Need new trailer tires, help

[HBarlow]

My 2 cents: Most all the ST tires are made in China, they are speed rated for about 60 MPH. I had Mission 225-75-15 on my trailer. Less than 3 years, 4000 miles they started coming apart, it looked like the inner cords broke and the outside tread was all rounded instead of flat across. Also out of round. After reading on the forums, talking to some tire dealers, and some other rv'ers, I bought new 16 in. rims, load rated to 3600 lbs. , HP valve stems, and 225-75-16 BFGoodrich Commercial TA's. My trailer axle weight is 11,800 total, I went with load range E which gives a pretty good margin of safety. They ride and handle much better, run cooler, (ie. Florida 95 degrees) . I wanted the Michelin Ribs, but $$$ verses use wasn't justified for me. I did a lot of measuring, by making templates to make sure it would fit. I wouldn't use the ST for a lot of safety reasons, after seeing them come apart.

I checked pressure, lug torque, kept them covered when not in use, and all the correct measures. You just can't take a turd to a ball game.

A wise decision. You solved your tire problems. BF Goodrich is owned by Michelin and a BF Goodrich Commercial T/A tire is the next best thing to a Michelin.

 

[AMink]

It looks like the tread wasn't vulcanized to the belts and the belts both had their butts right on top of each other. Tread went, then the belts as far as I can tell. Like I said, the scary part was the tire was just sitting there alone! It is (was) a 5 year old tire, but good grief!

 

[CEly]

I 2nd the BF Goodrich Commercial T/A's. Just replaced Goodyear marathons that were 4+ years old on the 5er. Had the BFG's balanced also. The tires run cooler than the Goodyears and I don't see NEAR the sidewall flex when observing them in the mirror while driving. Still need to replace those CHINA/Dexter equalizers and maybe springs before failure. (hate to ruin $750 of new tires!)

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

ST Tires (Service Trailer) I call SCAM Tires. They are purposely engineered and manufactured to loose 1/3 of their strength in 3 years. No matter what brand they are they are all made in China. The Tire industry knows the tread on a trailer tire will not likely wear out so to bring you back for more tires and spending money on tires they have put out all this propaganda that you need the trailer tires because they are built stronger. They are at first and 3 years soon passes and you are throwing rubber all over the highway. Maybe sooner if the tires spent time on a dealers rack or in a warehouse or both. This is a highway hazard and they know it. that is why they recommend lower speeds. Pick Up Truck tires will serve you much better as long as the weight rating written on the side wall is not exceeded. some dealers will refuse to put them on. I was fortunate a Dealer I know had trouble with his boat trailer tires and uses P U Truck tires and gladly sold me what I wanted. I just completed a 2,100 mile trip with no sign of trouble. Not a great distance but numerous construction zones and very rough pavement in those zones did not cause any problem. When I stop I always put my hand on each tire to see if they are heating up and they ran cooler than any tire I ever had experience with. Michelins are the best in my opinion. Trailer and load combined was a little less than the combined weight rating of the 4 tires.

 

[Grizzly]

My new Arctic Fox 5er came with China's best ST tires. As soon as we got the 5er home from Pinehurst, Idaho by way of Oregon and California, I took the 5er to my local Discount Tire and had all 5 tires changed out to LT Michelin XPS Rib, 235/85R/16, LR 'E'. I also have a Fluke inferred thermometer with which I check all tires and hub every time we stop.

 

[mrtrombley]

In my experience, Denman makes some of the best RV tires. Look for a local dealer if you can.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

It could be that by now Denman is made in China. I am now 80 years old, not that makes me more knowledgeable but it has given me a lot of time to observe. My opinion is that you can't go wrong with Michelin. I am now using them (pick up truck tires) on my trailer. I will never use any tire that has ST on it. They are junk and will not stay together longer than 3 years. They are a highway HAZARD

 

[JHardwick]

Who make the Carlisle? I have never heard anything good about them.

I've got over 100,000 miles on my Carlisle tires

 

[Grizzly]

With all due respect to J. Burchfield, who happens to be my friend, I did some research on Denman tires, who makes tires for large earth moving equipment to wheel barrows and garden wagons. Denman tires are made in Ohio and somewhere in Mexico. The tires made in Mexico are made to the same specifications as the Ohio tires. None are made in China. They also make ST tire for RV's. Since RV's do no carry passengers, they are not regulated by DOT. They feel they have a better ST tire then those made in China. All this was quoted to me by a Denman Representative on the phone a few minutes ago. You be the judge.



