· 6 min read
ST is not LT
Special Trailer tires use stiffer sidewalls to resist sway and are engineered for load, not traction or steering. Never substitute passenger tires, and match or exceed the original load range.
Pressure discipline
Run the maximum cold pressure on the sidewall unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. Underinflation generates heat, and heat is what destroys trailer tires in July.
Age out, not wear out
Replace at five to seven years regardless of tread. Read the four-digit DOT date code: 2223 means the 22nd week of 2023. Sun exposure accelerates the clock.
Carry a real spare
A mounted spare, a proper jack rated for the trailer, and a torque wrench turn a two-hour roadside wait into a twenty-minute stop.