Sailun tires versus Michelin

Well, these are the numbers for 215/85/16 Michelin Ribs

Load Range E
Catalog Number 39510
Loaded Radius 14.2 in
Overall Diameter 30.5 in
Overall Width 8.9 in
Approved Rims 6.00, 5.50
Min. Dual Spacing 9.9 in
RPM 687 rpm
Tread Depth 15/32
Max Speed 75 mph
Max Load Per Tire Single 2680/80 lbs/psi
Max Load Per Tire Dual 2470/80 lbs/psi
Tire Weight 49.6

They seem to be closer in size to the original Marathons. A better choice perhaps?

Artum Snowbird wrote:
Well, these are the numbers for 215/85/16 Michelin Ribs

Load Range E
Catalog Number 39510
Loaded Radius 14.2 in
Overall Diameter 30.5 in
Overall Width 8.9 in
Approved Rims 6.00, 5.50
Min. Dual Spacing 9.9 in
RPM 687 rpm
Tread Depth 15/32
Max Speed 75 mph
Max Load Per Tire Single 2680/80 lbs/psi
Max Load Per Tire Dual 2470/80 lbs/psi
Tire Weight 49.6

They seem to be closer in size to the original Marathons. A better choice perhaps?

Yes but compare price of the Bridgestone Duravis R250. Just at good or better for less money normally. I ran Ribs for 6.5 years and now R250's for three years.

Another choice is the Duravis R500, which has a two ply poly carass.

Chris

edbehnke wrote:
goodyear g614s....don't waste your time with other tires.

X2!!!

I have been a LOYAL Michelin customer for most of my vehicles but last year I had all six of my michelin LT235-80R17 truck tires starting to dry-rot after less than six months and I had to fight like hell to get them to cover 70% of the cost! I'll never own another Michelin product again! Last winter I put G614's on my fiver and they have been great, I see a real change in the ride and braking also after two trips to Florida they still look new also if it fails Goodyear cover's the repair, do yourself a favor and get these tires!

Red Green;
Remember, If it moves and it shouldn't, duck-tape,
if doesn't move and it should,WD40!!

MPI_Mallard wrote:

edbehnke wrote:
goodyear g614s....don't waste your time with other tires.

X2!!!

I have been a LOYAL Michelin customer for most of my vehicles but last year I had all six of my michelin LT235-80R17 truck tires starting to dry-rot after less than six months and I had to fight like hell to get them to cover 70% of the cost! I'll never own another Michelin product again! Last winter I put G614's on my fiver and they have been great, I see a real change in the ride and braking also after two trips to Florida they still look new also if it fails Goodyear cover's the repair, do yourself a favor and get these tires!

Red Green;
Remember, If it moves and it shouldn't, duck-tape,
if doesn't move and it should,WD40!!

A G rated tire for a D weight rated tire application???? . You're talking about a Michelin truck tire, which I've had on various trucks and never an issue, but we're talking Michelin RIBS for a 5er....haven't heard very many bad things about RIBS on a 5er..

OP doesn't have to go with RIBS', he can save even more money, go with the Duravis R250, and still upgrade from a D to an E rated tire.

GY G 614's are very expensive and really, really quite a bit of overkill....I have them on my 5er with 7,000# rated axles and a GVW of 16,950#...OP's 5er has a GVW of 9390#..BIG difference.

op wrote:
With the estimated actual tire carrying amount (weight versus tongue weight) should one have a tire that is rated to carry what might be on one side of the fifth wheel as in the case of a blowout of the other tire?

As was mentioned when one tire goes flat on a trailer with standard leaf spring suspension the tire behind or in front of the flat tire does not take all the weight. The flat tire is still carrying weight through the equalizer bar.

I am also assuming that tire inflation is based on carried weight, and that tires are quite happily run at under their full rated pressure.

Not for tires on a trailer. Nothing is gained by using 65 psi in a 80 psi tire other than a abused/hotter operating tire. Now 65 psi in a tire on the truck works fine.

Remember the tires on a truck are at the corners with the front set steering into the corner and the rears simply following. 65 psi in these tires won't hurt a thing. Little to non scrubbing issues.

Same tires on a trailer are close spaced in the center and actually slide sideways as the trailer goes around the corner. Using 65 psi doesn't hold the tires shape well and can lead to belt separation. Tire damage is cumulative so this practice may not show up right away.
Thats why industry experts tell us use a tire that can be operated at its max pressure when used in a trailer position.

I use the LT215/85-16 E at 2680 lbs on my 11200 lb trailer and keep 80 psi 24/7. I have around 47000 miles on them. Ran the first set for 55000 miles and no issues.

Don't try and over think how to select a tire for a trailer.

Thanks Jimnlin,

As I said in the beginning, I have a lot to learn. After a lot or research and study and readers input, I now think I am going to put on four Carlisle tires. They seem to be very well constructed for the trailer application, and available locally too.

They will be 235/80/16 load rated E tires as per the original size for this fifth wheel.

It's been a most educational day or two. Thanks to all.

My brand new fifth wheel is getting Duravis R250's. It's hard to believe that other lesser tires are in the same LT/E weight range. The R250's are incredibly thick in the sidewall, and very heavy duty.

My tow vehicle got Michelin XPS M/S tires today, and we put a quick 300 miles on them. They're smooth, really nice and about $20 more per tire than most other tires of the same class.

Costco beat the prices on all above tires--over TireRack, TreadDepot and Discount Tire Direct. And they beat'em by a lot.

Bamaman1 wrote:
My brand new fifth wheel is getting Duravis R250's. It's hard to believe that other lesser tires are in the same LT/E weight range. The R250's are incredibly thick in the sidewall, and very heavy duty.

My tow vehicle got Michelin XPS M/S tires today, and we put a quick 300 miles on them. They're smooth, really nice and about $20 more per tire than most other tires of the same class.

Costco beat the prices on all above tires--over TireRack, TreadDepot and Discount Tire Direct. And they beat'em by a lot.

TV=Michelin LTX M/S2's!

Chris

Artum Snowbird wrote:
Thanks Jimnlin,

As I said in the beginning, I have a lot to learn. After a lot or research and study and readers input, I now think I am going to put on four Carlisle tires. They seem to be very well constructed for the trailer application, and available locally too.

They will be 235/80/16 load rated E tires as per the original size for this fifth wheel.

It's been a most educational day or two. Thanks to all.

Will good luck! Guess all our input was for not. Chris

Not for naught Chris, what I have learned is that C and D rated tires have had many problems. I have not yet seen a Carlisle E rated 16 inch problem tire anywhere.

I have learned about side slip, and why trailer tires are constructed different than light truck tires, and how one tire is built to flex into a curve, while the other is built to slip without flexing because they cannot curve.

It's all good, and I appreciate all of your input, and I hope it works out with my lightweight rig.