Interpretation ID: nht94-8.17

DATE: February 14, 1994

FROM: Donald P. Green

TO: U.S. Department of Transportation -- NHTSA

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached To Letter Dated 6/9/94 From John Womack To Donald Green (A42; Std. 109; 120)

TEXT: Gentlemen:

I am seeking official professional advice regarding the use of passenger radial tires on recreational--pull type--trailers.

I have made numerous inquiries to various tire dealers and in nearly every case they have refused to consider the installing of passenger radial tires on a trailer, stating that this tire's construction with a soft sidewall could cause an uncontrollable swaying condition that could result in a serious accident. They would only install special trailer tires or light truck tires that have stiff sidewalls and are designed to operate at higher pressures resulting in a harder ride but stable condition.

I had the misfortune, in an emergency situation, allowing a professional tire dealer to install a set (4) passenger radials (P215-75R15) on a 1989 trailer, since they did not have one tire to match the F78-15ST "C" rating tires that were supplied with the trailer from the manufacturer.

The result was that several months later I became the victim of an upset of the trailer and the towing vehicle, that was triggered by a cross-following wind that caused the soft sidewall tires to squish to one side, forcing the tow vehicle into the adjoining left lane of a two lane divided highway. When I attempted to correct the tow vehicle the trailer reversed its attitude, overcame the Reese anti-sway systems and went into a horrifying jackknifing that ended with both trailer and tow vehicle overturned. My passenger and I were using lap and shoulder harnesses and escaped without injury. No other vehicles were involved. The 1990 GMC Suburban received $ 8,000.00 damage, the trailer was cashed out by the insurance company.

I have checked with the dealer that installed the passenger radials and he claims no responsibility or negligence, saying tires were of correct size and load carrying capacity, and that there is no regulation, local, state or federal, that prohibits installing radial passenger tires on a trailer. It does seem odd that this application is allowed since it seems to be the opinion of most tire dealers that the use of these tires on trailers is a hazard to both the driver of the tow vehicle and other approaching or passing vehicles.

I do not believe that I was an isolated case, and have since heard of similar accidents happening from the same cause.

Your advice and reply would be appreciated.

Sincerely yours,