Need new tires - recommendations please!

[GeorgiaDave]

We are planning to replace our Montana Fifth wheels tires (16" radials series E) and would like recommendations from our forum friends. Please give us some info!

Thanks again for all your help!
Dave & Georgia

[thor]

goodyear g614 are a good make

[DonandJudy_12]

We recently put Firestone Transforce HT tires on our 2000 3555RL and are very satisfied after approx. 4000 miles- Our tire size is 23585R16E and are the 3rd set of tires on our Monty- We purchased at a Firestone owned and operated retail outlet- We have a service contract for future rotation and balance at my discretion plus road hazard coverage- Firestone was less expensive than Big O and offered more coverage- Walmart does not do trailer tires although they have handled our dually- Others will surely offer more options- Good luck and we hope you will be happy with your choice- Don

[PapaBeav]

I replaced ours this year with B F Goodrich Commercial T A's.

Rich

[dodge]

I went with Bridgestone Duravis 500s on the recommendation of Lonnie B. who is a tire guy and these are the tires he uses. They also have good reviews on the internet. Do a search for "tires" and see all the discussions.

I bought them at Americas Tires because they were close to me and would match the lowest price that I found.

[jjackflash]

You don't mention what year and model of Montana you have,keep in mind you want to get a tire that will handle your trailers maximum weight when loaded. A lot of people like the Michelin tire,but Michelin doesn't make one for the gross weight of a 3400rl with 7000 lb axles. Just a thought!
Jack

[exav8tr]

We will be replacing ours this spring with the Goodyear G614. We are running a little (HA!) heavy and want the additional weight allowance of the G rated tires. Most, if not all, ST tires are made in China. I think the Goodyear Marathons are NOW being made in the USA but I wanted the heavier tires...This is just my opinion and others have theirs also. I think what matters is you pick a tire that is made in the USA for quality reasons. National brands are always nice as you can get service just about anywhere you go, especially Goodyear. Hope this helps. BTW: It would be nice for you to put your year and model of Montana in your signature so we can address your questions better. Your TV is important too. AND Welcome to "The Best Darned Forum on the WWW!!!!!!"

[Leaseit]

I had one total tear apart blow out on the Goodyear E rated tire and took all 5 off and donated them to the junk pile. put GoodYear G rated on and thats the end of that story. So far looks like they are wearing better and they do not flex like the old E rated tires.
I like the idea of having a higher rated tire on the trailer with less chance of major blow outs.

[bobivy]

quote:Originally posted by dodge

I went with Bridgestone Duravis 500s on the recommendation of Lonnie B. who is a tire guy and these are the tires he uses. They also have good reviews on the internet. Do a search for "tires" and see all the discussions.

I have four of these tires on order, they have not come in as yet.

[Jdrobone]

just fyi Phil, I just purchased a new 2010 3400rl and the Marathon's on it were still Chinese. Maybe they were still in the pipeline.
Regards,
Jerry and Sandy

[5rvers]

I'm looking at getting the Firestone Transforce HT tires next spring. Don, glad to hear that you are satisfied with your Transforce HT tires.

Lou

[jimcol]

Like Rich I replaced ours with B F Goodrich Commercial T A's about 19 months ago. After 8K miles we are very pleased with the wear and handling.

[bigred715]

I purchased my Michelin XPS Ribs size LT235/85R16 from Costco in June of 2008 for $823 including a $60 coupon off price. Put them on a 2001 2880RL Montana and have had no problems so far.

[PSFORD99]

I have read to many problems with the G614's having blow outs with the heavier fifth wheels,IMO the 3400 and the Big Sky are heavier fifth wheels, with at least a 15500 GVWR with 7K axles. From what I have read again IMO the H rated 17.5 tire and wheel is the way to go .A little more money to start for new wheels,but after that the tires are really not any more than the G rated,in some brands cheaper, but I have to believe this settles the tire issue on the heavier 5vers.

[Lawman]

There are many documented problems with the G614s, however most of the problems are from a number of years ago. The new tires are excellent, and very expensive.

[exav8tr]

quote:Originally posted by PSFORD99

I have read to many problems with the G614's having blow outs with the heavier fifth wheels,IMO the 3400 and the Big Sky are heavier fifth wheels, with at least a 15500 GVWR with 7K axles. From what I have read again IMO the H rated 17.5 tire and wheel is the way to go .A little more money to start for new wheels,but after that the tires are really not any more than the G rated,in some brands cheaper, but I have to believe this settles the tire issue on the heavier 5vers.

I would be interested in seeing the problems you have read of since I am planning on installing the 614's on my heavy 3400. Even at 15,600, only 12,500 is on the wheels so the 614's should be more than adequate. Although the '06 3400 came with 6k axles, I had them removed and the MorRyde IS installed, which is now, as good as 7k axles and with the disc brakes I'm not too worried about stopping this much mass. I can understand going to a larger wheel, but not if it is not necessary. Could you list me some places to look for this information??

Thanks Phil

[PSFORD99]

quote:Originally posted by exav8tr

I would be interested in seeing the problems you have read of since I am planning on installing the 614's on my heavy 3400. Even at 15,600, only 12,500 is on the wheels so the 614's should be more than adequate. Although the '06 3400 came with 6k axles, I had them removed and the MorRyde IS installed, which is now, as good as 7k axles and with the disc brakes I'm not too worried about stopping this much mass. I can understand going to a larger wheel, but not if it is not necessary. Could you list me some places to look for this information??

Thanks Phil

If I am not mistaken there have been some reports here on the MOC, the other source is RV Net. I too was ready to go to the G614, but since have changed my mind after seeing the reports. Talked to the tire shop I go to here locally, and it seems that a 17.5 tire is not a problem to get, it seems to be more common than I thought. I feel it is a bit of overkill ,but I just don't see a good way out. A H rated 16" tire would be nice, but I do not know of any. There are no fit issues or lug issues or size issues going to 17.5. Like I said before after the price of the wheels, the tires are not anymore money from what I have priced. Hope this helps. I pretty much convinced myself to go this way and be done with any tire issues, hopefully.

[PSFORD99]

quote:Originally posted by Lawman

There are many documented problems with the G614s, however most of the problems are from a number of years ago. The new tires are excellent, and very expensive.

I just did a search on RV Net, it does appear to be 3-4 years ago on some of the problems. It sounds like they are around 300.00 per tire ?? That should be a pretty good tire for that kind of money. This is kind of a hard call. Does anyone here on the MOC have any reports about the newer 614's ?? Whenever you read bad reports about something kind of hard to turn around and buy it because now it is supposed to be better.

[TLightning]

I have researched the G614s and agree that the problems are from several years ago. Also, to answer an earlier question, they come in 235/85R16, load range G. The price I got was $240 plus balance and mounting fees of $13 per tire. Works out to around $1100 when tax is added. To me, that was over kill, so I ordered four Bridgestone Duravis 500s for around $60 less for each. They are the tires LonnieB (a tire dealer) has on his trailer.

[exav8tr]

In checking the Bridgestone website the Duravis 500 HD is only available in an E rated tire. I, personally need something a little heavier, hence the search for a G rated tire.