235-85 16 5th Wheel Tires Question

[TJJEEPER]

I have a Keystone Raptor that has 7,000 axles under it. I need a GOOD QUALITY 235-85 16 tire that will hold up to the advertized 14,000 lb rating (minimum 3500 lbs per tire).
It came with Power King 235-85 16 tires that are rated over 3500 lbs each however I've separated 3 already in less than 4,000 miles with the last one shredding when I had TWO separate and ruining an aluminum wheel in the process.
None of the name brand tires are made with this rating that I can find but there are a bunch of specialty brands. LT tires do not have the required load capacity in this size.

I did check the Powerkings out on the NHTSA site and found these tires are an issue on the heavier rigs.

It seems that any trip over 200 miles is a problem. I tow at 55~60 MPH.

Ideas? I see several manufactures who make a load range F in this size. Would that help?

Thanks,


PS as soon as it has wheels under it again It's going to the scales to make sure it is under 14,000 lbs at the axles.

 

[CKelley1]

the way lt tires are rated is different than st. generally speaking there is nearly one letter difference in them. example a 235-85 16 lt-d is about the same as a 235-85-16-st-e go to a 235-85-16-lt-g or a 235-85-16 st g second choice. most are china made and we have had some very bad brands, I am not near any of my trailers to give you brands that hold up. I will look today. I grossed 39,600 with this load 1,800 miles from home
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[6speed]

I have the Goodyear (G614) 235 85 16 Load range G on my trailer. It has 3 7K axles and I use these because the tire has a load capacity of 3750 single or 3415 dual at 110 PSI. I keep them at 95 PSI which gives me about a 3600 lb per tire or 7200 per axle. These tires are constructed with steel from bead to bead. I had one come apart but it was do to time not tire failure to say. When I took that one off it was not hot at all. It was 95* outside. I had the Chinese brands and like you I exploded several within 5-6K miles. Put these on and not a problem. I do keep them covered when not in use.

 

[BILLUA]

My toy hauler is the same weight as your and also came with those crap China tires. Well, I rolled it exactly 1.2 miles ot Discount Tire and has them replaced with Michelin XPS Ribs. Two years now and no tire problems.

A more expensive route for you would be to upgrade to 17.5 inch tire/wheels. You would be up around 4200/lbs per tire with those.

 

[JCasper]

Are you guys that are upgrading tires upgrading wheels also or do the wheels have the capacity needed?

 

[RustyJC]

A more expensive route for you would be to upgrade to 17.5 inch tire/wheels. You would be up around 4200/lbs per tire with those.

My load range J 215/75R-17.5 Michelin XTAs are rated 4805 lbs @ 120 psig (single). I installed them after two (2) Goodyear G614 failures in a three (3) month period, the second of which did $2500+ damage to the 5th wheel. I've been running the XTAs since June 2010 without a single problem of any kind.

The 17.5s above are ~1/2" smaller in overall diameter than the LT235/85R-16 tires, so they will fit anywhere the LT235/85R-16s fit.

Rusty

 

[jelag]

I suggest you look at etrailer.com for wheels, and use a tire you can get serviced on the road... my current trailer tires I purchased at Costco for the simple reason I'm always/usually within 100 miles of their stores and they have great customer service....

I use only LT tires and go to the manufactures web sight and look at their ratings.. usually on a LT tire the sidewall is NOT a maximum rating but a load rating in lbs for that air pressure and their web sight usually spells out the max. air pressure and load... I've used several brands and think that now their Michelins... I look at the web sight and try and select the tire that most represents a front steer tire and not a all season tire...

I carry a point and shoot temp gauge and when I pull into a rest area I always test the tires... brake drums and hubs on both the trailer and the truck have set a standard of acceptance for my unit as it goes down the road... thus looking for temperatures out of norm....

I only check tire pressure every 90-120 days... do it with a specific gauge that was tested against a master gauge at one of the tire shops... I've run my truck and 5er across scales and know the per axle weight... and know that my rear trailer axle has 750-850 lbs over max... but can't seem to shift that weight because my ram 4x4 sits high and I know if I got the nose of the trailer down 3-4" the weight would shift....

Hope this over view of what I do helps....

 

[TJJEEPER]

I went down to my local TCI Tire store. These were the folks who helped with the first failure and took care of dealing with the Manufacturer. I was set on getting some 17.5" tires and wheels until he talked me into a set of G load rated tires. It's an off brand but they have had very good luck with them on their commercial customer's equipment. All it took was a side by side comparison when both tires were off the rim and on the ground. The crappy stock tires looked like a bowl of jello. I stood on the sidewall and it just collapsed as opposed to the G rated tires that just barely deflected. On the way home it SEEMED like it was rolling much easier. Only a few trips and fuel mileage will tell but at least I feel I can trust these tires.

On a side note, TCI is a commercial tire dealer. They service heavy industry and sell a lot of Chinese tires. Like everything else, there are good (reads good quality control) and bad tires from China. You just have to find the right ones. Hopefully this off brand (Advance) with a good track record are those tires.

 

[Slow Six]

The Michelin XPS Rib would work well for you. I would use these before any Chinese tire regardless of rating.

