Carlisles ST's? Straight Up, Yes or No?

SkipStock wrote:
Having ZERO experience but looking to re tire this summer (when I retire!) all the reading I've done has led me to believe that:

1. - most RV's (5'ers anyway) don't or shouldn't exceed 65mph Inevitably most will exceed 65mph on occasion and why run so close to a limit that dramatically reduces tire life
2. - the ST tires are better suited for trailers (tread design, rolling resistance etc) Better suited than P-rated but not as good as LT
3. - E rated ST tires have higher load rating than E rated LT tires But at much lower speed ratings. Think longevity
4. - ST tires designed for higher heat, and have heavier sidewalls for side stresses. Refer to number #2 again please
5. The bad "chinese tires" seem to be attributed to production runs from several years ago and most reputable manufacturers now build their tires over sea's and with much better quality control I'm not trusting them to my multi 10's of thousands of dollar unit nor do I trust them not to leave me stranded on the side of the road.

Just say NO to cheap ST's when you have all the other goods options out there.

1. - most RV's (5'ers anyway) don't or shouldn't exceed 65mph "Very True"
2. - the ST tires are better suited for trailers (tread design, rolling resistance etc) "Marketing BS from ST tire industry" Go compare the tread of Goodyears high end G614 to their economy Marathon. The G614 has closed ribs that circle the tire, the Marathon has a tread that looks like a A/S tire with breaks in the outer ribs. The G614, XPS Rib and Durais R250 all have tread similar to long haul trailer tires. NO poly carcass tire will have a lower rolling resistance than a steel ply carcass tire like the three a named above. Also no open tread pattern tire like ST and A/S tires will have a lower rolling resistance than a rib tire like the three above
3. - E rated ST tires have higher load rating than E rated LT tires "True and based on the speed restriction, however this has not worked the well"
4. - ST tires designed for higher heat, and have heavier sidewalls for side stresses. "first part is marketing, second part is flat not true"
5. The bad "chinese tires" seem to be attributed to production runs from several years ago and most reputable manufacturers now build their tires over sea's and with much better quality control "ST have had issues way before production moved over seas"

Now for the biggest issue. Trailer manufactures are building larger trailers to the inflated ratings of ST tires and pushing them out to door with little or no over head in capacity. Additionally, ST tires quickly loose capacity each year in service due to loading. Third it is amazing that a niche product can be so over marketed.

Chris

I have the Maxxis 8008s tires on my 2 fifth wheel toy haulers and have had no issues.

Having ZERO experience but looking to re tire this summer (when I retire!) all the reading I've done has led me to believe that:

1. - most RV's (5'ers anyway) don't or shouldn't exceed 65mph
2. - the ST tires are better suited for trailers (tread design, rolling resistance etc)
3. - E rated ST tires have higher load rating than E rated LT tires
4. - ST tires designed for higher heat, and have heavier sidewalls for side stresses.
5. The bad "chinese tires" seem to be attributed to production runs from several years ago and most reputable manufacturers now build their tires over sea's and with much better quality control

In June of 2012 I replaced the stock tires on my at the time 2011 5th due to tread separation and cracking. I replaced with the Carlisle RH. When I traded trailers last year I kept the Carlisles. They now have abt 10k miles on them with zero problems.

One reason I attribute this to is my tires are way underloaded. The first trailer grossed abt 11k this one grosses abt 12k. They both had 5200 lb axles with 16" Load Range E tires. Not the 15" normally found on that size trailers, thank you Crossroads. I have over 7,000 lbs of tire capacity per axle on 2 5200 lb axles that are carrying 9600 lbs. Lots of overhead. I also seldom exceed 65 MPH. I'll be there when I get there attitude.

I would love to hear from someone who has had problems with the new Carlisle RH tires. Not the "I heard about" but actual owners.

