Need new trailer tires, help

[macdaddy]

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

I wish I could say the same. Their made in China slung one last summer their S*** dude.



Went back to the marathon's havent thrown one yet traveling I-5 frpm So Cal to Mt Vernon Wa St. 225 "D" @9100 Gross



Mac

 

[SSage]

When the china ST specials show signs of failing I change them to LT tires. ST's don't last period.



I've had Cooper LT's D rated (65 psi) in a AP tread on my work trailer for 5 years and they are still going good. At 3 years, every ST tire I've had starts splitting and cracking.



I only run ST tires on my 12' trailer due to the size.



A D or E rated tire doesn't matter to me, I look at load ratings.



The E tires on my dually are rated to carry the same load as my last set of D rated tires. So, who knows why. I think the E's last a little longer and stay stiffer over time. I run 65 psi in both types, 80 psi makes the truck handle funny.



My toy hauler has the Tow Max 225 16" E's and so far so good. They have held up for two years. I run them around 90 psi, side wall says 110 psi. I'll change them to LT tires when they wear out.



Those XPS tires are nice, too muck money for me though. My tires die of old age not tread wear. The Coopers, Dayton's and other imports all in LT work fine for me..... So far... .

 

[Grizzly]

When the china ST specials show signs of failing I change them to LT tires. ST's don't last period.



I've had Cooper LT's D rated (65 psi) in a AP tread on my work trailer for 5 years and they are still going good. At 3 years, every ST tire I've had starts splitting and cracking.



I only run ST tires on my 12' trailer due to the size.



A D or E rated tire doesn't matter to me, I look at load ratings.



The E tires on my dually are rated to carry the same load as my last set of D rated tires. So, who knows why. I think the E's last a little longer and stay stiffer over time. I run 65 psi in both types, 80 psi makes the truck handle funny.



My toy hauler has the Tow Max 225 16" E's and so far so good. They have held up for two years. I run them around 90 psi, side wall says 110 psi. I'll change them to LT tires when they wear out.



Those XPS tires are nice, too muck money for me though. My tires die of old age not tread wear. The Coopers, Dayton's and other imports all in LT work fine for me..... So far... .

When you run 80 to 110 psi, you better have the HD metal valve stems or the standard stems could blow out of the rims like a bullet.

 

[SSage]

You know, my alloy trailer wheels on my toy hauler came with rubber stems. Maybe I should lower the pressure a bit? I just realized the tires are G rated, I had E on the brain from my recent truck tire purchase.



KZ recommended 100 psi, I've been running 90 psi. My trailer is 15K empty. Six G rated tires are over kill at 110 psi. I need io double check, I do remember the valve stems being rubber.



I need to find a pressure chart for those tires.

 

[HBarlow]

SAM's Club where I have bought many sets of truck, trailer, and car tires over the last ten years uses rubber stems on tires up to and including LRE or 80 psi. Metal would be better and preferred, no doubt, but SAM's has more financial resources than the federal government and is very sensitive about tire failures and lawsuits. I'm not afraid to run Michelins at 80 psi on my trailer with rubber stems but may change them to metal some time in the future.



I would NOT use rubber stems with LRG or 110 psi tires.

 

[Matt42]

I wish I could say the same. Their made in China slung one last summer their S*** dude.



Went back to the marathon's havent thrown one yet traveling I-5 frpm So Cal to Mt Vernon Wa St. 225 "D" @9100 Gross



Mac

A lot of tire brands used to be good. But sometimes, only the brand name is left. The tires are made in China and use the old, respected name on the sidewall. Fisk tires used to be a really respected brand into the 1960s. Now I think they are Chinese and all that's left is the brand.



BTW, anyone who remembers the old advertisement with the child in a nightshirt holding a candle, with the caption "Time to re-tire? Fisk Tires!" can probably apply to join AARP. No, don't ask. :-laf

 

[HBarlow]

Sadly, your comment is true about many old and respected US products.



Nothing but the name is left but the name still fools lots of folks.



Yeah, I fit your AARP comment also.

 

[chazj]

Here is an interesting new story about tires... not sure if it's been posted before.



ABC News

 

[SSage]

Yep, I have rubber stems on my g rated tires. Just another item to upgrade.

 

[Grizzly]

Here is an interesting new story about tires... not sure if it's been posted before.



