All . . . .A very worn out subject.I really need your help in buying a new set of 5th wheel tires. We have a heavy (3000 #s per wheel) Cedar Creek. We bought 5 GY Marathon tires within the last year. ST235/80/r16. Pressure of 80 #s. 2 of the 5 tires have blown out within less than a year. Don't want to buy more Marathons.Questions . . . . Will LT tires work better than ST tires for heavy 5th wheel? Can we use 235/85/16 tires, and would that help carry the load. I see that "Me Again" recommends Michelin XPS tires, and Duval R250 tires. Any other recommended tire for a heavy 5th wheel??Which tires have a stronger side wall??thanks . . . . ken and sue.

Goodyear G614. Made in Americahttp://www.goodyeartrucktires.com/tires/details.aspx?prodline=160007

LT245/75R16. LR E. Will fit in the same space and give you a lot more options.I run BFG Commercial TA and have been quite happy with them. A 13,500 # trailer.

I would not buy another ST tire, but it looks like you need "G" rated LT tires rather than the "E" rated tires like the Michelin Rib. The "E" rated tire's weight limit is 3042 lbs. If you're at 3000 lbs. per wheel, it won't give you much leeway. However the "G" rated tires can be inflated to 110 psi, so if you wanted to run at sidewall pressure you would need wheels that will allow you to inflate to 110 psi. I run "G" rated Sailun S637 tires on my 15,000 lb. triple axle toyhauler, and inflate them to 100 psi.

fj12ryder wrote:I would not buy another ST tire, but it looks like you need "G" rated LT tires rather than the "E" rated tires like the Michelin Rib. The "E" rated tire's weight limit is 3042 lbs. If you're at 3000 lbs. per wheel, it won't give you much leeway. However the "G" rated tires can be inflated to 110 psi, so if you wanted to run at sidewall pressure you would need wheels that will allow you to inflate to 110 psi. I run "G" rated Sailun S637 tires on my 15,000 lb. triple axle toyhauler, and inflate them to 100 psi.. . . Thanks, but I don't think that the "G" rated tires will fit on a 16 inch wheel. As for tire ratings, the Marathon's are rated for 3400#s, while our 5th wheel weighs 3000# per tire. I think that the Marathon's are under-rated.

ken burke wrote:. . . Thanks, but I don't think that the "G" rated tires will fit on a 16 inch wheel. As for tire ratings, the Marathon's are rated for 3400#s, while our 5th wheel weighs 3000# per tire. I think that the Marathon's are under-rated.The GY 614's do fit 16 inch rims. Have a new set on our rig! Just be sure your wheel can handle the 110 psi.

Another Subj . . . TIRES | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2015
ken burke wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
ken burke wrote:
JIMNLIN wrote:
Is that 3000 lbs per tire a estimate or actual scaled weight ?
Rv trailers with slide outs are notorious for weighing several hundred lbs different side to side...plus running in a strong side wind all day long can over load a tire on the down wind side if it doesn't have any reserve capacity. Tire experts say a 15-20 percent reserve capacity is a better idea.

What is the trailers GVWR ?
Does your trailer have 6k or 7k axles ?
Lots of 16" trailer wheels rated for G tires (3750 lb ) at 110 psi. Check your wheels for proper load and pressure rating.

I had the 5th wheel weighed at the FROG event last year. they used a scale on each of the 4 wheels. So the 3000# weight, side to side, is pretty good. The trailer weighs 15000 pounds. Both sides had about the same load.
I have 16 inch wheels, 6 lugs wheels, 6,000 pound axles, trailer GVWR is about 14,000 pounds.
If my wheels could take the extra pressure, I would put on "G" rated tires. However, I like the good record of the Michelin RIBS. It is either the RIBS or G rated tire.

And, how can I check the rating of the 16 inch wheels to see if they can take the higher pressure load??

Get the "G" tires and run them at 85 that will give you 3,170 capacity or at 90 that will give 3,300# per tire. Your rims will be fine!

I did the same with 6 lug steel wheels on my Avion. Went from E's to G's and ran 85 for many thousands of miles snd had perfectly even tread wear.

Good information . . . thanks. The "key" question is . . . . . .how heavy is your 5th wheel? Is it close to 15,000 pounds? I think that I would be okay with E rated tires if my trailer was 1,000 pounds lighter.
So the question is . . . Would the Michelines be better than the G rated tires at 90#s pressure?????
We are full timers, and can't really get rid of extra weight.
Thanks . . . ken

Personally I would get the GY "G" tires and inflate based on actual weight plus 5 PSI per GY recommendations when changing load range.

