Tire Replacement for Carriage Domani

[Santee]

I am a "newbie" to the RVing world. I would like to get some advice on tire replacement for my 2008 Carriage Domani. It has the original tires 285/50/20R Goodyear Fortena on it. The tires look great but I am concerned with the age since these are the orginals. Goodyear no longer makes the tire so I am faced with trying to replace them with Hankook or Nitro which have the same size and load range (116H). We are planning to do some long range traveling this summer and I would like to get some input. I just don't feel comfortable with 2008 tires! Thanks for listening.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by Santee

It has the original tires 285/50/20R Goodyear Fortena on it.

Weird size tires for a 5er. Several brands including Michelin and Goodyear with 111 or 112 weight designator, but only a few with 116.

The H in the 116H is the speed rating of 130 MPH. That's overkill for a trailer tire. If you find load rating 116, then any speed rating over 75 MPH should be fine for your needs. The speed ratings are
L = 75 MPH
M = 81
N = 87
P = 93
Q = 99
R = 106
S = 112
T = 118
U = 124
H = 130
V & Z = 149

Of the available tires in that size and load rating, my choice would be Cooper Discoverer H/T Plus or Zeon LTZ. Speed ratings T or S, weight rating 116. I hope you don't plan to tow your trailer at over 100 MPH.
Cooper Tire US - LT285/50R20

Other brands that make LT285/50R20 with 116 weight designator and speed rating at least Q include:

Bridestone Blizzak
Hankook Ventus A/S RH07
Sumitomo HTR Sport H/P
Nitto NT 420S
Falken Rocky Mountain ATS (Discount Tire
GT Radial Champiro 52B (Discount Tire house brand?)

[JIMNLIN]

Most 20" tires are P/SL/XL designation at 44 to 51 psi with the lower 113 or 117 index and not suited for a heavy trailers axles.

Speed rating is a moot point on a LT tire used on a trailer so pay attention to the load index numbers and the LT designation and 65 psi at a minimum pressure ratings. Your trailer may use 20" tires but they will have a LT designation with a 124/126 load index for 6k-7k axles.

I would talk it over with a Goodyear dealer on which size 20" tire replacements for your particular width wheels. Proper wheel width for a load carrying tire is critical for best braking/handling performances.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by JIMNLIN

Your trailer may use 20" tires but they will have a LT designation with a 124/126 load index for 6k-7k axles.

Good theory, but his first post said his original trailer tires were LT285/50R20 with service designation 116S. I looked at several different brands of tires in size LT285/50R20, and none had higher load index than 116, and most were 111 or 112.

[JIMNLIN]

Yeah, it really depends on the trailers axle ratings.
6k axles require a 119 or 120 minimum load index (3000 lbs) in a LT.
7k axles require a 123 or 124 minimum load index (3500 lbs) in a LT.

The Hankook AS RH07 in a 285/50-20" with a load index of 116. However its another P rated XL load range at 50 psi.

Now if the tires are a P or XL or SL used on a trailer then per fed regs the tires capacity is required to be derated 10 percent. The P tires are now rated at only 2480 lbs.

The OP needs a 20" 50 series LT that will fit his trailers 20" wheels.

[FastEagle]

All of the Carriage Domani Fifth Wheels that I’ve seen at RV shows have been in the 30'-31' range. And, yes, some do come equipped with 20” GY tires.

Hers is a reference for new ones. After you apply some math to the specs you may assume - as I have - that all fivers have 5,000# axles.

http://www.rvingplanet.com/brands/carriage/domani/fifth-wheels/
　
FastEagle

[Santee]

Guys, after reading all the post I realized that I better get my owners manual out. The Goodyear Fortera tires were an option for the 2008 Domani. They came with a special chrome mag wheel from American Racing (8 lug 20 X 10" rim). The tire has a load range of 2756 lbs @ 50 psi. The axles are Dexter #11 Torflex rated at 5200 lbs. the manual also stated the importance of properly loading the unit before travel. The gross weight rating is 11,500 lbs.
The tires do not show a LT only the 285/50/R20 with a 116H. I think that contacting Goodyear is a great idea and I plan to do so.
I really appreciate all the input and it's amazing how much you can learn on this site. I just can't wait to get on the road. Thanks

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by Santee

The tire has a load range of 2756 lbs @ 50 psi.

So at 10% reduction, that's 2,480 per tire or 9,920 for 4 tires. A weird 5er with only 15% pin weight would still leave 9,775 for max trailer axles weight. So those ties are adequate as far as weight capacity for any 5er with GVWR of 11,500 pounds and more than 13.74% pin weight. I don't think you'll find a 5er with less than 13.74% pin weight. Most 5ers with over 10,000 pounds GVWR will have pin weight of 17% to 20%.

The 50 PSI indicates it's either a load range C or a P-Series XL. If it has neither an LT nor a P in front of the size, then it's probably a P-Series XL. The COOPER DISCOVERER H/T PLUS in size 285/50R20 noted in my earlier post is a P-Series XP with max 50 PSI.
http://www.discounttirezone.com/Coop...s_c_189-1.html

[Santee]

Well I just got off the phone with Goodyear. Do not bother contacting them about products they used to make! They will not make any recommendations, etc. told me to use the WEB and find a replacement. Anyway, I did call a local tire store here that I have used before and he is going to help find some replacement tires. He also agrees that a tire over 5 years regardless of tread is pushing your luck. From a safety aspect, I agree. Rather bite the bullet and get new tires before getting on the road. Will let you know what I end up with in case someone else has this same 5th Wheel with 20in wheels. Thanks again for all y'all input.

[FastEagle]

Originally Posted by Santee

Well I just got off the phone with Goodyear. Do not bother contacting them about products they used to make! They will not make any recommendations, etc. told me to use the WEB and find a replacement. Anyway, I did call a local tire store here that I have used before and he is going to help find some replacement tires. He also agrees that a tire over 5 years regardless of tread is pushing your luck. From a safety aspect, I agree. Rather bite the bullet and get new tires before getting on the road. Will let you know what I end up with in case someone else has this same 5th Wheel with 20in wheels. Thanks again for all y'all input.

Just a note: The ONLY figures used to determine the required tire load capacity is the GVWR depicted on the trailer’s certification label. Vehicle manufacturers are required to figure in devaluations for the use of Passenger tires on trucks/trailers.

Your current tires are in violation of federal regulations if they are, in fact, being used on 5200# axles. However, they are legal for 5000# axles.

My figures 2756/1.1 = 2505.


FastEagle

[FastEagle]

Originally Posted by FastEagle

Just a note: The ONLY figures used to determine the required tire load capacity is the GAWR depicted on the trailer’s certification label. Vehicle manufacturers are required to figure in devaluations for the use of Passenger tires on trucks/trailers.

Your current tires are in violation of federal regulations if they are, in fact, being used on 5200# axles. However, they are legal for 5000# axles.

My figures 2756/1.1 = 2505.


FastEagle

Sorry. Edit tab not working and the GVWR needed to be changed to GAWR.

FE

[Santee]

Well, I finally replaced the Goodyear 285/50/R20 tires on my 2008 Carriage Domani. Since Goodyear no longer makes this tire I replaced it with a Hankook with the same load and size tire as the Goodyear. The old Goodyear tires were 2007's so it was the right thing to do. It's a shame you have to go overseas to find replacements tires! Anyway, we are ready to hit the road.