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Did you know that tires have a maximum speed rating? They do. This isn’t a big deal for passenger, light truck and motorhome tires because they usually have a MPH rating well above typical highway speed limits.
But nearly all Special Trailer (ST) tires used on all but the larget RV travel trailers and fifth wheels have a maximum speed rating of just 65 MPH.
You can drive faster than 65 MPH but in order to do that, however, you need to increase your cold inflation by about 10 psi (without exceeding the maximum PSI stamped on the tire) for every 10 mph over 65 that you are going, as well as decrease your load carrying capacity by 10%.
So, for example, a Carlisle ST225/75RR15 Load range E (10 ply) tire, has a load carrying capacity of 2830 lbs at 80 psi. But you will have a load carrying capacity of 2,547 lbs at 75 mph.
If you’re maxing out the load rating of your trailer’s tires it’s imperative that you keep your speed at or below 65 MPH. Driving faster will, at the least, shorten the life of the tires and may result in tire failure in the road.
What I’d like to have, and would be willing to pay for, is the full 2830 lbs load carrying capacity of the LRE tires and be able to drive at a more reasonable speed. Tire manufacturers should realize that RVers aren’t pulling 1960′s travel trailers anymore.
8 Responses to “Travel Trailer Tire Speed Ratings”
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There’s no need for a TT, or any RV for that matter, to be driving over 65 anywhere, anytime. What do you consider a “more reasonable speed”?
Of course that’s a matter of opinion rather than fact. There are many RVers who tow their travel trailer faster than 65 mph whether or not you believe it’s necessary. For example, in many states the maximum speed limit is 70 mph on major roads.
But you’re mostly missing the point. With many Large travel trailers and fifth wheels equipped with ST tires the load ratings are very close to the GVWR of the trailer so you’re always working the tires at their maximum capacity even if you do not exceed 65 mph. There simply isn’t much of a ‘safety’ factor built into a tire with a 65 mpg speed rating.
For example passenger car and light truck tires have maximum speed ratings as high as 120 mph even though the speed limit is much lower. That higher speed rating provides a big ‘safety’ factor and I believe is why we get many more miles out of our pickup, towed and motorhome tires than we can expect from our ST trailer tires.
I’ll concede that for most RVers with travel trailers all this is not an issue since they use their trailers for short vacations once or twice a year. But manufactures ought to make tires for those of us who are full time RVers and put thousands of miles on our rigs each year. And that all I’m asking for and I’m will to pay a premium for such a tire. I’m tired… no pun intended… of worrying about tire failures on tires with plenty of tread left on them simply because I can’t buy ST trailer tires with load and speed ratings sufficient for my needs.
you are totally correct. trailer tires are horrible, too much weight for underrated tires. also, tires set to much usually at full tire pressure, then go on that to week vacation and watch out, your asking for a blow out. ive had two, best advise, keep tires new or upgrade to a bigger rim with a higher load capacity tire.good luck.
I was traveling on the Interstate at Interstate speeds with a 32 foot Keystone RV trailer. The trailer has 2 tires on each side. The lead tire ruptured, split in half radially and blew the tread loose. The tread ripped apart and took out the weather and water protection guards above the wheel wheel and on either side before I could get to the side of the road. The steel belt wires grabbed the #8 green wire ground bonding wire and an unknown white #6 white wire and wrapped them around the wheel. They were pulled out of the power center and battery charger. Water pipes running to the front of the trailer where the kitchen is located were also damaged and the metal side of the trailer was pulled down. Quite a problem. I was able to get the siding refastened temporarily, get the tire changed and make it to our intended camping spot. All the tires were proprely inflated and had about 3,000 miles on them, lots of tread. My main mistake was not realizing the tire speed limit or need to over inflate the tires to travel 75 mph. I believe these are very good issues to comment about, some of us new trailer owners learn the hard way.
Keep in mind that you should not really over inflate the tires, that is to say never exceed the maximum pressure stamped on the side of the tire. Lighter trailers… under the maximum load capacity of the tires… can travel at speeds over 65mph if the tires are inflated to compensate for the faster speed. The problem with that is you’ll no doubt ‘crown’ the tires and cause uneven tire ware. Also keep in mind we are talking ST (special trailer) tires. LT (light truck) tires sometimes used on heavier trailers may have the same load ratings size for size as ST tires but will have a much higher maximum speed rating.
There is no dought in my mind that the Chinese have put one over on us. They are sending us defective st tires to the US. In fact, the last 2 ST Goodyear trailer tires I got from blowouts (in one month) at 60mph (52psi) and mfg defects were replaced by Goodyear with new recently manufactured Goodyear ST made in the USA! Imagine that.
I am pulling a 33′ bumber pull. I always worry about tire failure. Low milage on tires, with bunch of tread can go “BAM”!. I pull @ 56 mph. because of the ratings and, who the heck should be in a hurry camping. Nitrogen is all I use in all my tires. I keep the tires balanced too. I generly run a psi slightly over the lowest rating recommended but will bump up to almost max,if heavy, and a long pull is coming. I beleive in keeping the tires parked on cement when not in use, out of sunlight. When camping I take a minute and park on the plastic/wood decking 2×6 scraps I came across. I pull a dozen times a year. Seems age and sunlight is my worst enemy. Bigger trailers, buy a LT tire with stiff walls. Each stop feel the hubs for heat and inspect the tires, both with your eyes and hands. This will help with a peace of mind and help spot a problem. Get this,,,I don’t even carry a spare. One blows, 4 new is in order. The spare will age just like the ones on the ground. Better carry a 20/30 ton bottle jack if you are thinking about changing a tire.
After 3 blowouts on my Goodyear ST tires and $6000 damage to my undercarriage I am looking for a quality tire. I was not speeding, but 100 degree temp. was a contributing factor. The tires had less than 5000 miles on them.