ABC News

It has been around a few times. The last person to Post it was Harvey a couple of weeks ago. It is good information for all of us to know. Thanks for posting it again.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

chasj, good of you to put on the ABC news tire age story. Something that was not said which affects all of us who pull trailers was that ST (service trailer) tires are far, far worse. These ST tires are purposely engineered to loose 1/3 of their strength in 3 years. The tire industry knows that the average trailer tire will never be replaced due to tread wear. That is why they are manufactured to loose strength. To bring you back for more tires (after they throw rubber all over the highway) I call ST tires SCAM TIRES. When you buy them they could already be a year or more old. The internal weakening process does not begin when you put them on the ground. It begins the day they come out of the Chinese factory and progresses while in a warehouse or the dealers tire rack. Now that I have learned the hard way I use Pick up truck tires. They say not to run ST tires over 65 MPH. I have a better idea, don't run them at all. Good luck finding a dealer that will put pick up truck tires on your trailer. The tire industry has a policy against that. It spoils their SCAM. My tire dealer got tired of his boat trailer tires failing and he now uses pick up truck tires. A lot of people that pull horse trailers use only the take offs from their trucks for the trailer and buy new for the truck. They don't have any tire trouble. When the truck tire wears down to 50% they go on the trailer and new go on the truck. For them loosing a horse is like using a family member. They too have learned the hard way. REGARDS, Jim

 

[hhranch]

I have a set of Michelein XPS on a Hitchhiker II ls. 10,000 plus miles on them. No problems and peace of mind.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

hhranch. Glad to hear it. Hopefully sales on ST tires will tumble and they will quit producing them. That would be a good thing to get a hazard off the highway.

 

[SSage]

My big 5th wheel came with the G rated Freestar brand tires, this thread got me to look at them.



Less than two years old and every one of the 7 tires were cracking near the rims. One had 1/8" cracks and the spare which is under the trailer out of the sun had cracking side walls. Tires had about 5 trips on them, probably had less than 3K miles on them.



I bit the bullet and spent a grand on new commercial Firestones. Took me all day to change them out, what a pain!

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

If your old tires had ST (service trailer) on them you did the right thing. You may have read on here that an ST Tire looses 1/3 of its strength within 3 years regardless of tread wear. They could have been a year old when they were installed. The tire industry knows that the average user of trailer tires will not wear out the tread as fast as they would like so they engineer the tires with chemicals that will bring you back to a dealer for more tires. They should be ashamed of themselves for when these ST tires go they just don't go flat they explode and throw rubber all over the highway. A definite SAFETY HAZARD but obviously greed for money is their guide NOT common decency. After I learned the hard way I now use Michelin pick up tires with a high enough rating to carry the gross weight I am dealing with, with plus some to spare.

 

[CamarosRus]

I've now SOLD my 6 year Marathons mounted on the ENKEI (Pace American supplied) wheels... ... ... . so I'm committed to starting over... ... ... .....



I will shop and price 16" wheels and tires, but quite frankly doubt if I'll pull the trigger for that much $$$$$.



Like to READ those reports on the Load Range E/10 ply MAXXIS (they also sell a load range D) ... ... ... ... . I could also look into the DENMAN's



I read on another forum, whereas COOPER stopped making their ST trailer tire.

Please provide info if you SEE/READ otherwise... ... . ???????



I'm still reaching out to anybody/everybody if you can help me determine which 15" tire(s) are really the best of the lot.



Not at all arguing that the Michelin LT Ribs are the best and the G614... ... ..... but asking that my 10,000GVW trailer can make do or survive with "Brand X"



Thanks to all of you for trying to help me... ... ...





___________________________________________________________________________



I woundup calling Les Schwab's headquaters today in Oregon. They have over 400 stores throughout the West.



Last year they sold 24,000+ TOWMAX 225 x 75 x 15 ST trailer tires Load Range D (2540@65psi). In 2008 they had a little over 100 that were brought back for misc warrnty issues.



Man I spoke with informed me that TOWMAX recently came out with a 10Ply/Load Range E in the 225 X 75 X 15, good 2830#@ 80psi. Schwab sells these 10 ply's for $115 each (plus mount/balance)



I also spoke with a tire employee at COSTCO about BFG Commercial T/A All Seasons in 225 X 75 X 16 that are 29. 4 inches dia 8. 8 wide on a 6" Rim. Has anybody seen or tried 16" wheels/tires on a Pace, Haulmark, box/cargo trailer with 6 lug, 5000# axles... ... I dont have price quote on these tires, but approx $135 ea. Also there is not a big selection amongst vendors on 6 Lug 16" x 6"/7" Aluminum wheels ??????



Anyway, I'm leaning towards the 10Ply 15" Towmasters and new Enkei Motorsport Wheels that are made for Pace American.



I have read pages of threads from a variety of forums on the net. The only conclusion I did find was that many of the 16" fifth wheel R/V guys went to the $$$ Michelin XPS Rib Tire. I believe these have what is called a ALL STEEL CASE. These are not offered in 15" sizes.



Once again my enclosed Pace American 20' Shadow GT is 10,000 GVW



Thanks for reading and replying



MR. Burchfield, I understand how you feel about any/all of the 15" ST tires. I GET how you feel. I still believe that there has to be one of the 15" ST tires that are the best of the lot... ... .

