What does St stand for on a tire?

ST stands for Special Trailer. These tire sizes are meant for trailers, including fifth wheels and other travel trailers, as well as boat and utility trailers. If there's no letter before the first number, you have a metric tire most commonly referred to as European size.

What is the difference between LT and ST tires?

LT tires typically have a significantly higher load capacity than passenger tires but a lower load capacity than ST tires. The 125 indicates a load capacity of 3,640 pounds per tire. Consult a load capacity chart. Also check to see that the trailer wheels can handle the maximum pressure.

What does St on a tire mean?

Tires beginning with a ST (for example ST175/80R13) indicate a Special Trailer tire and should only be used on car, boat or utility trailers.

What does St radial tire mean?

Special trailer (ST) tires are bigger, heavier and increasingly available in all-steel radial construction to meet the towing demands of more powerful vehicles and larger campers.

What is the difference between ST and P on tires?

A “P” tire is for passenger car use where as an “ST” (specialty trailer) tire is designed for use on trailers. An “LT” reference on a tire means Light Truck.

GoPro Inside a Car Tire (While Driving)

Can you use ST tires on a truck?

ST tires have some of the highest load ratings. This is one of the reasons they are designated for use on trailers. Truck and automobile tires do not have to withstand the weight and stress that is put on trailer tires. Venture Tip: Never substitute light truck (LT) or passenger (P) tires for trailer tires.

Can you use a trailer tire on a car?

Don't. Trailer tires and passenger car tires have different structures to respond to different stresses. Using a trailer tire on your car, or a car tire on your trailer, could lead to disastrous consequences. Passenger vehicles interact with the road through their tires.

How fast can ST tires go?

The Tire and Rim Association load formula used by the industry for ST-type tires is based on a 65 mph max operating speed. They even identified inflation increase and load capability reductions necessary to operate up to 75 mph.

What's better bias ply or radial?

Radial tires dissipate heat better than bias-ply tires, which allows them to travel at higher speeds for greater distance. "Due to a rigid tread, single steel body ply construction and the absence of multiple nylon plies, radials are much more effective at reducing heat," says Mills.

How do I know if my tires are directional?

Directional tyres are marked on the side, i.e. on the tyre's sidewall. You will see the word "Rotation" or "Direction" written here. Next to it, there is a small arrow which indicates the tyre's forward direction (rolling direction). Directional tyres are marked on the side, i.e. on the tyre's sidewall.

Do I really need LT tires?

Vehicles like ¾ ton or larger pickup trucks, work vans and trucks, and other large vehicles that regularly carry heavy loads or pull heavy trailers will need Light Truck (LT) tires.

Can you use a LT tire on a trailer?

Yes, both special trailer (ST) and light truck (LT) tires can be used on a 5th wheel trailer. They are actually the only two types of tires rated for this use. The reason for this is that tires on a trailer will be subjected to much harsher conditions that require a stiffer sidewall.

Are LT tires better for towing?

In general, yes LT (Light Truck) tires are designed for heavy towing and feature heavier body plies, bigger beads, more tread depth and an overall heavy-duty design made for higher inflation pressures for heavier loads.

Are all LT tires 10 ply?

LT tires are usually 8-ply (Load Range D) or 10-ply (Load Range E). Passenger Tires usually have a 4-ply or 6-ply equivalent sidewall. The performance trade-off of this added weight is a harsher ride, less fuel efficiency, and less responsive handling.

When did they stop making bias ply tires?

Most will be 4 plies, though. Bias ply tires also use far more rubber to create both the sidewall and tread as well as being supported by the plies. This was how tires were done from the 1930s all the way into the 1970s, with the last few cars coming with a bias ply in or around 1974.

What is a major disadvantage of a bias ply tire?

However, these tires also have some negatives. The rolling resistance of biased tires, for example, is diminished due to the angled ply construction. When bias tires were developed, ride comfort was much more of a concern than rolling resistance.

Are tractor tires bias ply?

A bias tractor tire is designed with a single ply wrapped diagonally from one side of the tire to the other. This means that as the tire flexes, the face or tread of the tire deforms leading to faster and more uneven wear.

How fast can I drive with my trailer tires?

Unless otherwise noted trailer tires are rated as 65 miles per hour as their max speed. Exceeding the speed rating will cause the tire to heat up and fail easier.

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.

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.

Is it necessary to balance trailer tires?

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.

Are trailer rims different than truck rims?

So what are the differences between trailer rims and truck or car rims? The differences include offset, tires, weight rating, bolt pattern, hub size and testing.

Do LT tires ride rough?

LT-metric tires are used for rougher driving conditions. You'll find these tires on SUVs, pickups, and vans that tend to haul a heavier load and travel in more off-road conditions. P-metric tires offer a quieter, smoother, and more comfortable ride.

What load range tire is best for towing?

To be completely safe when towing with your truck, you will need 10 Ply or Load Range E tires. The best 10 Ply tires for towing should be capable of at least 3,000 lbs of weight per tire and do it while giving you safe driving experience with a high amount of grip and traction.