I just bought a used 5th wheel and I need to replace the tires. I'm not new to trailering but I know that trailer tires can really be a pain. I am used to using truck tires on trailers, however, LT235/85R16E tires won't have much cushion at max load for me; my trailer weighs about 9k pounds empty and has a GVWR of 13,500. It's a toy hauler and the empty pin weight is around 2,300 lbs.Normally I'd go with an inexpensive, U.S.-made, E rated truck tire. I'm inclined to do that anyway, since they're rated for over 100 mph and I would not ever "overload" them although if I were to load my trailer to GVWR, they would be loaded to capacity.Now I see there are trailer tires rated for 75 mph (Carlisle Radial Trail HD) that come in load range F, American-made trailer specific tires (Goodyear Endurance), and all steel construction tires in both Chinese brands (Tow-master, Sailun) and Michelin/Goodyear.If money was no object, I'd be running the Michelin XPS Rib ($250) or Goodyear G614 ($320) tires. These are out of budget for my current setup.Does anyone have any suggestions for a tire under $150? I'm inclined to stick to U.S. made, E-rated truck tires, but the F rated and G rated trailer tires that are made in China and rated for 75 mph, and especially the all steel ones, seem like something I should consider. Either way they will be replaced in 4-5 years, because they will age out before they wear out. I am religious about tire pressure, so it's really just a matter of wondering if I can trust a Chinese tire in 2019 and if not, I can probably live with a truck tire on my 5er.I have searched and not much recent discussion on this topic; I'm trying to put some key words in my post here so that this thread may benefit others.

13,500 GVWR MINUS 20% for pin weight. You likely have 6000# axles so LT 235 85R16 tire with a 3042 capacity is plenty for your situation.

donn0128 wrote:13,500 GVWR MINUS 20% for pin weight. You likely have 6000# axles so LT 235 85R16 tire with a 3042 capacity is plenty for your situation.If you read my post, I have actually measured the empty pin weight (2,300 pounds) and yes, 12k pounds worth of tires are sufficient (barely). So the question is (since I'm unwilling to spend $1000-1200 on U.S. made all steel tires), do I go with an LT, E rated tire, or do I go with a special trailer tire which will be rated for more weight (E load range 3700-3900, F/G load range even more)? Both will be within their ratings. The LT tire will be rated for more speed, the ST for more weight. LT will be American made and probably have a reputable brand name on the side, the ST will not.

twodownzero wrote:I have searched and not much recent discussion on this topic; I'm trying to put some key words in my post here so that this thread may benefit others.Lots of questions there.. perhaps *some* of these posts may help. Pretty popular topic.7 pages of tires in heading, all forums

13,500 GVWR - 2300 Pin = 11,200 Max weight on tires11,200 / 4 tires = 2800 pounds on each tire at max weight3042 max allowed per tire - 2800 = 242 pounds remaining per tire242 pounds per tire on an LT tire is plenty of cushion for me since the truck tire is a real tire, not that cheap Chinese junk that gets put on our trailers by the manufacturers. I've run nothing but Michelin LT's on both of my 5th wheels with never a tire issue.

Please reread my post azdryheat has it also. Springs and axles will be your weak link, so a LT tire rated at 3042 will be more than sufficient.

Tires, what are you using? Trailer? Truck? | Good Sam Community

40 Replies

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Feb 01, 2019
No I'm not going to balance the trailer tires. I'm sorry I hadn't replied to you earlier. I have read the supposed pros and cons on this forum, but unless I observe some strange wear, I don't see the need to balance trailer tires. If something seems seriously out of whack back there, I may reconsider my decision.

Another wise choice.
Just be aware most odd wear patterns on a trailers tire come from bent axles or axle alignment issues/worn wheel bearings/worn suspension pins and bushings/broken spring hangers or leaf springs. And especially tires; ie; .... partial tread belt separations/out of round tire or wheel runout (radial and lateral).
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 01, 2019
Too funny! Don't care about proper inflation for the load being carried and is "anal" and does not think balancing a trailer tire has merits.

