G Rated 16 Inch Trailer Tires

[CROW]

Just got a new Big Horn fifth wheel. Axles are rated at 6,750 each according to the placard on the left front of the trailer. Tires are made in China (surprise). Sailun brand which I have never heard of. Size is LT235/85R16 Load Range G with a capacity shown of Single-3,750 and Dual-3,415. Printed on the sidewall is the annotation "For Trailer Service Only". Confuses me since I thought LT meant Light Truck and a tire with the annotation "For Trailer Service Only" would be be labeled ST for Special Trailer. Have weighed the trailer with some of our "stuff" in it and the axles weighed 11,280. Suspect I will add another 500 to 600 pounds when fully loaded. On the previous trailer I used B F Goodrich Commercial TA LT tires and was happy with them. However, they are "E" rated and do not have enough capacity for the Big Horn.
Guess what I am asking is what are folks using for 16 inch "G " rated tires on larger fifth wheels since I will probably replace them before this winter.
Can anyone explain the " For Trailer Service Only" annotation on a LT tire.
Any help is certainly appreciated

 

[RustyJC]

Here's another LT235/85R-16G tire that is trailer only - the Goodyear G614 RST.

Rusty

 

[BDaugherty]

Yes Sailun is Chinese, but it's decent Chinese not the bottom of the barrel junk.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Personally I would stick with GY G's. Two serf 5 years each many miles not one problem. If you do have a problem GY will pay for damages. No one else will.

 

[Grizzly]

I prefer Michelin XPS Rib, even thougth they are E rated.

george

 

[Cummins12V98]

I prefer Michelin XPS Rib, even thougth they are E rated.

george

That is what I would probably buy in an E tire. G & H I will stick with GY.

 

[RustyJC]

I ran the LT235/85R-16E Michelin XPS Ribs (rated 3042 lbs @ 80 PSIG) under a previous 13.5K GVWR Jayco Designer 3610RLTS 5th wheel (axle rating = 2 x 6000 lbs), and they gave excellent service. Unfortunately, they are not enough tire for the heavier 5th wheels such as my previous 16K GVWR Mobile Suites 36RE3 (axle rating = 2 x 7000 lbs), so it came with the LT235/85R-16G Goodyear G614 RSTs rated 3750 lbs @ 110 PSIG. The current 19K GVWR Mobile Suites 38RSSA (axle rating = 2 x 8000 lbs) is equipped with 215/75R-17.5 Goodyear G114s rated 4805 lbs @ 125 PSIG.

If you want to look at upgrading to the 17.5" wheels and tires and want to use Michelins, the Michelin XTA is the tire for your service - rated 4805 lbs @ 120 PSIG, but unfortunately since it is a European tire it is speed rated for 62 MPH (100 kph being the maximum truck speed in Europe). Despite that, the XTA was OEM equipment on heavy 5th wheels for years and didn't have a history of speed-related failures, but the manufacturers have moved to the Goodyear G114 because of its 75 MPH speed rating, and probably because the price is more favorable than the Michelin as well.

FYI, the 215/75R-17.5" tires are about 1" SMALLER in diameter than the LT235/85R-16 tires, so they will fit anywhere the 16" tires fit.

Rusty

 

[Kirwin]

I second the GY G614 RST. I've used them on my last two trailers. I run them 5 years then swap them out no matter what. If I was going heavier I would use the 17.5" GY G114 even though I have no experience with them, I also have not heard of any failures in RV service. If they can stand up to commercial trailer service and fit in the same space as a GY G614, the only reason not to get them is the cost of the wheels and tires. Anything above a LR E is not a cheap tire. Last I knew GY G614's are made in Danville VA if that helps you decide. Ken Irwin

 

[CROW]

Thanks for all the input, think I will go with the G614 RST. Man those suckers are expensive in comparison to the "E" rated tires I had on my old fifth wheel

 

[richardcoxid]

Sailun 16in "G" rated tires are used on a lot of commercial LoBoy trailers.

