Well after around 10k on the fifth wheel. I am starting to look for tires. Cheap tires came from the factory. What do you use?

 

when two of mine let go the insurance co paid for gladiators.

Still Chinese st tires but they are doing good.

The one thing I like about them is the trailer place that does work for me sells a lot of them.

I walked around to their bone pile and didn't see any blow out ones.

I am sure it still happens but I have several thousand on them and they still look very good.

 

I checked and I could get the triangle brand for $70 each. Most others are 165+
These are st235r80X16E

 

Gladiators are around the 160 range on amazon.

Thing is most will say it is best to go to a LT tire if you can.

Not so sure that the low price will be a better tire.

 

You get what you pay for here Dave.


I'd be leery of something that cheap on a 5ver. My buddy slapped some cheapo's on his KZ Durango, but he never takes it out so not much of a worry.


I know the gladiator Senix posted about is carried by one of my local truck tire shops, and the other carries the Sailun S637. Both are Chinese but have steel belted sidewalls. The other option is the Goodyear G614, but it's a good bit more money, however it IS American made and Goodyear will stand behind it.


Senix, are your Gladiators in the ST235/80R16 flavor or are they 235/85R16? I ask because both the Goodyear and the Sailun are only available in the latter, which is about an inch taller.


Personally Dave, when I put tires on my goose I went for the Sailuns. I also sold it before those new tires ever hit the asphalt, should have just slapped some cheapo junk on it! When I go for new tires on the 5ver, I'm going to be between the Sailuns or Goodyears.

OR

Some people also run the Michelin ribs with good luck, providing your axles and axle weights won't go over 6k each as the tires are only rated to about 3050 each. Need to walk a fine line with those. I may also consider those as my axles are only rated at 6k and I believe they do have the 235/80R16 available.

 

mine are 235/80R16.

 

I am not looking at price, dependability is what I'm looking at. I am leaning toward the Goodyear or Carlyle brands. I dont have the room to get any larger tire under it as the tires are really close together.

 

And this is my concern, also. The 235/80's that are on my Raptor only have about 3" between them, so 238/85's would be real close....maybe too close

 

In the pic, looks like I might be able to get one size larger on mine.

 

That "looks" about like mne, and I can put three fingers between mine now.


Any closer might be too close???

 

SO, Bottom line.
1. Is it legal to run non ST tires on an RV and
2. Are they actually safer or is this just personal preference?

 

I will probably get the max load range for the size of tire size I currently have.

 

It is legal to run any tire that will support the load.

So e-rated for most people and either a ST or LT.

No passenger tires unless it is a popup with very little weight.

 

I found this video helpful when I was trying to figure out what tires would be best for my application.

 

What is the spacing on your axles Dave? My Belmont gooseneck I sold last year came with the 235/85R16 (from factory) on 33" spacing (center to center). There was minimal room between them. Never had issues. My 5ver I forget the spacing but I know its over 33".

You are not going to get a high load rated steel sidewall tire in the 235/80R16. The QR25 Gladiator Senix has appears to not be a steel sidewall tire. The Gladiator QR35 is all steel and is the comparable to the GY G614 and Sailun S637. Also keep in mind those three tires are 110 PSI and your wheels may or may not be good for that kind of pressure.


For an RV the Goodyears are probably worth the money.