Quote:
Originally Posted by Desert185
So you think I'm safe to go to five years?
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If you consider the aging of the polyester cording I think you'll answer your question. "Larger size polyester" is used in ST tires to give them the extra load capacity over LT tires. The polyester weakens as it ages. Estimates are 10% per year. So, tires size 235 80R16 LRE are rated at 3520 pounds at 80PSI. The 326SRX and 326SRXWE don't weigh the same, so taking the heavier of the two, the 326SRX at 9745 with a payload of 2915 and a pin weight (empty) of 2260 (23% of 9745), if we calculate the GVW pin weight the same 23%, that would be 12560x.23=2889. So 12560-2889=9671 (on the axles) divided by 4 tires would mean 2418 on each tire at GVW.
With 3520 rated capacity and 2418 actual weight, that's 1102 reserve per tire. That's roughly 31% reserve capacity on "new" tires. Given the 10% aging degredation of the polyester cording, at the end of 3 years the tires would be carrying roughly their "maximum aged rating". So, just for grins, at 6 years (60% reduction) the tires would have a capacity of 3520x.40=1408 pounds each. That's 5632 max tire capacity with 9671 on the axles.
Maxxis may have a limited warranty against some loss, but from the 10% age reduction, I'd be concerned at the end of the 3rd year from the date of manufacture.
Plus, to "add insult to injury", this is included in the Maxxis warranty CW posted:
"(C) Loss of time, inconvenience, loss of use of the trailer, costs of towing or transportation, and/or incidental or consequential damages of any type or nature. Vehicle or trailer damage is not covered."
The two paragraphs above this one are filled with "outs" for the tire company to use to avoid payment for damages. While Maxxis is an "outstanding company" with a superb reputation, who knows what their financial status and policy toward paying for trailer damage will be "if the worst happens in 6 years"...
Just doing the math and knowing the weights we carry, I'd start worrying about tire safety and reliability about the 3 year mark when the tires are "age rated" at the trailer's GVW. I don't think I'd trust 6 years with any brand ST tire in the LRE category.