 

[benmack1]

Keep what you have, those Sailun tires in load range G that your heartland has on it are a very good tire. Alot of commercial trucks are using this brand as was mentioned above. If I had a choice with no monetary implications sure I would go with the G614's too. From reading your post though you have a new RV with new Sailuns, no reason to mess with that, they will give you good service. From all I have read on many of the RV owners forums (Jayco, KZ, heartland), the Sailun or the GY G614 are the ONLY choices to go with for the 235/85/16 LRG tires. I would keep what you have, you are just wasting money (other than if it gives you more peace of mind of course). Now, ALL the other china bombs are worthless I agree with the exception of the Maxxis but you can't get a Maxxis in that size and load range. If you were closer to me I'd buy the Sailuns, great tire from all I have been able to find in my research.

 

[WalterJ]

Here's another LT235/85R-16G tire that is trailer only - the Goodyear G614 RST.

Rusty

-----
Ditto this recomendation for the G614 TRAILER ONLY tire. I too lost treads whilst traveling with the LT tires. The RV build standards are terrible, so Buyer Beware. As you've seen, they spec tires, axles, suspensions to = trailer wgt - tongue wgt. I don't see much safety factor there, as I've learned the hard way.

My rough calc {for you scientists, I'm using the '# mass' convention for now} shows that applying the formula for Kinetic Energy (KE)= [mass x (velocity ^2)] / 2 or KE = [15000# x (6"/sec ^2)] /2 = 1875#. That translates to an extra 1875# pounds being forced upon the trailers' suspension & tires for every "whoop-ti-do" you encounter + 3 cycles of recovery back to a flat surface. This pounding caused 4 of my mfg spec LT tires to loose tread in 5 years. Technically no blowouts, but a sometimes destructive tread separation.

So, how many "whoop-ti-do"'s per 1200 mile trip? The G614's have very stiff sidewall construction which resists these forces effects upon the internal construction. ( Gee, wish a Goodyear rep reads this & sends me a free jacket. lol)

You questions are on target. Safe travels my friend.

Wally

 

[NC Hauler]

Keep what you have, those Sailun tires in load range G that your heartland has on it are a very good tire. Alot of commercial trucks are using this brand as was mentioned above. If I had a choice with no monetary implications sure I would go with the G614's too. From reading your post though you have a new RV with new Sailuns, no reason to mess with that, they will give you good service. From all I have read on many of the RV owners forums (Jayco, KZ, heartland), the Sailun or the GY G614 are the ONLY choices to go with for the 235/85/16 LRG tires. I would keep what you have, you are just wasting money (other than if it gives you more peace of mind of course). Now, ALL the other china bombs are worthless I agree with the exception of the Maxxis but you can't get a Maxxis in that size and load range. If you were closer to me I'd buy the Sailuns, great tire from all I have been able to find in my research.

Agree about the Sailun tires. they are the ONLY tire made in China that I'm aware have met the TS16969 certifications that prove out Quality controls and processes have been manufactured into the tire...We have reports of 2 yrs of usage and no bad reports yet...Finally have a "G" rated tires that are less expensive than the GY G614 RST's.. The GY G614's are very good tires, they're what came on my HR, but as stated, very expensive....Next time I replace my tires, I will look at the Sailun S637 tire (believe that's the number.

Nothing wrong with the GY G614's, but again, very pricey and was "the only game in town"...now one has come along, though Chinese made, BUT meet's a lot of certifications that my company has to meet to compete in the world market. The Sailun is the ONLY chinese tire I would consider.

I've had Michelin XPS RIBS, but they are an "E" rated tire and geared more for 5er's/trailers with 6,000# rated axles...I wouldn't recommend using them on 7,000# rated axles that come with G rated tires.

Keep the Sailun's for now, it's a very good tire, report back and tell us what you think....so far I've heard nothing but good reports on them.