As for me, I'll stay with a LT tire made in the USA because they are DOT regulated.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

With all due respect to J. Burchfield, who happens to be my friend, I did some research on Denman tires, who makes tires for large earth moving equipment to wheel barrows and garden wagons. Denman tires are made in Ohio and somewhere in Mexico. The tires made in Mexico are made to the same specifications as the Ohio tires. None are made in China. They also make ST tire for RV's. Since RV's do no carry passengers, they are not regulated by DOT. They feel they have a better ST tire then those made in China. All this was quoted to me by a Denman Representative on the phone a few minutes ago. You be the judge.



As for me, I'll stay with a LT tire made in the USA because they are DOT regulated.

Thanks Grizzly, I stand corrected. I was under the impression that all ST tires were bad. Apparently Denman is the one exception. With all the Scams going on we have to be diligent, as you are. REGARDS, Jim Burchfield.

 

[HBarlow]

Since RV's do no carry passengers, they are not regulated by DOT. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... As for me, I'll stay with a LT tire made in the USA because they are DOT regulated.

Grizzly,



Thanks for that valuable piece of information. I suspected and have even offered the opinion here that Chinese tire manufacturers could mold any claim they wanted on their tires because I didn't think they had to undergo any US testing and didn't have to meet US tire specifications and standards. You just confirmed my suspicion and your comment makes perfect sense. "Passengers are not carried in an RV so the standards are waived!" That's all I need to know!



I'm with you. I will stay with an LT (light truck) tire made in the USA because they are DOT regulated. As a matter of fact, I will not put anything but a Michelin on my truck or trailer. I don't carry passengers in my fiver but don't enjoy replacing all the side panels when crappy tires sling their treads and blow out as recently happened with a Uniroyal.

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks Grizzly, I stand corrected. I was under the impression that all ST tires were bad. Apparently Denman is the one exception. With all the Scams going on we have to be diligent, as you are. REGARDS, Jim Burchfield.

I agree with your original comment. I also think that all ST tires are less desirable than a Michelin LT tire.



Each to his own, though. If some members like Carlisle or Denman so be it. It's their money and their trailer (side panels, floors, etc. )

 

[AABEN]

ST tires are trailer tires. They are construction to meet high load. The polyester cards are bigger than they would be for "p" or 'lt' tires. The steel cards have a larger diameter and greater tensile strength to meet the additional load requirements. 'ST" tire rubber compounds contain more chemicals to resist weather and ozone cracking. Trailer tires are designed not to wear out. The life of a trailer tire is limited by time and duty cycle. Most trailer tires are warranty are for three years from date purchase or until the tread depth reaches 3/32. Do not use-use care products containing alcohol or petroleum distillates on tires Life of trailer tires three to five years all trailer tires are speed rating is 65mph MAX. If you want the load/inflation for "ST" go to MAXXIS. COM it has it from 13 to 16 in 175/80 to 235/80 I run firestone transforce HT on my truck and on my 38ft fithwheel RV good luck----BEN

 

[AABEN]

HI GRIZ I thank CHINA SAY IT ALL. Stay away from goodyear trailer tires the good year dealer here will not stock then. I blowed out 4 in 4. 000 miles goodyear would NOT replace any of then----BEN

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks Grizzly, I stand corrected. I was under the impression that all ST tires were bad. Apparently Denman is the one exception. With all the Scams going on we have to be diligent, as you are. REGARDS, Jim Burchfield.

Jim, I still agree with you and Harvey. I wouldn't have an ST tire if it was given to me and I don't care who makes it. If for no other reason then because DOT doesn't regulate it.



Blackbear, I can't agree with you. I don't trust any ST tire made, even the US made Denman.

 

[BillGotthelf]

I have a 14,000 lb cap. flatbed trailer we use to move equipment around on. It came with Mission ST 235-85-16. Not a single one lasted more than 1000 miles of towing. All lost their tread before blowing up and all had correct tp. We have replaced them with LT 235's and have had no problems.

 

[AABEN]

Well GRIZ you did not read all of my post please reread my post. Then remake your reply to my post---BEN

 

[Grizzly]

Well GRIZ you did not read all of my post please reread my post. Then remake your reply to my post---BEN

Which post, 33 or 34?

 

[AABEN]

GRIZ 33 read the botton line transforce

 

[Grizzly]

GRIZ 33 read the botton line transforce

I don't believe a word of it. China made ST tires are pure junk. Maximum life for a China made ST tire is 3 years from the date it was manufactured. Most don't last that long. When they blow they will damage your trailer.