WHY G614 TIRES

[Larry-P]

Okay experts, tell me why Goodyear G614 tires are the ones to place on our Montana's.

I have Goodyear Wrangler HT 235/85R16E tires. They are 10-ply, made in the USA.

Tell me why I should switch to G614's the next time I purchase tires.

Larry-P

[MikeM]

Based on your tire specs (3042 lbs max. load each) and what Montana shows for your model/year, your tires will be carrying 3375 lbs at full rated load for the coach. A lot would depend on how much you intend to carry and what your actual loaded weight is - best to get it scaled and find out for sure. It looks to me you will be overloading your current tires with anything but a very modest cargo load, hence the possible need for 614's.

[jswharton]

For me it's all about weight. In round numbers the Wranglers max out at 3,042 per tire or about 12,200 total. The shipping axle weight on the 3455 is about 10,300 giving about 2,000 carrying capacity. That would give you the ability of about 2,500 pounds of stuff if it were distributed 20% to the hitch.

We are very light travelers and without any water, fresh or black added about 1,100 pounds to the axels. So while the tires are in spec there is not much room.

For me it's all about security and comfort of not worrying while going down the road. My first ever rv trip I had 4 E tires go bad and was lucky there was not a blowout. Tomorrow I'm getting 624's put on and the original tires will have something short of 100 miles on them. But that's just me, I'm part worry wart and with my experience I just think of 614's like a sewer hose, can't do without

Good lunch and see you on the road!

[rohrmann]

E range LT tires are not the same as E range ST tires. It's an 'apple to oranges' kind of thing. On top of that, all the E range ST tires are made overseas and have a very bad track record when used on the heavier trailers, hence the 'china-bomb' nickname they have fondly been named. The Goodyear G614 is USA made and has an excellent safety record. There are several other G range tires, Sailun S637 being one of them that, so far, has had very good reviews, and sells for about half the Goodyear tire, just a bit more difficult to find. Like was said, first you must weigh your trailer to find out what the tires are going to support, and go from there. You will also probably see on the trailer spec label, that your trailer most likely came with ST tires, so by putting on the LT tires, you installed a lower capacity tire, which can be very risky.

[HOOK]

Peace of mind.

[sambam]

If your 3455SA is the same as mine, the axles are 7000lb. That translates to 3500lbs. per tire. I know you probably won't load to capacity, I know I don't, but I don't want my tires to be the weak link. One of the reasons I got the G614's was because GY worked with me and gave me something for my Marathons. As for Sailuns, the jury is out with them. They're getting good reviews, but it's early yet. When these G614's are ready to be replaced, we'll see how the Sailuns have worked out. Like Hook says, it's peace of mind, as well.

[DQDick]

I've weighed our rig and 614's are needed. Of course we full time and collect lots of crap.

[DarMar]

The 3455 is also much heavier on the drivers side by 700 lbs. in our case. We therefore needed the 614s for their load rating.

[WaltBennett]

"E range LT tires are not the same as E range ST tires. It's an 'apple to oranges' kind of thing." This is very true. LT tires are rated with a much higher reserve capacity than ST types. They've also got more flexible sidewalls. IMHO, I also believe they're made to last much longer than ST, but I've no idea how - just that I've never had an LT 'expire' like I've had ST ones do (thankfully, not on our Montana!).

[sambam]

I considered LT tires for my Monty before GY agreed to work with me on my Marathon swap. Then the G614's became the obvious choice. My problem with the LT tires was that I couldn't get past the 3042 load range stamped on the sidewall. I know these tires are better than ST's. They have a ton of reserve capacity because they are rated at much higher speeds than ST's, but is it enough for a 7k axle @65 mph? Who knows? It's a mystery to me where the reserve capacity is at a given mph. If I had a trailer with 6k axles, I most definitely would have gone with LT tires. I do know that having a tire with a 3750 load range reduces my tire concerns considerably.

[JandC]

For me, one of the worse situations I never wanted to find myself in was sitting on the shoulder of a busy road with blown tires. It is not only extremely dangerous, but it would ruin a trip pretty quick. I wanted tires that would almost guarantee I would never be in that situation. I don't care what the G614's cost because you can't really put a price tag on safety. Would you put the cheapest brakes on your truck to save 30%? You don't have to be a "tire expert" to do your research and figure out for your Monte you need the G614's or a similar rated tire. Just picture yourself Larry up on the Tri-State at rush hour blowing tires!

