G614 Tires

[snowhawk2]

quote:Originally posted by pineranch

Does anyone see a problem with using a same size tire that is $250 cheaper as a spare? It just doesn't make sense to me to put a $350 tire in a spare position to sit and rot.
Mike

Personally I wouldn't do that. We travel at night, Sundays, early morning and wouldn't want to risk having to use a Marathon as a spare so i bought 5 G614s. My thought is $350 to have piece of mind is worth the expense. When I read about the marathon issues I thought, I take proper care of my tires so they will never blow. For 15 months I thought about replacing the marathons with g614s but procrastinated. And baboom, a blow out so if it happens again I will be able to use a tire that will be safe for my coach and family.

[Ozz]

quote:Originally posted by kampk

thanks to all for the replies. I know they are expensive but I shudder at the thought of some of these 2500 damages that I have seen the pictures on here of. always nice to be proactive.

Alan

Many of the folks here have gone to really good tires that last a long time, are trouble-free and cost a lot less than the G614 tires. The Brigestone Duravis is one that stands out, but there are many more, I got mine at cost, and bought new wheels for them, or I would have the Duravis, or another brand. I will not buy Goodyear tires again, as mine; all 4 wore excessively on the outside of all 4 because of the weak outside edge of the tires.(Not anything wrong or out of adjustment).
I just want you to have all of the information you need to make a wise, and thrifty choice for your tires.
Email Lonnieb, our tire guy for any advice, we all trust him in these matters. He's a 'goodin!
Ozz

[HOOK]

Very pleased with our G614s. Chose 5 , hope the spare is never used, but feel it is good insurance.

[PSFORD99]

quote:Originally posted by Ozz

Many of the folks here have gone to really good tires that last a long time, are trouble-free and cost a lot less than the G614 tires. The Brigestone Duravis is one that stands out, but there are many more, I got mine at cost, and bought new wheels for them, or I would have the Duravis, or another brand. I will not buy Goodyear tires again, as mine; all 4 wore excessively on the outside of all 4 because of the weak outside edge of the tires.(Not anything wrong or out of adjustment).
I just want you to have all of the information you need to make a wise, and thrifty choice for your tires.
Email Lonnieb, our tire guy for any advice, we all trust him in these matters. He's a 'goodin!
Ozz

I totally agree about having all the information one needs in making these tire decisions , but IMO the G-614 is an awesome tire that I have many thousands of miles on , yes expensive. I have no wear issues running them on my 2008 3400 RL. I too have fabricated ,and installed the X-factor style braces at all three places, and wet bolt kit as well. I see no ill effects from the X-factor style braces.

I agree with you ,yes talk to an expert about tires. What troubles me on these forums is people recommending an LT tire rated less then the OE . I would venture to say that all the Montana fifth wheel come with an ST tire rated to around 3500 lbs, regardless of the quality the tire is rated to 3500 lbs, and IMO should be replaced with at least that rating or more on the 7K axles.

To the op I would highly recommend the G-614. IMO the only other good alternative is a 17.5 tire and wheel in H rating. As some have mentioned make sure your rims are rated for 110 psi. ,and get the high pressure metal valve stems.

[ltoews]

I replaced the Marathons with Goodyear G614's including the spare. Instead of leaving the spare in place, I plan to do a five wheel rotation and get equal use out of all five. I have yet to do a rotation so I am not sure what pattern to use.

[mamestra]

I too am replacing my Marathons, but I'm going with Michelin XPS Rib LT235/85R16. One of the main reason that I'm going with this tire is that it still only requires 80lb psi which my small portable compressor can do, my portable compressor won't do 110. So I wanted a tire I could air up at the campground.
Michael

[CamillaMichael]

quote:Originally posted by mamestra

I too am replacing my Marathons, but I'm going with Michelin XPS Rib LT235/85R16. One of the main reason that I'm going with this tire is that it still only requires 80lb psi which my small portable compressor can do, my portable compressor won't do 110. So I wanted a tire I could air up at the campground.
Michael

As near as I can tell, the tire you ref has a load rating of 3042 @ 80psi...is that enough for you?

[PSFORD99]

quote:Originally posted by CamillaMichael

As near as I can tell, the tire you ref has a load rating of 3042 @ 80psi...is that enough for you?

