Tires

[JoArt]

I was wondering how often do you change your A frame trailer tires? Where to purchase your tires? Thanks for your responses in advance

[RedLdr1]

There are a lot of tire threads scattered on the forums here. Do a search on "China bombs" or "ST tires" for threads on tires. The general consensus I'm reading is that ST tires get replaced every 4-5 years regardless of mileage. The exceptions are if you are very high mileage user, and actually wear the tread down, or if they begin to show deep cracks in the rubber.

Based on what I have read here, and on other forums, the best ST tires are Maxxis, Kumho 857, and Goodyear Marathons. Check their websites for your local dealer and tire fitment information.

Which brand tire to use questions will generate a lot of responses both for and against any of the brands I mentioned. I've been reading about tires since before we purchased our trailer and the topic does generate strong opinions...

[JoArt]

Where would you find these type of tires? Do most tire dealerships work on trailers or is that a specialty?

[firedaniel]

Just got mine off Ebay. Free shipping and no tax was cheaper than anywhere else I could find...

[ependydad]

I ordered from www.discounttiredirect.com and took the wheels and tires to the local tire shop. For a $20 tip directly to the techs, they switched them over for me.

[GreenImp]

The link above redirects to the main Discount Tire/Americas Tire site....They intentionally make it difficult to access the cheaper site.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/home.do

Edit...Actually...I just found that it's not the link thats the problem...it seems to be cookies from the main site. If you have trouble accessing the Direct site, clear out your cookies or try a different browser.

[mickrock]

etrailer.com for good tires and free fast shippinng.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by JoArt

Where would you find these type of tires? Do most tire dealerships work on trailers or is that a specialty?

The Aframe dealerships I've talked to do not change tires. They only sell the the OEM tires already mounted on wheels.

One word of caution, FR Aframes have D load range rated tires while most campers use C range. Make sure the tire dealer orders D load radials and double check them before the installation.

[gashog]

Originally Posted by Pooneil

The a Aframe dealerships I've talked to do not change tires. They only sell the the OEM tires already mounted on wheels.

One word of caution, FR Aframes have D load range rated tires while most campers use C range. Make sure the tire dealer orders D load radials and double check them before the installation.

OK this is a stupid question, whats a Aframe? I'm assuming they are a bumper pull? my 2015 Rockwood Windjammer 3029W came with "C" rated china bombs. I asked Forest River when I replace my tires if I could go with "D" rated. here's what they said:

We don't recommend changing your tires to D rated tires. We install C rated tires and we don't recommend changing away from a C tire. If you want specs on what the rims then I would have to put you in contact with Lionshead our supplier for the tires and rims. You can contact them at 574-533-6169.

Warranty Administrator
Rockwood & Flagstaff
Forest River Inc.

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by Pooneil

One word of caution, FR Aframes have D load range rated tires while most campers use C range. Make sure the tire dealer orders D load radials and double check them before the installation.

I'm not sure about D Load Range being OEM for 2015. My T21QBHW came with ST205/75-14 C Load Range tires and it is the biggest, heaviest A-Frame FR currently makes at 2,352 pounds Unloaded Vehicle Weight and a GVWR of 3,336 pounds.

That hefty weight doesn't leave a lot of room for error on most C Load Range tires if you are at, or even near, the trailers maximum GVWR. For that reason, along with a general concern over the stock tires, I'm looking at replacing the OEM tires.

My Solution:

I've decided to go with Maxxis 8008 ST215/75-14 C Load Range tires. While staying with the OEM 14 inch rim by "upgrading" to the 215 width, versus the OEM tire's 205 width, provides a slight increase in tire load capacity. The 215's have a maximum load of 1,870 pounds per tire, 3,740 pounds per set, versus the Maxxis ST205/75-14 Load Range C tires at 1,760 pounds per tire or 3,520 pounds per set. Both tires have the same maximum Air Pressure, 50 PSI, and are close enough in size that I do not expect to have any wheel or fitment concerns.

While that change is only 110 pounds per tire, 220 pounds per set, the higher rating adds a little bit more comfort margin for me at roughly the same price. When looking at only the trailers GVWR (3,336 pounds) the 215's are rated at approximately 9% higher than the GVWR, at the maximum allowed weight per set, versus approximately 5% higher than the GVWR for the 205's. There is my "comfort" factor...

I do not advocate going over the factory GVWR, running "overweight", nor do I intend to ever do so. And I know that upgrading tires alone will not increase my GVWR rating by even one pound. But I believe upgrading to the Maxxis 215's will result in a less stressed, cooler running tire which is one of the key factors in tire life. I'll also be installing a Dill TPMS at the same time I swap tires.

I advise anyone looking at replacing their tires to do their own research and carefully check out their options. What I, or anyone else, thinks will works best is not necessarily the best option for everyone. I do not claim to be a ST tire expert, nor have I found one I believe yet , so I've spent quite a bit of time researching before I made my choice. This "upgrade" is about $600 for three tires, I'm replacing the spare tire as well, and the Dill TPMS. I'll find out if it was a good choice and will only have myself to blame if it wasn't...
I'll get off my soap box now.... and I apologize in advance if this came across as a "rant" as it wasn't meant to be one....

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by gashog

OK this is a stupid question, whats a Aframe?

Not at all, see Here for a couple pictures of mine. You can also "Click" on the T21QBHW link in my signature and it will take you to the FR websites A-Frame section.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by gashog

OK this is a stupid question, whats a Aframe?

They are made by the FR pop up division and the topic of this sub forum. See the link for the Rockwood A122S in my signature.

Originally Posted by RedLdr1

I'm not sure about D Load Range being OEM for 2015.

That's good to know. I guess correctly sized Cs are capable of holding a 3300 lbs trailer. It could just be that the D radials were more available in prior years. To generalize my advice then, make sure the tire seller installs tires that are at least as capable as the OEMs and doesn't undercut capacity out of ignorance.