So what kind of tires to get?

[LisaC3500]

We have a 2020 Montana 3811MS with about 15k miles on it. It has Made in China Sailun's on it, original from factory. Last week noticed inside left side of one tire is worn almost to the belt. Luckily we're sitting at the home place so had the spare put on and now are in the market for new tires.

There's so much tire advise and information, it's confusing and frustrating. My new-to-us trailer guy advised putting on a 10 ply/E rating. If I'm reading the sidewall right, the ones we have on now are 4 ply with 1 ply sidewall. He's not actually selling me the tires, just mounting them so he's not really in it for the money. He's also aligning it due to the tire wear. Is 10 ply overkill?

Brother told me to check into Michelin because he runs them on the front of his dump truck and has had more success with the brand than any other. He didn't know the history of Michelin trailer tires, though.

I keep reading about the Made in Vietnam/China Sailun's and not sure if I should look for the Chinese ones or go with a different brand? We're prepping for a 7 month trip and need to get something good on the Beast.

Appreciate advise from those more knowledgable about these things. I know enough to be dangerous.

 

[dannyrver]

I would check for a bent axle. I got 45000 on my last set of Sailuns. If not bent axle look at the spring assembly.

 

[GilaElkHunter]

You might go back and reread the side wall. I highly doubt that those Sailuns are 4 ply. Probably more like 14 ply, and G rated. I wouldn't go with anything less. I wouldn't think 10 ply E tires are going to carry a camper that big/heavy.

 

[LisaC3500]

I would check for a bent axle. I got 45000 on my last set of Sailuns. If not bent axle look at the spring assembly.

The general consensus is the axle has issues so that's what he's doing next week. Thanks for the response!

 

[LisaC3500]

You might go back and reread the side wall. I highly doubt that those Sailuns are 4 ply. Probably more like 14 ply, and G rated. I wouldn't go with anything less. I wouldn't think 10 ply E tires are going to carry a camper that big/heavy.

Checked again. It says 14PR and L.R.G. I can't seem to load the picture of the sidewall.

 

[LisaC3500]

Tried another method of getting the pic to show

 

[DutchmenSport]

Not because they were my first choice, but because they were the ONLY choice at the time we had a blow-out from the original factor in stalled Ranier tires, after only 6 months of ownership, we went with Hercules new rubber all around.

That was 3 years ago and thousands of miles ago, and these tires are still going good, not a hint of trouble, .... except for the one I skidded on the side (probably a curb or a rock), and tore a gash in the side wall. Tire would (probably) have been OK, but I felt safer changing that one tire to another Hercules.

There are some who question Hercules, but I've had good success, and keep them aired up to 100 pounds.

FYI ... they weren't cheap either.

Here's ALL the information stamped on the side wall of this tire, for your enlightment and joyful reading: (bor---ing!!!!!!)

Trailer Tires
Hercules H-901
All Steel Radial
DOT 1YC 2ARHHE
Made in Thailand
Regroovable
All Steel
ST235/80RR16
128/124L
Rim 6.50
Tubeless

*Tire failure due to underinflation / overloading or misapplication – follow tire placard instructions in vehicle
Check inflation pressure frequently with an accurate guage
*Explosion of tire / rim assembly due to improper mounting – only specially trained persons should mount tires
When mounting use safety cage and clip-on extension air hose to inflate

L.R.G
14PR
Plies: Tread Steel 4 sidewall steel 1
Max. load single 3970 LBS (1800 kg) at 105 PSI (725 KPC) Cold
Max. load dual 3525 LBS (1600 kg) at 105 PSI (725 KPC) Cold

Brand lightly here.

 

[Carl n Susan]

I agree the tire wear is due to a bent axle. 15,000 miles is a drop in the bucket for the Sailuns. They will age out (4-5 years) before they wear out. I would buy another one in a heartbeat. The two reported failures of the millions out there isn't that big of a concern to me. If you are concerned about the Made in Vietnam ones, put it on as the spare and the original spare Sailun (made in China) on the rolling wheel. That way you have a good spare and can watch for further problems, or lack of them, with the Vietnam Sailuns.

Posting pictures on the MOC isn't too difficult once you know the process. Lots of members do just that. Be sure to take the photo in Landscape mode.

Go to https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=70323 and read posts #8 and #25. _

 

[LisaC3500]

Checked again. It says 14PR and L.R.G. I can't seem to load the picture of the sidewall.

So I get it now.
LRG is Load Rating in this case G
14 PR is 14 ply Right?

Why would tow truck guy/tire changer recommend a 10 ply?? Makes me wonder about his expertise.

 

[FastEagle]

We have a 2020 Montana 3811MS with about 15k miles on it. It has Made in China Sailun's on it, original from factory. Last week noticed inside left side of one tire is worn almost to the belt. Luckily we're sitting at the home place so had the spare put on and now are in the market for new tires.