I think the answer is probably yes, many are putting on an LT tire that has less rating then OE. I don't know of any of the newer Montana Fifth Wheels that come from the factory with less then a 3500 lb rating on the tires. I would not recommend an 3042 lb. tire for most of the Montana fifth wheels, but as I said many do it. Big reason also why many go with G614, has a higher rating then the OE. I had to spend another 100.00 dollars to have a small compressor that will air up to 110 psi, but felt like that was a small price to pay .

[mamestra]

I have read a lot about tires on this forum, some people, lately have been reporting trouble with the G614, and one of the main recommended tires was the Michelin, this was recommended by a person with a tire dealership, so I hope that I'm doing the right thing. It's not that I didn't want to spend more on a compressor, I just don't have the room.

[Ozz]

quote:Originally posted by mamestra

I have read a lot about tires on this forum, some people, lately have been reporting trouble with the G614, and one of the main recommended tires was the Michelin, this was recommended by a person with a tire dealership, so I hope that I'm doing the right thing. It's not that I didn't want to spend more on a compressor, I just don't have the room.

You just can't beat the Michelain for a quality durable tire.

[CamillaMichael]

quote:Originally posted by mamestra

I have read a lot about tires on this forum, some people, lately have been reporting trouble with the G614, and one of the main recommended tires was the Michelin, this was recommended by a person with a tire dealership, so I hope that I'm doing the right thing. It's not that I didn't want to spend more on a compressor, I just don't have the room.

If you have not already purchased the tires you ref'd, suggest you continue to read/study the subject.

[PSFORD99]

quote:Originally posted by CamillaMichael

If you have not already purchased the tires you ref'd, suggest you continue to read/study the subject.

I strongly suggest the same, considering it just plain bad advice for someone to recommend any tire regardless of quality if it does not meet or exceed the OE rating, yes, and I repeat many do it. I have no argument that the Michelin is not a good tire, it just plain does not meet the weight rating these fifth wheels need . I would like to hear Lonnie weigh in on this subject of E rated LT tires rated at 3042 on 7K axles, and fifth wheels with the GVWR of 15-16K

[mamestra]

garyka, if you choose to go with an LT235/85R16 vs an ST235/80R16, you will find there are many options. PapaBeav and camper4 have both mentioned the BFG Commercial TA, an excellent tire as is the Firestone Transforce H/T mentioned by DonandJudy. Some people like the Michelin XPS Rib, another excellent choice if price isn't a factor. I personally prefer the Bridgestone Duravis R500 Commercial LT.
I'm not sure how do a quote, but this is one taken from an earlier post by Lonnie on another tire topic.

[PSFORD99]

quote:Originally posted by mamestra

garyka, if you choose to go with an LT235/85R16 vs an ST235/80R16, you will find there are many options. PapaBeav and camper4 have both mentioned the BFG Commercial TA, an excellent tire as is the Firestone Transforce H/T mentioned by DonandJudy. Some people like the Michelin XPS Rib, another excellent choice if price isn't a factor. I personally prefer the Bridgestone Duravis R500 Commercial LT.
I'm not sure how do a quote, but this is one taken from an earlier post by Lonnie on another tire topic.

I went back and read several threads on this subject, have read where several tires were recommend by Lonnie when asked ,but they were for an older 2955 Montana fifth wheel with 6K axles. I too would not have any problem with the above mentioned tires on 6K axles. On the other hand 7K axles is a different story.

I would like to see that quote, him recommending LT E rated tires @ 3042 lbs. on the heavier Montana Fifth Wheels. Not saying that he didn't ,but just have never read that. The thread is concerning a 2011 3400RL Montana fifth wheel, which is one of the heavier ones. Again IMO a LT E rated tire @ 3042 does not belong on that fifth wheel .

[mhs4771]

Could be interesting to see how it would play out if you had a blowout on an LT only rated for 3042 on a unit with 7K axles. Could an Insurance Adjuster use the under rated tires as a reason to deny a claim for damages?? Just thinking out loud here.

[Irlpguy]

PSFORD99 Wrote;

quote:
I would like to see that quote, him recommending LT E rated tires @ 3042 lbs. on the heavier Montana Fifth Wheels. Not saying that he didn't ,but just have never read that. The thread is concerning a 2011 3400RL Montana fifth wheel, which is one of the heavier ones. Again IMO a LT E rated tire @ 3042 does not belong on that fifth wheel .

I gathered a bit of information on some of the tires that have been mentioned in these threads. I am sure there are others, but these seem to come to the forefront most often.

