LT vs ST

[Biggjb]

I am going to change my marathon tires with something else. I was thing of the G614 but is there any reason I cannot go for a LT tire instead. If anyone has any expierence using a LT tire.

[The Weekenders]

Hopefully resident tire expert Lonnie Bussey will chime in but he steered me to the BFG Commercial TA. Very happy with them.

[TLightning]

Depends on the year and the weight. I put LTs on my 2007, but I think the new ones are too heavy...don't know for sure.

[helmick]

I have towed over 42,000 miles with LT tires and no problems, someday I will replace them with new LT tires.

[LonnieB]

What model is your Montana, and how much does it weigh at the axles when fully loaded?

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by Biggjb

I am going to change my marathon tires with something else. I was thing of the G614 but is there any reason I cannot go for a LT tire instead. If anyone has any expierence using a LT tire.

I know there will be many who will disagree with me, but I will only use LT tires. It's a better tire all around than the ST, however the ST sidewall may be a little more stiff and make you feel better when you look back at your wheels twisting while backing up the Montana. The ST tire, I believe, was originally designed for trailers, not RV trailers and their speed limit is less than the LT tire.

I trust Lonnie Bussey for my tires and drive over 300 miles out of my way to buy from him. For the truck I have Michelins and for the Montana I have Bridgestone Duravis R-250s. Great tires, both of them.

Orv

[DQDick]

Lonnie is correct, as always. The first thing you need to know is how much weight you're putting on each tire.

[Sniperduce]

just a heads up but this past weekend I needed to replace a GY marabomb during a camping trip. We stopped at a Sams Club in Rodgers Ark. to see if they might have any 235 80 R16 E rated LT tires in stock which they did not.

The salesperson told me they could order the GY marabomb and have it in 24 hours but their policy now is they will not install anything but ST rated tires on RV rims. On our SOB 5th wheel I had Goodrich Rugged Trail E rated LT tires installed by Sams on my RV's wheels.

[grayghost03]

Has anyone had a claim for tire damage denied because of LT on trailer. I have a friend that had a LT that lost its thread and tore up the trailer a bit. Tire company(Goodyear) denied claim due to LT was on trailer, Progressive denied claim due to trailer not having ST tires. It was not an RV, it was a enclosed car hauler. Just wondering if this is common. I can see tire manufacture denying claim, but the insurance company?

[1retired06]

Have been pulling for over ten years, with Firestone Transforce LT tires, and have never had a problem. My first two montanas came with LT tires.

[LonnieB]

quote:By grayghost03

Has anyone had a claim for tire damage denied because of LT on trailer. I have a friend that had a LT that lost its thread and tore up the trailer a bit. Tire company(Goodyear) denied claim due to LT was on trailer, Progressive denied claim due to trailer not having ST tires. It was not an RV, it was a enclosed car hauler. Just wondering if this is common. I can see tire manufacture denying claim, but the insurance company?

Your friend should fight this. LT tires are designed and intended for use on trailers and light trucks, as long as they meet the weight requirements. It sounds to me like they are just trying to get out of paying the claim.

In my experience, the failure rate of ST rated tires on trailers is far greater than LT rated tires on trailers.

[dieselguy]

My first two Montana's (2850RK / 2980RL) also came with LT tires. I ran them till I traded. Now my 3150 came with ST Mara Bombs ... had to get rid of them after the first year as they started swelling up like balloon tires after about 50 miles down the road.

[steelpony5555]

Not sure what Goodyear would have said about my last 5er, it came from the factory with Goodyear Wranglers on it and was on the placard on the side. The way I look at it is if the trailer has Marathons on it then LT tires should work just fine. If it weighs too much for LT's then that means it was sent out from the factory already over weight.

[Flymutt]

I put Hankook LTs on my 3475rl and like-um alot!

[8.1al]

Our previous fiver came with Goodyear Wranglers and we have had them on our Montana for 4 years now with no problems,however we have just under 12,000 lbs. on the axles so we are not over the ratings for the tires.

[DonandJudy_12]

We went fulltime on July 1, 1999- We replaced 6 or 7 ST tires the first 6 months on the road- Switched to LT tires and have not had a failure since- We are now on our 13th year and not looking back-That's my story and I'm sticking to it- JMHO- Don

[bigred715]

Replaced our Marabombs with Michelen LTX MS2 LT245R16 tiresand the spare for about $1200 in San Antonio last March after blowing a marathon with only 15,000 miles on it. Worst tire ever made.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by bigred715

Replaced our Marabombs with Michelen LTX MS2 LT245R16 tiresand the spare for about $1200 in San Antonio last March after blowing a marathon with only 15,000 miles on it. Worst tire ever made.

I think you'll find some Mission Tire owners that may argue that point.

[helmick]

quote:Originally posted by TLightning

I think you'll find some Mission Tire owners that may argue that point.

Yes you will.

[Biggjb]

quote:Originally posted by LonnieB

What model is your Montana, and how much does it weigh at the axles when fully loaded?

Lonnie, I have a 2009 2980RL and currently have GY Marathons ST235 80R16 E rated. Fully loaded it is 14400 lbs. I always ensure the tires are 80 psi and check that every morning while on the road. I had one blow-out last year on a very short haul, and I have just went over 1200 miles with no mishap. But the concern of a blow-out on the I-95 was constantly in the back of my mind. I have heard LTs would work better.