 

[jelag]

I want to add... my BIL was in town and wanted a good tire... we ended up at Les Schwab, which is a north west chain of about 250 stores.... they try hard to only sell top of the line... he put 4 new "G" rated tires, (China)... had 2 blow outs before he asked for a full refund... which they did... and he bought something else... My 5er is about 15K, and I'm guessing he's at 17,500 or so... and he's much more type A than I am about care... just my thoughts...

 

[TJJEEPER]

The Michelin XPS Rib would work well for you. I would use these before any Chinese tire regardless of rating.

XPS Ribs: Max tire load 3042 @ 80 PSI max. Just a little short for 7000 lb axles.

I swapped trucks because of liability laws. I don't think I want to exceed a tire rating due to the same laws. Regardless of ratings.

I also took a look up on the NHTSA site looking for recalls and complaints. None for this particular tire which is a fair indicator.

I will update on these tire if I have any issues.

 

[MelvinPierce]

I swapped to GY 114 17.5. Overkill, but as ex over the road trucker, gives me MUCH peace of mind!

 

[Road Dog]

Don't forget the rims -- most aren't rated for 3,500#.

 

[RamOn]

I'd personally look up http://www.hitchanything.com/Trailer-Tire/ and see what they got for tires and wheels and see if it can work with what you got.

 

[Jim W]

XPS Ribs: Max tire load 3042 @ 80 PSI max. Just a little short for 7000 lb axles.

I swapped trucks because of liability laws. I don't think I want to exceed a tire rating due to the same laws. Regardless of ratings.

I also took a look up on the NHTSA site looking for recalls and complaints. None for this particular tire which is a fair indicator.

I will update on these tire if I have any issues.

What model of Raptor do you have? I have a Cougar 318SAB; 5er that was equipped with Power King Tires also and I replaced them with the Michelins XPS Ribs Tires. Even though the tires are under the tire rating capacity of the Power Kings; these still meet the axle load of the trailer.

On the Cat scale my trailer axle weights are 8,000 LBS so; 4 tires that are rated for 3,042 LBS each (12,168 LBS) will support the 8,000 LBs axle load. The rest of the trailer mass (weight) is being supported by the pin weight on the truck.

So in your case let's say you have the 415TS Raptor which according to Keystone has a Gross weight of 18,000 LBS that is the shipping weight and carrying capacity of that model. And 20% of this is the pin weight which the truck supports will mean the trailer axle weight of 14,400 LBS is on the 3 axles. So 6 Michelins XPS Ribs tires will support (6 X 3,042) 18,252 LBS so I think the XPS Ribs should work. That is just my opinion take it for what it is worth.

Jim W.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I have heard that truck tires used on a trailer should have their ratings reduced 10% just as they do in dual wheel applications. I have also heard only trailer rated tires are legal. I don't know the facts there, but I too have had problems with older tires mostly. Mine are never close to fully loaded and I keep them fuly inflated. As noted above, high weight-rated trailer tires have stiffer sidewalls for anti-sway, and dealing with the side scrubbing a trailer does to its tires on turns.

Some of the May Madness attendees have tried various approaches and could share their experiences and recommendations if you come to May Madness. Stay in Preferred RV Park with us and Harald, Blair, etc. can fill you in.

I'm not the best advisor on this issue. I am running Maxxis 15" rated well above their actual load on my 21' Airstream, and don't run trailer tires longer than 3-4 years anymore. Maxis are from Singapore if I recall. The 15" Chinese Goodyear Marathons that came on my box trailer two years ago will be replaced soon.

 

[OldRetiredAFGuy]

A question please about this liability law you mention. Is this a national situation, or is it just in the state of CA?

Thanks
Mike

P.S. I agree on the Michelin XPS as a tire of choice IF they match your axle ratings. Also, Hankook F-19 tires (7.50R x 16LT) are rated @ 3,330 lbs 105 psi. Around 200-225 bucks at most tire retailers.

XPS Ribs: Max tire load 3042 @ 80 PSI max. Just a little short for 7000 lb axles.

I swapped trucks because of liability laws. I don't think I want to exceed a tire rating due to the same laws. Regardless of ratings.

I also took a look up on the NHTSA site looking for recalls and complaints. None for this particular tire which is a fair indicator.

I will update on these tire if I have any issues.

 

[TJJEEPER]

To answer a few questions
Trailer: Raptor 310TS. The largest two axle Raptor they make. GVWR 16500
Rims: Rated @ 3750 lbs each

Liability issue are a personal choice on my part. I figure if I were to get in an accident caused by a tire failure the first thing they would look at is equipment in a law suite. I'd rather stay within ratings to keep from giving them an easy target.

I think that was all the questions.


The tires have over 1000 miles on them now and they seem to work very well. I have noticed the stiffer side walls do two things. I can hear the tar strips as the trailer passes over them much more than before. The side wind stability is WAY better. I sure feel better about hauling this beast all over the state!

Greg

 

[KYOUNG]

So are you running the Hankooks on your Raptor??

 

[TJJEEPER]

Advance Tire