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Need Advice on Tires for Fifth Wheel


sandra67

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  • 1 month later...

My recent purchase for our triple axle trailer was the Hankook F-19 in size 7.50R16LT. It is listed as a commercial tire . Load is 122/118 (3,330/3,175) at 105PSI.

 

Not a full replacement for a 'G' rated 3,750, but a great tire if the load capacity will match your weight requirements.

 

Best price I found was from Simple Tire.

 

I've used Michelin XPS's for years, but these tires are about half the price!

Mike & Carol Phillips

 

2001 Carriage Conestoga

2002 Dodge CTD 3500

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I assume your rims were rated for 105 psi. The usual 16" rim delivered is rated for 85 psi.

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Our 5er spends a 3 or 4 months a year in the garage but our last set of XPS Ribs lasted 10 years and still looked new. The previous set went about 9 years. The quality of the tire makes a big difference. I also try to avoid really tight turns especially backing but sometimes it is necessary. Lesser tires typically had at least one failure in 2 to 4 years on our trailers. We once had 4 Goodyear tires fail on 1 trip. When we bought the trailer it was 1 year old so these could have been damaged but the tire dealer told us Goodyear had a silent recall on the tires. These tires were 2 years old. Goodyear stepped up and paid for new tires and a few thousand in damage. The RV dealer in a small town said this was the 7th 5er like ours with Goodyear tires they fixed that year. We have owned numerous trailers from stock trailers to boat trailers. We finally tried to always buy a commercial rated tire to stop the constant tire failures.

Our experience with Michelin XPS RIB is very similar to yours. Once you get past the shock and pain of paying for them - they are great tires!

 

Discount Tire said our last set of Michelin XPS RIBs were in good shape after 10 years but said for liability reasons they could not even put air in them. Our experience is that we don't wear them out as much as they age out of service.

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I also have had excellent service from the XPS RIBs on my lighter trailers. It would be my first choice for a tire on a trailer that is light enough for them.

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

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I'm finding more than a few E rated 15" ST tires. I'm shopping too for very lightweight fiver. It has some older Double King DK88 D rated tires. They look new but I found cuts on the sidewalls of three of them that were impossible to see with all the rain and mud we've had here since I bought it. So

I'm shopping too. I found these, Anyone have experience with Power King Towmax STR?: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Power+King&tireModel=Towmax+STR&partnum=275R5TMSTRV2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

And these Hercules: http://www.trailer-wheels.com/ST22575R15-HERCULES-POWER-STR-Radial-Trailer-Tire-LRE-2830-lb-Max-Load_p_1001.html#.VW_Odu_bLIU

 

These SuperTrail : http://www.trailer-wheels.com/ST22575R15-Super-Trail-Trailer-Tire-Load-Range-E-2830-lb-Max-Load_p_1004.html#.VW_QfO_bLIU

 

These Carlisle: http://www.trailer-wheels.com/ST22575R15-Carlisle-Radial-Trailer-Tire-LRE-2830-lb-Capacity_p_1133.html#.VW_RKe_bLIU

 

These Freestar: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-ST-225-75R15-Freestar-Radial-Trailer-Tires-10-Ply-2257515-225-75-15-R15-E-/181479219234?hash=item2a41012022&vxp=mtr

 

These Trailer King: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-NEW-Trailer-King-Radial-ST-225-75-15-2257515-10-PLY-E-Load-Tire-Tires-/131311607624?hash=item1e92c81f48&vxp=mtr

 

I just need some experienced input from anyone who has owned these.

 

I owned the Load range D Marathons and had four tire failures in one trip. I have heard good and bad, mostly bad about Carlisle. After the Marathon failures, I got to California and bought five 16" Toyo E rated LT tires and the correct rated rims. The jerks flipping the axles dropped the trailer with only rear jacks on, bending the frame causing the front skin to separate at the seams, totaling the trailer. I had them transferred to my truck which towed our new second rig great and rode quieter that the old Michelin LT tires that had the Michelin belt ripples all around. So I am not sure I can do worse than the Marathons. I won't buy any Goodyear tire. My current truck has my new favorite, Pirelli Scorpions, 17" load range E tires. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=1&autoMake=Dodge&autoYear=2006&autoModel=Ram+2500+QuadCab+2wd&autoModClar=&width=265%2F&ratio=70&diameter=17&sortCode=50550&skipOver=true&minSpeedRating=R&minLoadRating=E&manufacturer=Pirelli

