Hello all. I am on the hunt to replace the tires on my fifth wheel which are quite overdue in age but are still in great condition. They are Goodyear Marathon ST235 80R16 Load Range D with a load limit of 3000 lbs at 65 psi. They were made in the USA and have a manufacturing date of December, 2004. I have had absolutely no trouble at all with them (knock on wood) which is likely due to the fact that they were made in the USA and the trailer has been winter stored indoors since new.Anyway, I have read all of the horror stories here of the Chinese made ST tires which apparently the Marathon is as well and how it is best overall to go to LT tires. I have been shopping around in NW Washington (specifically Discount Tire) and have found a large reluctance to install E rated LT tires and they keep steering me towards ST tires. They claim that the Carlisle has been revamped in the last year or two and they have had no issues with them. They also claim the Maaxis tires are better if I wish to pay a bit extra for them. I did some searching and have read a lot of very bad stories about Carlisle and do not want to go there. It seems like the Maaxis have a better track record but I am still a bit reluctant.Does anyone know of a good tire shop in the Bellingham/Burlington area that will install LT tires for a good price? I have been thinking of the BF Goodrich Commercial T/A LT235 85R16 Load Range E but am open to other good quality tires as well.In regards to my trailer, it has a GVWR of 12,000 lbs, 6000 lb axles and approximately 2500 lb pin weight.Thanks to everyone for any help you can provide.Brad

I'd start at Les Schwab, or Costco in Burlington.

Brad, for yourself a big favor and walk out on any tire salesman that wants to sell you ST tires. Find a commercial tire shop. There is a Michelin one in Mount Vernon. You need 33 inches center to center or more for LT235/85R16E's. If less look at LT245/75R16's.Michelin XPS RIBS, BRIDGESTONE DURABIS R250'S. or something less in the Firestore Transforce HT or the TA.The marketing hype for ST tires is just that!Chris

I had ST235/80/R16 tires on mine and went to LT245/75/R16 Firestones on mine with no problems.

Me Again wrote:Brad, for yourself a big favor and walk out on any tire salesman that wants to sell you ST tires. Find a commercial tire shop. There is a Michelin one in Mount Vernon. You need 33 inches center to center or more for LT235/85R16E's. If less look at LT245/75R16's.Michelin XPS RIBS, BRIDGESTONE DURABIS R250'S. or something less in the Firestore Transforce HT or the TA.The marketing hype for ST tires is just that!ChrisGood advice.

Me Again wrote:Brad, for yourself a big favor and walk out on any tire salesman that wants to sell you ST tires. Find a commercial tire shop. There is a Michelin one in Mount Vernon. You need 33 inches center to center or more for LT235/85R16E's. If less look at LT245/75R16's.Michelin XPS RIBS, BRIDGESTONE DURABIS R250'S. or something less in the Firestore Transforce HT or the TA. The marketing hype for ST tires is just that!Chris:BThat's a laugh...it couldn't possibly measure up to the marketing hype for LT's provided free of charge by True Believers at internet forums.This is a classic case of how powerful that message is. Here we have an O.P. describing his total satisfaction with the ST's he's now replacing, but he's afraid to buy the same tires again- just because of the mostly apocryphal blather he's read on sites like this one.Hey, O.P.:Take a deep breath and go to Les Schwab. They are the hands-down best in the West when it comes to service/product/advice. We buy all our tires from them, from the smallest wheelbarrow to the big Ford backhoe, and have done for over thirty years. Just wish they carried motorcycle tires...Take their advice as to what tires to put on your trailer. Do NOT let anonymous strangers overrule what those folks tell you. They've been doing this for years and years and their reputation/service is excellent. And don't forget that fringe benefit of having shops in the tiniest towns imaginable all over the west, where you can get service at any time if need be.Side note per recommendation to go to the Michelin dealer:That guy will NATURALLY prescribe LT's- Michelin doesn't deign to make ST tires. Why should they as long as folks are gullible enough to not just believe the LT tire myth, but pay premium prices to boot?

Tires in NW Washington | Good Sam Community

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013
Me Again wrote:
Brad, for yourself a big favor and walk out on any tire salesman that wants to sell you ST tires. Find a commercial tire shop. There is a Michelin one in Mount Vernon. You need 33 inches center to center or more for LT235/85R16E's. If less look at LT245/75R16's.

Michelin XPS RIBS, BRIDGESTONE DURABIS R250'S. or something less in the Firestore Transforce HT or the TA.

The marketing hype for ST tires is just that!

Chris

:B
That's a laugh...it couldn't possibly measure up to the marketing hype for LT's provided free of charge by True Believers at internet forums.

This is a classic case of how powerful that message is. Here we have an O.P. describing his total satisfaction with the ST's he's now replacing, but he's afraid to buy the same tires again- just because of the mostly apocryphal blather he's read on sites like this one.

Hey, O.P.:

Take a deep breath and go to Les Schwab. They are the hands-down best in the West when it comes to service/product/advice. We buy all our tires from them, from the smallest wheelbarrow to the big Ford backhoe, and have done for over thirty years. Just wish they carried motorcycle tires...

Take their advice as to what tires to put on your trailer. Do NOT let anonymous strangers overrule what those folks tell you. They've been doing this for years and years and their reputation/service is excellent. And don't forget that fringe benefit of having shops in the tiniest towns imaginable all over the west, where you can get service at any time if need be.

Side note per recommendation to go to the Michelin dealer:
That guy will NATURALLY prescribe LT's- Michelin doesn't deign to make ST tires. Why should they as long as folks are gullible enough to not just believe the LT tire myth, but pay premium prices to boot?
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 04, 2013
Me Again wrote:
Brad, for yourself a big favor and walk out on any tire salesman that wants to sell you ST tires. Find a commercial tire shop. There is a Michelin one in Mount Vernon. You need 33 inches center to center or more for LT235/85R16E's. If less look at LT245/75R16's.

Michelin XPS RIBS, BRIDGESTONE DURABIS R250'S. or something less in the Firestore Transforce HT or the TA.

The marketing hype for ST tires is just that!

Chris

Good advice.
cpaulsen
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013
I had ST235/80/R16 tires on mine and went to LT245/75/R16 Firestones on mine with no problems.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jul 04, 2013
Brad, for yourself a big favor and walk out on any tire salesman that wants to sell you ST tires. Find a commercial tire shop. There is a Michelin one in Mount Vernon. You need 33 inches center to center or more for LT235/85R16E's. If less look at LT245/75R16's.

Michelin XPS RIBS, BRIDGESTONE DURABIS R250'S. or something less in the Firestore Transforce HT or the TA.

The marketing hype for ST tires is just that!

Chris
Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013
I'd start at Les Schwab, or Costco in Burlington.

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