Something Wrong - Part 2 need tires

[imolared]

Again I thank all those who posted on the initial thread.

I need 5 tires 235/80/16.

All my traveling friends install LT tires of various brands

I have read MANY posts on RV sites concerning tires "china bombs" etc..

The repair shop said NO-WAY to using LT tires. He suggested Hercules H-901 14 ply or Samson GL285T.

The original tires were Sailum S637.

I am aware that any tire MUST have a load rating at least 3800+ pounds and a ply rating of 10+

The spects on these three are the same: G 129/125L.

If you have installed a LT tire, could you please post the brand and size.

If you have used Hercules or Samson, would you install them again?

THANK YOU ALL!!!!

[AZ Traveler]

Ed,

The Sailuns have a great track record. Not aware of any tire of the same size with a better reputation in spite of a few recent failures.

Not clear why you would consider switching to LT tires. Don't install anything with less than 14 ply.

[DQDick]

One thing you should know that most people don't and that is that almost all LT tires have a 2 ply sidewall. That's why they aren't recommended for big 5th wheels because of the sideways stress put on them particularly during backing. I've had Hercules and samson tires on our 2010. I thought they rode rougher than the G614's I had on before them, but in a pinch wouldn't hesitate to use them again. If I couldn't get Sailuns, however I would first go back to the 614's.

[jsb5717]

Yep, get the Sailuns again. They'll be your best bet and are fairly priced on several online sites. Order them then take them to your tire dealer to install them.

[BB_TX]

As Dick said, LTs are not for heavier trailers. I used Michelin XPS Rib LT tires for 13 years (2 sets) and they were great. Never a flat. Never a low tire. And looked almost new after 20,000 miles when they aged out. But they are only rated for 3,042 lbs. Fine for my 2007 3075RL with a GVWR of about 14,000 lbs. but not for those 16,000 pounders. I think that load rating is pretty much typical for LTs.

[DQDick]

You're exactly right. I found that out trying to avoid buying a dually, also how I found out about the 2 ply sidewalls.

[psomers]

Aren't the GW 614s LT tires? Mine are.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by psomers

Aren't the GW 614s LT tires? Mine are.

Sorta. The tire is a GY G614 RST where RST allegedly means Recreational Special Trailer. So it is a "ST" tire in terms of application. But on the sidewall you see LT235/85R16. The explanation for the "LT" there is that the tire conforms to the Light Truck (LT) Load and Speed (75 MPH) ratings. Normally ST tires have a speed rating of 65 MPH.

[Dave W]

I have LT tires on our 343RL High Country. They are rated 3082 pounds which I justified by taking the 12,000 trailer weight, deducted 15% for the pin weight and came up with a 10,200 pound carried by the tires. If each tire carries an equal weight, then each tire will be loaded at 2550 pounds or about 500 pounds of excess capacity. They also have almost 30K trouble free miles today. Yeah, I know! but in 2014 my choices were the OE China Bombs, Goodyear Marathons or 614's or some store brands. I don't/wont use Goodyear tires on anything except my 35 year old tractor after way too many failures. I also used LTs on the last 12K plus 5er very sucessfully

Jump ahead - I need tires next year. Sailuns are having some problems as evidenced by a couple yhreads here. Will that be straightened out in 2022 - beats me. Then there are a bunch of other brands in the F and G range (don't really need G tires but...) Then there are Carlisle and Maxxis and OK to ho hum user reviews.


Oh and Sailuns are often (usually!) less expensive then LTs

[StageCoachDriver]

Never, never use LT tires on a big trailer! they don't have enough side wall strength.

[New yorks]

Would definitely replace with the same sailun tires that came on my Montana. They have served me very well.

[Mikelff]

Originally Posted by imolared

Again I thank all those who posted on the initial thread.

I need 5 tires 235/80/16.

All my traveling friends install LT tires of various brands

I have read MANY posts on RV sites concerning tires "china bombs" etc..

The repair shop said NO-WAY to using LT tires. He suggested Hercules H-901 14 ply or Samson GL285T.

The original tires were Sailum S637.

I am aware that any tire MUST have a load rating at least 3800+ pounds and a ply rating of 10+

The spects on these three are the same: G 129/125L.

If you have installed a LT tire, could you please post the brand and size.

If you have used Hercules or Samson, would you install them again?

THANK YOU ALL!!!!

NO LT tires. That was used years ago before ST tires were available. ST tires have stronger side walls than LT tires. The extra flex of LT tires can cause heat build up and a higher failure rate, especially on larger, heavier rigs. LT stands for light truck, really not suitable for RV tires, but I know people still use them. I would never use an LT tire or recommend them for RV use, especially for a bigger, heavier rig. I would go with the Sailun, Hercules, or whatever brand floats your boat, as long as it’s a ST, G rated tire.

[BB_TX]

I will agree and disagree on the LT statements. As long as the weight on the tires is well within the LT tires they are more than adequate for a 5er. I ran Michelin XPS Rib LTs on my 3075RL for 13 years (2 sets). Even running across TX in temps well over 100 degrees the tires did not overheat verified by my TST 507 TPMS and by an infrared heat gun. Never a low tire. Never a flat. And when tires aged out they still looked practically new.

Now if it is a heavier trailer with weights pushing or exceeding the LT weight rating, then certainly do not use them. And most of the Montanas now are heavy.