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01-11-2015, 06:29 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Taylors, SC
Posts: 3,031
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75 MPH Westlake Tires?
Look at the picture below. That's a ST225/75R15D tire with a load index on its sidewall. The tire is from Westlake. Load index ratings are not official load indicators for LT or ST tires but can be put on the sidewall at the manufacturer's discursion. The lettering system used to determine the load range for ST and LT tires is currently the only method approved for those tires.
http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showfull.php?photo=27425
Another thing that is very present with that load index is the letter L following the dual load index. That L is a speed symbol used in conjunction with the load index system which constitutes a complete service description. The L is for 75 MPH. I wonder if Westlake really approves their radial ST tires for 75 MPH?
CW
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01-11-2015, 07:15 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 3,153
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Approval or not I know I am not going 75 while towing. I know some do as plenty pass me. I tend to stay under 65 when towing and will go 65 if pushing it.
__________________
2013 Premier 31BHPR
2014 F350 6.2L
Soon to be just DW and I
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01-11-2015, 07:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Green Valley, AZ
Posts: 782
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I do 65 because that's my trailer tire ratings. Gotta admit, though, with my diesel and small trailer I'd probably do 70 on the freeways if the tires were rated for it.
__________________
Earl
2007 33.5' Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel used for full-timing for several years--now sold
2011 Hideout 23RKSWE that we now use for poking around local parks
2007 Chevy 3/4 ton diesel with Prodigy Brake Control
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01-11-2015, 09:37 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 42
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Search "Westlake Tires" One of the 5 worst trailer tires out there. I swapped mine out when I got the rig home. Chino
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01-12-2015, 04:58 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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Interesting that companies are trying to increase speed ratings on tires and for some it is becoming a selling point. Personally, when towing that much weight with a light duty truck we don't need to be going faster. It took the DW a bit to get used to me driving 60-65 when the speed limit is 75, but now she just sits back and reads her book until we get to our destination. My truck gets the best fuel mileage at about 62 and even with fuel prices dropping, I still prefer to save my money by maximizing mileage.
__________________
Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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01-12-2015, 05:02 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 1,910
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Load rating and speed rating are not the same. I'm not aware of any ST tire that is rated for more than 65 MPH.
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2011 Outback 277RL
2013 F250 XLT Crew Cab 6.2L
Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
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01-12-2015, 05:26 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bsmith0404
Interesting that companies are trying to increase speed ratings on tires and for some it is becoming a selling point. Personally, when towing that much weight with a light duty truck we don't need to be going faster. It took the DW a bit to get used to me driving 60-65 when the speed limit is 75, but now she just sits back and reads her book until we get to our destination. My truck gets the best fuel mileage at about 62 and even with fuel prices dropping, I still prefer to save my money by maximizing mileage.
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Ditto. Other than an increased margin for tire blowout protection, a higher speed rating is a non-issue for me.
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Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
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01-12-2015, 05:44 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central San Joaguin Valley, CA
Posts: 2,117
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryWT
Approval or not I know I am not going 75 while towing. I know some do as plenty pass me. I tend to stay under 65 when towing and will go 65 if pushing it.
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Have to agree. Had a young (thirtyish) guy pass me the other day like I was up on blocks. Pulling his 3 axle toy hauler with a jacked-up 3/4 ton with one wrist laying on top of the steering wheel and tailgating the small suv ahead of him. Obviously in a hurry to get to Pismo!
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Jack & Marty
2018 Laredo 298 SRL
2011 F-250 SB Crew Cab 4x4 6.7L
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01-12-2015, 05:49 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Taylors, SC
Posts: 3,031
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Landry
Load rating and speed rating are not the same. I'm not aware of any ST tire that is rated for more than 65 MPH.
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You're right. But, they are related because a tire's maximum load capacity is completely used-up when it reaches its manufacturer's speed limit.
A footnote: There is no speed letter code for 65 MPH.
CW
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01-15-2015, 08:47 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: 1 hour from Yosemite
Posts: 165
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Landry
Load rating and speed rating are not the same. I'm not aware of any ST tire that is rated for more than 65 MPH.
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Goodyear g614 are rated to 75.
__________________
2007 Chevrolet 3500 CC/LB Duramax/Dually 4X4 Mine r4tech, Reese Signature Series 18k +slider, duratrac, titan 62 gallon, diamond eye, Cheetah 64, EFI Live
2008 Chevrolet 2500 CC/SB Duramax 4X4 Hers r4tech, duratrac
2011 Keystone Fusion 405 TrailAir & Triglide, Centerpoint, gen-turi, 3 PVX-840T, XANTREX FREEDOM SW3012, G614
2013 Yamaha 242LS
2010 GMC Yukon The Bus
2005 Chevrolet 2500 CC/SB Duramax 4X4 Hers (sold)
2006 Jayco Jay Flight 31BHS (sold)
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01-16-2015, 04:48 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Clinton, Tn
Posts: 270
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Kuhmo 857 D load range tires in the 14" size are Q speed rated. I had those on my TT and absolutely loved them. I think they were rated at 75mph but I cant remember. That was one of the reasons for me buying them was the speed rating. I don't want to start an argument, but I don't see anything wrong with 70-75 mph as long as you are well within your tow and load limits and everything is working as it should.
We are upgrading to a fifth wheel soon, so I don't know how I will feel about speed until after pulling for a while, but one of the reasons for buying more truck than I needed, was to have extra safety margin.
