Costco Michelin Ribs update

LostinAZ wrote:

FastEagle wrote:

LostinAZ wrote:
He will be calling Michelin corporate HQ on Friday to get me that assurance and call me back.

When asking Michelin about using the XPS Rib tire on the RV trailer axle the canned answer will always be yes.

Once you provide the specifics, the answer will be based on the information you provide. Michelin may approve the fitment of one of their tires to RV trailer axles just by their GAWR. But, if you provide the information from your certification label and it depicts - example; ST235/80R16E tires rated at 3420# at 80 psi - Michelin WILL NOT recommend the use of any XPS Ribs as replacement for those certified tires. Industry standards does not allow it.

FastEagle

The designation on the certification lable on the side of our 5th wheel is ST235/80 R16E at 80psi. The weight rating is not mentioned.

As I recall the weight rating on the original Mission tires as noted on the tire sidewall was "Max load 3520 lbs at 80 lbs". I don't recall now what it is on the Frestar replacements but I would expect it to be identical.

The certification lable refers the owner to the Owners Manual for additional information. I have always considered the generic Keystone/Montana supplied owners manual as somewhat close to worthless so I haven't looked what is stated in it. Bur will check it if I can find it.

Under current DOT regulations the vehicle certification label MUST display the vehicles VIN, date of manufacturer, GVWR, GAWR and tire size along with their recommended pressures.

Keystone - in the past - has made numerous errors with their certification, tire and cargo labels. They have been forced into at least two recalls for those items and are now much more reliable in providing the correct information.

The ST235/80R16E tire in particular has been evolving. It started out with a maximum load capacity of 3420# at 80 psi. As new molds were made for the newer “off shore” manufacturers the 3500# tire appeared. Most of the newest are 3520#. The regulations allow the use of any of them on the 6000# axles because as the regulation is written the lowest load capacity is the default - so to speak.

When the vehicle’s GAWR is 7000# per axle and the ST235/80R16E tires are used, the vehicle manufacturer must inform the DOT they are using the 3500# or 3520# tires and make a notation in the owner’s manual.

Actually the Keystone on-line version of the owner’s manual is very informative. Here is the link.

Keystone Owner's Manual

FastEagle

Fat fingered the initial post so had to put it in on edit.