Goodyear Marathons – ST235/80R16 – 3420 lbs @ 80 psi – 30.7” diameter - Load range E

Michelin XPS Rib – LT235/85R16 – 3042 lbs @ 80 psi – 32.2” diameter - Load range E

Bridgestone Duravis – LT235/85R16 – 3042 lbs @ 80 psi – 31.8” diameter – Load range E

Firestone Transforce HT – LT235/85R16 – 3042 lbs @ 80 psi – 31.7’ – Load range E

Goodyear G614 -RST – LT235/85R16 – 3750 lbs @ 110 psi – 30.7” diameter – Load range G – Although the tire size shows as LT this is actually a very high rated trailer tire.

I think all of the larger sized stock Montana’s are equipped with the Dexter D7 axle which I believe is rated at 6750 lbs. This gives you 13,500 CC on the 2 axles.

The “stock” tire is the Goodyear Marathon rated for 3420 lbs, theoretically then we can carry 13,680 lbs on the 4 tires, just over the axle ratings.

If we change the stock tires out to many of the LT tires like the Michelin, Duravis, Firestone and others we are dropping the per tire capacity down to 3042 lbs for a total of 12,168 lbs for the 4 tires, that is less than the shipping weight of my 2012 – 3402RL, and less than the axle ratings. These are all load range E tires.

I cannot see the logic in putting tires on our units, which have a rated CC less than that of the axles, and have a capacity less than the shipping weight of most of the Montana’s, not withstanding the pin weight.

If your rims will handle the extra pressure and you upgrade to a load range G tire, as an example the Goodyear G614 RST – it increases your CC to 3750 per tire @ 110 lbs. If you run these tires at 100 psi they are still rated at 3550. In both cases we exceed the OE tire and far exceed the LT tires being discussed. We also exceed the GAWR of the axles as well.

When I replace my Marathons, I will replace them with a Load Range G tire, I will not put a Load Range E tire on my Monty that is rated less than the OE. It makes no sense to me.

Keystone has pushed the limits on the axles, tires and springs on these heavy units, although they did make a G rated tire an option, the stock tire was/is the Marathon.

I don’t care what tire you put on your Monty, you can still blow a tire, it will make no difference if it was made in China or downtown USA, it can/will still have the same devastating effect on the unit.

If you don’t like the Goodyear G614 then I would look for another G rated tire made in the USA.

Editing the Michelin to read XPS not SPS

[Hooker]

I put Bridgestone Duravis 500s on 07 my Montana 3400 partially based on Lonnie's recommendation...and I had 6k axles. They were fine.

[Irlpguy]

Just had a friend remind me of a tire he uses and one I had looked at the specs on but had forgotten to mention here.

It is the Geostar G574 all steel ST Radial.

The ST235/85R16 is a Load Range G tire rated at 3750 lbs at 110 psi. It is 31.7 inches tall. Available at Les Schwab Tire for about $100.00 less than the Goodyear.

A Load Range G alternative to the more expensive G614's perhaps.

[jwedell]

We just replaced our Marabombs (spare included) with Firestone Transforce HT with a load range E. Although we have 7K axles we treat them like 6K axles and never load the rig over 12,000 lbs. The carrying capacity was 3,600 lbs and even with the reduction we can still carry 2,100 lbs. We travel light and keep all heavy items (tools, etc.) in the truck. If you watch your weight the E rated tires will work safely. What works for me may not work for you. Above all be safe.

[PSFORD99]

quote:Originally posted by jwedell

We just replaced our Marabombs (spare included) with Firestone Transforce HT with a load range E. Although we have 7K axles we treat them like 6K axles and never load the rig over 12,000 lbs. The carrying capacity was 3,600 lbs and even with the reduction we can still carry 2,100 lbs. We travel light and keep all heavy items (tools, etc.) in the truck. If you watch your weight the E rated tires will work safely. What works for me may not work for you. Above all be safe.

I own the 2008 3400RL weights are :

shipping weight 11925
carrying capacity 3575
GVWR 15500
Pin weight 2045

Actual weight partially loaded 12740, and that was no food, no clothes, or water. Have not had it on the scales lately , but I am at least 13000-13200 fully loaded,excluding water which I very seldom carry, so if one can believe the shipping weight then my payload is around 1000-1200. We carry pretty much all we want including tools. Add water, and holding tanks, and I could easily be 14K , but still 1500 lbs under my GVWR. I think the weight speaks for itself, as well as the need for a G rated tire.

2009 3400RL weights :

Shipping weight 12460
Carrying capacity 3180
GVWR 15500
Pin weight 2140

The weights were off the Montana Keystone web site.