Switching to LT tires on Sanibel 3600

[Dgonzo]

The original tires (Goodyear Marathon ST235/80R16) that came with my 2013 Sanibel 3600 lasted only 1 year - about 6,000 miles. I ALWAYS checked my cold PSI prior to leaving each morning and have a TPMs. Based on all the complaints I have read on this forum and the Internet, I am surprised that Prime Time continues to use them???
My question is for those who have swapped out their ST tires for LT tires. I am leaning to the Goodyear G614 LT235/85R16 tire but it says the rim size should be 6.5 inches and the Sanibel comes with a 6.0 inch rim rated at 110 psi. Does the half an inch makes that much difference and has anyone made this swap?? Also, the new tires are about 20 pounds heavier. Any problems storing the spare under the Sanibel such as dropped down? I will not use my Sanibel until I upgrade my tires since 4 tire failures while on an interstate is no fun plus damage to the RV.

[vinmaker]

Usually people complain about the china bombs on the new campers. Yours came with GY Marathon's which I thought was a good tire.

Tires are so frustrating.

Vin.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by vinmaker

Usually people complain about the china bombs on the new campers. Yours came with GY Marathon's which I thought was a good tire. Tires are so frustrating. Vin.

And who knows how old they were or if they had been curbed by the transporter or underinflated prior to the owner taking possession? All sorts of things could have happened before the owner got them.

[B and B]

I am not expert on tire widths but my understanding is if you mount the tires on smaller rims you might have bead seating issues under full/pressure full load conditions. The tire may work fine but they might unseat under certain conditions. Your tire dealer might be best handled to provide guidance.

[47chevy]

I have a Sanibel 3400 with the same tires. In one trip from Fla. Panhandle to Red Lodge Mt and return I blew 3 out of 4 of the "new" Marathons. Getting ready to go again so now I have 4 new Maxxis 8008s. Hopefully better luck this year

[Ke5rbd]

Originally Posted by Dgonzo

The original tires (Goodyear Marathon ST235/80R16) that came with my 2013 Sanibel 3600 lasted only 1 year - about 6,000 miles. I ALWAYS checked my cold PSI prior to leaving each morning and have a TPMs. Based on all the complaints I have read on this forum and the Internet, I am surprised that Prime Time continues to use them???
My question is for those who have swapped out their ST tires for LT tires. I am leaning to the Goodyear G614 LT235/85R16 tire but it says the rim size should be 6.5 inches and the Sanibel comes with a 6.0 inch rim rated at 110 psi. Does the half an inch makes that much difference and has anyone made this swap?? Also, the new tires are about 20 pounds heavier. Any problems storing the spare under the Sanibel such as dropped down? I will not use my Sanibel until I upgrade my tires since 4 tire failures while on an interstate is no fun plus damage to the RV.

You didn't say what load range you are putting on. According to the web site the camper came with load range E which should carry 80 psi. The Goodyear's you are looking at could be a load range G if it is 20 lbs heaver than the Marathons. It would need 110 psi which would be over kill for a 12000 lb trailer. I would put something in the E range on it. I have run LT tires on two different fifthwheels that weigh in in the 12 to 13000 range for 15 years and have never had an issue. Like everyone else the trailer came with China blems on it and never ran them for over year before having cracking or out of round issue. It is lot of piece of mind in getting better tires for me. What ever tire you get run the max tire pressure on the sidewall and you will be ok. As far as the 1/2" rim width I would think it will matter. I wouldn't try the G range, as the E range is plenty when inflated right. I have used the Firestones Steeltex or what ever they call them now on all and never had issue.

[extremebike]

There is an inflaton chart by Goodyear for all tires. You don't need to put in 110 PSI. Just like you don't inflate your car tires to the max on the sidewall.

http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf

I put on Michelin XPS ribs. No issue. If you look at the XPS there are two diameters of tires for the same size. The smaller one is likely the same diameter as the GY.

[DKRITTER]

Originally Posted by 47chevy

I have a Sanibel 3400 with the same tires. In one trip from Fla. Panhandle to Red Lodge Mt and return I blew 3 out of 4 of the "new" Marathons. Getting ready to go again so now I have 4 new Maxxis 8008s. Hopefully better luck this year

Wondering about what speed do you tow your Sanibel?

[Boso]

On that g614 tire you have to have a heavy duty rim that will hold 110 psi if you run less pressure you are wasting your time and money had to put them on 2009 grand junction came with hd rims but Chinese tires 4 blo outs 3 within 100 miles had to buy used tires to get me home 100 miles 15 mph Thor paid most of my tire bill shipped me another hd rim for spare insurance paid damage both sides of fifth wheel

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Boso

On that g614 tire you have to have a heavy duty rim that will hold 110 psi if you run less pressure you are wasting your time and money...

Agree 100%. Inflate to max sidewall pressure. I do it on car, truck and trailers.

