RE: [SilverStreak] Trailer tires

["Ralph Cooke" <rcooke@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Unfortunately the Goodyear "Blurb" is wrong, I have blown their ST
Marathon tires at 50-55 MPH, the tires blew through the sidewall.  I
have also lost treads on several of the ST Marathon tires where the
tires were never run over 55 MPH, NOT 65 MPH.  I have 8 trailers in
daily use and two others in weekly or monthly use.  Each trailer has
the tire pressure checked daily, or when taken out for use.  The tire
pressure gauges are calibrated monthly.  We always run the maximum
pressure listed on the sidewall, and NEVER over load the tires.  We
have tried several brands of ST tires, and all of the results were
similar, Goodyear was no better or worse than the others.  I guess it
will take a fatal accident due to a blown ST tire or separated tread,
and a lawsuit with a multi million $ judgment to force the MFG's to
make improvement in the ST tires.  Fortunately for me, I am a
currently active, very competitive Stock Car Race Driver and have been
able to maintain or regain control in every case of a blown tire,
though some of the cases things were a bit exciting for a few seconds.


I am not nearly as concerned about "tread life" as I am about TREAD
LOSS.  I am especially concerned about sudden blowouts through the
sidewall of nearly new UNDAMAGED tires being utilized well under their
rated load rating, and speed, on a well balanced, level trailer.  If
it were only a rare occurrence, I would pass it off as unseen damage
to the tire, but it has not been a rare occurrence.  Now that I have
switched to Light Truck tires with a speed rating of 85 MPH or higher,
and priced in the mid to higher price range, I have had NO separated
treads or tires blown through the sidewalls(for that matter no
blowouts at all.)

All of the tire dealers and mfg. that I talked to about the problem
have tried to spin the problem and make excuses, but I am ONLY
interested in results NOT platitudes, "spin" or excuses.

There IS a price to be paid for utilizing the LOW COST  products on
the market.  There is a reason the pricing on some of the ST tires is
so low.  The real disappointment for me was that even utilizing the
"High End" ST tires did not improve the situation.

Ralph

-----Original Message-----
From: sslist-admin@tompatterson.com
[mailto:sslist-admin@tompatterson.com] On Behalf Of waymark1@juno.com
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2008 3:16 AM
To: sslist@tompatterson.com
Subject: RE: [SilverStreak] Trailer tires

Goodyear's. chart on http://www.goodyear.com/rv/pdf/rvbrochure.pdf
lists tires for trailer service as "LT" 235/85R16, "G" rated at 3750#
@ 110 psi. Speed rating 75 mph.
Their Marathon. tire is "ST" 13", 14", 15" and 16" sizes and "C" (50
psi) and "D" (65 psi) load rating.
IMPORTANT OPERATING INFORMATION [Under the Goodyear. "ST" listing.]
Industry standards dictate that tires with the ST (Special Trailer)
designation are speed restricted to 65 mph under normal inflation and
load conditions, unless a different speed restriction is indicated on
the sidewall of the tire.
Based on industry standards, if tires with the ST designation are used
at speeds between 66 and 75 mph, it is necessary to increase the cold
inflation pressures by 10 psi above the recommended pressure for the
load.
 Do not exceed the maximum pressure for the wheel.
 If the maximum pressure for the wheel prohibits the increase of air
pressure, then the maximum speed must be restricted to 65 mph.
 The cold inflation pressure must not exceed 10 psi beyond the
inflation specified for the maximum load of the tire.

Effects of Higher Speeds
 When traveling at 65 mph vs. 55 mph, tires will experience a 15%
tread life penalty (30% at 75 mph)
 Trucking fleets report fuel economy losses of about one mpg for
every ten mph over 55 mph [This is for heavy trucks which are not as
affected by aerodynamic drag for their size and weight as light
vehicles.]
 Longer braking distances (SAFETY ISSUE!)
 Reduced handling ability (SAFETY ISSUE!)
 More fuel stops due to reduced fuel economy
 Tire load-carrying capability decreases as speed increases
[ Advantage: Can have fewer overnight stops on long trips.
[ Increased noise and vibration fatigues travelers faster.]

[All tires on a set of axles (both tires on a single axle trailer; all
4 tires on a 2 axle trailer; all 6 tires on a 3 axle trailer) should
be inflated to the recommended pressure for the most heavily loaded
tire in the set.]

Storing Your Vehicle:
Proper Tire Maintenance
 A vehicle in storage should be placed on blocks to remove weight
from the tires
 If the vehicle cannot be put on blocks, follow these steps for tire
protection:
- Unload the vehicle so that minimum weight will be placed on the
tires
- Inflate tires to recommended operation pressure plus 25%
- Ensure that the rim manufacturers inflation capacity is not
exceeded
- Make sure storage surface is firm, clean, well-drained and
reasonably level
- Avoid moving the vehicle during extremely cold weather
- Move the vehicle at least every three months to prevent ozone
cracking in the tire bulge area, as well as flat-spotting from
prolonged strain of sidewall and tread deflection
- Adjust inflation before putting the vehicle back into service
[Tires should be covered to prevent exposure to sun or other
ultraviolet light (such as mercury vapor lamps).
[Electrical machinery, in particular brush-type motors, should not be
near stored tires as electrical sparks and fields produce ozone (O3)
which is highly damaging to tires and other rubberlike materials.]

Tire Appearance and Cleaning
 Tires contain additives to protect them from cracking. As the tire
rolls and flexes, these additives rise to the surface of the rubber to
protect it.
 Goodyear tires do not require dressings, appearance products or
covers to protect them
[Some commercial appearance products contain ingredients that are
damaging to tires and other rubberlike materials. 
 Occasional washing of tires with mild soap and water is recommended
 Excessive cleaning or use of products that contain alcohol or
petroleum products may accelerate the aging process

------------------------------------------------------------

-- "Ralph Cooke" <rcooke@bak.rr.com> wrote:

.....................

I no longer run "Trailer" tires on any of my trailers, work trailers,
Race Car trailer, or Silver Streak.  I ALWAYS PUT ON LIGHT TRUCK
TIRES.  Preferably load range E, but load range D is OK for most
trailers under 8,000 lbs. gross weight.  Unfortunately MOST of the
current crop of "Trailer" rated tires have VERY POOR PERFORMANCE AT
ANY SPEED ABOVE 50-55 MPH.  Separated treads and tires blown out
through the sidewall are common, even on tires less than 2 years old,
that were always properly inflated, and well within the load range
listed on the sidewall.  I have switched to using Light Truck tires
with a speed rating of 85+ MPH, even if I never intend to tow above 55
MPH.  That one move stopped all of my tire failure problems on the
various Tank, Equipment, Race Car, and Travel Trailers over the past
three years.

Ralph