There's so much tire advise and information, it's confusing and frustrating. My new-to-us trailer guy advised putting on a 10 ply/E rating. If I'm reading the sidewall right, the ones we have on now are 4 ply with 1 ply sidewall. He's not actually selling me the tires, just mounting them so he's not really in it for the money. He's also aligning it due to the tire wear. Is 10 ply overkill?

Brother told me to check into Michelin because he runs them on the front of his dump truck and has had more success with the brand than any other. He didn't know the history of Michelin trailer tires, though.

I keep reading about the Made in Vietnam/China Sailun's and not sure if I should look for the Chinese ones or go with a different brand? We're prepping for a 7 month trip and need to get something good on the Beast.

Appreciate advise from those more knowledgable about these things. I know enough to be dangerous.

Don't let anyone talk you into using tires with a 10 ply rating. They will not carry the load on you axles.

The Sailun tires you have are steel cased. The ply description on the tire sidewall tells you the sidewalls have a single ply of steel cording. The other 4 plies are belt plies. Your Sailun tires have a 14 ply rating. That corresponds with load range "G" tires.

The OE tires that came on your trailer are the minimum standard for your 7000# axles. There are built by at least a dozen trailer tire manufacturers bu in that load range and designated size, (ST235/80R16 LRG) and on your trailer they must be inflated to 110 PSI.

 

[LisaC3500]

Thank you guys for all the info! Got the pics thing figured out, Carl. It was the internet or lack thereof and maybe a tad operator error thrown in for good measure.

I'll be checking the Hercules and Sailuns. Can't tell you how much I appreciate the help. We use a TPMS on the tires and pressure was never a problem. Shows how important a visual check is...

 

[LisaC3500]

Don't let anyone talk you into using tires with a 10 ply rating. They will not carry the load on you axles.

The Sailun tires you have are steel cased. The ply description on the tire sidewall tells you the sidewalls have a single ply of steel cording. The other 4 plies are belt plies. Your Sailun tires have a 14 ply rating. That corresponds with load range "G" tires.

The OE tires that came on your trailer are the minimum standard for your 7000# axles. There are built by at least a dozen trailer tire manufacturers bu in that load range and designated size, (ST235/80R16 LRG) and on your trailer they must be inflated to 110 PSI.

Told you I knew enough to be dangerous.

Would you (or others) recommend going to a different size instead of the "minimum standard?"

 

[FastEagle]

Told you I knew enough to be dangerous.

Would you (or others) recommend going to a different size instead of the "minimum standard?"

Page 19 in the reference below.


https://keystone-rv-dealer-app.cdn....-e63b6ccb3070_2021+Keystone_owners_manual.pdf

Your OE tires provide about 17% in load capacity reserves at 110 PSI. That's almost double what RVIA recommends.

 

[LisaC3500]

That's what I need to know. Thanks again!

 

[StageCoachDriver]

The unusual wear may be due to an axial alignment problem. Usually, but not always, happens on the rear axial. Find a good RV shop and have the alignment checked.

 

[dragraceingnut]

I have the same issue with my 2012 3455sa trying to get a new axel ihas been quite a experience still hoping to get my axel that has been on order for five weeks now we are still planing on being at the Rally if we get our axel
Bigfrank

 

[Mikelff]

I have the same issue with my 2012 3455sa trying to get a new axel ihas been quite a experience still hoping to get my axel that has been on order for five weeks now we are still planing on being at the Rally if we get our axel
Bigfrank

Bigfrank, you sure you need a new axle? A good truck shop or RV dealer should be able to fix most alignment issues. They have to bend the axle sometimes to align properly. Unless there is a major issue with the axle itself, shouldn’t need a new one. Might want to double check that first.

 

[phillyg]

You should not have to replace Sailuns at 15,000 miles. Is the wear excessive on the other three tires? It sounds you have a bent spindle or something else going on with that axle, so I'd have that checked first and replace only the bad tire if the others check out..

WRT the plies, tires used to be reported as "x" plies, but materials improvements now allow less than, say 14 plies, with only 12 plies "rated" as 14PR. The Hercules tire is getting good reviews here and on other RV sites.

 

[LisaC3500]

You should not have to replace Sailuns at 15,000 miles. Is the wear excessive on the other three tires? It sounds you have a bent spindle or something else going on with that axle, so I'd have that checked first and replace only the bad tire if the others check out..

WRT the plies, tires used to be reported as "x" plies, but materials improvements now allow less than, say 14 plies, with only 12 plies "rated" as 14PR. The Hercules tire is getting good reviews here and on other RV sites.

That's what we're going to do. Husband is sure it's the axle and the mechanic gets it this week to check it out. The rest of the tires have normal wear and tear so we're going with another Sailun. Appreciate the input.

 

[dragraceingnut]

Thanks for your input I did try to find a shop that can Align the axel but in the Atlanta area only one place could do it and they are booked out till November and there’s no Guarantee it would last