This subject just seems to go on and on. RV manufacturers are trying to fatten their bottom line so are putting TBC made tires like Tow Max, Trailer King and Power King tires on our RVs (here's their website - you may be interested to see who they own that's familiar:Welcome to TBC Brands)

The current list price on Tire Rack for that cheap Tow Max is 88 bucks vs a good LT in the same size which is about 2x the price. That video the Sous posted has so much misinformation that it's almost comedy, starting off by showing a Goodyear P-metric purportedly over inflated and next an LT with a floppy sidewall finally a 'G' a GY G614 tire. I couldn't watch it all. I replaced the Tow Max on our 5er with General LT and I can assure you that the sidewall on the General is not flexible - in fact I could sit my 200# on the unmounted tire and it wouldn't collapse past the bead while the cheapo would fold in completely and dump me on the ground. Yes, I did that as well as flex the sides.

Then there is the fact that most (Tow Max/Power King in particular), not all, ST tires are rated at 65mph. I do drive sustained speeds in the 70mph range when I'm towing in an 80 mph state. Others, based on how many pass me, drive a lot faster. I cringe when I see a newer RV pass me as I don't know if he has tires that are up to the speeds.

Temperature and pressure increase - the Tow Max went up 10+ psig and as high as 110*F while I've yet to see the General LTs increase more then 6 psig and 5* above ambiant with the highest 95* so far. Yes, you do need to keep them properly inflated to maintain their load carrying capabilities. Yes, you do need to inspect them for damage. You do need to replace them every 5-6 years - all of them will rot, seemingly with STs going faster

You may get into a circumstance where a seller/installer will not put an LT on a trailer, using company rules. Unfortunate in that they are denying you a choice of a better built, IMO, tire. You often can do a work around by pulling the wheels yourself and taking them individually in for mount and balance

Another batch of opinions based on a lot of years of towing an RV of some sort - if you go from home to a seasonal site, that ST may be the perfect tire for your use. If you tow your RV many miles on a regular basis at speeds over 65 and in higher temps, you will most likely be better off with a good LT - and if it's in your budget, a Michelin or Bridgestone rib or a Goodyear G614. If you full time or spend lots of desert time, then the 17.5 wheels and tires might make even more sense

 

Exactly right! My camper still has the factory 2011 tires on it because I only take it to our land on the river 1 time in spring and bring home 1 time in winter.

Now my car haulers run everyday and I spend the $ for tires that I have personally ran, because I don't like down time. My blow outs can damage my cars on trailer. With that being said to each is own, just voicing what I have encountered.

Great site I personally have learned a lot in just a few days.

 

Like I said before you have to weigh your planned use of the trailer and buy a tire that fits how you are going to use it. If it sets a lot go with a lower priced tire and replace every couple of years but if you are going across country I would look for the highest quality tire you can afford and trust.

I went to the TBC site and seen Sumitomo tires that I have on one side of my trailer were on there. But I'm not using their ST tires, I'm using a 215/75/17.5 commercial all position rib tire made in Japan.

Just for conversation I have a set of GY Marathons on my enclosed trailer that gets very little use that are 14 years old and made in South Africa. When I was working it was used for a job site trailer so very few miles on them now even fewer miles.

Denny

 

[QUOTE=rvpuller;16142648

Just for conversation I have a set of GY Marathons on my enclosed trailer that gets very little use that are 14 years old and made in South Africa. When I was working it was used for a job site trailer so very few miles on them now even fewer miles.

Denny[/QUOTE]

Denny - I probably wouldn't trust those Marathons at that age to pull around my yard. My last set of Marathons were on the now gone Glendale Titanium and were 5 years old when 'retired'. Canadian made and looked as good as new when they were replaced though

Amazing what TBC now owns and makes in name brand tires that we have used in the past with good luck

 

[QUOTE=Irelands child;16142718]
If I ever take the enclosed trailer very far it will have new treads on it we keep it in case we want to move out home base somewhere else in the country.

Denny

 

We roll with Goodyear G614's. We traded our travel trailer for a fifth wheel last spring and three of the four tires on it were different brands. I didn't feel comfortable with that setup so I put a good set on it right away.

 

This is how close the tires are. A friend has a tire shop and says we will try a LT235X85X16 10 ply tire. Going to wait until after planting season to get them. Thanks for your help guys.

 

Use the Tire Rack website. Choose a tire then look under 'Specs' and it will tell you the overall diameter .... Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels

 

We did use the site. The LT tires are 1.2 inches in diameter larger. So using math it will be around 1/4 inch closer per tire. So I will,have around 1/2 inch clearance. Really close. Wonder about heat from tires.

 

my spacing is more like 4 inches between.

I still think you can go up some.

 

We are looking at LT235X85X16 10 ply. Wider but that should help and it's only $40 more per tire. Won't do anything until after planting season.

 

I think you are looking at a diameter of about 31.7

 

If I remember correctly the st tires are 30.2

 

not much of a difference.

 

No there isn't but I only have less than 1 inch to play with so have to be very cautious. Seems like I read somewhere about distance between tires (in line) for cooling.