sptrucksbyed wrote:
I have gone thru all 6 towmax tires on my Raptor in 1 1/2 years . I check them before i leave each time i go on the road and so far have been lucky and found bad tires before they found me. My neighbor didn't beleave me and found out the hard way when one of his blew up and remodeled the side of his trailer. I want to upgrade to Goodyear G14 or some other rib tire but they are all 235 85 which is 1" larger than my 235 80 and don't have the space between the tires for clearance . I was told by someone that the Goodyear G14 235 85 is the same size inflated as the Towmax 235 80 !!!! Does anyone know the true diameter of an infalated Goodyer G14 235 85 tire ???
I went thru the same thing before switching to LT tires. Did tons of research and comparing sizes, specs, etc...
Bottom line, you can probably fit 245/75/16 on a big triple axle and be 1/10" smaller diameter, same tread width. Or go with the 235/85/16 and be 1/2" larger, measured from the wheel to outer tread of tire. That 1/2" each tire will add up to 1" less room between your tires on a triple axle.
JFYI, different brand tires are different sizes. Up to 3/4" different on 235/85/16.
Example... Comp TA commercial 235/85 is 31.4" overall diameter
Michelin XPS Ribs235/85/16 are 32" overall diameter
IMO, size is really not an issue, you can find a LT tire that fits in 235/85/16, maybe exactly if you look hard.
No, the biggest problem is if you have enough tire load capacity. The LT tires are 3042# vs the ST at 3400#. For me its not a problem since my 6000# axles match my XPS RIBS 3042# load capacity perfectly.
But historically, the higher load ratings of the ST tire don't seem to prove there durability at all, in fact its the opposite by a biggg margin.
I'm very skeptical of the testing procedures and test/specs results for the ST tires, compared to passenger tires. Just doesn't add up. I've seen a guy go to Hancook LT tires on 7000# dual axles big TH. He had problems every year blowing out ST tires constantly. Seemed like every trip to glamis when unloaded, there would always be a blown tire carcass next to his TH. With the LT tires that are underrated for his weight, not 1 blowout in 3 years so far. Go figure...
Tire rack has an excellent online spec sheets on every tire they sell.
jmo
