Why can't you use trailer tires on a car?

[Nads]

When I went to buy some tires for my boat trailer I was looking at some really sweet bias ply trailer tires. They have good looking profiles and come in all sorts of sizes and are way cheaper than Cokers etc.
They also all have 'for trailer use only' on the sides, why can they not be used on a car?
Has anyone ever driven on them?

Cheap assholes need to know.

[Antibilly]

Pick me up a set for the GB and Ill see why

[4t64rd]

I would think that insurance liability would be the main culprit for the "For trailer use only". They have to spin at the same speed as car tires, they probably have to carry more weight.

Anybody?

[Antibilly]

Come on man lets hear it............NADS Ill take two and prove the world WRONG!!!!!!!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[Stevie G]

I'm sure they can handle the weight...but what about cornering? Might be fine as back tires but I don't think I'd run them on the front. Run the numbers on the side and see what the speed rating is.

[Mike]

Maybe they have some characteristic that makes them not desirable for use on "drive" wheels? I dunno, just a guess.

[Brad54]

Trailer tires have a MUCH thicker side wall that car tires. I know this because I've got car tires on my tandem axle trailer, and when I go around a corner or turn around with it, the tires look like they're going to fold off the wheels. A stiffer sidewall makes the tire sorta slide sideways as it goes through a sharp turn, like a U-turn.
I don't know how that applies to trailer tires on a car, but I do know it ain't good the other way around.
-Brad

[Slag Kustom]

in todays day and age with alot of the jerkoff's concerened about the handling and ride quality is why they say for trailer only. its like big truck tires are listed as traction (rear use) or steer (front) . a tandom axle trailer will have more side load on a tire as the trailer corners then any hot rod with skinnys on the front. if they look good and have the size you want run them . just grind off the trailer only letters

[JamesG]

Ok, thats it........... I'm takin the tires off my house right now and putting them on my truck.....I'll keep ya posted......... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Antibilly]

HAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH My house pulls well behind my Van http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[Upchuck]

my guess would be its the same line as why purple gas is cheaper if you got a farm or something, trailers are recreation so maybe thats why they are cheaper cause its for a "different" application?

I'd run trailer tires, just never knew they were cheaper! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'd burn purple gas to if I could get some http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[hankcash]

... for the same reason that you can't wear Magnum Condoms....
They were'nt made for that type of application! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
love you Nads http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HC

[Fat Hack]

Hot rodders will always be risk-taking rebels...I used to slip my Gremlin's AC onto the "Desert Only" setting in the city when nobody was looking!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[TINGLER]

......And I've ripped all the tags off of my mattresses and pillows.

I also pee outside when I think nobody is looking. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[choprods]

Hell I'd try em....I even went so far as to remove the tag on that 1 foot long cord on my drill!
Talk about livin on the edge! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Nads]

One time I ate a whole big bag of Frito Lay Fat Free Nachos, talk about living on the edge, the edge of a toilet seat that is.

[BigDdy31]

I would use trailer tires on my truck but I'm afraid that the sparks generated from dragging the trailer down the road on it's axles might cause my flamethrowers to go off prematurely. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mr 42]

Found this on Google
http://www.championtrailers.com/tire_art.html

Stating this (sounds Ok to me)

Trailer Tire requirements differ greatly from automotive tires. Automotive tires must maintain traction during all driving conditions: pulling, stopping, turning, or swerving. Because of this they must have more flexible sidewalls to maintain tread to road contact. Since trailers have no driving torque applied to their axles, the only time trailer tires must have traction is during the application of trailer brakes.
Trailers with heavy loads, high vertical sideloads (like camper trailers), or trailers with inadequate tongue weight can be affected by trailer sway problems. Automotive bias or radial tires with their more flexible sidewalls can accentuate trailer sway problems, whereas the stiffer sidewalls of the ST (special trailer) bias ply tires help to control and reduce sway problems. For this reason it is not recommended that (P) Passenger or (LT) Light Truck tires be used on trailers. Best trailer control will be achieved with (ST) Special Trailer tires.

Here ia another one:
http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/articleviewer.asp?pg=ccr20040501tt

[Nads]

Thanks Mr 42.
So basically what I'm reading suggests that trailer tires could (possibly) be used on the rear of a car. In fact if they have stiffer sidewalls they might even help stabilize the car, especially a lightweight like my '34.
Now I'm not going to do this, but I was just wondering.
Y'see I'm a very cheap asshole.

[Upchuck]

sounds to me like trailer tires would make good burn out tires then! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Rusty]

My pops has them on the back of his 32 sedan and he likes them. Real tall and skinny looks sweet.

[oldchevyseller]

hahaha i have even downloaded and saved things that are not downloadable and savable,ooops,forget what i just typed http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[34 GAZ]

Quite a few restorers over here use 18 and 19 inch skinny
agriculture tires for their pre-war 1930s cars. The tires
look OK but do have the small letters,( only for agricultural use.),speeds are,nt to high on the cars and the roads are good as well. A few years ago i rented a trailer to haul a car on and that trailer was as sloppy as a bag o'shit.The thing was fitted with used car tires. Man was that a slow ride home.

[Cadillacin Marcus]

I dont see why you cant use them on cars they are actually better than car tires,they are meant to last during long storage periods and have stronger sidewalls...They have various load capacities available..I assume the warranty will be void if you use them on a car,nor will they assume liabilty..But hell,I see guys using 40 year old slicks that craked and dried up and race on them!! So yeah go for it,thats a great idea!!