Community Forums

Auto hauler · 08-17-2012, 05:37 PM

I am about to put new shoes under my 36BDO. The Goodyears on the ground now look excellent, but the mfg. date on them has me a little spooked. (3rd week of 2005). I don't think I want to experience the damage one of these 14 ply tires could do in a blowout or tread separation from the casing at highway speeds.

Question to you other Excel owners: What brand and size of tire have you replaced the originals with? I think some of you are going with a different wheel size from the original 16 inch. I'd rather avoid that expense if I can.

The Michelin distributor here in Dallas says Michelin doesn't make a 14 ply 16" tire that will work. I am a bit surprised by that. They shot me a fair but expensive deal on four Hankooks (sp). They say they sell hundreds of those Hankook tires in the same size for the huge heavy horse trailers with no complaints or returns. I've always run Michelins on my trucks and trailers. Have -0- experience with Hankook. Am I about to screw up?

Side note: I need to update my profile pic sometime soon. I dumped the Ford Powerstroke for a 2012 Cummins Dodge 3500. It makes a heck of a lot better tow rig for my heavy sled Excel. I'd never believed it before, but rides and drives nicer and quieter than the Ford too!

drfife · 08-17-2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auto hauler

...The Michelin distributor here in Dallas says Michelin doesn't make a 14 ply 16" tire that will work. I am a bit surprised by that. They shot me a fair but expensive deal on four Hankooks (sp). They say they sell hundreds of those Hankook tires in the same size for the huge heavy horse trailers with no complaints or returns. I've always run Michelins on my trucks and trailers. Have -0- experience with Hankook. Am I about to screw up?....

Michelin XPS Rib tires come in 16", Load Range E, are rated 2778 lbs and are speed rated to 70 mph. But, they probably are not rated high enough for your 36BDO.
Michelin Americas Truck Tires XPS RIB® Page

If Goodyear is OK you can get G14's in load range H.

I just ordered a new Excel with 17.5" Load Range J tires. But to do that you'll have to buy rims and tires.

Auto hauler · 08-17-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfife

Michelin XPS Rib tires come in 16", Load Range E, are rated 2778 lbs and are speed rated to 70 mph. But, they probably are not rated high enough for your 36BDO.
Michelin Americas Truck Tires XPS RIB® Page

If Goodyear is OK you can get G14's in load range H.

I just ordered a new Excel with 17.5" Load Range J tires. But to do that you'll have to buy rims and tires.

I guess I didn't properly mention load range G. To me, that G automatically means a 14ply tire. You are right drfife. An E load range, or 10 ply tire really isn't enough for the weight we are dealing with. I honestly haven't checked for new Goodyears. For my 18 wheelers, I normally deal with the TCI store(s) (Michelin distributors) around the Metroplex. (Mainly the store on Houston School Road south of I-20.) Good knowledgeable folks when it comes to truck tires, and normally keep an outstanding inventory on hand, so I just naturally came to them for my heavy 5er tires as well.

I'd say you are doing right with the 17.5 tires for your new rig. I know of two Michelin tires models that will fit those wheels and will run seemingly forever. For now, with my 2006 model Excel, I just hate to drop the extra cash for new wheels. Maybe that is the route I need to go....

TXiceman · 08-17-2012, 08:04 PM

When we went with new shoes on the Cameo, I wanted to get up sized from the marginal E rated tires. The 16" G rated tires were higher pressure and the rims were not rated for the pressure of a G tire. I went on up to an H rated 17.5" Goodyear G114 tire. Goodyear will warranty the trailer for damage if their tire blows, none of the other manufacturers will. Four new Goodyear G114 tires, 4 new aluminum wheels, a set of nuts and the center caps we a bit over $2600 delivered to Texas.

For my trailer, I do not want the damage from a marginal tire.

