New tire option for 235/75/15???

[TitanMike]

Well the plot thickens! I called Gladiator and talked with a young man who said that they currently don’t manufacture the Gladiator X COMP A/T in an ST235/75/15. He did say that it’s possible that they did manufacture it at one time but no longer do, he wasn’t sure but was going to look into it.

So upon further investigation…I called simple tire and they swear they have that exact tire in stock. I’m not sure what the deal is, but I’m honestly considering taking a chance and ordering them.If what they send me isn’t the correct tire…I could easily return them…it’s almost worth the gamble on a potentially great tire/option.

Before doing that I think I'd make sure who pays the shipping to return. AND if there is a restocking charge.
Shipping tires when you don't have a contract rate can be expensive and a common restocking charge is 15% of original price per tire.


Not all businesses are like Amazon and Costco.

 

[Colorado-A-Frame]

Good advice! I ordered them up!…here’s what the simple tire website has to say…I’ll report back when the tires arrive. At 1/2 the cost of even the Kenda tires…and essentially free returns it was worth the gamble in my opinion. This may be a one time thing, knowing that they aren’t currently being manufactured.

1. Submit the return request

Returns are accepted within 30-days of delivery. Only unused tires that have not been mounted or driven on are eligible for return. Once we receive the tires back in our warehouse we will issue a refund back to the original form of payment minus $20/tire for return shipping plus any handling fees on the original order.
The $20/tire return shipping fee will be waived if you need to place another order or in the unlikely event that we shipped the wrong tire.
Start my return request

 

[NJKris]

Hmmm. If Gladiator is not currently making that in a ST tire, then I have to wonder how many years they've been sitting waiting to be bought from Simple Tire. Since RV tires usually 'age out' before they wear out, could be a concern, although I'm sure that age is more of a concern on mounted tires exposed to elements.

 

[5picker]

Hmmm. If Gladiator is not currently making that in a ST tire, then I have to wonder how many years they've been sitting waiting to be bought from Simple Tire. Since RV tires usually 'age out' before they wear out, could be a concern, although I'm sure that age is more of a concern on mounted tires exposed to elements.

X2
Check the date code(s).

 

[TitanMike]

X2
Check the date code(s).

Very difficult for ""mail/internet" orders.

Certainly a good recommendation to use a local dealer for purchase and tell them your age limit for new tires to be installed.

 

[Colorado-A-Frame]

I did inquire about the date codes and unfortunately they couldn’t provide that information unfortunately. I do need to do some further research here…as stated in a previous post, if the tires haven’t been mounted and exposed to the elements how much “shelf time” should be considered? The google machine says that camper tires should be replaced every 6-10 years, and some sites say as early as 3-5 years based on condition.

Frankly, I’ll be surprised if I actually receive the tire they advertise. BUT I’m currently all in for 3 tires less than the cost of one Westlake. It’s worth the gamble in my mind

 

[wmtire]

I am curious also as to what you will receive. Please keep us updated. Thanks

 

[NJKris]

I did inquire about the date codes and unfortunately they couldn’t provide that information unfortunately. I do need to do some further research here…as stated in a previous post, if the tires haven’t been mounted and exposed to the elements how much “shelf time” should be considered? The google machine says that camper tires should be replaced every 6-10 years, and some sites say as early as 3-5 years based on condition.

Frankly, I’ll be surprised if I actually receive the tire they advertise. BUT I’m currently all in for 3 tires less than the cost of one Westlake. It’s worth the gamble in my mind

3-5 years is nuts. I have several avid car collector friends, including one who was a Great Dane trucking dealership owner with a tire expert on staff. Even though his 20 vehicles are garage/warehouse kept, which helps a lot, he said that is far too early to be replacing tires. I now have 6 seasons on my Westlakes, and am just considering replacing them now.

 

[Chuck_S]

Seven (7) years is my tire age limit for non-garaged vehicles. Indoor parking a bit longer. Car, truck, camper. Expensive but I don't get marooned on the side of the road with this schedule. Mileage is seldom a factor for me. Only blowout was a 10 year old trailer tire. Thought I'd been rear ended. Cost me a weekend (and the price of 5 new tires).

-- Chuck

 

[NJKris]

That sounds reasonable Chuck. May do one more season on mine, or replace half way through. Almost time to inspect and clean the bearings anyhow.

 

[Colorado-A-Frame]

Well guess what…the Gladiator Tires arrived and they are as advertised. Based on the date code they are Aug of 23 production. Not too bad considering. All of the marking and labeling looks to follow what is online at simple tire.

I’ll get them mounted in the next couple weeks…but I’ve attached some pictures for reference.

All in all, I’m pleased and I was able to buy all 3 (2 camper and a spare tire) for less than the cost of one Westlake.

 

[NJKris]

Well guess what…the Gladiator Tires arrived and they are as advertised. Based on the date code they are Aug of 23 production. Not too bad considering. All of the marking and labeling looks to follow what is online at simple tire.

