Elk Ridge tire failure

Francesca Knowles wrote:

Allworth wrote:
Francesca,

Load ratings for ST tires are pure fiction!

Really? I didn't know that. I guess that could explain the failure in this case, if the trailer maker thought it was getting tires with a capacity of 3420 pounds when in fact the tires weren't capable of the load.

Seems to me all the more reason to meet or exceed trailer mfr. specs per load carrying capacity if moving on to (the more accurately rated?) LT's.

Have you read this post?

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23225970/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm

Chris

Allworth wrote:
Francesca,

Load ratings for ST tires are pure fiction!

Really? I didn't know that. I guess that could explain the failure in this case, if the trailer maker thought it was getting tires with a capacity of 3420 pounds when in fact the tires weren't capable of the load.

Seems to me all the more reason to meet or exceed trailer mfr. specs per load carrying capacity if moving on to (the more accurately rated?) LT's.

Francesca,

Load ratings for ST tires are pure fiction!

JIMNLIN wrote:

The ElkRidge 29RKSA has a 13000 GVWR and comes with ST235/85-16 E on 6k axles. The LT235/85-16 E or the LT245/75-16 E at 3042 lbs per tire is a excellent upgrade from this ST tire.

The ST's he's being advised to take off are rated at 3420 pounds, almost 400 pounds more each than the above LT's. It's my understanding that replacement tires of equal or more carrying capacity are usually called for.

oldtimer1947 wrote:
I have a Elk Ridge 29 footer. In the last 9 months I have had to tire failure, both on the right side. The first was a blow out on the inside which required nothing more than changing it. The second was a tread loss which caused considerable damage to the underside and side of the camper. I check pressure before during and between trips. When we travel I never run over 70 except to achieve RPM's I try to maintain. The camper was purchased 12/2012 and I have less than 5000 miles on tires. Is anyone else with a Heartland elk ridge having or had trouble with tires.

Your tire problems isn't your trailer brand but it could be the type of tire.
Not knowing which ElkRidge you have we can only guess what tire size/load range you have. However the tires are ST tires. As others are saying the LT would be a great upgrade for your heavy trailer if they will fit your wheel well.

The ElkRidge E29 has a 11700 GVWR and comes with ST225/75-15 D on 5.2k axles. A LT225/75-16 E at 2680 lbs is a good upgrade from the 15" ST.

The ElkRidge 29RKSA has a 13000 GVWR and comes with ST235/85-16 E on 6k axles. The LT235/85-16 E or the LT245/75-16 E at 3042 lbs per tire is a excellent upgrade from this ST tire.

At some point a trailer , unlike a truck, can be over tired which the G614 RST. The RST stands for "Regional Service Trailer" according to a email from Goodyear folks.

If we knew which trailer you have along with your OEM tire size and load range we can give you some tire good recommendations.

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Your Elk Ridge probably has the infamous Tow Master tires. Almost every RV manufactured around the time yours was built, not just Heartland brands, came with those junk tires. Hang a set of 235/85/16 LT tires, any American made brand will do, in their place and you can drive 70 mph all day long if you want. Thousands of happy campers have done the same...

B.O.

Nothing "irresponsible" about recommending LT tires.......
however you have posted some slightly misleading info.

"Any American made brand will do".

Michelin and BFG come to mind.
Not an American *brand* (BFG is owned by Michelin)....
but Michelin has mfg facilities in many countries, including the USA.

So - quality LT tires such as XPS Ribs or BFG TAs are a great choice.:C

Earl E suggests "Goodyear" in his laundry list of getting good tires.
Guess that would include Marathons. That would be a *bad* choice!.:(

~

Another poster is a GY G614 fan.
The GY G614 is overkill for the OPs trailer - and GY G614 have had their share of "issues" (failures) on heavier trailers.

There are *better* 16" tire choices (for *heavier* trailers) or -the best solution- going to 17.5 rims and tires.

G614 threads -

Clicky - "G614". Add'l links in thread

Clicky - "GY G614 Failure, again"

"Time for 17.5 wheels & tires" - See recommendation for Yokohama - by Wayland Long (2L Custom Trucks in TX) - posts # 4 and #8 - "can't blow tires on horse trailers".


~

Allworth wrote:
On the Goodyear RV-Tire website the G614RST is listed in the specs as an LT tire, recommended for 5th wheel and travel trailers.

That said, I'm not personally sure it is the best cost/benefit solution for my 13K fiver. I run B.F. Goodrich Commercial TA's and am quite happy with them (recall notwithstanding, I got excellent customer service on replacements from Tire Kingdom.)

Sounds like good advice to me?
recall

Earl E wrote:
Carlisle, in their website says to replace both tires on one side, if one has a blowout. Reason: the remaining tire carried all the weight for that side for a brief time drastically overloading it. All ST tires are rated for 65 mph so you have also been putting stress on the tires. Get all new tires, and good tires--Maxxis, Carlisle Trailmaster (not the cheapy Carlisle original type), Goodyear. LT if you want to maybe have to change wheels also.

With that flawed logic the second tire should be replaced when you go over a curb and the second tire is hanging there for a bit.

And they have Trailer Only or some such thing on the sidewall. Chris

On the Goodyear RV-Tire website the G614RST is listed in the specs as an LT tire, recommended for 5th wheel and travel trailers.

That said, I'm not personally sure it is the best cost/benefit solution for my 13K fiver. I run B.F. Goodrich Commercial TA's and am quite happy with them (recall notwithstanding, I got excellent customer service on replacements from Tire Kingdom.)