Tow Far - Trailer Tires

Furthermore, the ST's mold shape is designed to accommodate trailer wheels, which are typically narrower than P and LT wheels. Being narrow is an advantage on trailer tires, but a disadvantage on wheels that steer and wheels that are attached to the drive axle. Steering and/or driving tires benefit from a larger footprint, which provides the extra traction and performance demanded of them.


A free-rolling trailer tire, on the other hand, isn't called on to turn, swerve and grab the pavement like a steer or drive tire. Since it doesn't need such a large footprint, it performs its task better by being narrower.


For the same reasons, ST tires don't have as deep of a non-skid tread as P and LT tires. A deep non-skid is necessary for driving and steering tires in wet environments because it provides them with better traction.


Again, since a trailer tire is simply free rolling, it doesn't need the same degree of traction on wet pavement and, in fact, it would be detrimental to its performance. Having a shallower tread depth provides the ST tire with two benefits: (1) it doesn't wiggle as much, which can help reduce sway, and (2) it rides cooler, which adds to its longevity.


Generally, the ST tire also has somewhat stiffer sidewalls, especially in its lower section. This reduces sidewall flexing, helping it to track straighter and diminish the risk of trailer sway. The stiffer sides also lessen the risk of sidewall blowout.