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Old 05-21-2019, 08:09 AM   #21
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Now that I have good tires, I still tow between 60-65. Go faster, bad things happen quick. Read on for my comments on the cheap tires that are often on new trailers. China Bombs included.

Let me open with this. Not ALL Chinese tires are bad. Sailun, for one is a great tire. Had Tow Max tires from China when I bought my new 5’r. Tires were load range E. They were under 2 years old. Loaded for camping, CAT scaled, I am under max trailer sticker weight by more than 2,000 lbs. Even more under than the ratings on the tires. Anal about checking temps with the IR gun, pressures, and I have TPMS.

First 2 trips, 8 miles to a nearby camp for shakedown trips. First trip of 70 miles, all 4 tires had expanded in size to almost rubbing each other. Caught them before they let loose. Replaced them before heading home. Got home and checked the spare.....it too had done the same thing! Replaced it as well. Fortunately, the warranty paid for most of the cost to replace.

Now, I have no idea how badly the trailer was abused during transport. If they drove too fast getting it to Arizona, maybe the tires failed due to that. But....the spare too? It still had the sticker on it and the tire nubs from new. Dealer stores all the spares in his warehouse to prevent theft. So, they were not out in the sun. My camper lives under a shade structure, so sees no direct sunlight. My speed, usually 55-62 as I was new to 5’r towing, but plenty of other tows.

My opinion on cheap tires? Either negotiate for good ones during purchase, or replace them ASAP. Many on this forum say the cheap tires are just fine and never had a problem. You have too much money tied up in your rig of choice. Why ruin your vacation...or your rig? My tire story could have turned out really badly coming down the mountains from Payson, AZ had I not been so anal about checking my stuff. Cheap tires can, and will kill. Do you really want to spin that roulette wheel and take the chance with your family....or someone else’s? For me, NO!
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Old 05-21-2019, 08:09 AM   #22
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I have load range E tires, rated to 87 mph. I pull my Windjammer, with a weight distribution hitch, on a SRW Ram 3500, up to 75 mph depending on road and wind conditions. If I'm on a dark, desert, highway, that is smooth and straight, with little wind, I will drive at the higher end. If it is a two-lane, bouncy country road, I'll be driving 55 mph or lower.
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Old 05-21-2019, 08:15 AM   #23
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60-65 mph is it, any more than that and gas mileage suffers exponentially due to poor aerodynamics.
I enjoy the slower ride in the truck or slow lane. RV travel is supposed to be relaxing and pleasant.
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Old 05-21-2019, 08:31 AM   #24
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The factory tires on my Surveyor are load range D and rated for 65mph. My former TV MPG dropped significantly much over 65 when towing. I towed at 65 on the interstate. The new TV drops about 2MPG over 70 so I'll likely keep on towing at 65. As others have said, I'm in no hurry. Trips with the TT are planned for short days of ~350 miles max.
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Old 05-21-2019, 09:22 AM   #25
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65. Most people get it, but some obviously don't.
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Old 05-21-2019, 09:52 AM   #26
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Have Goodyear Endurance on fifth wheel 65 unless having to pass.
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Old 05-21-2019, 09:57 AM   #27
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60-65 is where I am comfortable. Slower in windy conditions.
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Old 05-21-2019, 10:12 AM   #28
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65 or the speed limit, whichever is less.
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Old 05-21-2019, 10:38 AM   #29
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I never tow over our tire's speed rating, 65 mph. I use our GPS as a speedometer and set the C/C for 65. Don' t have a need or desire to go faster.

Many people don't understand that when you have ST tires, it's very important not to tow overloaded, under-inflated and/or over the tire's speed rating. Heat kills ST tires and not following these rules will lead to a tire failure (ie., "blowout"). The internal damage is cumulative and one day a tire can fail for no apparent reason. I'm going to replace our made in China tires with over 20K miles on them but only because they're 5 years old. Yes, there are some cheapo Chinese tires but simply being made there doesn't mean they're all bad.

Some TTs come with ST tires that have almost no reserve load capacity because they didn't want to spend $$ on a higher load range tire. You want 15% and the more, the better (we're on the high side at about 30%). Some TTs can weigh more on one side and overload the tires. It's always a good thing to take your TT to a scale.

Wanna see fast? Tow your TT through Utah - 65 mph seems like you're standing still compared to everyone else, RVs included.
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Old 05-21-2019, 10:45 AM   #30
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I get so tired hearing about China bombs...
OMG yes.
Apparently good year and saluin don't blow out. It's a miracle.
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Old 05-21-2019, 11:16 AM   #31
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Tire rated speed aside air resistance, the major component of fuel consumption, is exponential to speed. It's twice at 70 than it was at 50. No one drives 50. Air resistance at 70 is 36% more than 60.

And speed may not save any time if you have to refuel. 300 miles at 70mph vs 60 is about 40 minutes faster -- not including any fuel stops which always include potty stops just 'cuz there's one handy.

60-65 seems to be a sweet spot for my Expedition with that brick-like aerodynamic thing behind it.

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Old 05-21-2019, 01:56 PM   #32
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65mph for me no matter what kind of tires. A ZR racing tire still doesn't change the dynamics and physics of a rolling box... then factor road temp, air pressures high or low, bearing recommended speed or load ratings.
A circumstance at 65 can be much different than 75, 80+ even if the tire can run sustained at 180mph+

I also don't trust my ability or reactions to function well at higher speed.
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Old 05-22-2019, 08:59 AM   #33
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I have China bombs on my Salem 28ckds with about 1000 miles on them. I'm doing to gy endurance or an LT load e tire this spring. Haven't had any problems, but I've heard to many negatives. I typically drive 55 to 60...
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Old 05-22-2019, 09:15 AM   #34
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Originally Posted by myredracer View Post

Wanna see fast? Tow your TT through Utah - 65 mph seems like you're standing still compared to everyone else, RVs included.
"Wanna see fast" could apply to RV transporters running from Goshen/Elkhart to RV dealers in the West.
Which causes me to ponder if the new Castle Rock tires were heat damaged by the 85mph delivery process.
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Old 05-22-2019, 10:17 AM   #35
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Target 60-65 -

70 down hill.... 45-55 up the Mtn
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Old 05-23-2019, 09:41 AM   #36
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I currently have the Castle Rock E rated tires 80lb cold max pressure on my new Arctic Wolf 5th wheel. I also made a purchase last fall for a TPMS . Probably the best purchase I have made. I drive 65 max but it is so nice not having to worry about a tire problem. I can view tire heat, low and high pressure with alarms. Last summer with my now sold passport trailer I had a nail and a slow leak. A good smaritain getting onto an exit yelled out the window and to me my tire was going flat. Never knew it was low on air or flat. But it was HOT. After all of that, I will put a better grade of tires on soon.
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Old 05-23-2019, 11:35 AM   #37
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I love TPMS... more information the better. It does alert to a slow pressure leak and a temperature or pressure increase... If it occurs slow enough. No light, no alarm, no bell is going to alert you much ahead of a blowout. When a blowout occurs it usually happens in less than a second, so while the TPMS is alerting me to what is already happening, I'm already dealing with the issue, praying and thinking I'm glad I have that extra pair of shorts in the truck!
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Old 05-23-2019, 01:07 PM   #38
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I tow at 67 normally but occasionally I run 75 and occasionally 80 but once I see 80 I slow down. I run 75 when I have to have a short amount of time. My tires are rated for 75
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