Ken

Auto hauler · 08-17-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

When we went with new shoes on the Cameo, I wanted to get up sized from the marginal E rated tires. The 16" G rated tires were higher pressure and the rims were not rated for the pressure of a G tire. I went on up to an H rated 17.5" Goodyear G114 tire. Goodyear will warranty the trailer for damage if their tire blows, none of the other manufacturers will. Four new Goodyear G114 tires, 4 new aluminum wheels, a set of nuts and the center caps we a bit over $2600 delivered to Texas.

For my trailer, I do not want the damage from a marginal tire.

Ken

Ken, where did you get those 17.5 Goodyears and wheels at? That deal really doesn't sound all that bad...

drfife · 08-17-2012, 08:20 PM

Try this site:
TRAILER TIRES .COM, The Trailer Tire Superstore!

TXiceman · 08-17-2012, 08:20 PM

Scott @ Sparks, Inc.
dba: www.trailertiresandwheels.com
Phone: 419.272.2277

Scott provided first class service and could also offer other brands of tires. Tires were mounted and balanced. You will need to know the bolt circle, number of lugs, thread count on the lugs and the offset for the wheel.

ken

Auto hauler · 08-17-2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Scott @ Sparks, Inc.
dba: www.trailertiresandwheels.com
Phone: 419.272.2277

Scott provided first class service and could also offer other brands of tires. Tires were mounted and balanced. You will need to know the bolt circle, number of lugs, thread count on the lugs and the offset for the wheel.

ken

Thank You!

rockintom · 08-17-2012, 11:43 PM

What txiceman says. It's just this simple....replace with a G rated Goodyears and still have a very marginal tire....or do the update suggested (tires and wheels combo) I'm blown away that you have made it this long on those tires. May want to check with the "Guiness Book of World Records" and see if this is a record!!!!! Those are like gernades ready to go! Most go between 3rd and 4th year before blowing. Good luck on your decision. The original Goodyears were a very marginal limit on load capacity when new. The Michelin XTA or Goodyear G114 leaves a lot of room on capacity. rockin'

PS. Used to be in Ft. Worth area years back. Attended lots of training in Garland, TX so I know where Mesquite is for sure!

didymop · 08-18-2012, 12:16 AM

We just invested in 4 new Michelin 17.5 J shoes and rims for our 2005 36RDO (aka The Didymop) We ordered them from Sparks of imagination, Edon Ohio. Michelin XTA 215/75R LRJ. Hi spec. Tires and mounting was $2240 and with shipping was $2453. Phone 419.272.2277 wwwtrailertiresandwheels.com. This is the same place others have talked about in earlier posts.

We kept a 16" tire as a spare as per recommendations from them and Ralph at Excel dealership in Moriarty NM.

We did this....cause our lives are riding on these tires and we're worth it.

rockintom · 08-18-2012, 12:30 AM

Ms. Beth......you are so smart. I love the way you look at these things! Knowing you....you have named the tires and wheels......like you do everything else.....maybe....our "Guardian Angels"

Hope we get to meet up with y'all someday soon! It would be so much fun. rockin'

Auto hauler · 08-18-2012, 04:45 AM

Okay everyone, I'll be doing the upgrade to 17.5s. Thanks for all of your input!

Now once this is done, I wonder how much I can squeeze out of one of the area Mexican tire shops for those purdy looking 16" wheels and tires? Surely one of them will bite on that shiny carrot and offset my upgrade expense!

Auto hauler · 08-18-2012, 06:04 AM

Kinda doing a little happy dance here! I just found four 215/75/17.5 Goodyear G114 tires (H rated) on sexy alloy wheels for a very decent price!

thanks again for everyone's input on this!

didymop · 08-18-2012, 08:08 AM

Rock on Tom. And believe it or not We haven't named them but now that you mention it I see that we're slipping. Shall call them Louboutins. I believe they are the expensive red soled shoes that are the rage these days.
As for meeting up with us just stay tuned to our whereabouts. Winter 2013 remains undecided. But I'll have the wine box chilled for ya. Red or white....or does it matter?