PJ trailers

[KcoleKennyc]

Can someone tell me the difference in 235/85r16 and 235/80r16 tires? My new trailer has the 80's, I guess they came with the Dexter axles.

 

[HBarlow]

Let me begin by stating up front that part of what I'm preparing to write is fact but part is opinion based on my reading, learning, and experience. Take it for what you paid for it.

The 235/80 tire is an ST tire which is the industry label for special trailer tire. This name implies special trailering characteristics and at first glance this would seem like the ideal tire for a trailer. That is not the case.

An ST tire is not intended for passenger transportation therefore is exempted from many of the DOT testing and quality standards.

The manufacturer of an ST tire can claim but not prove that the tire is capable of carrying significantly greater loads on a tire casing which is very similar in size to an LT (light truck) tire.

In the size you asked about, an ST tire claims about 10% more carrying capacity than an LT235/75 R16 LRE. Something like 3400 lbs. per tire instead of 3,042. I consider that a false claim. If you talk to RVers and read on the TDR and other truck and RV forums the reports of early failure of ST tires is very common. The problem is not only the tire failure but they almost always do severe damage to the trailer when they come apart at speed.

Most ST tires, perhaps all ST tires, are now made in countries other than the US like Communist China, Korea, and backward third world countries. They are much cheaper to import and install on trailers than a qualiity brand name light truck tire.

Better fifth wheel RV manufacturers install light truck tires on their trailers at the factory. Experienced and knowledgeable RV users generally buy only Michelin XPS Rib all steel casing truck tires in size LT235/75 R16 LRE. A light truck tire is a commercial grade tire that meets US DOT standards.

I bought a new hydraulic gooseneck dump trailer just before New Years day last year. It was manufactured by a local trailer builder and is of generally good quality but it came with ST 235/80 tires made by some ChiComm company nobody ever heard of. I figure the tires cost the original importer about $10 a tire. I will use them through next year hoping one of them doesn't disintegrate under a 5 ton load of gravel stranding me between my farmhouse and the gravel pit. After that I'll throw them away and take the Michelin XPS Ribs off my fifth wheel, put them on the dump trailer, and buy a new set for my HitchHiker fifth.

Afterthought: Dexter does not sell tires. Their axles are not sold with tires and wheels mounted. The wheels and tires on your trailer were selected by the trailer manufacturer.

 

[Grizzly]

I fully agree with Harvey and add that all ST tires are recommended to be replaced every 3 years from the date stamped on the sidewall, no matter how much thread they have left. Even the manufacture of ST tires know they won't last. Most only last about one year.



It's Not worth taking a chance with them.



george

 

[Grizzly]

Anyone have experience with a JLG Drop Deck Trailer?



Click here and then click on, "Drop-Deck Trailer.



george

 

[NIsaacs]

Thats a cool looking trailer. Seems specialized tho. Only 5' 10" wide and 14' long, maximum size. Spendy too, I bet!



Nick

 

[KcoleKennyc]

Thanks HBarlow, that was what I needed to know, I didn't have any idea why there was a 75, 80, and an 85 tire. That was very good info, sounde like you know the story on them. Have owned 3 goosenecks, all with the 85's, but only one with good tires. 2 of them had the Chinese tires, when they blew, they almost split in half. The second was a 24 ft. PJ and it came with Cooper tires. Never had a problem with them at all. The third was a Trail Master, nice trailer but I believe they were also Chinese. Didn't blow any of them but couldn't get the shake out of it. Replaced them with B. F. Goodrich and blew a few of those. Problem is, I had a trailer built last week and it has the 80 tires, wish I had known sooner. Don't know if they buy the axles with wheels and tires or buy the tires seperately but I guess I am stuck with the bad ones, 13 of them. Guess that since they used the Dexter axles it would have good tires. Always heard that bought experience was the best kind. FMSCA should do something about the cheap imports, I wondered how they were getting away with those cheap imports.

 

[NIsaacs]

I would think that if you have not picked up the trailer yet, that you could ask for a different tire. That three axle dually is a serious trailer. What do you haul and tow it with?



