Community Forums

islander · 07-28-2013, 07:27 PM

Current tires on 5th wheel is ST235/80R16 can you replace them with Michelin LT235/85R16 or XPS235/85R16 will they fit the current rims?
Thanks For Your Help

chief02 · 07-28-2013, 07:37 PM

Yes, make sure your wheels are rated for any pressure increase the new tires may call for. My GY614 RST 16" tires run 110 psi. They are H load rated.

dayle1 · 07-28-2013, 08:20 PM

They are the same width and fit same width rim, but the LT tire is almost 1 inch taller. If you have clearance above and between tires, then the LT tire will work and that is exactly what I did 12 months ago. The LT load range E tire has a max weight limit of 3042 lbs, so it will work on 5200 lb and 6000 lb rated axles.

Scottybdivin · 07-28-2013, 08:37 PM

Same here. Get rid of the ST's. Most 16" axles have a 33" CTC spacing. The XPS Ribs will be close but they will work. I have 8K on mine and rarely have to add air in them.

JIMNLIN · 07-28-2013, 08:39 PM

The ST235/80-16 E have a 3500 lb capacity. Many Rvs that use 6k axles come OEM with this size.

The LT235/85-16 E have 3042 lbs capacity and work great on 6k axle and smaller.

The Michelin XPS Rib is a commercial grade all steel ply carcass. The Bridgestone R250 is a same as the Ribs. Check them out.

If you have 7k axles then the Goodyear G614 load range G or Sailun S637 LT235/85-16 G tires both have 3750 lb capacity at 110 psi.

wandering1 · 07-29-2013, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islander

Current tires on 5th wheel is ST235/80R16 can you replace them with Michelin LT235/85R16 or XPS235/85R16 will they fit the current rims?
Thanks For Your Help

So why don't you ask someone who would know like a tech at a tire dealership?

islander · 07-29-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wandering1

So why don't you ask someone who would know like a tech at a tire dealership?

Tire dealerships or like RV dealerships they will tell you anything to make a sale.
I'm asking the guys on IRV2.COM who has a lot more experience with Tires on 5th wheels than a tech I just had a Chinese Bomb blow out on my 5th wheel that took out a 6ft panel and did damage to the under carriage.
Thanks Wandering

Swamp Man · 07-29-2013, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islander

Tire dealerships or like RV dealerships they will tell you anything to make a sale.
I'm asking the guys on IRV2.COM who has a lot more experience with Tires on 5th wheels than a tech I just had a Chinese Bomb blow out on my 5th wheel that took out a 6ft panel and did damage to the under carriage.
Thanks Wandering

I think you hit it on the head. Real world experience is worth a lot more than a printed ad copy from the maker. I would rather ask here, and have an informed opinion than to blindly trust those who do not tow or have any RV experience.

RustyJC · 07-29-2013, 09:57 AM

Although it might be overkill for your situation, you might look at going to 17.5" wheels and real trailer tires such as the all steel construction 215/75R-17.5 Michelin XTAs or Goodyear 114s. These tires (at least the XTAs) are rated 4805 lbs @ 120 PSIG and are actually 1/2" shorter in diameter than the LT235/85R-16 Michelin XPS ribs, so they will fit wherever the 16" Michelins will fit.

Yes, it's a pricey conversion, but after failing two G-rated Goodyear G614 RSTs on my 5th wheel, the peace of mind of the 17.5" conversion is worth the $ spent. The conversion cost less than it cost Goodyear to repair the damages to my 5th wheel after the second G614 failure. If you're interested, you might give Scott at Trailer Tires & Wheels a call for conversion details and pricing.

Rusty

TXiceman · 07-29-2013, 10:04 AM

X2 on the 215/75R-17.5. Only I went with the Goodyear G114 tires.

Running on the highway in 105 degF temps, the tires are barely warm.

Ken

caissiel · 07-29-2013, 08:50 PM

I will never install ST tires again on my trailers. They are garbage, with no proper thread protection for road debris. Just hitting a truck tire piece on highway will penetrate the threads has I removed one from my truck tire last spring but did penetrate to the cords. Same on my LT trailer tire.
I will and did run LT tires overloaded rather then using STs. LT tires have a much greater requirements for trucks then what is required for trailers. To me its a ploy for more profit while LTs are more comparatively priced.

tginzo · 07-31-2013, 03:26 PM

Rusty,
Have you heard any reports on the quality of the Bridgestone LT235/85R/16E
I have a 2014 Arctic Fox 27-5L on order and I do not care for the Goodyear Marathons that come with the unit. I'm considering going with the Bridgestone. Load rated 3042 lbs @80 psi. I would value your opinion.

Thanks,
Ginzo

Swamp Man · 07-31-2013, 03:47 PM

I have only had experience with Uniroyal LT tires. These were what came on our 2007 Arctic Fox 29-5T. I never had a problem with them. I changed them this year due to their age and some sun damage. Kept them inflated to the recommended pressure and they worked. Reading the forums, it seems to me that a huge number of the ST tires are failing. The causes are said to have been overloading, under inflation, damage from road debris, and so on. I do not trust them, will not use them, and will only use light truck tires. I saw an article in Trailer Life about the ST tires and was disappointed that there were no road tests, failure tests, and so on. Most of the article appeared to be manufacturers ad copy.

RustyJC · 07-31-2013, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tginzo

Rusty,
Have you heard any reports on the quality of the Bridgestone LT235/85R/16E
I have a 2014 Arctic Fox 27-5L on order and I do not care for the Goodyear Marathons that come with the unit. I'm considering going with the Bridgestone. Load rated 3042 lbs @80 psi. I would value your opinion.

Thanks,
Ginzo

If you have 6000 lb axles (GAWR = 6,000 lbs each), the LT235/85R-16E tire rated at 3042 lbs would work. If the GAWR is higher than 6084 lbs, then you're going to be stuck with a higher rated ST tire or a size upgrade.

Rusty