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Old 10-16-2017, 06:25 PM   #1
mtlakejim
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Best choice tires for large Keystone

We just purchased a 2018 High Country HM 381TH. This is a 41', three axle, toy hauler hybrid. I have heard a LOT about "Chinese tires" that come stock from the factory. Having experienced what a blowout can do in the past I am naturally concerned.

While we are not made out of gold, I do spend money where it matters and obviously tires matter, a LOT. Our typical load will include a motorcycle and kayaks in the garage. I generally tend to drive with the flow of traffic pacing with the 18 wheelers on interstates (with a good front cushion). That means that it is not unusual for me to run at about 74mph on open stretches of highway. I generally think it is far safer to go with the flow than drive the speed limit (its the idiots that drive really fast and lane change or the slow pokes blocking traffic that get us all in trouble isn't it?). For certain, I ALWAYS like to have a cushion of safety in the tire rating. That being said I have the following questions:
1. Are the factory tires safe for the for the first year (we typically just camp a couple times a month within a 3 hour drive from the house with an occasional longer trip maybe once per year)? Or should I replace them immediately?
2. What is the best mid priced (as in we don't want the cheapest but don't want to break the bank either) tire brand and what load range/rating should I get to have a good safety "cushion"?
3. Related to above, I hear a lot about ST, LT and such ratings. What is really the best to run on a trailer? Is it a cost thing or what?
 
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Old 10-16-2017, 06:36 PM   #2
mhs4771
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I guess it depends on what tires your new unit has. If they're Rainier I wouldn't move it off the lot until they were changed. Our Travel friends went through all 5 Rainier tires on their new Jayco a couple of years ago on our Canadian Maritime trip.
A good mid-priced tire that seems to be working good is the Sailun S637, many here on the Forum swear by them.
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Old 10-16-2017, 06:45 PM   #3
Lenny K
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How about telling us what brand and load range you have on it now. Wouldn't be surprised if you had Sailun tires on it already. If so, you are good to go as they have been the tire of choice by most members.
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Old 10-16-2017, 07:02 PM   #4
CaptnJohn
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All I'll add is my 2017 HC arrived with Rainier tires ~~ LR E for crying out loud! I called the tire shop and asked the owner to get me Sailun 235/80/R16 LRG tires, including one for the spare. They are rated at 4080#. He called and said he found them but also found the 235/85 R16 LRG for $10 less each. These are rated at 4400#. The 5er went from the dealer to the tire shop. The owner gave me $30 each for the OEM tires. I had previously contacted the manufacturer of the wheels and confirmed they were rated for 110 PSI. The valve stems are metal as well.
Installed the bill was $875 minus $150 for the OEM so $725 to replace 5. The 235/80/R16 Sailuns are now standard on Montana models.
I considered paying twice as much for the 2nd best ~ GY G614,, for about 3 seconds.
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Old 10-16-2017, 07:03 PM   #5
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You need a good G rated tire, Sailum or Goodyear G614s. Either one will work. The Silum is the cheapest. I WOULD NOT go on any long trips with the standard ST tires that most likely came on your camper.
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Old 10-16-2017, 07:04 PM   #6
mtlakejim
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Understand this is a brand new 2018 that was already on the lot (IE: we didn't order it in from the factory). Came with Rainer ST. ST235/180R load range F.
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Old 10-16-2017, 07:07 PM   #7
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And I should mention this is a triple axle....
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Old 10-16-2017, 10:01 PM   #8
rohrmann
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Even the cost of replacing six tires is still far cheaper than the down time and the cost of many thousands of dollars in repairs that will be needed when any of the six blow and destroy your trailer. Many ignore the suggestion to replace their new tires with the good G range tires, then cry when they do have one fail and the side of the trailer is all mangled. It's all about what you are willing to risk and can afford, also known as risk management.
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Old 10-17-2017, 01:04 PM   #9
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Rohrmann,


Having seen what a blowout can do and just generally preferring everything I have to be overbuilt leads me to lean toward replacing the tires. I did on the last camper I bought (used) even though I had a blowout before I got the chance to get it to the tire shop.


That is why I am on here asking the questions to see how the factory tires fair and determine what to go to that will give me plenty of excess rating.


Fortunately I have a flatbed trailer that can take the factory tires so I won't lose a lot of money. If I had ordered the trailer from the factory instead of taking the one on the lot, I would have asked about the tires and got better ones to reduce the hassle.


