High Pressure ST Tires

[JohnHaggerty]

I was able to come across a new set of ST Maxxis tires. They are E rated at 80 psi. The ST DURO's on my rims now are D rated at 65 psi. The Chinese rims that have my D rated at 65 psi tires on them now have no rating on them.



Do you think it would be an issue to mount the the E rated and pressure up to 80 psi?



How about running at pressures less than 80 psi?



Thanks

 

[B.G. Smith]

The pressure rating should be stamped into the metal in the inside of rim. If they are not stamped they are probably not even rated for 65#. bg

 

[HBarlow]

The question is will your rims tolerate overinflation to 80psi. We don't know the answer. It is risky to inflate a set of cheap ChiComm wheels intended for 65 psi to 80 psi.

 

[RonD]

I wouldn't take a chance, and replace the wheels with USA built.

 

[MChrist]

If the Load Range D tires aren't cutting it, I would probably consider running the LRE tires at 70, if they are stronger at that rating than the other tires at 65 (and probably are), then wouldn't worry about the 65# rated wheels blowing up if they were 5# over. Time to do research!!

Personally, I've never heard of wheel failure due to increased tire pressure, but maybe somebody else has?

 

[RustyJC]

Personally, I've never heard of wheel failure due to increased tire pressure, but maybe somebody else has?

Yep, I've seen reports of rim/bead cracking on overinflated RV wheels on various RV forums.



Rusty

 

[Bill Stockard]

Personally, I've never heard of wheel failure due to increased tire pressure, but maybe somebody else has?

I've seen it happen. The wheel splits (forms a crack) just on the inside of where the tire bead seats.



Bill

 

[AABEN]

I had the same thing when my trailer was new. Took off the JUNK tires and put on good omes that called for 80Lb the rims came a part where weld was. Fleet Wood replaced all of the rims with good rims. I run LT and they are a lot better than any ST are speed rated at 65MPH LT are not.

 

[MChrist]

So it sounds like 80 definitely isn't the way to go on 65 lb wheels. I still wonder if 70 lbs is pushing it, though. If you can get better wheels, I would go that route and not have to worry. Now I have to go to work and check one of our trailers. It came with those squatty, 8 inch wheels and load range C tires. Other trailer from same place had same wheels with LRE tires. Several blowouts later I said screw it and went load range e on both of those trailers which also bumped pressure from 65 to 95. I assume the wheels are rated for 95, but now I'm not so sure.

 

[Matt42]

I was able to come across a new set of ST Maxxis tires. They are E rated at 80 psi. The ST DURO's on my rims now are D rated at 65 psi. The Chinese rims that have my D rated at 65 psi tires on them now have no rating on them.

Do you think it would be an issue to mount the the E rated and pressure up to 80 psi?

How about running at pressures less than 80 psi?

Thanks

Chinese ST tires on Chinese rims? Run Away! Run Away!

The best answer, if possible, is U. S. , Canadian or other Western Hemisphere Wheels using actual, for-real U. S. , Canadian or Eurpoean-made LT tires that will handle the load rating you need.

On my work trailer, I am using Brazilian-made steel wheels with U. S. made Michelin LT-245/75R16E XPS Rib steel sidewall, steel belt tires. My travel trailer has U. S. made wheels with Michelin LT-215/75R15C LTX polyester sidewall/steel belt tires. No problems and much better tracking and wind characteristics in both cases.

My experience with Far Eastern trailer tires, and ST tires in general has been dismal. No problems with LT tires in trailer use.

Now I expect to set off the flame war with people "explaining" that trailers simply must have ST trailer tires because they have stiffer sidewalls and some sort of better rubber. In my experience, I have found that to be nonsense.

 

[Nyoest]

I wouldn't trust the rims to hold it. Two of alloy rims on the wife's 01 cracked between the bead seat and flange. Those were OEM wheels, how much do you trust a rim of unknown quantity?

 

[CROW]

The wheels on my fifth wheel had no markings on capacity that could be seen from the outside. There was a sticker on the inside of the wheel that could only be seen with the tire off the wheel. Might take one, have the tire removed, and have it checked. I agree with the others who say stay away from Chinese tires and wheels. Good Luck

 

[HBarlow]

Chinese ST tires on Chinese rims? Run Away! Run Away!

The best answer, if possible, is U. S. , Canadian or other Western Hemisphere Wheels using actual, for-real U. S. , Canadian or Eurpoean-made LT tires that will handle the load rating you need.

On my work trailer, I am using Brazilian-made steel wheels with U. S. made Michelin LT-245/75R16E XPS Rib steel sidewall, steel belt tires. My travel trailer has U. S. made wheels with Michelin LT-215/75R15C LTX polyester sidewall/steel belt tires. No problems and much better tracking and wind characteristics in both cases.

My experience with Far Eastern trailer tires, and ST tires in general has been dismal. No problems with LT tires in trailer use.

Now I expect to set off the flame war with people "explaining" that trailers simply must have ST trailer tires because they have stiffer sidewalls and some sort of better rubber. In my experience, I have found that to be nonsense.

I think we've moved beyond that. Two or three years ago it was guaranteed to occur everytime the subject came up. I think the old ST believers have learned better or gone silent on the issue. There is too much evidence to the contrary out there now to continue that old misinformation.

 

[Matt42]

I think we've moved beyond that. Two or three years ago it was guaranteed to occur everytime the subject came up. I think the old ST believers have learned better or gone silent on the issue. There is too much evidence to the contrary out there now to continue that old misinformation.

I think that's likely true over here at the TDR, Harvey. At some of the RV websites, the ST tires issue is alive and well. On the other hand, those boards seem to have a high population of people why try to tow 32 foot travel trailers with Toyotas.

 

[HBarlow]

I know what you mean, Matt. I don't frequent other boards because of the high level of uninformed amateurs who know next to nothing.

The HitchHiker Owner's Forum is largely that way. It is dominated by Furd owners for one thing and populated by people who have generally owned and pulled one trailer, the HH they own now. They happily exchange false information, bad advice, and stupid opinions and thank each other gracefully for them.

 

[NIsaacs]

I wouldn't take a chance, and replace the wheels with USA built.

That might be easier said than done. Even if something is stamped with a USA company name, where was it actually built? I have seen some wheels split but it is rare. If the tire/wheel combo holds air I run it.



I just bought some engine parts for a Ford/New Holland tractor. Some OEM and some after market. Nothing I received was made in the USA. If we were to worry about only buying USA products, it would drive ya crazy



Nick

 

[mpaulson]

Xps rib tires, also use the chart that you can get for them to inflate them according to the weight of your trailer. This chart is from Michelin and makes for a smoother ride and not an over inflated tire for the given load. Love these things.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Load ratings for D and E tires are the same at 65 psi. At the higher pressures allowed for E tires, the load rating increases. Maxxis tires seem to be OK based on others' reports. Prolonged high speeds seem to be one issue, another is underinflation. In 2006, Goodyear published a bulletin recommending pressures 10 psi over that needed for the load, for speeds between 66 and 75 mph.

 

[HBarlow]

Joe,

Load Range E tires are normally rated at 80 psi.

Ohh, I realize now what you meant. Yes, at 65 psi the load ratings are identical. It is the additional strength in the casing and 80 psi air pressure that allows the greater load carrying capacity.