Tires: ST tires, defective tire, fifth wheels

Question
I have a fifth wheel with some ST 235 80R 16 E on them. Before taking off on a trip I check my tire pressures. I keep them inflated at 80psi as tire states. I had a blow out the other day and talked with the manufacture and they are telling me it is a defective tire. After reading how ST tires are made in China I was wondering if I could substitute a LT tire in place of my ST tires. I hear a lot of fifth wheels and travel trailers people are doing it because of problems with ST tires.

Answer
Michael,

Yes, you can substitute an LT tire in place of ST type tires - BUT - LT tires do NOT come in a 235/80R16 size.  However, they do come in an 85 series - LT235/85R16, which is a bit larger in diameter - about an inch.  So you'll need at least a half inch clearance - and the worst condition is when the suspension is bottomed out, which is hard to do.