[EdnKat]

We had a blow-out after around 5,000 miles with the GY Marathons, on '12 3500 Sanibel, LR E, one was two too many, with the damage to the 5er (which GY paid for, and one tire). I replaced all 5 of the Marathons with Sailun G rated tires. Recommended by RV dealer to Tire Roundup in Leesburg FL. They are more of a commercial grade tire, the side walls are not as soft as SR and ST tires. The 5er pulls easier with the stiffer sidewalls.

[TGR]

A long while back, I had a new truck delivered with 6” rims on the rear instead of 6.5” rims. The tires wobbled and the bead was uneven on the rim. Another problem was the rims weren’t rated to handle the higher load of a load range E tire. This could have created a big problem had it not been corrected.

I read at http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/tire-care-guide.pdf that Marathon ST235/80R16 tires can accept rim widths from 6.0-7.5” but, as you say, G614 RST LT235/85R16 tires work with only 6.5” rims. Perhaps your tire dealer can advise you on this, as I wonder if the G614 tires would wobble like my truck tires did on the smaller rim.

I took the factory upgraded to Maxxis ST235/80R16/E 8008 tires on my Wildcat 5th wheel. Maxxis says they too only fit 6.5” rims so they aren’t a good choice for you. I have about 9,500 miles on my Maxxis tires and they have performed well so far. I’ll likely replace my tires with either Maxxis or Marathon tires as they are both highly recommended by most owners. The G614 tires are just too expensive and I could only inflate them to 80 psi because of my rims.

[Boso]

The g614 will work on 7" rims go to Goodyear web page get phone number call rep I did and talked about that and was told it would create no problem I can't remember all specifics it was in 2009 also the guy gave me a direct number if I ever had a problem with the tire also the speed rating is higher on that tire you probably can contact thru email also

[Dgonzo]

Thanks for the comments. Just to answer a few questions: I keep my speed at 65 mph. I lost 2 tires on my last trip with the temperature around 40 - 45 degrees. The other tires failed in the summer. I was looking at a load range G knowing it was overkill. It seems like all the tires I was interested in require a 6.5 inch rim so I will have to replace those. The current rims are rated 110 psi. Thanks again for the feedback. Hoping to hear from someone who switched to the GY G614s.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by TGR

[FONT=Calibri]A long while back, I had a new truck delivered with 6” rims on the rear instead of 6.5” rims. The tires wobbled and the bead was uneven on the rim...

Sounds like your major problem with the wobble was the tires weren't mounted correctly, not referring to the load problem at all.

[jimmyt11664]

I installed the G614 tires on our Sanibel 3601, Our wheels were rated for 110 psi. The width of the wheel was also compatible. I know that their is a huge difference in LT and Trailer tires. If you read several post on this site, you will get a understanding of the difference. Also handling difference. I feel for you with the Marathon tires, I feel that they are over rated. I don't have many miles on our new tires to give you a lot of input. But Goodyear is making the 2550.00 repairs to the body damage. I also have installed fenders to limit the next tire failure. Which I hope that never happens again. Plus I now carry two spare tires.

[kohai]

If you search the forums, you will generally see these answers:

16" or bigger, go to LT tires:
- Goodyear G614 - expensive but have guarantee to fix your RV if a blown tire damages it (keep the blown out tire)

- Michelin RIBS

- Sailun S637 - less expensive but people are having good luck with them

- Bridgestone Duravis R250


15" or smaller, stay with ST tires (limited max speed to 65 mph):
- Maxis M8008 - reliable, good track record on the forums

- Carlisle Radial Trail RH - the new design seems to have solved the problems you see on the forums from several years ago

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Agree 100%. Inflate to max sidewall pressure. I do it on car, truck and trailers.

Isn't uneconomical to even buy the tires rated for 110 psi in the first place, if 80 psi is all that's required to bear the load according to the manufacturer's inflation guide? Wouldn't the OP be better off buying 80 psi tires if appropriate?

[jimmyt11664]

Trailer tires are inflated to maximum tire pressure cold. With automobile and truck tires, they are suggest tire pressure on the door placard, this is to promote tire wear and handling aspects. For a loaded truck rear tires with single rear tires are at maximum tire pressure to handle load. Same with trailer tires. Maximum tire pressure for load and handling. I would be over rated on my tires. Than under rated with tire failures. Remember that a trailer tire has a different side wall construction than a truck /car tire. It will not have good handling of the tow vehicle. Due to side wall flex. More info at Goodyear.com

[wmcclay]

We have a 2013 3500, we have had nothing but tire trouble until we switched to LT tires. Over a year now 25,000 miles and no problems. Tow at 65 where we can, 60 otherwise. Handling is better, even gained 1/2 mpg in the deal. ST tires are in my humble opinion are junk. Put a tire that is rated to haul passengers, LT tire are rated lower for weight but have a 20% reserve and rated for a higher speed. This is a hot topic on this forum, with people who have strong opinions on both sides. Mfg's put on ST tires because of costs, like everything else it is trade of. We installed BF Goodrich commercial Tas. Made in USA by Michelin.

Good Luck

Wayne and Donna