New Trailer Tires

[Cummins12V98]

I agree exactly with what you wrote above. There is no substitute for top quality tires.



SAM's Club covers more territory than Costco and is also a great source of top quality tires at the same prices as Costco. My local club knows me so well and I have bought so many tires and batteries from them they provide VIP treatment when they see me arrive.



We do differ when you got to the part about Goodyear tires. I won't buy one. It is true that Goodyear replaces blown RV trailer tires and pays for the damage very frequently but if the owner purchased Michelins or BF Goodrich tires instead he wouldn't experience the blowout or trailer damage.

Nice to hear others are willing to buy quality!



I should have continued about the Goodyear tires. My Dad's tire problem was from the tires that came on his 96 Hitch Hiker. The tires he replaced them with are a different model G rated tire. Those tires have given no trouble with many thousands of miles. Good year tires came on 5th wheel US made E rated, went to the G after 6 trouble free years and many miles. I didn't like the way a lot of trailers come with so little carrying capacity that is why I went with the G. Goodyear does make some crappy tires also but these are very a high quality US made tire. If these get thru 6 years with no problem I will buy them again. I have two years of wintering in Cal and AZ coming from WA state. If not I will go with Michelins. I have used Michelins or BFG on my trucks for 30 years with no problems and great mileage.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I personally prefer a quality LT tire with high enough load carrying capacity to carry my 5er for me Michelin's. Now I have to say ST tires do not have the tread depth of a LT. Having said that I am going to guess the ST will not build as high of temperatures and the LT. Consequently the lower speed limitation also because tires are expected to be changed from 5 to 6 years. A majority of ST tires do not get the mileage put on them(wear) as an LT on them so not needing the tread depth. ST tires because of their construction cost less.

There is a whole host of thing positive and negative for both the ST and LT tires. I think I have heard almost all of them. Bottom line do your research and do what you think is best. You will hear passionate discussions from both the ST and LT groups. A lot of good technical data to support both choices. Problem with this is such passion usually gets a little fiery and boring with numbers and feelings flying around.

Good luck with your choice and sure you will make the right choice you will be comfortable with. A search on TDR or one of the RV forums will provide you more information than you probably want to know.

 

[Soot4Life]

So you are a big time gambler I see. How many pumps of the handle did it take to get grease to come out the front of your hub? You know that is the only way to get new grease in the outer bearing, right? How do you know that no grease squeezed past the seal and onto the brake surface? Why would you want to use nearly a half tube of grease to fill the hub cavity, only to have it expand from the normal heat build-up while traveling and possibly be forced past the seal? Inquiring minds want to know.

I agree that the zerk fitting for servicing wheel bearings is a BAD idea. I have them on my horse trailer. Several times I've pumped grease past the seal & out the back. By the time I knew I pumped in too much grease it was too late. A huge mess greeted me when I tore it down. Traditional bearing removal for servicing is the only way to safely service your bearings. Save yourself a headache and don't make my mistake. If you don't do your own work it will cost you big $$ to clean up the grease and until you do the brake on that wheel is likely useless!

 

[EricBu12]

I did the Grease on the Zerk a couple of times and everything worked perfectly. . No mess and the grease came out the front edge. . Different Mfr. Maybe. .

What I did do was jack up the axle on each wheel when I greased it so no load on the bearing. maybe thats the difference. . did you do that? Don't know if that was the difference but that is what I was told when servicing the bearings.

 

[Soot4Life]

Those zerks worked for me several times and twice they bit me. I should have learned the first time. And no..... I did not jack up the trailer first. I've never heard that tip before.

 

[MLee]

Those zerks worked for me several times and twice they bit me. I should have learned the first time. And no..... I did not jack up the trailer first. I've never heard that tip before.

And rotate the tire as you add the grease? I do this, I think that it gives the grease some place to go as it is added.