Tires for 5th wheels

Many HH IIs of that era came with 6k axles and the Uniroyal Laredo HD-H LT235/85-16 E with very good success. Any of the poly fabric LT E tires are hands down superior in reliability to any ST tire regardless of brand on 6k axles. Go to any RV forum or a brand specific forum and you can hear the same thing.

Poly tires like the Goodyear Wrangler HT or BFG Commercial HT or Cooper SRM II or Firestone Transforce HT make excellent tires for any trailer with 6k axles.

If your wanting the best of the best tire for any trailer including RVs/commercial trailers/etc the Michelin XPS RIB and the Bridgestone R-250 both as mentioned are a all steel carcass tire.

I wouldn't recommend anyone with a trailer that size use any brand ST tire.

Do your homework and check with some of the many other RV forums or the best is the nuwa.org for HH II owners. http://www.nuwaowners.org/forum/

Never mind.......see you have 6000# axles (not 7000#)
so your tire options are better

An LT in 'E' rating

mark5w wrote:
LT's Firestone Transforce are great.

As I posted above I would not put a poly carcass LT tire on this trailer.

Many HH II were over weight on one end of their axles. These trailers are heavy with fully loaded axles, and not a place to cut corners and save a couple hundred dollars. If this trailer was built today it would be on 7k axles, not 6k axles.The Rib or R250 can handle that issue, both being over build for their ratings. Chris

fordsooperdooty wrote:
The use of nitrogen Truth?

With the addition of 100% nitrogen (impossible!) you will loose 30% less air in the tire over a years period than if inflated with atmosperic air.

Which if you figure the cost of filling your tire with nitrogen to begin with is pretty much a wash! Nitrogen doesn't keep your tires cooler, last longer nor does it handle better or stop quicker!

The molecules of Nitrogen are bigger than Oxygen Molecules and don't escape thru the rubber as quickly as oxygen does.

Before trying LT tires (LT stands for Light Truck), remember that ST Tires are built and designed for Light trailers...if you've ever watch a TT while it's backing up and turning at the same time, the tires are subjected to huge twisting and deformation forces. But not to worry! ST Tires are made to hold up under these stresses. LT tires may cause your triler's ride to become harsh.

Per the tire experts at The Tire Rack, "Your tow vehicle is a leader, which means traction is a key focus in the design of its tires. Traction allows your tow vehicle to accelerate down the road, turn around the corner and brake to a stop. Another important consideration is tow vehicle tires are designed for ride comfort, which is achieved in part by allowing their sidewalls to flex.

Your trailer is a follower, which often makes tire sidewall flexing a negative. Sidewall flexing on trailers, especially those with a high center of gravity (enclosed/travel trailers) or that carry heavy loads, is a primary cause of trailer sway. Typical passenger car radial tires with flexible sidewalls can accentuate trailer sway problems. The stiffer sidewalls and higher operating pressures common with Special Trailer (ST) designated tires help reduce trailer sway.

Special Trailer (ST), as well as Light Truck (LT) tires are fully rated for trailer applications. This means ST- and LT-sized tires can carry the full weight rating branded on the sidewalls when used on a trailer."

I scored a set of 4 Goodyear Marathons made in New Zealand last tire change. I've always ran with USA or Canadian made Marathons because the 7 Jayco's I've had came with Marathons. I'll probably go with Maxxis next time if I can't find non-Chinese Goodyears.

The Original Posters trailer came with LT tires and helpfully she will not drink from the ST tire cool aid cup of which you speak. You should go read Carlisle tire info where they recommend a 20 percent excess capacity for their ST tires. Chris

LT's Firestone Transforce are great.

The use of nitrogen Truth?

With the addition of 100% nitrogen (impossible!) you will loose 30% less air in the tire over a years period than if inflated with atmosperic air.

Which if you figure the cost of filling your tire with nitrogen to begin with is pretty much a wash! Nitrogen doesn't keep your tires cooler, last longer nor does it handle better or stop quicker!

The molecules of Nitrogen are bigger than Oxygen Molecules and don't escape thru the rubber as quickly as oxygen does.

Before trying LT tires (LT stands for Light Truck), remember that ST Tires are built and designed for Light trailers...if you've ever watch a TT while it's backing up and turning at the same time, the tires are subjected to huge twisting and deformation forces. But not to worry! ST Tires are made to hold up under these stresses. LT tires may cause your triler's ride to become harsh.

Per the tire experts at The Tire Rack, "Your tow vehicle is a leader, which means traction is a key focus in the design of its tires. Traction allows your tow vehicle to accelerate down the road, turn around the corner and brake to a stop. Another important consideration is tow vehicle tires are designed for ride comfort, which is achieved in part by allowing their sidewalls to flex.

Your trailer is a follower, which often makes tire sidewall flexing a negative. Sidewall flexing on trailers, especially those with a high center of gravity (enclosed/travel trailers) or that carry heavy loads, is a primary cause of trailer sway. Typical passenger car radial tires with flexible sidewalls can accentuate trailer sway problems. The stiffer sidewalls and higher operating pressures common with Special Trailer (ST) designated tires help reduce trailer sway.

Special Trailer (ST), as well as Light Truck (LT) tires are fully rated for trailer applications. This means ST- and LT-sized tires can carry the full weight rating branded on the sidewalls when used on a trailer."

I scored a set of 4 Goodyear Marathons made in New Zealand last tire change. I've always ran with USA or Canadian made Marathons because the 7 Jayco's I've had came with Marathons. I'll probably go with Maxxis next time if I can't find non-Chinese Goodyears.

skelsey74 wrote:
I don't understand what OEM means. What does R250 mean? The ones on there now have steel belts in them and one completely shredded and the other peeled the middle tread, but the tire remained inflated!
Sheryl

Sorry I misunderstood your axle count for your slide count. The 32.5 triple slides all also have 6000 axles. Here are the two best and only tire I would install.

http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tire/duravis-r250

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-selector/name/xps-rib-tires

OEM means original equipment manufacturer. In this case Factory tires!

According to NuWa site your trailer had LT235/85R16 E rated tires. Tires only need a minimum of 1 inch between them. There are also LT245/75R16E with the same rating which are shorter. If you have 33" or more center to center of the axles, then 235's are fine.

Do not let someone talk you into Carlisle, Goodyear Marathon, TowMax or any other ST tire, as they are just not up to the task and not the tire type that the trailer had from the factory. Send me a PM if you would like. PM=private message, you click on my name or profile. Chris

I don't understand what OEM means. What does R250 mean? The ones on there now have steel belts in them and one completely shredded and the other peeled the middle tread, but the tire remained inflated!
Sheryl

Re: Hitchhiker II LS. I realize I have a heavier rig than some and I hope that I an come up with some resolution.I have three slides, dry weight is around 10k loaded is 14K. Sadly the tires that have not blown out yet, are Carlisle's. I have talked to Nuway twice in two days, they say Goodyear. with the 235 85 16 E rating is fine. Can I go smaller size with a tire? Kuomo has my size, Goodyear has my size. I was told to stay away from Power King. Really want something I don't have to worry about all the time whether it is going to blow or not.
Chris thanks for your input, does this extra information help? Sheryl

the bear II wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
I really like my Michelin XPS Ribs

X2 after months of research on RV and Truck forums these tires had the highest ranking. Plus most folks indicated they got way more mileage out of these tires than others.

I bought a set of 4 two years ago for my 15000 lb 5th wheel

X3 We have 8 of them on the 20k fiver (two axle dually) and they are great.