I have had ZERO issues with the GY E, G, and H sets of tires I have owned, not even a flat.

Spend the money, properly inflate and enjoy the ride.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2015
So the question is . . . Would the Michelines be better than the G rated tires at 90#s pressure?????
We are full timers, and can't really get rid of extra weight.
Thanks . . . ken

Look at it this way. You say your trailer has a 3000 lb per tire weight which the G tires (3750 lbs) will give a 25% reserve capacity at max psi.
As I or some one mentioned traveling all day in a strong side wind will overload the 3042 lb rated tires on the lee side.....all day long.

With a 3000 lb per tire weight I would use the G load range tire and use at least 100-110 psi. Remember ply shear as the tires slide sideways around corners enters the tire pressure equation also. A 110 psi tire will hold its shape better than a 80 psi tire in this situation.
ken_burke
Explorer
Jul 02, 2015
Cummins12V98 wrote:
ken burke wrote:
JIMNLIN wrote:
Is that 3000 lbs per tire a estimate or actual scaled weight ?
Rv trailers with slide outs are notorious for weighing several hundred lbs different side to side...plus running in a strong side wind all day long can over load a tire on the down wind side if it doesn't have any reserve capacity. Tire experts say a 15-20 percent reserve capacity is a better idea.

What is the trailers GVWR ?
Does your trailer have 6k or 7k axles ?
Lots of 16" trailer wheels rated for G tires (3750 lb ) at 110 psi. Check your wheels for proper load and pressure rating.

I had the 5th wheel weighed at the FROG event last year. they used a scale on each of the 4 wheels. So the 3000# weight, side to side, is pretty good. The trailer weighs 15000 pounds. Both sides had about the same load.
I have 16 inch wheels, 6 lugs wheels, 6,000 pound axles, trailer GVWR is about 14,000 pounds.
If my wheels could take the extra pressure, I would put on "G" rated tires. However, I like the good record of the Michelin RIBS. It is either the RIBS or G rated tire.

And, how can I check the rating of the 16 inch wheels to see if they can take the higher pressure load??

Get the "G" tires and run them at 85 that will give you 3,170 capacity or at 90 that will give 3,300# per tire. Your rims will be fine!

I did the same with 6 lug steel wheels on my Avion. Went from E's to G's and ran 85 for many thousands of miles snd had perfectly even tread wear.

Good information . . . thanks. The "key" question is . . . . . .how heavy is your 5th wheel? Is it close to 15,000 pounds? I think that I would be okay with E rated tires if my trailer was 1,000 pounds lighter.
So the question is . . . Would the Michelines be better than the G rated tires at 90#s pressure?????
We are full timers, and can't really get rid of extra weight.
Thanks . . . ken
avvidclif1
Explorer
Jul 02, 2015
ken burke wrote:
JIMNLIN wrote:
Is that 3000 lbs per tire a estimate or actual scaled weight ?
Rv trailers with slide outs are notorious for weighing several hundred lbs different side to side...plus running in a strong side wind all day long can over load a tire on the down wind side if it doesn't have any reserve capacity. Tire experts say a 15-20 percent reserve capacity is a better idea.

What is the trailers GVWR ?
Does your trailer have 6k or 7k axles ?
Lots of 16" trailer wheels rated for G tires (3750 lb ) at 110 psi. Check your wheels for proper load and pressure rating.

I had the 5th wheel weighed at the FROG event last year. they used a scale on each of the 4 wheels. So the 3000# weight, side to side, is pretty good. The trailer weighs 15000 pounds. Both sides had about the same load.
I have 16 inch wheels, 6 lugs wheels, 6,000 pound axles, trailer GVWR is about 14,000 pounds.
If my wheels could take the extra pressure, I would put on "G" rated tires. However, I like the good record of the Michelin RIBS. It is either the RIBS or G rated tire.

And, how can I check the rating of the 16 inch wheels to see if they can take the higher pressure load??

Am I reading that correctly that your trailer weighs 15k and the GVWR is 14K????

3k per tire on 6k axles would be pushing it MHO.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2015
ken burke wrote:
JIMNLIN wrote:
Is that 3000 lbs per tire a estimate or actual scaled weight ?
Rv trailers with slide outs are notorious for weighing several hundred lbs different side to side...plus running in a strong side wind all day long can over load a tire on the down wind side if it doesn't have any reserve capacity. Tire experts say a 15-20 percent reserve capacity is a better idea.

