New Tires for 5th Wheel Primwell 10 plys?

[ChallengerRV]

I am looking for new tires for my 36' Challenger. The tire shop is suggesting a Primwell PA100. They are a 10ply truck tire rated at 3400lbs @ 80psi. I hear that they are made by either BFG or Bridgestone not sure which. Does anyone have any experiance with these tires? They are giving a pretty good price for the set.

[450Donn]

A 30 second internet search turned up this reply to the same question.

It's Primewell, not Prime Well. The brand is owned by GITI Tire in China and imported specifically for distribution to select Bridgestone/Firestone tire dealers as a bare-bones inexpensive entry-level brand with performance to match.

[RustyJC]

5th wheel manufacturers typically cut weight capacity so close to the edge that it's not unusual for axles and tires to run at 90% to 95% of their load ratings when the 5th wheel is at its GVWR. In other words, there's not much margin left for error.

Because of that and my experience with repeated tire failures on 2 out of 3 5th wheels we've owned, tires are not an area where I would cut corners.

JM2CW....

Rusty

[ChallengerRV]

Kind of what I was thinking. My trailer came with some off brand tire that has been ok so far. They are just a LT tire. I think I will stick with the Firestone, Goodyear, or BFG's I have been looking at. Not much more $$ then the off brand.

[TXiceman]

Tires made in China are just a disaster waiting to happen. I'd not skimp and put much better tires on the RV. A tire that turns loose at highway speeds can do thousands of dollars worth of damage to the trailer.

Ken

[FastEagle]

Because your trailer ( Keystone Challenger | Specs) was originally equipped with Light Truck tires you have a vast array to select from without having to go "off shore". My recommendation is to find a really good LT235/85R16E. Almost all of the major discount houses carry all of the major brands and pricing among them can be very aggressive so do some on line browsing so you will have a good feeling about what to pay.
　
FastEagle

[wingnut60]

FastEagle--that is one fine recommendation.
Joe

[Ecker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastEagle Because your trailer ( Keystone Challenger | Specs) was originally equipped with Light Truck tires you have a vast array to select from without having to go "off shore". My recommendation is to find a really good LT235/85R16E. Almost all of the major discount houses carry all of the major brands and pricing among them can be very aggressive so do some on line browsing so you will have a good feeling about what to pay. 　 FastEagle

Be careful here, Not all tires in this size and LR are of same capacity. For example, The Michelin XPS Rib in this size coms highly recommended but its load capacity is 3042 @80 psi. I use this size but need them in 3640# @ 80 psi capacity.

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ecker Be careful here, Not all tires in this size and LR are of same capacity. For example, The Michelin XPS Rib in this size coms highly recommended but its load capacity is 3042 @80 psi. I use this size but need them in 3640# @ 80 psi capacity.

By definition, a LT235/85R-16E tire will be rated at 3042 lbs @ 80 PSIG. You'll either have to go up in size or load range to get a higher load rating. For instance, the LT235/85R-16G tires used on my 5th wheel are rated 3750 lbs @ 110 psig but of course have wheels rated for the higher load and inflation pressure.

[Ecker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC By definition, a LT235/85R-16E tire will be rated at 3042 lbs @ 80 PSIG. You'll either have to go up in size or load range to get a higher load rating. For instance, the LT235/85R-16G tires used on my 5th wheel are rated 3750 lbs @ 110 psig but of course have wheels rated for the higher load and inflation pressure.

I'm afraid your information is incorrect. A Load Range only signifies the number of plys (equivalent to cotton plies) and the pressure rating For example LRE 10 ply 80psi.

Load Index signifies capacity but it isn't required to be used on LT/ST tires so one has to do a careful search by looking at sidewall where it is required or in literature.

For example, a Carlisle Radial Trail in 235/85 R16 LR E is rated for 3640#

Carlisle Tire & Wheel Company

[RustyJC]

The Carlisle tire you reference isn't an LT tire - it's an ST tire. Trailer service only and speed limited to 65 MPH.

Rusty

[Ecker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC The Carlisle tire you reference isn't an LT tire - it's an ST tire. Trailer service only and speed limited to 65 MPH. Rusty

True but if one simply goes out and searches for the same size tire (as was the gist of the post) that is on his trailer without regard to load capacity he may make a bad mistake. Load Ratings do not signify load capacity is the main point. Load Index where used signifies load capacity.

[RustyJC]

From my previous post:

Quote:

By definition, a LT235/85R-16E tire will be rated at 3042 lbs @ 80 PSIG.

Load capacity at a specified inflation pressure for a given tire will be found on the sidewall as well as the tire manufacturer's specifications.

Rusty

[Ecker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC From my previous post: Load capacity at a specified inflation pressure for a given tire will be found on the sidewall as well as the tire manufacturer's specifications. Rusty

I'll quit here having tried to simply throw out a caution, but for the record there is no table that ties load rating to load capacity (index) per se.