[dieselguy]

Just a point for those of you following this topic that are recreational campers and not full or long timers. We travel alot lighter and seldom come anywhere near max tow weight (I never have). LT tires on the medium sized fivers will work just fine and save some cash for say outside LED strip lights ... Best thing to do as mentioned is weigh your rig with what you usually carry around and go from there.

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by dieselguy

Just a point for those of you following this topic that are recreational campers and not full or long timers. We travel alot lighter and seldom come anywhere near max tow weight (I never have). LT tires on the medium sized fivers will work just fine and save some cash for say outside LED strip lights ... Best thing to do as mentioned is weigh your rig with what you usually carry around and go from there.

This is good advise. We are one of those long timers and we carry a pretty good load. IMO if you have a good set of Lt tires AND are writhing the tire load rating you are probably OK. The marathon China bombs have a nasty track record and IMO should be changed out if you only tow to the end of your street and carry a load of feathers.

[Irlpguy]

quote:Originally posted by Larry-P

Okay experts, tell me why Goodyear G614 tires are the ones to place on our Montana's.

I have Goodyear Wrangler HT 235/85R16E tires. They are 10-ply, made in the USA.

Tell me why I should switch to G614's the next time I purchase tires.

Larry-P

To begin with Larry there may be professed "experts" on this forum but I do not believe anyone including the guru of tires on this forum would stick his neck out and give you advise without a caveat.

With that in mind our recommendations are that of individuals and that of our individual experiences. I must agree with all those who have suggested getting a proper weight on your RV to start with.
Secondly without knowing how many miles you have on your current Goodyear Wrangler HT's and their condition after those miles and how they have held up, I might ask why you would even be considering changing from those tires to the G614. If they have not failed after considerable miles and varied conditions then one would have to think replacing them with something different is not necessary.

If you are borderline which I suspect you are for weight on your current tires and there is the possibility of increasing your load then that might be good reason to go to the "G" rated tire.

I purchased G614's last summer, I had 10,000 miles on the original Marathons and after inspection I was given $100.00 each as trade in value on all 5 tires toward the purchase of G614's. I have "never" had a blowout on any trailer or 5th wheel I have owned and have always had ST tires on them until now. Was I lucky or did I just manage the weight and tire pressure and speed better than others, who knows.

I am fully aware that my G614's can suffer damage and must be properly maintained to give me their best performance. I know what they are capable of, however I do expect them to outlast and outperform the Marathons that came on the trailer.

Those posting that since they have bought the G614's they are worry free are sticking their heads in the sand, those tires can suffer damage from misuse and misfortune no different than any other tire and they can also suffer blowouts the same as any other tire, to think that cannot happen is not being realistic.

If you are having or have had good luck with your current tires, then why change to G614's and the extra cost.

This "non" expert cannot give you a really good reason to change to G614's unless you consider all that has been mentioned by myself and others and then decide an upgrade to "G" rated tires would be beneficial.

Good luck with your decision....

[RKassl]

Do your research like we all did and make your decision, you pay the bill.

[captbanjo]

We have used the Marathons for two trips from RI to NH and one to FL so far without issues.

However, I think the peace of mind factor is big and at some point I foresee switching out to the Gs.

[richfaa]

We ran the dreaded Missions for @ 10K miles without a problem but did change them out due to all the problems with them, Sold them to a friend with a Lighter Boat and trailer and he never had a problem. We are high end users and did not want to take the chance with the Marathons.

The 614's came standard on this Big Sky. We have the TPMS and pay close attention to PSI and speed when on the interstates. The ST tires that manufacturers choose to install on the heavier RV's have not had a good record. From what we observe on the road the user in terms of speed is part of the problem. IMO a good quality G rated tires should be installed on the heavier 5th wheels.

[mazboy]

750 pounds difference and g rated, that's the bottom line

[Phil P]

Hi

Here is a picture of a G-614 after the spring failed on the other side of the trailer.




See the deep cut on the right side of the tire.

This tire now has 5,000 miles on it since; it is not leaking and doesn’t show signs of any distress from the event.

We also operate our trailer at 15,500 LBS that’s 400 LBS short of max weight.

I think this should answer your question.

Phil P

[bigfrank]

My 3455sa came with marathons on it have one that is bad I think I will go for g614s I have the 110psi wheels do I need to put different valve stems in for the upgrade