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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I'm finding more than a few E rated 15" ST tires. I'm shopping too for very lightweight fiver. It has some older Double King DK88 D rated tires. They look new but I found cuts on the sidewalls of three of them that were impossible to see with all the rain and mud we've had here since I bought it. So

I'm shopping too. I found these, Anyone have experience with Power King Towmax STR?: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Power+King&tireModel=Towmax+STR&partnum=275R5TMSTRV2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

And these Hercules: http://www.trailer-wheels.com/ST22575R15-HERCULES-POWER-STR-Radial-Trailer-Tire-LRE-2830-lb-Max-Load_p_1001.html#.VW_Odu_bLIU

 

These SuperTrail : http://www.trailer-wheels.com/ST22575R15-Super-Trail-Trailer-Tire-Load-Range-E-2830-lb-Max-Load_p_1004.html#.VW_QfO_bLIU

 

These Carlisle: http://www.trailer-wheels.com/ST22575R15-Carlisle-Radial-Trailer-Tire-LRE-2830-lb-Capacity_p_1133.html#.VW_RKe_bLIU

 

These Freestar: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-ST-225-75R15-Freestar-Radial-Trailer-Tires-10-Ply-2257515-225-75-15-R15-E-/181479219234?hash=item2a41012022&vxp=mtr

 

These Trailer King: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-NEW-Trailer-King-Radial-ST-225-75-15-2257515-10-PLY-E-Load-Tire-Tires-/131311607624?hash=item1e92c81f48&vxp=mtr

 

I just need some experienced input from anyone who has owned these.

 

I owned the Load range D Marathons and had four tire failures in one trip. I have heard good and bad, mostly bad about Carlisle. After the Marathon failures, I got to California and bought five 16" Toyo E rated LT tires and the correct rated rims. The jerks flipping the axles dropped the trailer with only rear jacks on, bending the frame causing the front skin to separate at the seams, totaling the trailer. I had them transferred to my truck which towed our new second rig great and rode quieter that the old Michelin LT tires that had the Michelin belt ripples all around. So I am not sure I can do worse than the Marathons. I won't buy any Goodyear tire. My current truck has my new favorite, Pirelli Scorpions, 17" load range E tires. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=1&autoMake=Dodge&autoYear=2006&autoModel=Ram+2500+QuadCab+2wd&autoModClar=&width=265%2F&ratio=70&diameter=17&sortCode=50550&skipOver=true&minSpeedRating=R&minLoadRating=E&manufacturer=Pirelli

 

Knowing actual weights would give us better understanding of what is meant by "real light weight" so we could offer an informed suggestion on your tire neads.

 

Having 4 tire failures in one trip is, to me an indication of a serious problem unless they were all due to puncture or cuts.

 

Unless we know the "why" the tires failed we may not be addressing the actual cause of the failures.

Check out my Blog www.RVTireSafety.NET

 

I serve on Tech Advisory board of FMCA as their Tire Expert.

Give three different seminars on tires at RV events and I also give three seminars on Genealogy too.

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Tireman, thanks,

But I'm not asking for tow and weight calculations. I don't need help with weights per tire GVWR, water and propane weights, pin weights or load balance. I was fulltime from 1997 for seven years. Those failures were all in I998 spaced across the country on the way to California.

 

You're absolutely right, there was something wrong . . . the new Goodyear Marathons I put on my rig! Thus their unquestioned silent recall. Back then we weren't using TPMS but I was lucky in that they started to go flat with plenty of warning, rather than blowing out. So no wheel well damage.

 

My UVW is 7516 for this 28.5ft fiver, the tires on it have a max weight rating individually of 2535lbs. @ 65psi. The fiver's GVWR is 10750. With 15% pin weight of 1612.5 subtracted (10750-1612.5=9137.50/4 tires=2284lbs load per tire) gives me just 251 lbs. headspace. (2535-2284=251) per tire, or 251*4=1004 lbs of total excess load capacity with these very cheap load range D tires now on it and in need of replacement.