Nick

 

[KcoleKennyc]

I've een hot-shotting for 11 years and have hauled about anything that would go on the trailer. Ben hauling rolls from a paper mill that can be pretty heavy. These are not paper rolls but are the rolls out of the paper machine. I have probably overloaded the old trailer many times and just wanted one that would take whatever. Got tired of the electric brakes and the cost of replacing them on the 10K axles. Ordered this one with electric/hydraulic disc brakes, that should be a lot safer and will be a lot cheaper to replace. On the old axles it cost about $500 per hub to replace a drum and all the brake parts, on the disc it cost less than $200 and is a lot easier to do. Don't like my present controller and will probably replace it with a Maxbrake soon. I do pull this with a 98. 5 3500 with 422K miles on it. I will also us it for my septic tank business for hauling a backhoe and tractor. Never owned one with the dovetail and ramps before, they should make it a lot easier and safer loading and unloading. Wish I had known the deal on the trailers before I placed the order, probably not going to get anything done now, but will try.

 

[NIsaacs]

Interesting story, good job on 11 years trucking, thats a tough/competitive business. When I was towing my tandem axle dually, I only changed the brakes shoes once. They were 10,000 lb HD Dexters with the two piece hub/drum 12 1/4 x 4" electric brakes. I did have some trouble with the oil bath seals and a lot of trouble with breaking wheel studs. They were 5/8 but used the old style wheels with interlocking tapered stud seats. The inner wheel was impossible to center so tire wear was the result. The newer hub centric wheels are much better.



I might suggest that you invest in an exhaust brake, they are worth their weight in gold! Enjoy your new trailer, sounds like a dandy.



Nick

 

[HBarlow]

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .....

I might suggest that you invest in an exhaust brake, they are worth their weight in gold! Enjoy your new trailer, sounds like a dandy.

Nick

That is excellent advice that I didn't think of. As much trouble and expense as he is having with trailer brakes he could benefit immediately in a big way from an exhaust brake.

A new MaxBrake would pay for itself in a year in brake parts savings at the miles he runs.

 

[KcoleKennyc]

I never actually wore the brake shoes out. The magnets wore into the wires and grooved the drums. Before I tore into it I bought 4 complete backing plates and oil seals. The seals were $25. 00 each wholesale. While it was apart, I just went on and replaced everything except the drums. I am installing a hubodometer on the new trailer to keep up with the miles. I probably had close to 300K on the old one and it was falling apart. It needed a new floor, eight new tires, the suspension was shot and so was the paint. It had greasable suspension which I know was kept greased. Started breaking bolts in the springs and if someone else had brought the trailer to me I would have sworn that it had never been greased. The bolts wore thin and broke out, lucky it was not loaded heavy. Everything was dry and rusted. The grease that I was using wasn't water resistant so I guess the rain splash from the highway washed it out. Believe they have made some improvement in this department but I am taking a grease gun with water resistant grease with me to pick the trailer up. Can't really complain about it with the amount of work that it did and the abuse it took. Been real lucky in the 11 years, only got one real chewing out, no warning tickets or paying tickets during that time. Had several roadside safety inspections, never found a single thing. They could have, I ran for 3 months with no trailer brakes, Dot looked at the emergency brake (I had the wires cut) and they didn't see it. At 64 years old, this trailer will far outlast me and the truck. Dodge did build some tough trucks! Forgot to mention that I do have an exhaust brake, the Dodge's rear brakes are original and only replaced the pads on the front twice.

 

[DGamelin]

If lugs are an issue, one of the things that lead to lug braking is uneven torque. The tightest one will be the first to brake. We are contracted to do our power company repairs, ford F550 had such a problem with this they sent out bulitions to there fleet commercial customer. I believe the same would apply to heavy loaded trailers.



At 300k on a trailer that's doing good, you must not be is the slat belt.

 

[Grizzly]

Thats a cool looking trailer. Seems specialized tho. Only 5' 10" wide and 14' long, maximum size. Spendy too, I bet!



Nick

The JLG Drop Deck Trailer is spendy. I was quoted $8000 for the UT 49 Model.



Click here and then click on, "Drop-Deck Trailer.

 

[CToney]

A different dealer in our area has Mirage trailers. They look heavy built but the wiring is not good and the led lights are tiny. They also sell a Precision trailer made in Manitoba that looks good with good soldered and heat shrunk wiring with protection on the brake wires.



I would wonder why someone would build a good trailer and skimp on the wiring.