If cost is an issue, then rather than Coopers, price Firestone Transforce HT'S. Just say no to any ST tire. Carlisle is hanging their hat on a Nylon cap they added to their Radial RH. Goodyear added such a Nylon Cap to their Marathon years ago, and they fail like other ST's. Carlisle also plays games with it's speed restrictions. All ST tires are speed restricted to 65 MPH to get their higher weight rating, yet they stay you can drive to speed limit. Chris

NC Hauler wrote:

Hoppypoppy wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

Hoppypoppy wrote:
Replacing tires on 30' Cardinal tomorrow. Had decided on Cooper LT's. Having 2nd thoughts and really in a dilemma. Have heard so many horror stories about Carlisle, but also hear they have cleaned up their act. Please don't recommend any other tire as I am confused enough, lol. Thanks ya'll. (my search did not answer my specific question.)

Well, I can't recommend a Carlisle tire, but you stated not to recommend any other tire:h..and you thought you were confused...I'm throwing out a couple suggestions...Michelin XPS RIBS or the Duravis R250 tire......

I'm "assuming" you have "E" rated tires on the 5er?? Might help with we knew what tire is on the unit...

I have Michelin LT's on the trlr now. They are 6 years old. On the 5er when I bought it. Would love to stick with Michelins, but simply can't afford them anymore. Yes, they are "E" rated.

Appreciate all the help, folks. Love this site. Great for dingbats like me, lol.

Then go with the Duravis R250's...just as good and nowhere near as pricey:)

Carefully tough it out until you have some more coin available,
or what NC said..;)

Until lots (and lots) of long-term user feedback - the jury will remain out for a long, long time on Carlisle.

"Straight Up" = No.

It is what it is..;)

.

RinconVTR wrote:

ScottG wrote:

DHCamper wrote:
I have a set of RHs built last May and they did well last year. Really improved the trailer tracking. I don't subscribe to brand prejudice one way or another. I evaluate every product on it's design and production quality. People lie and you don't know all the facts behind their allegations. So far so good.

So those of us that report failures are liars? I think it's you that lies. If you had done any real research you would have found endless reports and pictures of blown carlisles - and even cross sections of carlisle tires that hadn't blown yet but show the clear signs of imminent failure.

Only an absolute fool would buy this ST tire after doing any "evaluation" of the brand.

Only an absolute fool would come to this conclusion with no facts.

His point was we don't know most of the story behind the vast majority of tire failures on here.

Not to mention, the ST "china bomb" brands FAR out number anything else on the road. With so many variables and how neglected most trailer tires are...its pretty simple to understand we hear of so many blow outs.

If you don't know the stories behind the failures then it's only because your ignoring the facts stated by so many on this forum. If you want the details all you have to do is read - and don't assume all your fellow members here are liars.
BTW, here's a fact for you; One of my carlisles had a tread separation just laying under the canopy of my truck with a blanket over it. It never saw the road or UV.

To the point of your post, which most have ignored, or didn't read....

I took off the Carlisle 15" STs off our 5er, and went with 16" Cooper LTs.
We had used Coopers for several years, and were the tire of choice for my wife on her Jeeps.

The person we camp with extensively put the same Coopers on his 5er that we put on ours. He switched to LTs after he blew 3 ST tires on a 1200 mile drive.

I still have the Carlisles on wheels if anyone really wants them.

I have em. Bought a set of 4 two years ago now and I'm very pleased with them so far. Wearing very well, and ride improved greatly also. They are the 15in load range E radial RH. I'm very, very OCD with my tires though. I check pressures, wear, keep em covered, and visually inspect them religiously. Rig stays under shelter when not in use too. I too heard and read of the Carlisle reputation and failures. But, these are completely new design and so far are just as good (or maybe even slightly better) than the Maxxis I ran before on another set up. And that was a great tire too. For the price and availability (needed tires very quickly) I had to try em. Just FYI my rig is 32ft 5er that weighs in around 9500-10,000# loaded and ready to go. I say they are worth a try! That's my 2 cents.