A couple of weeks ago I posted regarding questions on the BFG commercial T/A tire and got some good remarks pro and con. I do NOT want to re-hash the quality of the T/A tire but, like several brands, there are folks that get good service and some that get poor service out of exactly the same tire.Here is what I'm wondering: could it be the weight of the trailer the tire is used on? Personally, I've had good results with the T/A but my trailer weighs less than 10K fully loaded. I'll bet the same tire is being used on 5th wheels weighing 12-14K lbs. THIS IS ALMOST TWICE THE WEIGHT OF A TRUCK THAT THIS TIRE, AND OTHER LT's ARE DESIGNED FOR.Even with the cheap Chinese tires, there are actually lots of trailers running these that never have an issue. Again, I'm not debating which is the best or worse tire, I'm just wondering if the weight placed on tires can affect the life of the tire, therefore leading to negative comments about the tire??

I have the TAs on my 5th wheel which weights 12500, but the pin weight is 2600. So that leaves 9900 on the trailer axles. The tires at 80psi are rated at 3045lbs so with 4 of them that equates to 12180lbs. Plus they are rated for 99mph where ST tires are rated for 65mph. So I cruise at 65 and feel much more safe. Very happy with these tires.

I believe that the chinese factor is a bit of a smoke screen regarding ST tires. There is a lot of magic going on when they tell you that a tire that is much lighter, feels pretty flimsy to handle and does not cost very much can carry 10 or 15 percent more weight if you keep it under 65 MPH. ST tires had issues before they were off shored. Chris

You have to keep in mind the majority of the RV'ers on this and other RV forums are here for a few reasons...They have a problem or complaintThey are researching RV's or the RV lifestyleThey like to provide answers to help othersYou won't see a lot of RV'ers on the forums if everything in their RV world is great. So there may be a lot of RV'ers with great experiences using chinese or T/As...there's just no reason for them to even look at this forum.

the bear II wrote:You have to keep in mind the majority of the RV'ers on this and other RV forums are here for a few reasons...They have a problem or complaintThey are researching RV's or the RV lifestyleThey like to provide answers to help othersYou won't see a lot of RV'ers on the forums if everything in their RV world is great. So there may be a lot of RV'ers with great experiences using chinese or T/As...there's just no reason for them to even look at this forum.Yes however if you count ST tire problem threads against all other tire problem threads, ST tires win hands down. It is not just here, go to boat, horse or any other type use and the problems are the same. Chris

You won't see a lot of RV'ers on the forums if everything in their RV world is great. So there may be a lot of RV'ers with great experiences using chinese or T/As...there's just no reason for them to even look at this forum. It would be interesting to see some real statistics kept on tire failures in the first three years of use. Then we would have something to compare failure rates among tires. Most tire shops insist that ST tires carry more weight, are made for towing, and work better on trailers. Many on here think LT tires are better. Who do we listen to?

Tire Thoughts | Good Sam Community

37 Replies

darsben
Explorer II
Aug 15, 2014
MY brand is the best?
Other brands are junk.

Salesman's mantra
Me_Again
Explorer III
Aug 15, 2014
jmtandem wrote:

It would be interesting to see some real statistics kept on tire failures in the first three years of use. Then we would have something to compare failure rates among tires. Most tire shops insist that ST tires carry more weight, are made for towing, and work better on trailers. Many on here think LT tires are better. Who do we listen to?

Lets see?

1. A retail box tire store salesman?
2. Someone with actual experience?

When a tire store says that the ST tire they have in stock is really good and they never have problems with them, run around the corner to a commercial tire shop and have a heart to heart talk with them!

Chris
jmtandem
Explorer II
Aug 15, 2014

You won't see a lot of RV'ers on the forums if everything in their RV world is great. So there may be a lot of RV'ers with great experiences using chinese or T/As...there's just no reason for them to even look at this forum.

It would be interesting to see some real statistics kept on tire failures in the first three years of use. Then we would have something to compare failure rates among tires. Most tire shops insist that ST tires carry more weight, are made for towing, and work better on trailers. Many on here think LT tires are better. Who do we listen to?
Me_Again
Explorer III
Aug 15, 2014
the bear II wrote:
You have to keep in mind the majority of the RV'ers on this and other RV forums are here for a few reasons...
They have a problem or complaint
They are researching RV's or the RV lifestyle
They like to provide answers to help others

You won't see a lot of RV'ers on the forums if everything in their RV world is great. So there may be a lot of RV'ers with great experiences using chinese or T/As...there's just no reason for them to even look at this forum.

Yes however if you count ST tire problem threads against all other tire problem threads, ST tires win hands down. It is not just here, go to boat, horse or any other type use and the problems are the same. Chris
the_bear_II
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
You have to keep in mind the majority of the RV'ers on this and other RV forums are here for a few reasons...
They have a problem or complaint
They are researching RV's or the RV lifestyle
They like to provide answers to help others

You won't see a lot of RV'ers on the forums if everything in their RV world is great. So there may be a lot of RV'ers with great experiences using chinese or T/As...there's just no reason for them to even look at this forum.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Aug 15, 2014
I believe that the chinese factor is a bit of a smoke screen regarding ST tires. There is a lot of magic going on when they tell you that a tire that is much lighter, feels pretty flimsy to handle and does not cost very much can carry 10 or 15 percent more weight if you keep it under 65 MPH. ST tires had issues before they were off shored.

Chris
iawoody2
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
I have the TAs on my 5th wheel which weights 12500, but the pin weight is 2600. So that leaves 9900 on the trailer axles. The tires at 80psi are rated at 3045lbs so with 4 of them that equates to 12180lbs. Plus they are rated for 99mph where ST tires are rated for 65mph. So I cruise at 65 and feel much more safe. Very happy with these tires.

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Tire Thoughts

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