MOBILE HOME USE tires

Before 1998 the DOT allowed mobile homes to be transported on tires overloaded by as much as 50% over the tires weight rating. So since a mobile home manufacture buys so many tires the tire company was making tires just for them. They could make these tires cheaper because they were for one time use only. The wear rating of the tire could be less because after 1000 miles they were thrown away or left on home. The weight rating could be matched to the house because they knew what the house weighted and was allowed to over load them by so much. It would be like making a 20" truck tire to car tire standards. Since most people do not look at the weight rating on tires they required these tires to be marked For Mobile Home Use Only.

Then in 2000 the DOT changed the rule to allow overloading of tires by only 18% and then only for 2 years. So in 2002 it changed to no overloading at all. They still allow the tire manufacture to make tires just for the mobile home industry that is made for a specific home weight but it can not be overloaded. By increasing the load rating on the tires it in turn increased the wear rating but it may not be to the point of regular trailer tires so they may still be marked for mobile home use. This is why the tires wear so fast and if you have older tires (pre 1998) they blow out. They are not made to haul the weight. Because of these new rules and the increase cost of the tires they have be reclaiming these tires for more use. They have companies now that go out and remove axles and tires from new home deliveries and return them to the home manufacture for more use. In fact if you want to keep your axles and tires the charge you extra for the home.

As to the DOT rule for using them on regular trailers I know of none. In fact if any one does know where it says you can not use mobile home tires I would like to see that rule. Where the DOT will get you though is if you use a mobile home tire or any tire that is not rated for the load you have per load ratings on the tire. It is just a lot easier to do using mobile home tires.

For some added interesting reading follow these links.
24 CFR Part 3280 Dot rule 393.75 Tires