Replacing tires to G rated

[Montana3800RE]

Today I went to our local Les Schwab Tire Store to look for some 235/85R/16 G rated tires for our Montana. What they stock is the GEOSTAR, and highly recommend them. The price is $260.00ea. which I didn't think was to bad for that rating. After doing a search on 2 other forums I am on, I have found no one that had a problem with them, what do you all think, let me know. Thanks Ron

[mhs4771]

Just did a Google search, not much info on them at all, like no idea where they're made etc. Seem to be handled by Tireco which markets a group of brands I've never heard of and not sure I want to. I would like to know more about the Company before trusting my home on wheels to them. But that's just me, after all I put G614s on our little 2955RL (it did scale out at 14K)

[tim43]

Myself, I'm partial to Goodyear G614s. Made in the USA and many members of this forum have switched over to them. A few more bucks per tire, but worth the piece of mind to me.

[Exnavydiver]

Tireco is the company that supplied the dreaded MISSION bombs. Up mid 08 they put them on the Montanas. They replaced the shredded Mission bombs with Freestars which lasted even less time. They seem to specialize in Chinabombs. Sometime in 08 Keystone dropped them and started using Marathon bombs. I replaced my Mission/Freestars with Marathons after 3K$ in damage and they lasted about the same length of time as the Missions. I now have the REAL G-614s, made in USA and heavy as hell but I feel better having them on the rig then I did the Marathons..

[Hooker]

quote:Originally posted by Montana3800RE

Today I went to our local Les Schwab Tire Store to look for some 235/85R/16 G rated tires for our Montana. What they stock is the GEOSTAR, and highly recommend them. The price is $260.00ea. which I didn't think was to bad for that rating. After doing a search on 2 other forums I am on, I have found no one that had a problem with them, what do you all think, let me know. Thanks Ron

THEY highly recommend them because THEY are selling them. I would get the 235/85R16s you have listed, but I'd be sure they are LTs not STs and made in the USA or Japan. IMHO, the G614s are over kill and not necessary.

On edit: I stand corrected...my comments are applicable to 14k Montanas not 16k Montanas...the standard LT 235/85R16 does not have the capacity for a 16k rig.

[bncinwv]

Have to respectfully disagree with Hooker. The G614's are not overkill on a rig that has a full loaded weight of very nearly 16,000 pounds. Assuming a conservative 20% pin weight, the tires should be rated to hold up 3200 pounds apiece (Specs show 2480 pin weight, which would result in close to 3400 pounds per tire). A little research will show that the GeoStar's are an ST (Sorry - misinformation from another forum) tire rated for 3750 pounds at 110 psi (same specs as G614's and they weight 57 pounds apiece if you are looking at these):
Geostar
They look comparable, but on the side they will say "Made in Thailand" instead of "Made in U.S.A". Your call as to your preference, I do know what my preference was as is evidenced in my signature line.
Bingo

[DQDick]

The fact that they are LT and not ST tires says something for them. The feds hold LT tires to a higher standard since they are designed for the TV and if they blow are likely to kill people. ST tires aren't held to the same standard since we they blow it normally results in trailer damage. 57# is a good weight that could be a good tire.

[Drifty1]

I went with 614's about a year ago as I think it was my best choice for us. I was lucky to get them for $250 each and an additional $175 shipping to the house. I did have Schwab mount them for me locally. Schawb wanted close to $500 each for them at that time. I justed looked at the company I ordered from and they want $323 each which I think would be a good price if you happen to be in Edon OH and did not have to pay a bunch of shipping charges. This is a link to their site for the Goodyear's. http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com.../product/RG614

[Montana3800RE]

Thanks guys. I have been looking at the Goodyear 614, and yes they are spendy. I have had an a commercial account with Schwab for years, and they have always treated me right, I normally run Toyo on everything, from the pickups to the semis but they do not make a 14ply tire in the size we use on the Montana. I would hope they would steer me right, but you never know, just thought I would get your thoughts and probably keep looking. Thanks Again..........Ron

[steelpony5555]

I think that the only thing Goodyear lacks in this robbery is a gun. They charge a ridiculous price for those tires and get away with it because they are pretty much the only game in town for a tire in that size and construction. I mean even at the cheapest price of $323 a tire is a little crazy but I too have seen places charging up to $400 a tire. Then like was said you got to pay the shipping on the cheaper ones and most likely still got to pay to have them mounted. I would love to see some other manufactors make more tires in that ranges and give them a little competition, might get them to drop there prices some. I really don't think that the majority of the problem is the place they are made more then the type or construction of ST tires. So that being said the Geostar's made in Thailand just may be as strong as the Goodyears. But who knows.......Just found that Geostars are a Chinese tire manufactured by Nankang of China.....

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by Exnavydiver

Tireco is the company that supplied the dreaded MISSION bombs. Up mid 08 they put them on the Montanas. They replaced the shredded Mission bombs with Freestars which lasted even less time. They seem to specialize in Chinabombs. Sometime in 08 Keystone dropped them and started using Marathon bombs. I replaced my Mission/Freestars with Marathons after 3K$ in damage and they lasted about the same length of time as the Missions. I now have the REAL G-614s, made in USA and heavy as hell but I feel better having them on the rig then I did the Marathons..

Dave, it's not that they specialize in China bombs, it's that the only place you can buy trailer tires any more, unless you go up in rating/size. It sucks, but it's true.

[Hooker]

quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

Have to respectfully disagree with Hooker. The G614's are not overkill on a rig that has a full loaded weight of very nearly 16,000 pounds. Assuming a conservative 20% pin weight, the tires should be rated to hold up 3200 pounds apiece (Specs show 2480 pin weight, which would result in close to 3400 pounds per tire). A little research will show that the GeoStar's are an ST (Sorry - misinformation from another forum) tire rated for 3750 pounds at 110 psi (same specs as G614's and they weight 57 pounds apiece if you are looking at these):
Geostar
They look comparable, but on the side they will say "Made in Thailand" instead of "Made in U.S.A". Your call as to your preference, I do know what my preference was as is evidenced in my signature line.
Bingo

You are correct and I edited my post. Somewhere in my pea brain I was thinking the 3800RE was a 14k rig, not a 16k rig.

[RonD]

We are running BFG Com T/A's LT Tires, there rated at 3040 pounds, A question I would have is adding E rated tires that take more air than the E rated, what are the wheels rated at?,I would want to know that first.

[Pugtracker]

Michelin Ribs, never have had any problems

[steelpony5555]

RonD check your BFG's, more then likely with the year of your rig they are on the recall......

[vmoore1]

X2 on the Goodyear G-614's

[RonD]

My BFG's were in the recall, there new as of two weeks ago, the first set looked fine, as dreplacement ones, there were 2 years old, now the clock starts over again, Ron

[jdvier]

I am thinking of going to the G614s. Will I need to change the rims also?

[bncinwv]

The capacity of the rims should be stamped on the back side of the rim. If it is stamped 3750, you are good to go. It helps adding your rig model and year number in your signature as well so we know what we are dealing with.
Bingo