Michelin XPS Rib for a 27' 5er

[Grizzly]

After we took delivery of our new 27' Arctic Fox 5er we never got the China ST 235/80/16/R tires exchanged in Oregon, as planned, because none of the tires dealers I had previously spoke to had the size tire I wanted in stock. We made the trip home with the ST tires. I have been talking to a Discount tire store as well as other tire stores. What they are telling me is that the Michelin XPS Rib 235/85/16/R LT's are 2" in diameter larger then the ST's on the trailer now and that the 3 1/2" spacing between the tires I have now will be reduced to 1 1/2" with the 235/85 LT. The Discount tire manager is telling me that it is not enough spacing between the tires and that I could pick up an object that could get caught between the tires and cause damage to both tires. Anyone have thoughts as to how much spacing I need between the tires for safety?

 

[John - K5AWO]

I have a 1978 Avion triple axle. The clearance on that one measures 4. 25 inches. I thought it was a lot less.

I suppose that IF the tire picked up a block of wood with a nail in it, it might cause problems like that.

But, the trailer tires follow your truck's tire tracks. I'd think anything like that would get kicked out of the way before it got to the trailer.

Me? I'd install the Michelins anyway.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I hate those China made ST tires. Seen too many shredded and torn up fenders/sides of trailers.

 

[steved]

I would think since one tire is moving "up" as the other is moving "down" would prevent anything from getting caught between them...



What about another size??? Like a 215/85r16?? Or a 245/75r16 or 265/75r16??



The 215s were factory size on the 3500s...



steved

 

[Grizzly]

I would think since one tire is moving "up" as the other is moving "down" would prevent anything from getting caught between them...



What about another size??? Like a 215/85r16?? Or a 245/75r16 or 265/75r16??



The 215s were factory size on the 3500s...



steved

The only other size I found on a Michelin XPS Rib with the same load capacity (3042 lbs) was a 245/75/16, which is 30. 6" diameter, but it has to be mounted on a 7" rim. I think my rims size are 6 or 6 1/2".

 

[tom sweeney]

i have a Holiday Rambler 26' (27')that came with 225/75/15 D range... . i switched to B F Goodrich Commercial T/A LT 235/85/16's E range which carry 3042 lbs. each at 80psi. while the clearence between the tires is less,i'm more than comfortable with it..... i've had too many blowouts with the standard size tires... . the new tires are "all season" rib design... . definitely a "highway tire"... . easily found,well made,and affordable. they fit on 6-7 inch rims.



BFGoodrich Tires | Commercial T/A® All Season | Tire Overview

 

[Matt42]

After we took delivery of our new 27' Arctic Fox 5er we never got the China ST 235/80/16/R tires exchanged in Oregon, as planned, because none of the tires dealers I had previously spoke to had the size tire I wanted in stock. We made the trip home with the ST tires. I have been talking to a Discount tire store as well as other tire stores. What they are telling me is that the Michelin XPS Rib 235/85/16/R LT's are 2" in diameter larger then the ST's on the trailer now and that the 3 1/2" spacing between the tires I have now will be reduced to 1 1/2" with the 235/85 LT. The Discount tire manager is telling me that it is not enough spacing between the tires and that I could pick up an object that could get caught between the tires and cause damage to both tires. Anyone have thoughts as to how much spacing I need between the tires for safety?

I haul an equipment trailer with LT245/75 (I think)R16 XPS Rib tires with about one inch spacing tread to tread. I take it in some really horrible places. I have never had a debris interference problem.

 

[B.G. Smith]

We have an 04 American Star with the XPS tires (came new with General Ameritracs), the tires have just over an inch between treads at the center of tire. Got about 10K miles on them. You may have problems but it won't be debris between the tires. I worry more about heat build up because they are so close but thats the way the trailer came. bg

 

[HBarlow]

Grizzly,



The guy telling you that is probably well-intentioned but simply doesn't know what he is talking about. Both of the fifth wheel trailers I own have only about one inch of spacing between the tires on each side. The old Travel Supreme which is parked in Indiana as my home away from home has a set of Michelin XPS Ribs on it and the Hitchhiker I recently bought has Uniroyal Laredos but will have Michelin XPS Ribs as soon as the Uniroyals are three years old. Both have been pulled at least several thousand miles each with that small clearance and no problem.



I have pulled 50 to 100 new fifth wheel travel trailers from manufacturer to dealers, some as many as 2,800 miles cross country. Many of them of various brands from different manufacturers have as little as 3/4" to 1" of clearance between tires. It is basically the industry standard.



If you want Michelins buy them. Don't worry about that clearance.



Harvey

 

[Grizzly]

Thank you every one who responded. I'm going with the Michelin XPS Rib, LT 235/85/16 with 1 1/2" clearance between the the tires.

 

[EEdmondson]

Hey Grizz, did you try to order different tires from the factory or rv dealer?

 

[Bug Out]

XPS are stout tires...

Grizzly, go to the tire rack web page and compare weights of the XPS rib and others. . I was AMAZED how much heavier it was. It must be made real well. In one comparison its was 12 pounds more per tire. .



The only tire that came close was the Goodyear ribtire, G647.



I just upgraded to 16" tires and would have bought the XPS ribs or GY ribs, but can't afford them at the moment. I bought BF goodrich Commercial TA's until a later date when $$$$$ is more in flow. .



At least i'm out of the 15" trailer tire class.

 

[Grizzly]

Hey Grizz, did you try to order different tires from the factory or rv dealer?

I tried till I was blue in the face and the Manufacture nor the dealer would install any other tires on the 5er.

 

[georgej]

I replaced the 235/80-16 st tires on my 5er with 235/85-16 Michelin ribs ealier this year . The difference in height was about 7/8 of an inch. You shouldn't have any problems with the change. Oh by the way costco has a $60 off on a set of four sale going on now!

 

[Bob Cochran]

I tried till I was blue in the face and the Manufacture nor the dealer would install any other tires on the 5er.

The only solution then is to buy the tires then break down and mount them yourself. If you want them balanced, and I think you should; then take them someplace to have them balanced. It is a pain to do but you will get what you want.



I am currently breaking down my Michelin XPS down to put on metal valve stems because I use PressurePro sensors and need the stems to be metal. Dummy me when I had the XPS mounted I forgot to tell them metal. In my case it is easier to do myself than move the 5er.

 

[PaulWatkins]

The 235x80R16 are 9. 2" x 30. 7 while the 235x85R16 are 31. 6 to 32 depending on brand. The Mich Ribs are 32". Tirerack has them for $205 plus $50 gift card.

 

[Grizzly]

The 235x80R16 are 9. 2" x 30. 7 while the 235x85R16 are 31. 6 to 32 depending on brand. The Mich Ribs are 32". Tirerack has them for $205 plus $50 gift card.

I ordered 5, LT XPS Rib 235/85/16 at my local Discount Tire store for $198 each today. That's mounted and balanced with new valve stems plus I get a $40 mail-in rebate from Michelin. That's beats Costco, even with their $60 rebate.

 

[Grizzly]

These are the new Michelin XPS Rib 235/85/16 R with 2 1/4" clearance between the tires.

 

[klenger]

Nice rims.

 

[Grizzly]

Nice rims.

Thanks. I paid $215 more for a set of 4.