 

[sluper]

Needing to replace the camper tires after pulling the spare for an emergency replacement on the goose neck. Not a GY dealer but is t he BS.FS. Priced the GY "G" RST then the "E" load range and not enough difference to stay with the "E" and the "G" seems to be an American made tire. Going with the "G" RST.

 

[kleinbus]

.........but unfortunately since it is a European tire it is speed rated for 62 MPH (100 kph being the maximum truck speed in Europe).....

I was born in Europe and have European CDL and American CDL, i.e. I have enough kilometers (or miles which standard one might prefer) to correct this speed thingie here.

Excluding agricultural tractors, any vehicle towing a trailer or classified as a truck, the speed is limited to 80 km/h, some drivers overspeeds at 85 km/h, which is the upper limit of law enforcements sensitivity of proper speed and about becoming being pulled over for speeding ticket.

Class-8 trucks have electronic speed control that cuts off the fuel supply at approx. 88 km/h and re-activates at approx. 85 km/h.

Chatter busses (I have European CDL for that as well and drove them as well) is same way electronically limited to 100 km/h and fuel cut off is around 108 km/h and re-activation 105 km/h.


Now back to topic, carry on...

 

[NC Hauler]

Needing to replace the camper tires after pulling the spare for an emergency replacement on the goose neck. Not a GY dealer but is t he BS.FS. Priced the GY "G" RST then the "E" load range and not enough difference to stay with the "E" and the "G" seems to be an American made tire. Going with the "G" RST.

Michelin makes the RIBS, which are very good E rated LT tires, but pricey, also the Duravis R250's are another very good choice for "E" rated tires....The Goodyear G614's are what I have on my 5er, but it has 7,000# rated axles...I personally will look at the Sailuns next time I replace tires. It's the ONLY Chinese tire that I know of that produces a QUALITY tire, and of course, their price is less than the GY G614's..

If OEM tires on your trailer are "E" rated and you move to a "G" rated tire, make sure your wheels can take the extra air pressure, if needed...E rated tires max sidewall psi is normally 80 psi, G rated tires max sidewall is normally 110 psi....If you go from an E to a G rated tires, you want to make sure you have enough "room above and between the tires to where they fit, (may mean going to another wheel also...

I've had Michelin RIBS before and they were great, as long as they're used in the correct application, (normally on 6,000# rated axles and below where an "E" is used). The GY G 614 RST's are very good tires, (made in Kansas, at least mine were), but quite expensive.

Again, just make sure of your wheels being able to take as high as 110 psi if you go to the G rated tire, THOUGH, GY has a load chart where you can weigh your trailer and add air per the load range charts, but I wouldn't want to run the "G"'s to low, would/could cause premature wear...I run mine at 110 psi, but that is what is recommended by both GY and my 5er manufactuer, (5er has a GVW of 16,950, loaded to 16,200#)....

 

[richardcoxid]

For those of you that live in the Pacific N/W or West coast Les Schwab tires has over 400 stores and their guarantee can’t be beat!

Les sells a Chinese made 16” G rated tire called GEO STAR. Two summers ago after 2 of my G/Y 614s blew out I now have 4 GEO STARS on the ground with a Sailun for a spare. The thing that sold me on the GEO STARS was the Les Schwab service/guarantee.

 

[Cummins12V98]

For those of you that live in the Pacific N/W or West coast Les Schwab tires has over 400 stores and their guarantee can’t be beat!

Les sells a Chinese made 16” G rated tire called GEO STAR. Two summers ago after 2 of my G/Y 614s blew out I now have 4 GEO STARS on the ground with a Sailun for a spare. The thing that sold me on the GEO STARS was the Les Schwab service/guarantee.

Yea good luck with LS! I can go on for pages with stories about them.

Here is an example of their quality work.

See anything missing?

 

[KYOUNG]

no grease seal

 

[Cummins12V98]

no grease seal

Winner!

If you want great "SERVICE" Les Schwab is for you! If you want quality parts and quality work done find someone else!

I about fell over when I saw it was missing. Thankfully the brake job was only 15K old.