200.
Several contributing factors IMO. It was 95 degrees, Chinese tires and he was going 70 mph. The failure was actually a tread separation and departure, came off in chunks. The carcass was still inflated to 80.
He called his tow service and the first guy didn't have a jack big enough to lift 16k pounds (his words). Couldn't understand he wasn't lifting 16k. But he refused to do the tire.
So my buddy calls me and since he's only 20 miles out, i grab some stuff and head his way. By the time I get there the towing service had sent a heavy truck and was working on changing the tire.
My friend mentions going to LT's and the towing guy warns him the DOT will pull him over and fine him $240 per tire.
First how is a DOT guy going to know unless he happened to get close enough to look at the tires?
Why would DOT even get involved with personal use?
Has anyone seen anything stating LT tires cannot be used on a 5er?
Of course the repair guy could not site an instance or provide a reference? Just something he "knew".
JMO, but towing a 16K 5er at 70 on Chinese ST tires only rated for 65 mph is asking for BIG trouble!!
Your friend is luck it only cost him the service call to the tire store.
Could have cost him his truck, trailer, and life.
Russ & Paula
The Beagles Hedwig and Precious.
Portland, OR.
2001 Dodge 2500 4X4, 5.9 Cummins 5 speed, 3.55 gears, Pacbrake, DS Power Puck, 260K.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS
"Actually the vehicle GVWR is calculated based on maximum factory supplied tires load plus pin weight, so it will always come out even."
If that was the case my KZ would have a GVWR of 12,500+# and not the 10,000# rateing it does have. So IMO this can't be a true statement for all trailers, if any at all.
"Actually the vehicle GVWR is calculated based on maximum factory supplied tires load plus pin weight, so it will always come out even."
If that was the case my KZ would have a GVWR of 12,500+# and not the 10,000# rateing it does have. So IMO this can't be a true statement for all trailers, if any at all.
I need to back up- it's GAWR + pin weight (factory listed pin weight not a calculation of percentage) that equal GVWR. You are correct - the tires may be over-rated by nature of availiblity and size for the axle.
Splashers3 wrote: ...actually, any ST tire is rated for 65...
I used to believe that, until I found the Kumho 857's. A 14" ST good up to 99 mph, not that I'll EVER go near that, but at least I can feel comfortable at typical traffic speeds of 65 to 70 mph.
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