Tire recommendations for 5er

[wjpatton]

I've enjoyed my new Everest 5er for the past 18 months (about 7K miles) wih no problems until this week's return from the Southeast. Lost one tire (orignal equip Mission 235/80R 16 load range E) in Louisiana due to tread separation. I changed the tire and bought a new spare in Bossier City. Two days later I have another tread separation in New Mexico. Changed the tire again and proceeded west. Just outside Deming, the THIRD TIRE blew out!! Only 2 miles from Deming, I disconnected and proceeded to the nearest exit where a Chevron dealer sold me a used 235/80R trailer tire for 25 bucks to get me to town. Spent the night and bought 4 new tires at Big O Tires the next morning. I've religiously checked the tire pressure and lug nuts every day of travel, as well as keeping sunlight off the tires between trips (and checking pressures). The trailer has never sat more than 2 months between trips.



I've read various thoughts on using ST tires, truck tires, etc. Also seems virtually all trailer tires this size are made in China. So HELP!! What are you using(brand and type), and why? The rig is not close to max weight, brakes are working correctly, axles are straight and I tow at 65mph max. Fortunately, only minor damage to the rig... ...



Mission Tire has asked for the carcasses of the bad tires, so I've contacted the agencies where the tires were changed. They seem to be willing to work with me (I HOPE!) with only 7K on the tires in 18 months of use.



Thanks for any info you can pass on.



Mr. Bill

07. 5 3500 dually

 

[richardcoxid]

Are you overloaded?



In your size Goodyear makes the “G614 RST” tire, it is a steel belted and steel sidewall tire. Michelin also makes a steel belted and steel sidewall tire. Both are pricey but almost bullet proof in comparison to the “other tires"



I don’t understand about the LT tire controversy, my HH II 32’ 5W came equipped from the factory with LT tires.

 

[Grizzly]

The best tire bar none for your 5er are Michelin XPS Rib, LT 235/80R/16, Load Range E. They are a little spendy, but cheaper then buying China ST tires every time one blows out. ST tires are only good for 3 years from the date of manufacture. LT tires are good for at least 6 years. Michelin XPS Rib is what I put on my Arctic Fox soon after I brought the 5er home. Discount Tire in Albuquerque gave me by far the best price for a set of 5. They beat Costco's coupon sales price by $50. I sold the original set of 5 China ST tires cheap on creigslist.

 

[Grizzly]

I forgot to mention that an ST tire is limited to 65 mph. An LT tire is not limited to 65 mph and can go 75 or 80, maybe more. I do not recommend towing any trailer faster then 65 mph however.

 

[champspa]

Michelin xps ribs are the ones to get or go with a g or h rated and you would have to switch rims for that.

 

[HBarlow]

Michelin XPS Ribs in size LT 235/85R16 LRE, the only way to go. They are an all steel carcass, much heavier than other tires of the same size, very rugged, and very durable.

A Mission tire is nothing more than a rim protector that will allow the trailer manufacturer to get the trailer delivered to the dealer and allow the dealer to sell it to the unsuspecting buyer and get it off his lot.

Ignore the opinions about the necessity to use ST (special trailer) tires. They are bogus. For a number of years all large, heavy, fifth wheel travel trailers were factory equipped with LT (light truck) tires. In recent years the Communist Chinese began molding a lot of cheap substitutes as ST tires like Mission, Willpop, and lots of other brands. They are cheaper to buy but guaranteed to fail.

 

[Slow Six]

Michelin XPS Ribs.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Michelin XPS Ribs. bg

 

[RustyJC]

Michelin XPS Ribs. I had them on our previous 5th wheel (the current one came with the Goodyear G614 RST), and I have them on the truck. I only wish they made them G-rated so I could use them on the current 5th wheel.



If you have 15" wheels on your RV, check out the LT245/75R-16E XPS Rib - a much shorter diameter compared to the LT235/85R-16E but still with a 3042 lb@ 80 PSIG load capacity.



Rusty

 

[richardcoxid]

I forgot to mention in my previous post about rims. The G/Y G614 and the Michelin XPS ribs LR “G” are rated for 3750# at 110# psi. Rims are also rated according to maximum operating pressure. They are stamped someplace on the rim according to maximum operating pressure.



Any “good” tire shop should be able to decipher the code. Just remember if you install a tire that is rated at a higher pressure you are still limited to the pressure rating of the rims. Remember that old saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

 

[HBarlow]

I forgot to mention in my previous post about rims. The G/Y G614 and the Michelin XPS ribs LR “G” are rated for 3750# at 110# psi. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .

Many fifth wheel travel trailer owners wish Michelin made a tire in LRG. Unfortunately, they do not. The blow out prone Goodyear G614 is the only option in LRG.

 

[HBarlow]

Rusty,

Haven't seen you post here in years. Where've you been?

 

[RustyJC]

Rusty,



Haven't seen you post here in years. Where've you been?

Hi, Harvey,



The internet Nazis blocked me at work, and I don't get on the computer much at home any more. I just happened to drop in today - I'll try to do so more regularly.



Rusty

 

[Curious Dave]

I went over to Rickson 19. 5 SW and Michelins. Also changed out axles for the 3rd and final time. I went overkill to eliminate downtime and hassles. Guess what... No more problems. (knock on wood). Rides perfect... no bouncing, no pounding, no swaying, just sits back there and behaves like a trailer should.

 

[HBarlow]

Hi, Harvey,

The internet Nazis blocked me at work, and I don't get on the computer much at home any more. I just happened to drop in today - I'll try to do so more regularly.

Rusty

I remember you used to talk about eventually replacing your Dodge Ram with a MDT Peterbilt. Thought maybe you had left the TDR and joined a Pete forum.

Welcome back.

 

[RustyJC]

Many fifth wheel travel trailer owners wish Michelin made a tire in LRG. Unfortunately, they do not. The blow out prone Goodyear G614 is the only option in LRG.

There is, of course, the option to go to 17. 5" wheels with the Michelin XTA (which has only a 62 MPH speed rating but is load range J rated - 4805 lbs @ 120 PSIG) or the Goodyear G114 (with a 75 MPH speed rating). Both of these tires have significantly higher load ratings than the G614 (3750 lbs @ 110 PSIG).



Rusty

 

[nunya]

Lots of Mission tire failures on RV`s, check the Montana owners website. Seems only certain year tires? So far, so good on mine with 12K+ miles on em and faster than 65 at times. I check tire temps with heat gun at all stops and they seem to run the same temps also. Lucky man I guess!

 

[Grizzly]

Lots of Mission tire failures on RV`s, check the Montana owners website. Seems only certain year tires? So far, so good on mine with 12K+ miles on em and faster than 65 at times. I check tire temps with heat gun at all stops and they seem to run the same temps also. Lucky man I guess!

I wouldn't count on your luck holding out. Get good LT tires before some catastrophic thing happens.

 

[HBarlow]

I wouldn't count on your luck holding out. Get good LT tires before some catastrophic thing happens.

Ditto Grizzly. And when your luck runs out, which it will, the damage to your fifth wheel can be severe and costly.

I've heard of travel trailer tire blowouts taking out the wheel well, the cabinet above, electrical wiring, plumbing, etc.

A good rule about tires: Cheap tires are never cheap.

 

[richardcoxid]

HBarlow



You are correct I had forgotten that Michlein doesn't make a LR G tire in the XPS Rib/size model.