 

My truck front and rear axle curb weights are F3811/R3811. With 1612.5 pin weight added all to the rear axle (1612.5+3811=5423) total weight of 5423 of max rear axle capacity of 6010 leaves me 587 lbs. headroom. Of course some of the pin weight will be transferred to the front. Once I have the new tires selected, and the ground around it has dried enough for me to get the truck in front of it without getting stuck in my back pasture, from what seems like 6 months of rain almost daily then I'll be doing my weigh day. First getting the truck alone as loaded for travel with all passengers and gear aboard. Then the truck hitched but only its four tires on the scale. Then the truck and trailer tires on the scale. Then just the trailer tires on the scale for exact weight not just on paper. Then I can weigh each side of the trailer tires to see balance left and right.Weighing each wheel may not be possible here, but if each side is good and the trailer is level hitched as it is now, all should be well within specs with the extra tire load capacity.

 

Put another way, the truck has a payload of 2534 pounds and after subtracting two people and dogs, the pin weight, I'm left with 571.50 remaining payload for cargo.

 

My truck a 2006 short bed 2500 diesel Dodge Ram has a GCWR of 20000 pounds. My GVWR for the trailer is10750 + truck's 9000 lbs=GVW of 19750. Unlike many short bed/fiver combos all weights are within any reasonable deviations with some acceptable headroom in each weight and corresponding limits on vehicles and their tires with no numbers exceeded.

 

I just need to hear from anyone that has actually owned these brands for user experience. I don't like being close to the max weight of my tires. But I did the paper calculations before buying to insure headroom in all areas. What I'm looking for are folks who can say they did a year of travels even in only snowbirding and back, to be able to tell me that those particular 15" LR E tires in use are great/OK/acceptable/unacceptable.

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Too bad we aren't closer to the time you had the tire problems as I would have encouraged you to file complaints with NHTSA. "Silent Recalls" would be a thing of the past if people made the minimal effort needed to file actionable cpomplaints with NHTSA.

I have no idea what number would be needed to generate action but if in fact there were more than a few dozen complaints there might have been a formal investigation.

"Silent Recalls" are one way a manufacturer might try and avoid an actual recall as they know if the keep enough people relatively happy enough so they don't file complaints there will probably never be an investigation.

Check out my Blog www.RVTireSafety.NET

 

I serve on Tech Advisory board of FMCA as their Tire Expert.

Give three different seminars on tires at RV events and I also give three seminars on Genealogy too.

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Goodyear is the company that I know of that had silent recalls. We had 4 Goodyear LT tires fail on one trip of maybe 500 miles. 5er damage was a few thousand dollars from tread separation. 2 of the tires were still fully inflated after tread separation. These tires were 2 years old. Discount Tire told us about the recall AFTER the problem. Several others had similar failures with these tires. The one positive is that Goodyear paid for the tires and damage. Still I avoid Goodyear tires. Someone could easily been hurt and it could have been my family or me. These were Goodyear 16" Wranglers load range E. I also have been with friends that had 15" Marathons fail. Seemed to be common occurrances.

Randy

2001 Volvo VNL 42 Cummins ISX Autoshift

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RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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There should be a sticky tire thread. :rolleyes:

Costco has Greenball Towmaster SS Special Trailer Radial Tire http://www.costco.com/Greenball-Towmaster-SS-Special-Trailer-Radial-Tire.product.100054275.html $114.99 and $20 off with 2 tires. Good reviews on Costco and I found a thread on mastercraft forum. I have been considering these. I am sure there will be thoughts here. <_<

It seems like no one cares for Carlisle and very mixed on Marathons. Sigh.

How much did the Hercules tires cost you at Discount tire?

Is there any issue of upgrading to E load over D'S ? Should be all better except for the price?

Home is where you park your heart, or your tires for the night.

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There should be a sticky tire thread. :rolleyes:

Costco has Greenball Towmaster SS Special Trailer Radial Tire http://www.costco.com/Greenball-Towmaster-SS-Special-Trailer-Radial-Tire.product.100054275.html $114.99 and $20 off with 2 tires. Good reviews on Costco and I found a thread on mastercraft forum. I have been considering these. I am sure there will be thoughts here. <_<

It seems like no one cares for Carlisle and very mixed on Marathons. Sigh.

How much did the Hercules tires cost you at Discount tire?

Is there any issue of upgrading to E load over D'S ? Should be all better except for the price?

