Ditch the China "bombs" asap | tires

[thor]

Owner of a brand new 2014 Silverback 29RE and I dont wanna pull it anywhere with the stk china tires it came with. I want to install the 235/85r16 Michelin xps rib tires but not sure bought clearances. I dont mind that it raises the unit a bit as I already lifted the trailer to pull good behind my lifted truck. my concern is the limited clearance between the axles. I didnt measure yet but i dont think there is more than 2" clearance now between the tires with 235/80r16s. Anyone install this size on the same unit and if so any issues? thx for any info

[jonrjen]

Now you do know that by installing LT tires in place of ST tires on an RV you may create reverse gravitational chaos with in the universe....correct?

I installed 235/85-16 in place of the 235/80-16 on my Wildcat which had about the same clearance and am doing fine. Nice thing is that I don't worry about staying at or under 62mph or the strength of the tire running down the road.

There is also another size that goes down in diameter but I can't think of the size, it's a 245/75-16 or something along that tract. It will be a smaller diameter but a hair wider and usually has a little greater weight limit.

Either way, good luck,

[donniedu]

Also look at BFG Connercial TA and Bridgestone Durval the Bridgestone I understand is a steel belt radial like the XPS but at a lower price.

[thor]

I think I'm gonna stick with the Michelin. I'm friends with the tire dealer here and he will sell them to me at cost. I could get the same deal on BFG or whatever else but I want to get the best available esp if I can get a deal like that which makes it much more affordable. I will throw the china crap on my hoist trailer as those tires are forever going flat due to the awesome landfill here lol

[BombDoc]

Originally Posted by thor

Owner of a brand new 2014 Silverback 29RE and I dont wanna pull it anywhere with the stk china tires it came with. I want to install the 235/85r16 Michelin xps rib tires but not sure bought clearances. I dont mind that it raises the unit a bit as I already lifted the trailer to pull good behind my lifted truck. my concern is the limited clearance between the axles. I didnt measure yet but i dont think there is more than 2" clearance now between the tires with 235/80r16s. Anyone install this size on the same unit and if so any issues? thx for any info

Just curious, what name are the tires you have on now?

[thor]

Mastertrack power touring

[BombDoc]

Originally Posted by thor

Mastertrack power touring

I was just curious as I have Westlakes on my Sabre. They have performed very well over the last two years and after this weekend they are getting changed. Mainly because I am sure they have been on the 5'er for at least two years and I have towed this thing all over the place since I've owned it. I don't think that is going to change anytime soon and I know I'm "pushing my luck". I was just going to caution you that if they were Westlakes, you didn't need to change them as soon as you got it home.

[thor]

I measured and the space between the tires with the 235/80r16s is 2" if I step up to the 85s im only gonna have 3/4 - 1'' of clearance. That worries me a bit and that is my real concern here. Anyone running tires that have minimal clearance like that between the two?

[MMattox]

I am very interested in this thread, I have a 32RL with a small gap I would say about 1 3/4 inches and it make it really hard to install the X-Chocks but want to get the Michelins too!

[thor]

what size are your tires? The michelins dont come in a 80 series unfortunitely. Have to go up to the 85

[arpipeliner]

I have 2010 29 RE. Replace two of the tires(same as yours) but my company bought tires in the same size but different brand. Changing the other two next spring.

My axles got out of alignment. Probably a lot of my own fault. But the china bombs have been from WV to both sides of MI to AR to OK to OH to TX to AR to AL to PA to WV. The short pulls were 350 miles up 900+ on the longer ones. I check when I stop and always check air before pulling not just look at them.

Guess I am saying I know the bad stories of them. But they have several thousand miles over two years.

That spacing would concern me if the front tire throws a rock or something it could puncture or lock them up making flat spots ruining the tires.

If set on the size. Might look in changing spings and equalizer to get your spacing back. Just an idea if the tire are that good of a deal.


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[thor]

Maybe I will check into other LT tires and see if I can find something closer in size with a good rep. I just don't wanna have a blowout as the damage that can occur isn't worth the risk to me. I just don't trust the crap these RVs come with. I think it's kinda wierd how close cedar creek runs their axles together as well. Lots of clearance up top and to the inside but very little between the tires

[BombDoc]

I'm looking at putting Firestone Transforce on my rig. I put those tires on my truck back in July and really like them. Smooth ride and they tow nice. Have the same weight class (actually a bit more) than the Westlakes on there now. I will have to see about clearances.

[thor]

I just looked and the BFG commercial TA makes a LT245/75r16 with a rating of 3045 lbs so I will price it out tomorrow and ask my tire guy how it compares in reliability to the michelin. I have 6k axles so I may go that route

[MagnoliaTom]

Originally Posted by thor

Maybe I will check into other LT tires and see if I can find something closer in size with a good rep. I just don't wanna have a blowout as the damage that can occur isn't worth the risk to me. I just don't trust the crap these RVs come with. I think it's kinda wierd how close cedar creek runs their axles together as well. Lots of clearance up top and to the inside but very little between the tires

Take a look at sailun s637 tires. They are comparable to the goodyear g614 (which is supposed to be the best) at about half the price. They are a heavy duty trailer tire, 14 ply (I think) and speed rated up to 75 mph. These will be on my rig soon.


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[thor]

K I will thx

[Taranwanderer]

Ok, here's my post from a prior thread on this issue, worth repeating:

I'm in the same boat. I want to ditch the 65MPH rated ST tires and go with an LT that can safely do 70 or 75. The problem is, my current ST 235 80-R 16 tires are rated at 3400-3500# (depending on brand,) but to get that weight rating in an LT tire, I need to jump up to a LT 265 75-R16. I don't "want" larger tires (about an inch, in this case,) but I have to in order to get the load range/rating that I need. They don't make a 235 or 245 LT that can carry that much weight.

Something else to think about before plunking down any cash on LT tires--check the weight rating of the size you "think" you want.

[MMattox]

My trailer has ST 235 80 R16's with a load of 3520# at 80 PSI. I have read here that it is also important to know if your wheels can handle higher air pressures as some tires go up to 110PSI I think. I also have the 6K axles. I just don't want the make the small space between the tires even smaller or I will have to throw out the X-chocks which I like.....

[camper1999]

Originally Posted by thor

Mastertrack power touring

Mastertrack may be made in china but is actually a good tire. I put over 15000 miles on mine before switching to marathons which are also made in China

[Taranwanderer]

Originally Posted by MMattox

My trailer has ST 235 80 R16's with a load of 3520# at 80 PSI. I have read here that it is also important to know if your wheels can handle higher air pressures as some tires go up to 110PSI I think. I also have the 6K axles. I just don't want the make the small space between the tires even smaller or I will have to throw out the X-chocks which I like.....

I'm just saying--you probably don't want to buy a tire with a lower weight rating than the one you already have, even if it can go faster...it'll still overheat and fail if it can't deal with the weight. If it's a choice between that miserable scenario and losing my X-chocks, I think I'd lose the chocks...😉