Every tire that is DOT approved does have a specific speed rating on the sidewall, it's designated by a letter. A specific speed limit or warning on the sidewall is not necessary; it is your responsibility as the operator of a vehicle to know it's limitations. For the vast majority of motorists who don't even care to understand or pay any attention to these details, this is why a reputable tire salesmen always ask how you drive your vehicle and what you use it for. I would suspect a manual from the trailer manufacturer would recommend and/or warn new buyers of tire limitations.
If I'm not mistaken, maximum tire speed ratings are based on a sustained speed for a specific period of time. The following is an excerpt from Tirerack.com:
While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.
Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:
Ryan Hill To: hmpirish@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; LabLoverDC@xxxxxxx; billandmarilynallen@xxxxxxxxx CC: jymopar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; mwl1967@xxxxxxx; Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx From: millserat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 14:33:48 -0500 Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Trailer Size?
As to tires, any restrictions on Speed should be identified in the fine print on the sidewalls - if it is not I would argue their negligence in not providing such information - I know on the implement tires used on farms, there is a limitation in relatively large print not to exceed 25 or 30 mph or such - I thought it was a DOT requirement.
Supposedly there are subtle differences in rubber compounding that address the longer service age typical of trailers. I have no-name ST235/80R16 Load Range E tandem wheels on my smaller trailer and Michelin XPS Rib LT235/85R16 Load Range E dual tandems on my bigger 20k pound trailer. Both have heavier axles than required and the only problem I have ever had with either at speeds to 80 mph was 2 of the original Continental LT235/85R16 chunking on a hot day - noticed it on all 4 front tires before tires were a real problem (typically more side scrub loads on front). Tires were about 5 years old - 2 were pretty badly chunked. Replaced all 8 with Goodrich Commercial TA at closest Sams (only close place that had more than 6 name brand tires in stock) - Goodrich gave me NO problem for several years and I watched close - then they were recalled and I got the Michelins free. I had previous similar chunking issues on OE Continental tires on my F250 at about 4 years - Ford dealer said common problem with them - no warranty credit unless I replaced with Continentals which he did not recommend!!! He sold me Goodyears which worked well for about 30k miles til one blistered badly - again no joy from selling Ford dealer (who incidentally has done all service on my truck from day 1). They also wore much faster than the Continentals. Switched to Michelin at Sams - Very happy except for price. Several obvious lessons - 1. Go heavier on axles and tires than you plan to use - its safer and relatively cheap when you have trailer built. 2. Watch all tires closely - and by that I mean inflation pressures and tread for signs of problems and sidewalls and tread for cracking. 3. Go with a readily available size, preferably in a name brand (not Continental - personal thing - see above) - I like Goodrich & Michelin based on both performance and how I was treated in recall. 4. I don't know about what tires normally go with 5200 pound axles, but presumably its at least ST235/80R16 Load Range D (3000 pounds @ 65 psi) or LT235/85R16 Load Range E (3042 pounds @ 80 psi) - I'd stay with one of these as they are reasonably common. 5. Personally I would go with the LT rather than the ST because they are more readily available (and don't have any question of Speed Limitations) - About the only name brand ST are Goodyear - but what you will find on the road is the mostly cheapo stuff (though not necessarily at cheap prices). 6. Carry a good spare preferably under cover to protect from aging. 7. Agree with use of Anti-Sway device on bumper-pull trailers. On 3/12/2014 12:41 PM, hmpirish wrote:
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