What is the difference between trailer tires and drive tires?

Drive tires provide traction to get the truck going and keep it moving, while the trailer tires just kind of go along for the ride. That doesn't mean their job is any easier. They still carry their share of the load and are constantly getting dragged over curbs and scraped across the pavement in tight turns.

Can I use trailer tires as drive tires?

The short answer to this question is - yes. However, it depends on the type of trailer, whether both the trailer and the truck are a similar size, and even more importantly, if the tires have been designed for the specific trailer position.

Will truck tires work on a trailer?

Expert Reply: Light truck tires (LT) are sometimes used in RV applications but generally not on utility trailers. Light truck tires are a type of passenger vehicle tire and as such they are not built with as thick of a sidewall as trailer tires. A thicker sidewall allows a trailer tire to handle more vertical load.

Do trailer tires have a speed rating?

Trailer tires commonly have tire speed ratings in the 65 – 75 mph range. Unless otherwise noted, the speed rating for trailer tires is 65 mph.

Why does my trailer bounce?

Improper tire pressure, oversized trailer tires, stiff suspension, improper load balance or tongue length combined with the position of the axle can all be culprits. All parts of the towing system must be working together to keep the tires on the pavement and ensure a smooth ride.

The differences in semi truck tires steers drives and trailer tires

Can you put trailer tires on a motorhome?

Like tires on tow vehicles and trailers, RV trailer tires have a specific design, construction, and purpose. They come in a variety of sizes to fit your motorhome, and different tires are built to hold different levels of weight.

Can I put trailer tires on steer axle?

Helpful Expert Reply: ST tires are for trailers. If you are referring to a steering axle like on a cart style of trailer yes an ST tire could be used.

Can you use trailer tires on a dually truck?

New guidelines from RMA state that there should be no more than 1/4-inch difference in overall diameter between dual tires, both on a trailer or a dually application. Determine the difference by checking the tread depth – 4/32 of tread depth equates to 1/4-inch in overall diameter.

What is special about trailer tires?

Trailer tires differ in that they don't provide the power from or steer your car. They are also designed to dissipate heat because of the weight they carry, which can be much more than a standard passenger tire. The most common trailer tire type is known as special tire (ST).

What are tractor trailer tires called?

Commercial tires don't have a specific typing, so we will just call them commercial tires. Commercial tires tend to have more tread and are made of harder rubber, making them less likely to puncture but also make the drive less comfortable for the driver.

Is it legal to use recap tires on steer axle?

Title 49, Part 393.75 (d) of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations states that no bus shall be operated with regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires on the front wheels.

Is running recaps on steer tires illegal?

Paragraph "d" of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Title 49 Part 393.75 states, "No bus shall be operated with regrooved, recapped or retreaded tires on the front wheels."

What kind of tires should I put on my RV?

There are two types of RV tires: LT and ST. If you're towing an RV, you'll want ST tires. Tires with an ST designation are designed for “Special Trailer” usage. Trailer tires aren't used for steering during acceleration, so traction is not a consideration.

Do RV trailer tires need to be balanced?

The answer is yes, you should. Although you may meet RVers and travel trailer owners who disagree, balancing your travel trailer tires is actually necessary for improved performance, tire longevity, and safety factors. Passenger vehicle tires need to be balanced for ride stability and comfort, as well as for function.

How many times can a tire be retreaded?

Some urban or severe-service fleets (such as sanitation fleets) can retread six or seven times on a quality casing,” Stockstill said. Any tire coming out of service should be evaluated for damage and documented.

Can you patch a steer tire on a semi?

There is no limit to the number of nail hole repairs that can be made in the crown area of a steer tire that are a maximum of 3/8ths inch in diameter after repair preparation. (The crown area is 1½ inches in from the edge on each side of the tread.) Puncture repairs up to 5/16th inch can be made in the shoulder area.

Can you Regroove steer tires?

Specifically, 49 CFR Section 569.3(c) defines a “regroovable tire” as tires that are “designed, and constructed with sufficient material to permit renewal of the tread pattern.” This means tires can only be legally regrooved if they have enough rubber to maintain its original tread pattern.

What is the minimum tread depth allowed by DOT for steer tires?

Per code section 393.75 (c), “tires shall have a tread groove pattern depth of at least 2/32 of an inch when measured in a major tread groove.” It also states that measurements can't be taken “where tie bars, humps, or fillets are located.” DOT steer tire regulations state that depth is at least 4/32 of an inch.

Are TreadWright tires recap?

TreadWright buffs the old tread off the casing, then remolds it using the same processes used to cure new tires. It's important to note TreadWright tires are not “retreaded” tires. Retreading involves adhering new rubber only to the tread of the old tire.

How can you tell the difference between a trailer tire and a steer tire?

Consequently, trailer tires are designed with a shallower tread depth than steer and drive tires and often incorporate a lot of siping along three or four circumferential tread grooves. Some linehaul trailer tires that experience slow wear rates also include a shoulder groove to help promote even wear.

What is a drive tire?

Drive tires are the most vital for traction and are designed for the drive and torque axle.

How long do truck trailer tires last?

Most experts agree that semi-truck tire replacement should occur every three to six years. If your tires were purchased more than six years ago, it's probably a good idea to start looking at replacement tires for your fleet.

Why do my trailer tires keep blowing out?

A lot of trailer tire blowouts are a result of heat build up that causes the tire to fail. There are several things that can cause too much heat to build up but the main two most likely suspects are overloading the trailer and/or under inflated tires.

Why do trailer tires have higher PSI?

This is simply because trailer tires are built with a thicker and stronger sidewall, enabling them to handle higher air pressure along with higher loads. The above mentioned Provider tire is an 8-ply tire with a 2,540 pound maximum load at 65 psi.