Quote:
Originally Posted by mhs4771
Ref LT vs ST, for years and years most trailer just ran the same tires as used on cars and light duty trucks. ST tires only came into being in the 10 or 12 years. Prior to that Montanas and other larger trailers just ran LT tires and I bet if you could find any real OLD Timers campers they would say they traveled thousands of mile and never had any tire problems.
Now granted LT tires are not a good match for the heavier Fifth Wheels out there because they just don't have the capacity, unless you happen to have a MountainAir with Duals on tandem axles.
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ST tires for larger trailers with 6000# axles and 16" tires have been on the market since (about) 2000. Our 2003 Everest, purchased new had 16" OEM GY Marathons made in the USA tires.
The heyday for for 16" LRE LT tires as OEM OE tires on Keystone trailers was 2005-2006. The major brands were Uniroyal and a China made LT of the same designated size. The results was just as dismal as that of the previous ST tires used as OEM. In those two years, load capacities for ST tires climbed into almost all of the desired designated ST sizes and became the primary OEM tires for a very high percentage of the RV trailer market.
China and some other foreign manufacturers enjoy a tremendous tax incentive for ST tires in tariffs. If USA tire manufacturers can't strike a bargain with an OEM provided with a huge need, they are at a great disadvantage - money wise. They just can't afford to build tires that are going to age-out on warehouse shelfs.