Which tire would you choose?

[clindt]

We just purchased a 2006 Mako 30fbhs. We bought it knowing it would need new tires very soon and our instinct was verified this weekend when we had a blow out coming home from our second camping trip.

Everything I've read says to go with a 16" E rated tire, but my trailer only has 15" wheels. I have also heard good things about Maxxis tires and they have a 225-75R15 with an E load range.

Also, I believe the 07 Mako's came with 16" wheels factory.

Here is my dilemma, do I go with the Maxxis tires or purchase a set of Loadstars mounted to a 16" wheel?

Which would you choose?

Tire Details - Discount Tire Direct

LOADSTAR ST235/85R-16" RADIAL Tire & Painted Rim, (6-Lug) L.R. E

[RustyJC]

If you're going to a 16" wheel, go with the all steel construction Michelin XPS Rib and you won't have to worry about tire failures. These tires are a proven performer where you can use a Load Range E 16" tire.

Rusty

[HobbyTalk]

With the Loadstars you are still going to have a cheap Chinese tire. Get the 15" Maxxis or go with 16" wheel and Michelin Ribs or BFG Commercial TAs.

[Billieg]

I went with the 16" wheels and Michelin tires on my 5th wheel. A lot of money but then I don't have to worry all the time about blow outs... 6 wheels and tires for the 5th wheel and 6 tires for the truck... A lot of money..... but I got a new best friend down at the tire store!

[Ray,IN]

If you wish to stay with 15" wheels, check out these 15" load range G and H trailer tires. You will need matching rims to utilize their full load capacity.

[ralper]

For tire longevity: Weigh your RV. Buy tires to carry 125% of that weight. Ignore the pin weight on the truck when sizing the tires. Just use the RV weight. This gives you a conservative situation and you are not at the maximum design of the tires.

[caissiel]

I had 235/75/15 load range C replacing 225/75/15 ST tires on the previous trailer. The trailer tires were rated 500Lbs above the LT tires and they were constant problems. Enough that I refused to drive in the dark, so I could observe my tires on the trailer.

The LT tires rated at 1985lbs on 5K axles were flawless for 6 years and about 40K miles with hardly any wear indications when I traded the trailer 2 years ago. I was able to drive in the dark again with full confidence. I feel the trailer tires have lots of stiffeness but no rubber to backup the cords. They are lighter then LT tires and the threads on LT's are thick enough to protect against road debris. I always blew the rear tires and never had a front tire failure, so my assomption was that the front tire lifts the debris and the rear tire gets cut and will be ruined. So with thicker threads and more rubber protecting the cords the rear tire survives.

I do have Load Range G tires on my unit and feel great that they are also front of truck use approved making them much better then ST/trailer use only tires.

[steelpony555]

If you're going to 16 inch tires pretty much any LT tire is gonna be an improvement. A lot of us run BF Goodrich's. Have put a lot of miles on mine cross country and no problems. Can save you some dough though since you pay a lot for the name in Michelins which even if money was no object I would not buy. The ones I have had seem to crack too much for my taste including the free ones on my truck now that I have to replace before the tread wore out cause the weather checking makes me nervous. The BFG's on my trailer which are older look better then the Michelins on my truck.

[RustyJC]

In the interest of full disclosure, BFGoodrich tires has been owned by Michelin since 1988.

The Michelin XPS Rib I referred to earlier is an all-steel construction radial that's used extensively for commercial truck and trailer service - it's a favorite especially with the oilfield hotshotters. That's why it's heavier, more expensive and much more durable in heavy 5th wheel applications than a fabric and steel construction radial such as the Michelin LTX and other competitive fabric and steel tires that are used on many OEM pickup truck and SUV applications. I ran the XPS Ribs on our previous Ram 3500 dually and a previous Jayco Designer 3610RLTS 5th wheel and never had a failure or a cracking problem with them in either application.

Rusty

[yogi154]

Well I am also looking for tires. I have Goodyear Marthrons rated at 3450 @ 80 psi. Well here'z the problem nobuddy has a tire rated at the weight. I wanted BFG's load range E are only rated at 3045 lbs @ 80 psi. Well that's too low of a rating for my trailer. I started looking for something different. The only choice I have is Maxxis or back to Badyear Marthrons. Well ofcourse there'z Carlyle the China Bombs !!
I'm looking for 235/80/16 load range E rated 3450 lbs @ 80 psi.

[RustyJC]

Yeah, to get the load rating you need, you're stuck with ST tires. I'd look at biting the bullet and going to 17.5" tires and wheels. The Michelin XTA 215/75R-17.5 load range J tires on ours are rated 4805 lbs @ 120 PSIG and are (believe it or not) smaller in diameter by about 1/2" than a LT235/85R-16 (if memory serves, they're like a 30.2" or 30.3" diameter).

Your money; your choice; your peace of mind. Good luck on whatever decision you make.

Rusty

[lgarroutte]

We just traded our 3400RL Montana on a 2012 36RL Reedwood. The Montana came with the Goodyear Marathons(Chinese made) I blew out 6 of the Goodyears in the first year with around $4000 in damage. I went to my tire shop to find something better. Everything in a 16" that I found was Chinese made and was told a good heavy duty truck tire wouldn`t work. The new Redwood has the same POS Goodyear E rated tires. I`ve ordered new wheels, 17.5" and the Michelin J rated tires to match. A bunch of money, but can you put a price on peace of mind!!! Larry

[Scotter]

I love my MAXXIS tires.