Thanks for all the responses so far.
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Old 10-20-2017, 09:32 AM   #10
beeje
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I don't care what brand tires they are. IF THEY ARE ST TIRES, GET THEM OFF ASAP. Just got back from the Talladega race and on the way home saw probably a dozen or more trailers on the roadside with blown tires.
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Old 10-20-2017, 01:04 PM   #11
twindman
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I wonder if lesser tires wouldn't work here. Axle weight is about 4400 per axle. That is only 2200 per tire - way under any tire you would put on these units.
Just a thought......
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Old 10-20-2017, 01:08 PM   #12
CaptnJohn
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Originally Posted by beeje View Post
I don't care what brand tires they are. IF THEY ARE ST TIRES, GET THEM OFF ASAP. Just got back from the Talladega race and on the way home saw probably a dozen or more trailers on the roadside with blown tires.
I'll keep my Sailun 235/85r16 ST tires made in China on my 5er before any LT tire plus $1000.
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Old 10-20-2017, 04:35 PM   #13
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Most here are saying stay away from the ST tires. Why? Also folks are saying the Sailun S637 is a good tire but both the 235/80R16 G load index 129/125L 14 ply max 4,080# @110psi *AND* the 235/85R16 G load index 132/127L 14 ply max 4,400# @110psi are ST tires. http://www.sailuntires.ca/MRT/S637.html
I'm considering looking at the Sailun S637 235/75R17.5 load index 143/141L 16 ply max 6,005# @125psi. With new rims total $$ will be ~$2,000.
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Old 10-20-2017, 06:05 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by masterdrago View Post
Most here are saying stay away from the ST tires. Why? Also folks are saying the Sailun S637 is a good tire but both the 235/80R16 G load index 129/125L 14 ply max 4,080# @110psi *AND* the 235/85R16 G load index 132/127L 14 ply max 4,400# @110psi are ST tires. http://www.sailuntires.ca/MRT/S637.html
I'm considering looking at the Sailun S637 235/75R17.5 load index 143/141L 16 ply max 6,005# @125psi. With new rims total $$ will be ~$2,000.
WoW!! I thought my 5er ready to snowbird at just under 14,000# (gvwr 15,200) with Sailun 235/85R16 was overkill at 4400 ~~ not sure what I'd pull to think of 6005# rated. I'm not sure there is enough height in the wheel wells or between tires either.


Most that beat the LT drum had a blowout or know someone that did on ST tires. Most of those tires were barely adequate when installed at the factory. Some were not properly cared for or run on low psi. Some had nearly aged out when the RV was purchased. All were the cheapest the builder could find. So, they run to LT tires. The only blowout I ever had was on a nearly new Good Year LT tire but I've only been driving 53 years.
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Old 10-20-2017, 06:06 PM   #15
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Captnjohn and others, What I meant was get the junk factory supplied ST tires off. Power king/arket/tow master/carlile/ and others.

I installed 5 new sailuns this spring and the difference is astounding. The sailuns used to be marked as an LT tire but for what I have read, they have been rebadged as an ST, but still the same tire.

Sorry for any confusion.
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Old 10-20-2017, 06:52 PM   #16
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Our Sailuns are two+ years old and marked as LTs but say "for trailer use only". Maybe something lost in translation. In any event, stay away from light truck tires on a double/triple axle trailer. They will not tolerate the sideways sliding when trailer is in a tight turn.
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Old 10-20-2017, 08:20 PM   #17
mtlakejim
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We have a first rate local tire/mechanic shop so I will ultimately defer to him. I trust the guy with my life. But I will also be getting a tire minder!
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Old 10-20-2017, 08:28 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptnJohn View Post
WoW!! I thought my 5er ready to snowbird at just under 14,000# (gvwr 15,200) with Sailun 235/85R16 was overkill at 4400 ~~ not sure what I'd pull to think of 6005# rated. I'm not sure there is enough height in the wheel wells or between tires either.
When one considers the physical forces on a tire during bumps, potholes, and high speed thrill rides on our wonderful highways then the loading is much different than smooth sailing on flat concrete. Some other genius can do the physics. I agree that 4,400#/tire max load is ~900# margin/tire on most 5r we are looking at (3791RD GVWR 16,945-pin(2,945)=14,000/4=3,500 carried per tire).

Also consider that the S637 Sailun ST235/85R16 is 31.7" OD and the 235/75R17.5 is 31.6"OD, they are essentially the same size. Rim width is only 1/4" difference and and SW only 4/10" difference. Clearance would not be an issue.
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Old 10-20-2017, 09:05 PM   #19
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When one considers the physical forces on a tire during bumps, potholes, and high speed thrill rides on our wonderful highways then the loading is much different than smooth sailing on flat concrete. Some other genius can do the physics. I agree that 4,400# max load is ~ 1,150# margin/tire on most 5r we are looking at (3791RD GVWR 16,945-pin(2,945)=13,000/4=3,250 carried per tire).

Also consider that the S637 Sailun ST235/85R16 is 31.7" OD and the 235/75R17.5 is 31.6"OD, they are essentially the same size. Rim width is only 1/4" difference and and SW only 4/10" difference. Clearance would not be an issue.
One thing I notice with LR G at 110# psi over LR E at 80# psi is a little stiffer ride in the 5er. Not huge, but some things left on the counter now moves a little. Going to an even stronger sidewall would give even more bounce inside, more than I'd like possibly.
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Old 10-21-2017, 04:43 AM   #20
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Not true about using LT tires on a trailer. They are fine on something a little lighter. I put firestone transforce on my Raptor 300mp dual axle trailer after having several sets of ST tires with problems. Never had another issue after I installed them. FYI both axles weighted in around 12k loaded. The tires are rated at 3042lbs ea.
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