Hi, I've had this 5th wheel now for 4 years, a 02 Travel Supreme that's 12K light, probably 15K loaded. I've changed out the stock 6K axles to 7K axles that have bigger bearings, brakes etc. I got rid of the E rated 235/85/16's for G rated tires. Doesn't seem to matter, I keep blowing tires. Then I replaced the leaf springs and equalizers with the rubber and wet bolts for greasing. My friend said to just get rid of the trailer tires and put on LT tires. Sounds like it might be a plan but I can't find LT tires in G rated. I also have looked into a system called Mor-Ryde Mor-Ryde. Anybody know anything about this system and if truck tires might work? Open to all suggestions, Thanks PS, changing a flat on the drivers side with cars and trucks going by at 80mph isn't any fun!!

 

I have had LT tires..e-rated and would recommend that setup. Before you do any of this you really need to get it on the scales, loaded.

Then you will know more information.

Another thing...with ST tires you must stay at 65 mph, LT you can go faster.

 

You may think I am crazy, but make sure the axles are aligned. Just like an alignment on your truck or car. One of our racin' buddies was having blow out problems on his 5er. It perplexed him thru 5 or 6 sets of tires over 4 years. Finnally a frame shop, here in Waco, suggested to have the axle/wheels aligned. $260 bucks later and 3 years, no blow outs and tires still look like new and I know he has pulled it 15k miles. Just a suggestion!

 

Thanks both of you. I might try the LT E tires, I wished they made LT G's. Your right Scott about the speed, I drive usually 70-72mph and finally slowed down to 65. Its just that at 70+ my truck is in such a better power range and will not downshift all the time. I'll be in a place soon and will get it weighted.

Gearitis, thanks for the suggestion, I'll take all I can get at this point. I'll have to look into a alignment shop, I just figured that with the work I've done and the bolt holes set in one certain hole from the factory that it would be lined up.

Have eigher of you heard of the Mor-Ryde? It sounds good on their website but I don't know?

 

catscales.com...cost is 9.50 and you get each axle independantly weighted.

 

I'll check that out Scott, thanks!

 

I wouldn't use LT tires on a tandem axle trailer - too much sidewall flex. ST tires are designed for such flex, BUT, most are rated 65 MPH tops. You haven't told us how the tires are failing - uneven wear? Just blowing out with good tread? Uneven wear points to alignment or bent axle or rim, frequent blowouts are usually from heat- 70+ MPH on hot days fatigues the rubber.

The Morryde Suspension is good - I have a 36' 5er with it. Much less bouncing and bumping.

 

Thanks Mifflin, I'm not wearing the tread out, I'm blowing them to pieces, thread is flying off and tearing up the camper. I guess I better slow down. They have all been wearing even with one exception, one now is wearing on the outside tread uneven. Maybe I bent that rim on one of my blow outs. Thanks for bringing that up, I'll have to check that rim for sure. Also, thanks a lot for telling me about the morryde, your the first to tell me anything about the system. Its $2,400 so would like to hear some testamonials.

Also, its hard to figure out the debate between LT's and ST's. One guy told me that the LT's are Federally regulated and are safer against blow outs. Another told me to get LT's that are more aggressive tread for like off road tread. He thought they were tougher. I don't know?

 

ST is made for trailers, LT for trucks.

You can run LT on trailers though.

My belief is ST's have a little better sidewall...for this corners and curbs we run over sometimes.

Here is another tip. When refueling walk around and do a visual inspection of all tires and put your hand on the tires as well.

Might just catch something that way.

 

Your sure right about the corners and curbs Scott. Seems like no matter how hard you try, you hit one once in awhile. I always do a walk around when stopped, I haven't caught anything ahead of time yet. Those 18's wheels, were they a special order? If I went to a bigger rim, is there a better tire available? Thanks!

 

There has to be a reason for the many blow outs. I have an 06 TT that I know I have run to the max weight many times if not over. I ran the stock 8ply radial trailer tires for 5 years with no problems. I drive between 55-65 mph when towing it. I put about 7000 miles on these tires. Back in December I finally blew on. Tread was still good but they were 5 years old. (Rubber starts to break down in the 5 year period) The tire that went was on the rear axle which gets most of the wear & weight. Anyway I had two NEW 8ply radial tires put on the rear axle.
I agree with an alignment issue of the axles. E rated tires are 10 ply my D rated are 8ply & I'm carrying close to 10,000#.
Craig

 

Our camping buddy was having a blow out problem with their 5er, I think they blow 3 or 4 tires. Couldn't figure out what the problem was, someone suggested checking alignment and come to find out that the alignment was way off. Fixed that and they haven't had a blow out since. I would get your alignment check.

 

My truck came with 18" tires.

 

I'm thinking alignment or just coughing up the money for a MorRyde system.

 

You didn't say what brand of G tires you were running, the only US made ones are GY 614 G and after two sets and failures on both sets (tread separation) I went with 17.5 wheels and tires. I bought my wheels from Trailer Wheel and Tire and the tires I bought form a dealer close where we were at last winter. I went with Sumitomo ST727 215/75/17.5 H tires, they are .5" smaller than the 235/85/16 tires I had on the rig. I would also find a truck shop that can alien your trailer axles to make sure you don't have a problem. The 17.5 tires have been used on lowboy trailers for years so they have a good track record unlike the expensive G rated junk that's our there now.

Denny