Tire size differences for hauling

[CUMMINZ]

For you guys thinking about going to larger tires for added safety. This change was made to my old Sprinter. Here you go!



15" to 235/85/16 10ply



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[terrywerm]

Cumminz, what brand/model tire did you go to on the trailer? I am thinking about going to 16's on mine when the tires need to be replaced. It may cost a bit more to have to buy rims also, but I think it would be worth it.

 

[keimmmo]

I replaced the 15" 8 ply tires on my Nash with 225X75R16 10 plys. They are virtually the same height and width as the original tires. I load heavy and run some pretty rough roads. The 8 ply tires just wouldn't do the job!!! The trailer tows much better now! I would HIGHLY recommend this upgrade to anyone who really loads their trailer!!!



Steve Keim

 

[CUMMINZ]

Brand

I don't know what the brand of tire they are. I think they were made in China. The dealer I bought them from said they were one of his best selling tire and he had gotten good service from them. Since the tire was a big upgrade it did not bother me. For this application the LT tire did me a good job. NOW if I had an RV that already had 10 or 12 ply tires, I would put the best quality ST tire I could find on it. I was also looking to raise the RV a bit and I did that with the taller 85 .

 

[RustyJC]

As a moderator on iRV2.com, I've seen quite a few 5th wheel RVs with tire problems. On these heavily-loaded units (operation at 90%-95% of tire rating is not unusual), the "problem-solver" 16" tires are:



Michelin XPS Rib (E-rated)



Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST (G-rated)



Both of these are recommended by the manufacturer for commercial trailer service (the G614 RST is trailer-specific), are all-steel construction radials and run much cooler than the typical fabric-and-steel radials of the same size. By the way, both of these tires carry LT designations, despite being recommended for trailer service. I've personally used both and recommend them highly. They're not cheap, but neither is repairing a 5th wheel RV after a tread separation!



Rusty

 

[PatrickCampbell]

there is a lot of controversy between ST and LT tires. some people say ST is better for trailer use because its "designed to be on a trailer. " my guess is a cheap Load range E LT tire is better than almost any ST tire assuming both have the same belt materials. my guess (and it is just a guess) is because LT simply has much higher standards to live up to...



i hear a lot of complaints about ST tires and of course bias ply tires but have not heard any huge complaints about LT LR E tires... of course the steel belts are the way to go but up front cost is prohibitive about 200 each is what i have found. 220 for the Goodyears.



FWIW Discount tire direct has free shipping--you can find LR E 235's for well under 100.



i am in the market for 14 (yes 14) tires at the moment and probably will go with 14 of the same Sub $100 LR E LT tires for my truck/trailer and see how they fair and go from there.



I will be about 4000 lbs under max weight on the trailer fully loaded and as much if not more on the truck.



any thoughts?

 

[RustyJC]

Well, actually, the less expensive non-steel 16" radials have had some failures in 5th wheel service - the Carlisle tires are the subject of a number of class-action lawsuits, and even the Goodyear Wrangler HTs have experienced some failures. So, I guess ya pays yore money and takes yore chances at the end of the day.....



Rusty

 

[GWBourne]

Well, actually, the less expensive non-steel 16" radials have had some failures in 5th wheel service - the Carlisle tires are the subject of a number of class-action lawsuits, and even the Goodyear Wrangler HTs have experienced some failures. So, I guess ya pays yore money and takes yore chances at the end of the day.....



Rusty

what about when you are towing a trailer with truck tires on it and something bad happens... then who is to blame?



i dont know the brand on my goose but i have 235-85-16's as well and love them. no complaints at all. just need a second spare in case something happens to two tires...

Grant

 

[terrywerm]

what about when you are towing a trailer with truck tires on it and something bad happens... then who is to blame?

From what I understand the primary difference between trailer tires and LT tires is the tread design.



With semi's they frequently run out old steer and drive tires on trailers. The weight carrying capacity is the same, but the tread design is different. Steer and drive tires on the trailer don't create any problems than trailer tires do when they are run back there.

 

[Road9]

As a moderator on iRV2.com, I've seen quite a few 5th wheel RVs with tire problems. On these heavily-loaded units (operation at 90%-95% of tire rating is not unusual), the "problem-solver" 16" tires are:



Michelin XPS Rib (E-rated)



Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST (G-rated)



Both of these are recommended by the manufacturer for commercial trailer service (the G614 RST is trailer-specific), are all-steel construction radials and run much cooler than the typical fabric-and-steel radials of the same size. By the way, both of these tires carry LT designations, despite being recommended for trailer service. I've personally used both and recommend them highly. They're not cheap, but neither is repairing a 5th wheel RV after a tread separation!



Rusty

I agree all- steel for heavy 5th

 

[JHardwick]

I gave up on the LT tires. I run 8-10,000 loaded miles a month and was constanly having tire problems. I stepped up and paid almost $600 for (4) 7. 5x16, 14 ply "trailer" tires. Talk about a good, smooth, worry free ride ... ..... I think I even gained a little MPG, but everyone was switching to winter blend at about the same time. Tires are rated for 105 psi, but I run at 90 psi.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

What kind are those?



Ther are some tires in between the $75 tires and the $200 tires.



