We just bought the PUP in my signature from my FIL. It sill has the original tires on it (Loadstar STR185/80D13). We're planning an ambitious adventure of just under 1,200 miles round trip in a few weeks.I'll have my BIL (he's a lead mechanic at Firestone) look at the tires, but I'm leaning to replacing them even if they pass his inspection. From reading around and searching through this forum, I've come to a few questions:I know this is an endless debate, but what would you recommend as the best tire to keep the same wheels?- Better brand ST tires with 65-75 mph speed rating?- P-rated tires?- LT tires?If I go with LT, should I get the lowest load rating that is equal to or one step higher than the current tires? (Thinking I don't want to rattle the thing apart by going too stiff.)IIRC, I should reduce the load and speed rating of P-metric tires by 10% or 15% if used on a trailer. Is this correct?Thanks. DW is on her way to the shop now to get another issue looked at, so any input / experience / advice is definitely appreciated.

fickman wrote:....- Better brand ST tires with 65-75 mph speed rating?- P-rated tires?- LT tires?...All ST tires are rated for 65 mph max.P tires have softer sidewalls but can be used on a single axle, I would never recommend for a tandem axle.LT tires are probably overkillI bought Greenball tires at Sam's Club last year. So far so good.

beemerphile1 wrote:fickman wrote:....- Better brand ST tires with 65-75 mph speed rating?- P-rated tires?- LT tires?...All ST tires are rated for 65 mph max. I thought there was one new one that rated for 75. I could definitely be mistaken.P tires have softer sidewalls but can be used on a single axle, I would never recommend for a tandem axle. We have a single axle. Would you prefer P tires to SST? Are the sidewalls on a P tire softer than even an ST?LT tires are probably overkill I know, but I'm hoping to get safety and something to last. I'm not even sure I could get LT without changing to a 15" wheel, and that starts to get silly pricey.I bought Greenball tires at Sam's Club last year. So far so good.To clarify, I'm not trying to set any speed records. When towing, I hang in the right lane and try to stay at or just under the speed limit, but sometimes that is 70 or 75. Going 60 in an 80 doesn't seem safe.If I'm going to have to buy new tires (do you think I should even if mine pass a visual inspection at 5 years old?), I just want to investigate the most bang for my buck and consider an upgrade.I do buy into the thought that towing at 65 mph on a tire rated for 99 mph is better than towing at 65 mph on a tire rated for 65 mph. The latter is running at its max, presumably with no room for error.

I think I've ruled out P tires.Reading this thread for the third time: RV.net thread: ST vs LT If I stick with ST to keep it simple, are Maxxis still considered the gold standard of ST tires? I don't see a Maxxis 8008 that matches the specs of the current tires we have (1,620 lbs. at 65 psi).Maxxis 8008 SpecsJust trying to get a little direction to narrow the decision down some. I don't want to take trailer tire advice from an auto tire store. . . my questions in the past demonstrate they rarely have sound opinions. I've found it's better to know what you want and tell them to find it for you.

Don't mind me. . . I'll just keep thinking out loud here as I keep doing research. :BThe load capacity on the stock tires are actually LESS than the GVWR!!!I found some Carlisle tires here that are the same size and get my closer to GVWR (the PUP is not at max weight):Carlisle BrochureThe tires I found are Carlisle Sport Trail st185/80d13 (product number: 5193531) with a load capacity of 1710 lbs. each.My BIL can order Triangle brand (never heard of them) that are load range C, so I'm not really interested in those.He also has:STC High Run Boat Trailer Tire st185/80d13 at 1730 lbs. eachAny experience with Triangle or STC? Thoughts on Carlisle?I'm feverishly doing research as I'm posting this stuff. I'm having a heck of a time finding 13" tires with a load range E, even in ST.

Fickman, I'm going to give you my popup story. Bought a used popup (10 years old) that was in great shape. Tires all looked great. Not a crack, blemish, bulge, blister or scratch on them, good tread depth. Took it on a couple local trips, less than 70 miles. All was well. First week long trip planned, going to the smokeys, 5 hours away, get up at 6am, leave at 730am, on the side of the road at 830am. Blew a tire, tore up the bottom of the popup right above that tire. Tire changed, gorilla tape applied, onward we go. Enjoyed the trip, get home, start reading about dates on tires and go check mine and find they are 5 years old. Took the tires off, bought some new ones and had them mounted and balanced and lived happily ever after with the popup until she was traded in on the TT I have now.Stick with the ST's or go over kill with the LT if you like but change the tires. 5 years are ticking time bombs and tires that blow at highway speeds can do a lot of damage to plywood and vinyl flooring found in most popups when they go.Maxxis Tires at Discount Tire

Replacement tire questions: PUP | Good Sam Community

79Salem
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
My experience with the 2008 Jayco 17c Ex-port hybrid that came from factory with ST185D13 tires (see earlier posts) is to replace them with ST205R14 tires & wheels. There is plenty of room. Each tire handles 1,770 lbs and is easily found. I got mine from Discount Tire which had the new wheels and Carlisle tires in stock.