Going from LR-D to LR-E will only give you increased load capacity if you also increase the inflation pressure as it is the inflation that carries the load not the tire.

 

You do need to confirm your wheels are rated for 80 psi.

 

You did not say what your actual tire loads were but given the guidelines of running the same inflation on all tires on an axle and suggestions to allow 15% more load than the measured and a +10% on the inflation going to the LR-E would be advisable.

 

All of this also ignors the advantages for long term tire durability of running the inflation pressure on the tire sidewall to reduce the affect of Interply Shear. You can Google Interply Shear to read tire blog on it and some technical papers that are the basis for the recommendation to run the higher pressure.

Check out my Blog www.RVTireSafety.NET

 

I serve on Tech Advisory board of FMCA as their Tire Expert.

Give three different seminars on tires at RV events and I also give three seminars on Genealogy too.

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Gdog,

If you go to the links from my question about anyone having experience with these tires, the prices are there too for each. Here is the link for the Hercules I found: http://www.trailer-wheels.com/ST22575R15-HERCULES-POWER-STR-Radial-Trailer-Tire-LRE-2830-lb-Max-Load_p_1001.html#.VXSerO_bLIV

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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We have had many problems with Carlisle's and a few misc. brands that I would have to go back through old notes to see if I could find out what they were. We have had our best luck with Hercules with load range D and now with load range E.

Dave

2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch
2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler
Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you!

 

Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/

for much more info on HDT's.

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Thanks Dave,

I'm using Amazon to get the user feedback now too and Hercules has four out of five praising them. But one brand was a surprise.

 

These Freestar have four great reviews for 90.70 each with free shipping:

http://www.amazon.com/Freestar-M-108-All-Season-Radial-Tire/dp/B00N4CB9T2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433707481&sr=8-1&keywords=225%2F75%2F15+freestar+tires

The same Freestars from eBay $78 each free shipping:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-ST-225-75R15-Freestar-Radial-Trailer-Tires-10-Ply-2257515-225-75-15-R15-E-/181479219234?hash=item2a41012022&vxp=mtr

 

These $85.50 Trailer Kings have 13 great reviews and free shipping:

http://www.amazon.com/75r15-Radial-Tire-Load-Range/dp/B00LXD6MQ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433706894&sr=8-2&keywords=225%2F75%2F15+trailer+king+tires

 

The Hercules are much more expensive yet with only four data points not enough to go on until you chimed in.

$137.50 free shipping: http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-Power-75R15-117L-68146/dp/B006UH6U9M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433782721&sr=8-1&keywords=225%2F75%2F15+hercules+tires&pebp=1433783018141&perid=145K2EK6X4TC4F2VH8JP

 

I'm heading down today to a couple of tire places to see what the locals have. I also need to think in terms of service on the road. That's where name brands shine. I do know paying more does not always mean it's better.

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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I found time to check one of three local tire places. The have Omni Trail, in Load range E 225/75/15 which look great. Omnis are an imported Chinese brand with apparently good reviews. They have been selling them for three or four years and put on several sets a week. He said they have no more failures than any good major brand of tire, Trailer, LT, or passenger car tires they sell. Having local service and support might be worth the risk of an unknown brand.

 

Note I have Load range D tires that are less than three years old and have what looks like 99% tread. Total unknown origin other than China and no online comment or listings that I can find. The spare isn't! It is a tire holding my spare rim. The tire is a Marathon 225/75/15 D load rated with a big bubble (tread separation) on it that I remember from 15 years ago on our first rig. The marathon has great tread on it.

 

We are not taking any trips for at least a month or two as we will be living in the fiver while our house is being set up. So I have lots of time to shop and check out tires online and in person.

 

Safe travels!

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks Fast Eagle, I had that but it may be useful/helpful to others.

 

The local Gateway tire guys swear by them and have been selling them for a long time with no complaints about failures.

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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  • 3 weeks later...

If it says, made in China, run! Just put Michelin XPS Ribs on and love them already. Looking forward to miles and miles of uneventful towing with them.

The XPS RIBS are an awesome "E" rated tire, though pricey....The Duravis 250's are also "as good as" the RIBS and cost much less than the RIBS do. Some may want to look at those also...

2016 DRV MS36RSSB3
2016 Ram 3500 DRW/CC/LB/4X4/Aisin/4.10 Longhorn, rear air assist suspension
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