Tires just one more time

Besides being very expensive, the Michelin Ribs seem to be a bit over kill, especially if your weight is around 10,000#. As mentioned, Maxxis M8008 tires are a proven and reliable tire, but are speed rated at 65mph. Sailun S637T are speed rated at 75 mph and are half the cost of Michelin Ribs.

klr650goldwing wrote:
I don't know the weight rating of each axle, but the trailer weighs 9658 lbs. empty. So, I think the Michelin XPS RIBS ought to hold up okay. Do you all agree?

yes...I agree :)

I don't know the weight rating of each axle, but the trailer weighs 9658 lbs. empty. So, I think the Michelin XPS RIBS ought to hold up okay. Do you all agree?

I don't know the weight rating of each axle, but the trailer weighs 9658 lbs. empty. So, I think the Michelin XPS RIBS ought to hold up okay. Do you all agree?

CALandLIN wrote:
.........
Michelin does not build 16" trailer tires and none of their 16" LT tires have enough load capacity to replace any of the ST235/80R16E tires.
.......

My Michelin Ribs are rated for about 400 lbs less than the OEM STs. But my 5er only weighs about 12,000 lbs loaded. With 2,000+ on the hitch, that leaves less than 10,000 on the tires. Tires are rated for 3,042 lbs each. Works for me.

"Michelin does not build 16" trailer tires and none of their 16" LT tires have enough load capacity to replace any of the ST235/80R16E tires."

Strictly speaking that's not exactly true. The trailer generally has a tire size listed on the placard on the side of the trailer. There are some that think you have to adhere strictly to these guidelines, but there's no legal status to that placard. If you have a total weight of 10,000 lbs. on two axles and have 4 LT235/85-16 "E" rated tires you would be good to go, since you would have a load bearing capacity of over 12,000 lbs.

Names change here at times, however to promotion of ST never change for some.

klr650goldwing wrote:
This week we'll be buying new tires for our 5er. We have always used Michelin tires on our cars and the TV. But not sure that is the best brand for a trailer. Our trailer has ST235/80R16 tires on it now. Please offer your favorite tire for this application.

Michelin does not build 16" trailer tires and none of their 16" LT tires have enough load capacity to replace any of the ST235/80R16E tires.

The tire size designation, ST235/80R16, has more than one load capacity. They can be purchased with many different brand names and some are even made in the USA. Just about all of their major manufacturers have a steel cased version, Carlisle has recently added the steel cased ones to their trailer tire line-up.

Click Here!

Or Here!

I replaced the Carlisle ST235/80-16 "E" rated tires with Sailun LT(now ST)235/85-16 "G" rated tires when the Carlisles blew after a couple years.

Michelin XPS Ribs are hard to beat. If your weights are right for them. The Ribs probably have a lower weight rating than your ST tires. I just replaced my Ribs with new Ribs after 23,000 miles and 10 years. Not because of wear, but due to age. Still looked basically new, tread barely worn and no age cracks. (Michelin recommends yearly inspection at 5 yrs and replace at 10 yrs).