 

[HBarlow]

chasj, good of you to put on the ABC news tire age story. Something that was not said which affects all of us who pull trailers was that ST (service trailer) tires are far, far worse. These ST tires are purposely engineered to loose 1/3 of their strength in 3 years. The tire industry knows that the average trailer tire will never be replaced due to tread wear. That is why they are manufactured to loose strength. To bring you back for more tires (after they throw rubber all over the highway) I call ST tires SCAM TIRES. When you buy them they could already be a year or more old. The internal weakening process does not begin when you put them on the ground. It begins the day they come out of the Chinese factory and progresses while in a warehouse or the dealers tire rack. Now that I have learned the hard way I use Pick up truck tires. They say not to run ST tires over 65 MPH. I have a better idea, don't run them at all. Good luck finding a dealer that will put pick up truck tires on your trailer. The tire industry has a policy against that. It spoils their SCAM. My tire dealer got tired of his boat trailer tires failing and he now uses pick up truck tires. A lot of people that pull horse trailers use only the take offs from their trucks for the trailer and buy new for the truck. They don't have any tire trouble. When the truck tire wears down to 50% they go on the trailer and new go on the truck. For them loosing a horse is like using a family member. They too have learned the hard way. REGARDS, Jim

Where do you get this information? I would just ignore your posts but there are some TDR members new to trailer ownership that come here for information and I hate to see them read and accept your opinions and baseless criticism of the tire industry as fact.

Most of the large fifth wheel manufacturers install LT truck tires on their products or have installed them until recently when availability of cheap, Communist Chinese ST tires allowed them to save a few bucks on manufacturing costs. My own HH, new in 2007 had Uniroyal Laredo light truck tires in size LT235/85 R16 LRE installed by the factory and all larger, heavier tandem axle HH trailers have Goodyear G rated tires installed now.

I had no problem whatsoever having SAM's Club install a set of Michelin XPS Rib light truck tires last summer after two of the one year old Uniroyals failed. I pulled the trailer into the drive, went up to the counter, and told the tire manager I wanted a set of Michelin XPS Ribs installed. Anyone who owns a similar large fifth wheel trailer can report a similar experience. The trailer industry and the tire industry have no such prohibition on installing light truck tires on travel trailers. The Michelin XPS Rib is a light truck tire actually designed and intended for use on trailers.

What tires do you think the hundreds of thousands of commercial over the road truck trailer combinations run on their trailers as they run millions of miles each year across the highways of America? They run commercial truck tires with rib patterns, similar to Michelin XPS Ribs.

There are thousands of large heavy fifth wheel travel trailers in service across the nation running light truck tires installed at the factory or as replacements by retail tire stores all over the US. Installation of ST tires on 16" wheels is a fairly recent development driven by cost considerations, not some evil desire to cause tire failures.

Large flatbed gooseneck working trailers, the largest of enclosed cargo trailers, and specialty trailer like car haulers and horse trailers use light truck tires.

What evidence can you provide to prove your outrageous claims that tire manufacturers actually design ST tires to fail? Have you heard of tort lawyers?

Please do a little research and learn what the RV trailer and large commercial trailer manufacturers are actually doing.

 

[pullya]

This is a old thread???? IMO, if you can not afford to change to 16" or if they will not fit your application, based on my experience of towing a boat for the last few years with a triple axle trailer many, many, many, miles I would recommend MAXXIS tires. I believe they are the best 15" trailer tire right now. I had 10ply and did not experience any problems. I also believe that many problems are caused by not properly maintaining your tires. Just my . 02

Jay

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Here we go again on an old issue. I am not backing down on my statement that ST tires are SCAM TIRES. Anybody that does not want to believe me is free to do so and learn the hard way. That is where I get my information, from experience. This site is to help in a good and neighborly way. Great idea. One that I wholeheartedly agree with and will continue alto I don't have as much to offer because I am still driving my 98 12v which does not have all the computer control. If I step on a tire dealers toes then too bad, you know the old saying "if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen". I plan to keep my old Ram for it will no doubt outlast me and it does the job I need it to do. One more time, ST TIRES ARE SCAM TIRES, best regards to all.

 

[SnoKing]

All you have to do is compare an unmounted XPS RIB to a 16 load range d, e or g ST tire to know that there is NO comparison. ST tires DO NOT have to meet DOT specs and the manufacture is free to put any rating they want on them.



If you buy a 60K truck or car would you settle for tires that cost less than 25 dollars to produce. I do not think so, so why would you except a cheap tire on a new 60K trailer.



DO NOT leave the dealers lot with cheap chinese ST tires. They make cheap ST tires because cheap RV manufacture install them.



That may mean that your heavy new trailer needs 17. 5" rims and GY G114 or similar H rated tires if it has 8K axles. 7K axles can use the GY G614 if you trust them, now that GY bought them back stateside.



Beyond the XPS RIBs (6K axles) is a donut hole of coverage similar the medicare drug coverage.



Go to RV.net 5th wheel forum and read all about the new Cedar Creek tire problems. Last year it was Montana and Mission tires. The "beat goes on"!



As consumers we can change this, at least for ourselves! Eduction! NO CHEAP chinese tires! No ST TIRES!



My 2005 Cardinal came with Kenda LT235/85R16s. They gave we 110 each to remove them in early 2005. XPS RIBS installed baby! Those that took replacements paid a price! Cheap chinese ST Load Stars maypops. And they did pop!



SNOKING