What is the trailers GVWR ?
Does your trailer have 6k or 7k axles ?
Lots of 16" trailer wheels rated for G tires (3750 lb ) at 110 psi. Check your wheels for proper load and pressure rating.

I had the 5th wheel weighed at the FROG event last year. they used a scale on each of the 4 wheels. So the 3000# weight, side to side, is pretty good. The trailer weighs 15000 pounds. Both sides had about the same load.
I have 16 inch wheels, 6 lugs wheels, 6,000 pound axles, trailer GVWR is about 14,000 pounds.
If my wheels could take the extra pressure, I would put on "G" rated tires. However, I like the good record of the Michelin RIBS. It is either the RIBS or G rated tire.

And, how can I check the rating of the 16 inch wheels to see if they can take the higher pressure load??

Get the "G" tires and run them at 85 that will give you 3,170 capacity or at 90 that will give 3,300# per tire. Your rims will be fine!

I did the same with 6 lug steel wheels on my Avion. Went from E's to G's and ran 85 for many thousands of miles snd had perfectly even tread wear.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2015
fj12ryder wrote:
"G" rated tires are rated to 110 psi, not 120 psi.

True DAT. My GY "H" tires are rated at 125. Nice to have the extra capacity right from the factory!
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jul 01, 2015
"G" rated tires are rated to 110 psi, not 120 psi.
ken_burke
Explorer
Jul 01, 2015
JIMNLIN wrote:
Is that 3000 lbs per tire a estimate or actual scaled weight ?
Rv trailers with slide outs are notorious for weighing several hundred lbs different side to side...plus running in a strong side wind all day long can over load a tire on the down wind side if it doesn't have any reserve capacity. Tire experts say a 15-20 percent reserve capacity is a better idea.

What is the trailers GVWR ?
Does your trailer have 6k or 7k axles ?
Lots of 16" trailer wheels rated for G tires (3750 lb ) at 110 psi. Check your wheels for proper load and pressure rating.

I had the 5th wheel weighed at the FROG event last year. they used a scale on each of the 4 wheels. So the 3000# weight, side to side, is pretty good. The trailer weighs 15000 pounds. Both sides had about the same load.
I have 16 inch wheels, 6 lugs wheels, 6,000 pound axles, trailer GVWR is about 14,000 pounds.
If my wheels could take the extra pressure, I would put on "G" rated tires. However, I like the good record of the Michelin RIBS. It is either the RIBS or G rated tire.

And, how can I check the rating of the 16 inch wheels to see if they can take the higher pressure load??
ken_burke
Explorer
Jul 01, 2015
Ohio_Engineer wrote:
ken burke wrote:

snip
. . .
Thanks, but I don't think that the "G" rated tires will fit on a 16 inch wheel. As for tire ratings, the Marathon's are rated for 3400#s, while our 5th wheel weighs 3000# per tire. I think that the Marathon's are under-rated.

Why would you think a LT235/85R16 LR-G would not fit a 16" rim but an LT235/85R16 LR-E or an LT235/85R16 LR-E would fit a 16" rim?

The "G" rated tire is rated at 120#s pressure. An "E" rated tire runs at 80#s pressure. I don't think that my 16 inch wheels will hold up under 120#s.
I have 16 inch rims, 80 # pressure, 6000# axles.
familyof3
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
Me Again wrote:
familyof3 wrote:
I got the marathons too last year. Already blew one Thursday. I thought they would hold up but I guess I was wrong I will be checking on my rims and see if the will hold up the 110 psi but I doubt that they will knowing my luck. If not I'm going to get the 17.5 tires and rims It's all about the cost Either you upgrade to good tires or pay to keep fixing your skirting and fenders. Lol. But mine is a triple axle so that could be a lot of my problems. Maybe the LT tires will double the life of a ST tire and come out in the long run.

6 LT235/85R16E or LT245/75R16E tires are good for 18252 pounds on the axles, do you have more than that? If not, they why don't you just install Michelin XPS RIBs or Bridgestone Duravis R250s? You stay with 80 inflation tires and current rims. Next tire change would be in 6 to 8 years! Chris

Thanks Chris

I'll check into Michelin XPS RIBs or Bridgestone Duravis R250s tires. I don't believe it's the weight. It's gotta be the three axle and heat. Guess I'll call around and see where I can find me a set of tires. Thanks again Chris

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