Community Forums

Blue74 · 08-07-2010, 06:33 PM

I decided to start a new thread about tires for my 5th wheel and truck. Yep that is right I got home this afternoon till in the morning and decided to pull a wheel and look at the tire real close and the brake shoes.

I am going to post several photos here and to my Picasa photo album. I would like some help on deciding what brand of tires to go with and if I need to replace the shoes on the trailer.

Tires on the trailer now Firestone SteelTex LT245-75R-16 Load Range E I have not scaled the truck/trailer since I went to Las Vegas on 04 but at the time I had everything I owned in it and the basement. Now I have gotten rid of the small chest freezer and the basement is very empty (all of the woodworking tools are in the shop. At that time the weights where 4740 steer axle, 6440 drive axle, and 11540 trailer axles. The UVW 10040 weight on the trailer sticker and a GVWR 11780. The per axle GVWR is 5080 with 225-75R-15 tires so it looks like the former owner went to 16” tires and wheels. So there are my numbers.

I want a good tire but not over kill since I rarely get to use the trailer or the truck, I fact I put less than 1200 miles on the truck per year, yep that’s right. And if I had not planned this trip I would do nothing but I hate to have one of the tires on the trailer come apart and do a lot of damage. I know new tires can but then I will go after the brand/seller to pony up.

The trucks are also Firestone SteelTex in LT235/85R16 M&S Load Range E. It is a 4X4 but is not used much now.

I will be home from the 10th to the 12th then have to get back on the road. So I plan to do a drop ship from the Tire Rack as I have done this before for the truck. Time is tight because I have relatives flying in on the 4th of September and have reservations for campground starting on the 5th. What about tires from Sam’s Club?

Ideas…

TXiceman · 08-07-2010, 06:47 PM

The brake shoe looks good on that one shoe. How do the others look?

As for tires, even low mileage, I want good tires on the truck and trailer. I have never cared much for Firestones, especially after my round with the Steeltex on the class C. I have had Kelly Springfields on the an F350 and no problems. The class C got Commercial ribbed highway Bridgestones...and Bridgestone is not the same tires as Firestone. I also put Bridgestones on a class A. My current truck is running Michelin LTX and not a problem.

When I look back at the tires that have held up with not a single problem, it was Michelin and Bridgestone. We have had good luck with Sumotos on the wife's cars.

Basically I would not look at a cheap tire and certainly not a Firestone...but that is my opinion.

ken

Blue74 · 08-07-2010, 07:12 PM

I’m just going to pull the one wheel for now to check brakes and needed the seal number. I will clean all the dirt and spider webs out when I redo the bearings.

I have had good luck with the Firestones on the truck but most of the time it is empty and short trips. I have a problem with putting real expensive tires on the trailer or the truck for that matter because I put so little miles on both of them. But for load range E it looks like $150.00 and up.

Thanks for the ideas.

Paul

Blue74 · 08-07-2010, 07:26 PM

LT235/85R16E 120/116Q BFGoodrich Commercial T/A® A/S

and LT245 for the traler.

Thoughts?

RVhauler · 08-07-2010, 10:39 PM

Those cracked tires need to go IMO

Blue74 · 08-08-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVhauler

Those cracked tires need to go IMO

Looking at photos at Tire Rack about cracking has me scratching my head. I guess I will wait a day or two before I order. I think I will run by the shop where I was going to drop ship them and have them look at the ones on my truck before I head back out of town.

I just found this and it has a lot of information.

FastEagle · 08-08-2010, 04:27 PM

Have you determined how old those cracked tires are?

FastEagle

FastEagle · 08-08-2010, 04:32 PM

OOPS! Looks like you are asking these questions in other threads and have already decided to replace all of your tires. Good decision!

FastEagle

ralper · 08-08-2010, 08:32 PM

"E" rated tires are good for the truck. You need "G" rated tires for the trailer. Anything less and they are overloaded IMHO. With a 15,000 lb 5'er I put "J" rated on because I could not find any higher rater ones. I replaced "g" rated tires with the "J" rated ones because I had two blowouts in less than a year. I hate changing tires in the heat with cars wizzing by at 70 MPH.

AntiqueDeere · 08-11-2010, 05:41 PM

Most everything I read on RV websites is to replace the tires on a towable vehicle every five (5) years regardless of mileage or amount of tread. I purchased Firestones in 2005 and new ones again last week. I live in fear of a blowout and causing damage to the RV in excess of the cost of new tires. Mine sits for 6-7 months a year, which is harder on the tires than actually using them from time to time.

xc-mark · 08-17-2010, 11:42 AM

your brakes are fine as long as the magnet arm moves freely, Your tires need help! First off buy some tire covers and keel the tires parked on flat ground with ply wood or something under the tires to keep them off the dirt. pavement or concreat is fine , 3/4" plywood is what I use when its on dirt. The 16" truck tires are much better then 15" trailer tires even though they are rated the same! Get a set of BF Goodrich commercial TA truck tires with a load range E and it will be fine to run it at the max load that is listed on the side wall. I paid 125.00 per tire for mine installed and ballanced, Dont let anyone talk you out of ballanceing them! LT tires and trailer tires dont carry the same load rating factors, as soon as its a "trailer only " tire they add 20% more to the load rating on a tire that is built the exact same as a LT tire or cheaper. The DOT takes the rating of LT and passenger tire much more serious , nothing gets a load rating if it cant do it for the life of the tire and tread. If you want a extra good tire the michilin rib xps is the top of the line but they are $90 more a tire! I would just get a new set of truck tires from BFG and NEVER even give a trailer tire a second thought , all of them are JUNK even goodyears! the Best trailer tire on the market is Maxxis and its made overseas....... if it says China on it just run away! and that goes for everything keep america strong and our money here~

EDIT: if the DOT date codes say the tires are 5 years old your need to inspect them for dry rot and replace them around 7 years old unless your willing to gamble a blow out and the damage that come with it!

IC2 · 08-18-2010, 05:35 PM

I just put tires on my F350 at approximately $900 (275/70-18 Kumho's) and some General Grabber (245/75R-16E) for about $725 if you need a cost guide line. They came from Tire Rack and were mounted by a guy that came to my home. His price is included in what I noted above. The Kumho's are highly rated and I also have put them on my DW's Escape. They are great on that car, my truck - well there are better choices. I have a 48-49mph wobble which a couple others noted and it is not balance. I'll just drive faster or slower

. The Grabbers on my 34' 5er - great tire so far

xc-mark · 08-19-2010, 12:46 AM

DISCOUNT TIRE DIRECT is much better then Tire Rack, no shipping charges, and they are cheaper for the same products.......

Blue74 · 08-29-2010, 10:56 AM

xc-mark thanks for the link.

I’ve decided to take a gamble and run the way they are the ones on the left side of the trailer (shade from sun) do not show any cracking. I have had covers on them until last fall. It looks to be superficial cracking in the outer layer of the tire and does not go any deeper than that. Will be in several large cities in California before heading north if I need to replace them. If I have no problems I will buy a lottery ticket and stop at the casino on the way home.

I got the chance to air the tires on the trailer and truck to 80 lbs before I left home so I will see if there is a problem when I get back on the 2nd. The trailer tires where in the 60 lb range after four and a half years and the truck I run at 45 to 50 because it is empty most of the time.