At least you bought quality tires.

If you are actually "anal" you would be doing both mentioned above.

Hey your rig and your $.

FWIW, Discount Tire balanced both sets of GY ENDURANCE tires without giving me the option. If a waste of time why would they do that??? OH and no extra $, thats just what they do.
twodownzero
Explorer
Feb 01, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
After all this care, discussion and consternation for your tires are you going to balance them?

No I'm not going to balance the trailer tires. I'm sorry I hadn't replied to you earlier. I have read the supposed pros and cons on this forum, but unless I observe some strange wear, I don't see the need to balance trailer tires. If something seems seriously out of whack back there, I may reconsider my decision. I am certainly anal about rotating and balancing my tires on my car and trucks, but I don't see the need for balancing on a trailer. It seems like a complete waste of money to me (along with the supposed benefits of filling a tire with pure nitrogen when the air is already 80% nitrogen).
twodownzero
Explorer
Jan 29, 2019
JIMNLIN wrote:
I'm not running my tires at 50 psi. That might be great, but not for me. Trailer tires take too much of a beating for me to go down the road like that, just simply is not happening.

Wise choice.

Every time I've did a 1-800 or a email to Goodyear about tire recommendations over the years for a specific job they gave me this from their RV tires website and brochures before the net;

Goodyear Tire and Rubber .... weighing RVs
Special Considerations

**Unless trying to resolve poor ride quality problems with an RV trailer, it is recommended that trailer tires be inflated to the pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire. Trailer tires experience significant lateral (side-to-side) loads due to vehicle sway from uneven roads or passing vehicles. Using the inflation pressure engraved on the sidewall will provide optimum load carrying capacity and minimize heat build-up.**

My point exactly.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jan 29, 2019
I'm not running my tires at 50 psi. That might be great, but not for me. Trailer tires take too much of a beating for me to go down the road like that, just simply is not happening.

Wise choice.

Every time I've did a 1-800 or a email to Goodyear about tire recommendations over the years for a specific job they gave me this from their RV tires website and brochures before the net;

Goodyear Tire and Rubber .... weighing RVs
Special Considerations

**Unless trying to resolve poor ride quality problems with an RV trailer, it is recommended that trailer tires be inflated to the pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire. Trailer tires experience significant lateral (side-to-side) loads due to vehicle sway from uneven roads or passing vehicles. Using the inflation pressure engraved on the sidewall will provide optimum load carrying capacity and minimize heat build-up.**
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 28, 2019
twodownzero wrote:

Yes, the empty weight of my trailer would allow me to run pressure that low. No thanks. Trailer would wander all over the place and the tires would get hot.

Simply NOT true!

Add weight to that and YES those both will happen. Whey publish a chart if it's not ok to use?

Call GY Tech, or not.

I have had my say.
twodownzero
Explorer
Jan 28, 2019
Cummins12V98 wrote:

If you say so, I guess GY Tech does not have a clue??? I am assuming your psi of 50 means the chart says that based on your load requiring 45psi???

Yes, the empty weight of my trailer would allow me to run pressure that low. No thanks. Trailer would wander all over the place and the tires would get hot.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 28, 2019
Thanks Barney!
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jan 28, 2019
Please keep all personal remarks out of this discussion if you wish it to remain open.
Barney
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 28, 2019
twodownzero wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
twodowzero, you invested your $$$ well!

I HIGHLY advise running your air pressure based on actual weight plus 5psi.

https://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf

I'm not running my tires at 50 psi. That might be great, but not for me. Trailer tires take too much of a beating for me to go down the road like that, just simply is not happening.

If you say so, I guess GY Tech does not have a clue??? I am assuming your psi of 50 means the chart says that based on your load requiring 45psi???

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Tires, what are you using? Trailer? Truck?

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