Hankook has a LRG tire. Greenball has a LR G tire but I would much rather a Hankook.



http://www.hankooktireusa.com/products_view_info.asp?Item_ID=29&CatID=8

 

[JHardwick]

What kind are those?



Ther are some tires in between the $75 tires and the $200 tires.



Hankook has a LRG tire. Greenball has a LR G tire but I would much rather a Hankook.



http://www.hankooktireusa.com/products_view_info.asp?Item_ID=29&CatID=8

They are in fact Hankook. I was on the road in Missouri and had yet another flat. I hit a GoodYear dealer along the highway and saw these tires in his semi-trailer (storage unit) out back. He said, I have what you need (GoodYear Marathon ) in the size you need (which was oddball) for $137. That is the factory equipped tire and in a LR D.



I said "how much for one of those (Hankook LR G)?"



He said "bout $140, we put 'em on everything 'cept boat trailers round here".



I said "the size is different, how much if I buy all 4?"



He said "bout $140"



I said "take $500 for a set of 4 and throw these Marathoners away for me?"



He stewed a bit and said "I guess"



Mounted, balanced and tax was less than $600 ... ... ... ... ... . best tire decision I ever made and it was on the road, not even researched.



When I leave for a 6-7000 round trip haul, I don't even worry about tires now. When you get up into the Dakotas and crossing the mountains with a load of horses that don't belong to you ... ... ... ... the last thing you want is trailer tire problems.



I just today went out pricing new trailers, the only thing I demanded was a 14 ply tire. I'll probably end up with the 17. 5" on the solid steel wheel to be honest, but I learned my lesson on trailer tires.



LT's dont get it!!!!!

 

[RustyJC]

But I learned my lesson on trailer tires. LT's dont get it!!!!!

Take a look at the following:



Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST



Note the size availability - this all-steel construction, G-rated trailer specific tire only comes as an LT235/85R-16. Ditto with the E-rated Michelin XPS Rib - it's recommended by Michelin for commercial trailer service and comes (among other sizes) as an LT235/85R-16.



My point - one can't make a general statement that no LT tires are suitable for trailer service. On our previous 5th wheel, I removed Goodyear Wrangler HT tires (LT235/85R-16) and replaced them with Michelin XPS Ribs (LT235/85R-16) and had flawless performance from the Michelins. I haven't had any problems with the Goodyear Unisteel G614 RSTs (LT235/85R-16) on our current 5th wheel, either, nor have I seen any reported problems with these tires. So, there are some LT tires that I wouldn't use on a trailer, but there are others that I would (and do) use because they are recommended and/or specifically designed for trailer service.



Rusty

 

[SnoKing]

I put the Mich XPS RIBs on my 5er at 189 each, Kenda gave me 110 each to remove their Chinese Klever tires. My reseach found the the Mich in load range E was the best. Uniroyal has a Laredo HD/H LRE in the 120 range that is good also.



If you compare speed ratings, you will see that most ST carry only a 65 MPH rating, LT's have 105 or more. People that took Kenda's replacement ST's have seen failures in those also. SNOKING

 

[Dieselnerd]

My previous trailer had Goodyear LT235/85R16 E rated tires that came with the new trailer from the factory. The trailer had a GVW of 13,900 although as used it normally weighed 12,500 - 13,000. I was not happy with those tires, 3 out of 4 developed bubbles under the tread but I caught them before the tread came off. I replaced them with the Michelin XPS Ribs and they worked great. I recently traded that trailer in on one that is slightly heavier empty (about 400 pounds) but has a GVW of 15,100. It came with Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST "G" rated tires. I was not familiar with that tire so I was pleased to read about them on this thread. Looks like I got some tires that are as good as my Michelin XPS Ribs were. Thanks for the info!

 

[PatrickCampbell]

I think in theory they are better. They are LR G and a 3750# load rating.

 

[Beast2B]

Tires are one piece of the puzzle, but you MUST make sure you have wheels that are rated for the weight and pressure of the super duper tires! That being said, anyone have a good source for HD trailer wheels? We run a 10k (loaded) Sno-cat trailer at 9800lbs and it eats tires. Whether it's dirt or gravel or asphalt, we lose 3-4 tires per season and that's less than 10k miles per season!

Height is a major factor as the deck is close to the tire. I've found 16 and 17. 5 tires that will work, but a wheel in a 5-lug pattern is eluding me!

Any sugestions?

 

[SnoKing]

Tires are one piece of the puzzle, but you MUST make sure you have wheels that are rated for the weight and pressure of the super duper tires! That being said, anyone have a good source for HD trailer wheels? We run a 10k (loaded) Sno-cat trailer at 9800lbs and it eats tires. Whether it's dirt or gravel or asphalt, we lose 3-4 tires per season and that's less than 10k miles per season!

Height is a major factor as the deck is close to the tire. I've found 16 and 17. 5 tires that will work, but a wheel in a 5-lug pattern is eluding me!

Any sugestions?

Have you tried the Michelin XPS Rip or traction tire. The 235/85R16 is rate to 3042 lbs. All steel construction. SNOKING

 

[PatrickCampbell]

I think his problem is finding 5 lug 16" wheels? What kind of axles are these???