Which RV Tires... ST or LT ??

[RJOL]

Time to put new tires on my 31' Aplenlite. It came with LT235 85 16R load range E Goodyear Wrangler HT's.



When I went to my local tire shop (Les Schwab) and asked them if I should put LT tires on this rig or switch to ST, I don't really think he knew. First of all they don't carry ST tires at Les Schwab in that size. Their solution was to put LT (regular truck tires) back on.



I would like some opinions as to which tires you fellow trailer haulers are using, and any knowledge you have on this subject. I really don't need a reply that says "I've been driving on LT tires for 100 years and never had a problem. " I'd really like someone "who knows tires" to chime in and provide some info. If you recommend LT tires, what brand?. .

 

[Bill Stockard]

I suggest the Michelin XPS Radial. It's an all steel carcass commercial type tire. It gives long tread life and runs cool hauling heavy trailers.



I towed a heavy Hitchhiker 5th wheel for many years and had a lot of problems with the Goodyear Wrangler HTs throwing the tread. Once I changed over the the Michelin XPS Radials, the tire problems stopped.



Bill

 

[RJOL]

Bill... I have heard of the XPS tire and will look into it. That is an LT tire, if I remember correctly... If not, I'm sure someone will let me know. I was looking at that tire for my 2001 CTD. I think the problems was that Michelin didn't make in in the size for my stock truck (265 75 R16) that came on the SLT 4X4. I'll check and see if they come in the 235 85 R16...

 

[RBrunson]

Rick, go back to Les Schwab and ask them to show you a Super Trail tire. I installed these last week. they are a LT 235 85 16 radial with 14 ply, with a 3750lb rating at 110psi. They are a trailer tire only. My trailer is heavy and I wanted something that was just a little bit more stout than the Goodyear Workhorse tires that were on it.

 

[RJOL]

Ron... Thanks... I'll give them a call... These might be overkill (3750 and 110psi) but I will look. What did they cost, and is there any warranty?

 

[GerryDrake]

Goodyear

Rick... Goodyear makes one specifically for trailers. It is a G647 RSA, load range E in LT215/85 R16... My local Les Schwab took about 4 days to get them, but they are designed for a towed axle (not a drive axle) and the edges of the tread are quite hard and will slide rather than scrub when making those tight low speed maneuvering moves where you often see ground rubber afterward. I have had them on for a trip (7. 5 months) all the way back to NC and FL and back, and can barely tell there is any wear. Absolutely no problems at all. I highly recommend them. It was about a year and a half ago, and I bought aluminum wheels from them at the same time, so don't recall the price, but they weren't way out of line. If you go to the Goodyear site and take a look, as I recall they have some good info on them ... Gerry

 

[Bill Stockard]

Rick, go back to Les Schwab and ask them to show you a Super Trail tire. I installed these last week. they are a LT 235 85 16 radial with 14 ply, with a 3750lb rating at 110psi. They are a trailer tire only. My trailer is heavy and I wanted something that was just a little bit more stout than the Goodyear Workhorse tires that were on it.

You need to make sure your trailer wheels are rated to the 110 PSI before you purchase and run these tires at 110 PSI. If your trailer wheels aren't rated for 110 PSI, serious problems can occur when running tires above the wheel's rated pressure.



Bill

 

[RustyJC]

I've used the Michelin XPS Rib in LT235/85R-16E to replace Wrangler HTs on our previous 5th wheel. Our current 5th wheel came with Goodyear G614R/ST tires in LT235/85R-16G size.



Both of these are all-steel construction radials that are recommended by their manufacturers for commercial trailer service. The "ST" designation tends to lose its applicability when tire sizes are 16" and above.



Rusty

 

[RBrunson]

Rick, they were right about 140 and I had them spin balance them and that brought them to a little over 150 each.



Bill, you are right about making sure your wheel will handle them. I have all steel wheel and the steel bolt in valve stems, a must for running high pressure.

 

[SnoKing]

Time to put new tires on my 31' Aplenlite. It came with LT235 85 16R load range E Goodyear Wrangler HT's.



When I went to my local tire shop (Les Schwab) and asked them if I should put LT tires on this rig or switch to ST, I don't really think he knew. First of all they don't carry ST tires at Les Schwab in that size. Their solution was to put LT (regular truck tires) back on.



I would like some opinions as to which tires you fellow trailer haulers are using, and any knowledge you have on this subject. I really don't need a reply that says "I've been driving on LT tires for 100 years and never had a problem. " I'd really like someone "who knows tires" to chime in and provide some info. If you recommend LT tires, what brand?. .

RJOL, I just removed the Kenda Chinese tires from my 6 month old Cardinal 29WBLX and replaced them with 235/85R16 Loan range E Michelin XPS Ribs. Sam's Club has them at 165 each. I got mine at a Phelps Tire store for 189. 00, do not belong to SAMs. My Costco said they would not order them. After a lot of research I feel they are the best tire you could but on any trailer. Many positive reports. The Uniroyal Laredo HD/H is a medium price tire that gets good reports. I have heard of Wrangler HT loosing treads.



BTW the tire shop guy put 65 LBs of air in the Mich's. We have a lot of debates about air pressure. I said, how did you decide on 65, did you look at the trailer tag? He said no! 65 Lbs is the right amount for these tires on your trailer. Of cousre they at rate to 3042 lbs at 80 lbs of air. Trailer axles are around 9K+, and do not need the full 12168lbs of carrying cap.



I can now hit the bottom of hills at 70 and never worry about my trailer tires. SNOKING

 

[JPope]

Any truth to the story that trailer tires are made with a different formulation to resist sunlight better, because they sit in one spot for longer periods of time.



Yes I do use tire covers when the trailer tires are sitting. Have had to replace trailer tires because of sidewall cracking from sunlight, even though the thread was barely used. Maybe need to travel more with the trailer??? :-laf

 

[SnoKing]

"Commercial truck mileage.



Michelin® XPS Rib® tires are the best value per mile in the Michelin commercial tire lineup and an ideal choice for commercial trailers because of low rolling resistance (for better fuel economy), a long-wear rib tread design and retreadability. These tires also have the strength of a reinforced all-steel construction for lasting durability.





Responsive handling helps you negotiate through tough traffic

Easily retreadable all-steel casing

Lowest cost per mile in this category "



SNOKING

 

[RJOL]

I think the Michelins might be the best option, but I'm going to get the Wild Cat HT 235/85R16E tire from Les Schwab. Here is my reasoning:



1. I've been using Les Schwab for many years, and although you may pay a little more for their tire, they will always take care of you, are very quick without an appointment, and have hundreds of locations up and down the West Coast.



2. The cost for four of these tires is around $470 mounted and balanced. The only reason I'm replacing the tires is that they have been on the trailer for over 7 years. They are nowhere near being worn out on the tread. I probably have put less then 10K miles on them since new. If I were really concerned about tire wear, I'd buy something like the Michelin XPS.



3. I also believe that the XPS is a better tire for any sidewall problems as they have steel in the sidewall. If I were full time RVing this would be another consideration. For occasional towing the stock Goodyear Wrangler HT's on my trailer have held up well without any hint of problems.



I'm not saying this is the best solution, but it makes sense for me and the type of RVing I'm doing now...

 

[sangell]

Bill, you are right about making sure your wheel will handle them. I have all steel wheel and the steel bolt in valve stems, a must for running high pressure.

Check those wheels to be sure, not all steel 16" wheels are rated to 3750lbs.



Scott