__________________
2015 Montana High Country 305RL
Previous campers:
2008 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2603
1998 Coleman Grandview pop-up with slide
Trucks:
2006 Ford F350 CC, SB, DRW, 4x4
1992 Ford F150 SC, SB, 4x4
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01-18-2015, 10:23 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Crossville, TN
Posts: 61
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This says it pretty clearly. Similar statements on other manufacturers also. Here is what Carlisle says;
How fast can I travel on Carlisle trailer tires?
In the past, most trailer tires were rated at 62 or 65 mph. Today, some of our tires are "rated" (speed symbols) at 87 mph (N), some at 75 mph (L), some at 65 mph (J: ST tires) and some at 62 mph (J: non-metric tires).
Please remember that speed ratings are test speeds and not recommended driving speeds. The ratings apply only to the tire itself, and not a particular vehicle. The speed rating does not mean that the vehicle can be safely operated at the tire's rated speed.
We recommend driving no more than 60 mph when towing a trailer. Please always drive at a safe speed and abide by the posted speed limit.
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01-18-2015, 04:48 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Taylors, SC
Posts: 3,031
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Quote:
Originally Posted by racin500
This says it pretty clearly. Similar statements on other manufacturers also. Here is what Carlisle says;
How fast can I travel on Carlisle trailer tires?
In the past, most trailer tires were rated at 62 or 65 mph. Today, some of our tires are "rated" (speed symbols) at 87 mph (N), some at 75 mph (L), some at 65 mph (J: ST tires) and some at 62 mph (J: non-metric tires).
Please remember that speed ratings are test speeds and not recommended driving speeds. The ratings apply only to the tire itself, and not a particular vehicle. The speed rating does not mean that the vehicle can be safely operated at the tire's rated speed.
We recommend driving no more than 60 mph when towing a trailer. Please always drive at a safe speed and abide by the posted speed limit.
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Actually speed letter codes are used in conjunction with the service description format for tires other than LT & ST. Because tire service descriptions are not approved for ST & LT tires a speed rating for them has to be published for each tire or the actual speed rating would have to be written on the tire's sidewall. Carlisle is in error using the letter J for 65 MPH. The letter J identifies tires with service descriptions as being 62 MPH.
CW
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01-18-2015, 05:09 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Lockport, Louisiana
Posts: 438
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With so many of the newer tow vehicles coming from the factory with LT275x65x20 tires (34x11) just imagine the difference in rev's per mile between the smaller diameter trailer tires say at 70-75 mph. On a hot day it could be a recipe for disaster! Too many factory trailer tires are minimal quality as it is. I also recommend towing in the 60-62 mph range or a little below the posted limit if lower. Always give yourself enough room to stop in case of an emergency.
__________________
2021 Ford Expedition FX4 with max towing. 33" BFG KO2's 4 point Equalizer hitch.
2022 Cougar 25RDS
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02-18-2015, 02:34 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 17
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Tire Pressure Monitors
I installed EZ tire pressure temperature and pressure monitors on the trailer, my duel wheels and the front truck axle. It is amazing how your pressure and temps change at different speeds. I have found them to be very accurate and give me the warm fuzzy that I will know something is up before a tire explosion rips my trailer apart as I have seen on a few roadside causalities. Pulling a 404 Chrome with my F350 6.7 diesel I would never feel a tire going down. I have been warned about the China tires and encouraged to get them off as soon as possible. I wonder why a manufacture would still put suspect tires on a rig. Anyone have problems with the China tires?
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02-18-2015, 05:07 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Taylors, SC
Posts: 3,031
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Landry
Load rating and speed rating are not the same. I'm not aware of any ST tire that is rated for more than 65 MPH.
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Here is the official statement that ties speed ratings and load capacities together.
"The speed rating of a tire indicates the maximum speed at which it can safely carry a given load at a specified inflation pressure."
Trivia: A loss of a single PSI of inflation pressure equals approximately 1.3% of a tire's load capacity.
CW
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02-18-2015, 05:15 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Taylors, SC
Posts: 3,031
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I think the condition of not having speed codes on ST tires will come to an end when the situation of ST tires in this document is ironed-out.
The off shore ST tire manufacturers are not going to like having to change their molds. But, if they want to continue having huge monitory concessions from our government I don’t see any way around it.
http://kenjonestiresblog.com/blog/st...ailing-duties/
CW
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02-18-2015, 10:30 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
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Going back to early 80s and some years since. At the track, during classroom for pursuit driving. Instructors would cover tires. As I recall they said the speed rating of a tire meet that it was tested to hold together for that speed for 90 mins(as I recall) not all day. Not sure if that is true today or for trailer tires. But, it always makes me wonder when some report tires blowing up, were they driving to fast for to long. If they were not overloaded or under the correct psi. Any thoughts or facts if the speed traveled is the max. speed rated, is it OK all day or not?
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2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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02-19-2015, 10:49 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Taylors, SC
Posts: 3,031
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Keystone has a long history of using tires with the very minimum load capacity. It's as much NHTSA's fault for not forcing the use of reserve load capacities for RV trailer axles. I'll start a new topic with the specifics.
CW
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02-21-2015, 07:12 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Central Massachusetts
Posts: 616
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I also will keep it at 60 mph while towing. It doesn't make any sense to push any component to save a few minutes. I'm not paranoid about safety, but I do like to be safe!!
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JimQ
2012 Ford F 250 Super Duty Lariat 6.2 ; 3.73
2022 KZ C271BKHSE
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