We just purchased our first camper today. It is a 2005 Starcraft Aruba 295-RKS. Unfortunately, it still has the original tires on it. New tires are at the top of our list of things to do immediately. The tires are ST225/75r15 and the GVWR of the camper is 11,690 lbs. I know there are a lot of crappy trailer tires out there and we would like to avoid buying them. I have seen that some people buy LT tires instead. What tires would you recommend for this fifth wheel? We will need to get insurance also. I remember reading somewhere that there is a difference in the coverage you get through your regular insurance company and the coverage you get through a company that specializes in rvs. I would be interested in hearing about the pros and cons of going with a regular insurance company vs rv insurance company. Recommendations for insurance companies would also be appreciated.Thanks for taking the time to help some newbies. Since this is our very first rv, we are a little confused and overwhelmed at the moment.

For tires, I'd stop in at your local Discount Tire for advice. They've treated me well over the years.I compared Good Sam RV insurance to my "regular" insurance (Auto Owners Insurance) and Sam was about double. This will take some shopping around. Just remember to turn off collision while it's in storage for the off season, that will save you a few bucks.

Look at switching it to16" rims and LT tires. You will have more and better tire choices. Chris

We just purchased our first camper today. It is a 2005 Starcraft Aruba 295-RKS. Unfortunately, it still has the original tires on it. New tires are at the top of our list of things to do immediately. The tires are ST225/75r15 and the GVWR of the camper is 11,690 lbs. I know there are a lot of crappy trailer tires out there and we would like to avoid buying them. I have seen that some people buy LT tires instead. What tires would you recommend for this fifth wheel? Your on the right track by recognizing the tire issue:). Throw those original tires away today! All things being equal, I keep tires for 5 to 6 years then replace them unless their is a tire issue. IMHO based on 16 yrs. of RVing with a TT and now a 34' 5th. wheel weighing in about 12,600K when loaded, I only use LT tires. I have had good luck with Good Year tires that are 16' and at least "E" rated although now I am running "G" rated tires. I like Good Year's warranty policy for both replacing bad ties and paying for damage to your RV as the result of a tire blow out. I also read that a lot of RVer's use Michelin tires but they are a little pricer. I plan on putting some Michelin tires on my truck.We will need to get insurance also. I remember reading somewhere that there is a difference in the coverage you get through your regular insurance company and the coverage you get through a company that specializes in rvs. I would be interested in hearing about the pros and cons of going with a regular insurance company vs rv insurance company. Recommendations for insurance companies would also be appreciated.You are far from being a RV rookie based on your questions. Regular car insurance can be real different from RV insurance. Usually the difference is based on what is covered in the event of an accident and the emergency road service plan. As you examine different insurance policies, read very carefully what the exclusions are. Do a real through comparison of what each policy provides. For Emergency Road Side service I would not depend on a regular car insurance policy. The 2 most mentioned policies are Good Sam and Coach Net. I have had Good Sam for 25 yrs. Then you are going to get into the whole topic of "Extended Warranty" polices. This is a controversial subject. You will have 2 basic groups of RVers. a. RVers who believe that it is a waste of good $$ and that you should just put $$ a side in a savings account to take care of any break downs b. Rvers who figure that if your refrigerator or Air conditior/ heater have to be replaced, your extended warranty policy just saved you a bunch of money:). You will have to make that decision based on your own personal judgement. I have both the Emergency Road Side Service and the Extended Warranty. My decision is based on my experience with RV's----some part of the RV will break down or quite working at some point!!!!Thanks for taking the time to help some newbies. Since this is our very first rev, we are a little confused and overwhelmed at the moment.Based on your questions, your are not Rookies who will be confused or overwhelmed for too long. Let us know what you decide:)

I switched my 11200 lb 5er with 5200 lb axles from OEM ST225/75-15 D at 2540 lbs to 16" LT215/85-16 E at 2680 lbs.Also look at the Lt225/75-16 E as they are only 1" in diameter taller than your current tires.Some folks move on up to a LT235/85-16 E at 3042 lbs if they have the room. There are no 15" LT tires rated rated above 2000-2200 lbs that I'm aware of that I would put on a heavy highway trailer.I don't get involved in insurance recommendations other than see your favorite insurance agent.

I would recommend checking out Maxxis ST tires as found on their website:http://www.maxxis.com/Industrial/Trailer/M8008-ST-Radial.aspxWhen it comes to ST trailer tires, Maxxis is probably the bet going at this time. Be sure to have them balanced and install steel valve stems. I'm insured through my regular provider. They didn't have any special deals when I got ours.

Newbies need tire & insurance advice - Please help!

16 Replies

JayWilliams
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
I still haven't had to change tires yet so no comment there other than the obvious, shop around and compare.

In regards to insurance I've always used online sites to get quotes form multiple carriers and then compared them side by side for the best deal based on price and coverage, the truth is rates can vary a lot from one carrier to another depending on your current situation, age etc. Different companies often focus on different demographics, so you really need to get at least 5 quotes, bare minimum 3, from your local area. Specialists can be good, but in my experience they tend to be more expensive, still that might just be where I am.

If I don't already know too much about the company with the best quote, I make sure I research them online before going with them to see what others are saying.