I do not hesitate to recommend this. The factory has gone to this tire based on what I see on new Jayco campers.
79Salem
Explorer
Oct 15, 2013
Thanks, CapriRacer
Very helpful
I have a list of places I checked online for ST 185/80D13 or ST185/80R13 that did not have them. Each has ST205/75R14 in stock. I have phone numbers from prior tire searches while camping and will phone call a couple. I wish to be certain the ST205/75R124 is reasonably available, since that is by biggest thing.
My local tire guy said since he does not deal with wheels, I might find a "special" deal on three ST205/75R14 tires on wheels easier than buying just tires from him. Another local said he could handle it all and would be happy for the business. He's pushing nitrogen for inflation. I said I'm 80% there since air is about 80% nitrogen.
Neither tire guy could find anything that said other than a five stud wheel fits on a five stud axle. That is the next step - get a five stud wheel and put it on to see if the studs line up properly. I will not go into the discussion we had about lug nut tension. . .
CapriRacer
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2013
A couple of thoughts:

First, I can't vouch for the availability of an ST205/75R14 out in the hinterlands. Someone else will have to chime in on that.

It should be pretty easy to tell if the ST205/75R14 will fit. It is just a tick over 2" larger in diameter - so you will need an inch more clearance. And since we are talking a pretty simple suspension, it should be easy to estimate how much movement the suspension would make when fully collapsed.

And lastly, an ST205/75R14 Load Range C is rated at 1760 pounds @ 50 psi.
FastEagle
Explorer
Oct 15, 2013
OOPS---older post.

FastEagle
79Salem
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I'm the 2008 Jayco 17c Ex-port HTT guy who wants to change from OEM ST185/80D13 because they are impossible to find on the road to replace a failed tire. The tire I want to change to is the ST205/75R14 tire that I think is very commonly found on the road and I think will carry weight at, or above, the 1,660 capacity of the OEM tire.

What I've discovered since that post with a visit to a Jayco dealer.
> The ST205/75R14 tire Jayco uses is printed 1,740 lbs on the sidewall.
> Jayco is using the ST205/75R14 tire as OEM on 18'4" 3,500 gross weight single axle trailers.

What I've learned from
http://www.barrystiretech.com/sttires.html
is the ST205/75R14 needs 3/4' more diameter, 3/8" more side clearance (thickness?) and new wheels.

Neither the Jayco Parts dealer nor "my tire guy" knows of anyone who made this change. Does anyone on this list know of this change being made and how did it work out?
Me_Again
Explorer III
Oct 13, 2013
Slownsy wrote:
Not al ST tiers are 65 MPH there are exemptions .
Frank

Frank, what exemptions are you aware of?

People claim that Carlisle Radial Trail RH are higher. Carlisle makes statements like this.

-Best practice. Do not exceed 60 mph while towing a trailer.
-Most ST trailer tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph.

I received this in an email for Carlisle.

"Please refer to the tire sidewall to confirm the speed rating / speed symbol. If the tire is not marked with a speed symbol the default speed rating for trailer tires is 62 mph. Some tires are "rated" (speed symbols) at 65 mph (J: ST tires) and some at 62 mph (J: non-metric tires).

Someone should report what is on the sidewall of the Carlisle Radial Trail RH.

Chris
Slownsy
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
Not al ST tiers are 65 MPH there are exemptions .
Frank
atreis
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
I used P (passenger car) tires when I replaced tires on my old single-axle PUP - just have to watch the weight rating on the tire to make sure they're up for the job. P tires are softer, but also have more margin for error. Since it's single-axle, they perform the same as on a car - they don't need the sidewall strength needed for double-axle trailer tires.
muelldawg
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
GritDog and Cinci Gus, are right on.
SRT
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
When we had our popup many years ago, we ended up carrying 2 spare wheel/tires. Why, you ask? Well, on one trip, we had a tire fail in Glendive, MT. We ended up driving to Great Falls, MT for tire replacements. When we got to Canada, we had a blow-out that ripped up the plastic wheel well. Duct taped it back together. Finally replaced the wheel well with a galvanized steel one. On another trip one tire tread came off but it still held air. Another person in a gas station noticed it and told me while we were filling up the van.

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