I’ll get them mounted in the next couple weeks…but I’ve attached some pictures for reference.

All in all, I’m pleased and I was able to buy all 3 (2 camper and a spare tire) for less than the cost of one Westlake.

Fantastic! Guess who'll I'll be ordering from? Glad to see they are ST.

 

[TitanMike]

Well guess what…the Gladiator Tires arrived and they are as advertised. Based on the date code they are Aug of 23 production. Not too bad considering. All of the marking and labeling looks to follow what is online at simple tire.

I’ll get them mounted in the next couple weeks…but I’ve attached some pictures for reference.

All in all, I’m pleased and I was able to buy all 3 (2 camper and a spare tire) for less than the cost of one Westlake.

Not bad looking and not made in China.

Code says Thailand if the internet can be trusted

Since these are Load Range E tires with max cold inflation od 85 psi I'd strongly recommend NOT inflating to max (like so many insist is the right pressure for all ST tires).

Something closer to what the trailer mfr stated on sticker will be more correct. At 85 psi the tire will carry 2835 pounds, two 5670 pounds. Also consider what wheel and valve stem are rated for. 85 psi usually calls for a metal or -HP type pop in rubber stem.

 

[NJKris]

Our current Westlakes are 50 psi max, which has been working well. So something in between?

 

[TitanMike]

Our current Westlakes are 50 psi max, which has been working well. So something in between?

I'd start at 50psi if all is well now. Only reason I'd change is if scale weight showed little or no margin @50 psi.

 

[Colorado-A-Frame]

They are infact made in Thailand, I pulled down my Westlake spare and put it kind of side by side as a comparison. I think the tread pattern is comparable.

My camper was information sticker shows 50 psi cold, that’s for a ST235/75/15 with a C load rating.

I’m definitely no expert in tires or inflation guidelines…but 50 psi seems low for an F rated tire? My math from my vehicle identification plate shows a dry weight of 2371 lbs and a max cargo load of 1437 lbs…total weight of 3808. Obviously I’m “over tired” and will be loaded well below the weight rating of these new Gladiators.

I had planned to have them mounted at Discount, I will definitely ask about that he valve stems.

Any more guidance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TitanMike]

They are infact made in Thailand, I pulled down my Westlake spare and put it kind of side by side as a comparison. I think the tread pattern is comparable.

My camper was information sticker shows 50 psi cold, that’s for a ST235/75/15 with a C load rating.

I’m definitely no expert in tires or inflation guidelines…but 50 psi seems low for an F rated tire? My math from my vehicle identification plate shows a dry weight of 2371 lbs and a max cargo load of 1437 lbs…total weight of 3808. Obviously I’m “over tired” and will be loaded well below the weight rating of these new Gladiators.

I had planned to have them mounted at Discount, I will definitely ask about that he valve stems.

Any more guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Tire pressure carrys the load, not the tire. The higher load range tires just have a stronger body that holds the higher air pressure. If you aren't inflating to 85 psi no need for special stems although metal stems usually "weather" better and support a TPMS transducer better.

The higher load range tire with stiffer body will also tend to be more directionally stable while running down the road.

FWIW on my LR-D tires ( before my GY Endurance LR-D's I ran 60 psi for a while. Tires were so stiff for the load interior items suffered. The Endurance tires i now have on the trailer (2nd set as I wore out first with many miles traveled) run beautifully at 50psi with trailer well under limit for weight.

Just remember, kit's not what tour tires are built for but rather the axles, or axle in your case.

 

[Larry-NC]

Well, I was curious if Gladiator was an independent brand or someone else's secondary name, also what country/location the plant was. I tried to look up TKA, the DOT location code, but could not find it online. Any ideas?

 

[NJKris]

Tire pressure carrys the load, not the tire. The higher load range tires just have a stronger body that holds the higher air pressure. If you aren't inflating to 85 psi no need for special stems although metal stems usually "weather" better and support a TPMS transducer better.

The higher load range tire with stiffer body will also tend to be more directionally stable while running down the road.

FWIW on my LR-D tires ( before my GY Endurance LR-D's I ran 60 psi for a while. Tires were so stiff for the load interior items suffered. The Endurance tires i now have on the trailer (2nd set as I wore out first with many miles traveled) run beautifully at 50psi with trailer well under limit for weight.

Just remember, kit's not what tour tires are built for but rather the axles, or axle in your case.

Been running the OEM rubber valve stems with external TPMS transmitters for 6 years, I'll stick with rubber when I replace the tires. I did upgrade my bicycle tire inner tubes with metal stems though. But I keep those for 20 years! Only reason I had to replace them was the old rubber stems rotted and fell off.

 

[Colorado-A-Frame]

Hey Larry, here’s the manufacture label that’s on the tire. Not sure if it will help in your quest for answers or more information. What I’ve been able to determine is that they are manufactured by API (American Pacific Industries.) they are no longer in production it seems, although I did just recently receive an email that states that they are considering re-releasing them next year. So who knows…they’ve only been out of production about a year.