You could go to each insurance site one by one, but The last time I used http://AutoInsuranceDealHunter.com, there are a lot of others out there too, I've used others in the past also, pretty similar really.
JimandMary
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
I had Good Sam Ins. But I changed companies when I was told that I had no liability coverage when the TV was not attached to the 5th wheel. For 25 yrs I was lucky, I did not have any coverage if somebody tripped and fell down the stairs.

READ your policy very carefully.

Jim
leaird
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
Thank you for all of your replies. I will be contacting all of the insurance companies suggested tomorrow. For tires, I will just contact Discount Tire instead of spending a bunch of time shopping around. They seem to be the preferred dealer for rv tires. You have all saved me a lot of time.Thank you so much!
JamesBr
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
I cant recommend tires, I have a habit of showing up to the tire shop where I know and trus the owner and tell him to replace. Then I get a bill.

For insurance, I was with Progressive and they had a great rate for the first few years. I just moved all of my policies over to Hartford as the price was way lower then progressive on all fronts and the coverage improved.
sdetweil
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
on Insurance, I used my home/auto/life insurance carrier. they were $300 for six months. full replacement cost, with $500 deductible for comp/collision. (81k retail value trailer)

unfortunately I hit some low hanging trees on the way home from the dealer (3 days!), and punctured the rubber roof, and it rained like heck the next two days.

the ins company has been great. $7200 repair.

so we'll see what happens when renewal time comes. Originally they were 1/3 to 1/4 what anyone else wanted (as I had no other policies with any other company).
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
JIMNLIN wrote:
I switched my 11200 lb 5er with 5200 lb axles from OEM ST225/75-15 D at 2540 lbs to 16" LT215/85-16 E at 2680 lbs.

Also look at the Lt225/75-16 E as they are only 1" in diameter taller than your current tires.
Some folks move on up to a LT235/85-16 E at 3042 lbs if they have the room.

There are no 15" LT tires rated rated above 2000-2200 lbs that I'm aware of that I would put on a heavy highway trailer.

I don't get involved in insurance recommendations other than see your favorite insurance agent.

What JIMLIN said for tires/wheels..;)

For insurance - shop around!.:h
There are lots of options - some may be by/from local insurers in your state, other companies are nationwide.

Ex: Wawanesa only issues policies in CA and OR - but policy is less than USAA, Progressive, GS, etc. - for the exact same coverage. - (No agents involved).

Any company will be happy to take your $$..:B

~
mileshuff
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
mbutts wrote:
For tires, I'd stop in at your local Discount Tire for advice. They've treated me well over the years.

I too shop at Discount because they've always given great prices and good service on my vehicles. I am getting a set of XPS Ribs installed this weekend on my trailer. However, I have never gone to any Discount Tire store and found a sales person knowledgeable on RV tires and installation. This weekend I will be there to make sure they place the floor jacks in the proper position when lifting the trailer (not on axle tubes). Often they tell me to drop the truck so as not to block their parking lot as much. I've been told to refuse that and keep it hitched to not put undo stress on the front landing gear when lifting the tires.
brownmht
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
Deff replace the tires and go with good insurance. In my case, a failure in one required a test in the other.

I bought a 2006 Cougar with some "shady" tires. I ran them for a while but on the way back from TN, one let go. It took out one panel of sheet metal and some trim. When I got home, I discovered another had let go but it didn't go flat until after I got it parked. I was VERY lucky.

I have USAA for all my cars and home. However, they have a deal with Progressive. I compared them to Good Sam and ended up deciding on Progressive. I must say, dealing with the claim from 2 blown tires, they were pretty easy to deal with and I am pretty satisfied with my claim process. They came out and looked at the damage and cut me a check on the spot. I renewed with them right before I filed the claim, so we shall see how much my rates increase next year. I may be shopping again.
laknox
Nomad
Oct 21, 2013
leaird wrote:
We just purchased our first camper today. It is a 2005 Starcraft Aruba 295-RKS. Unfortunately, it still has the original tires on it. New tires are at the top of our list of things to do immediately. The tires are ST225/75r15 and the GVWR of the camper is 11,690 lbs. I know there are a lot of crappy trailer tires out there and we would like to avoid buying them. I have seen that some people buy LT tires instead. What tires would you recommend for this fifth wheel?

We will need to get insurance also. I remember reading somewhere that there is a difference in the coverage you get through your regular insurance company and the coverage you get through a company that specializes in rvs. I would be interested in hearing about the pros and cons of going with a regular insurance company vs rv insurance company. Recommendations for insurance companies would also be appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to help some newbies. Since this is our very first rv, we are a little confused and overwhelmed at the moment.

On tires, go with Maxxis E range if you don't, or can't, switch to 16" rims to get LT tires. If you can go to 16" tires, look at Bridgestone Duravis or Michelin Ribs. Discount will push the newer Carlisles, which I have. I was in a time crunch and couldn't wait for Maxxis to be delivered. Can't really help you on the insurance.

Lyle
shadows4
Nomad
Oct 20, 2013
amxpress wrote:
I would recommend checking out Maxxis ST tires as found on their website:
http://www.maxxis.com/Industrial/Trailer/M8008-ST-Radial.aspx
When it comes to ST trailer tires, Maxxis is probably the bet going at this time. Be sure to have them balanced and install steel valve stems.

X2. Check your local Discount Tire. And go with an E rated tire. JMHO