Bridgestone Duravis R250

[mbrule]

Could I ask a favor of one of you guys running Bridgestone Duravis R250s in LT285R16E? Could you post the max weight rating and max inflation? It does not seem to be available on Bridgstone's site. They are on my shortlist of possible replacement tires.

Open to other tire recommendations as well. I know this is discussed a lot around here and have read a zillion threads, but always open for more recommendations or experiences!

Thanks in Advance!!!

[Me_Again]

A little left to right mis-balance is going to be no problem with the R250's which are very over built steel ply carcass tires. Put 5 to 10 pounds more inflation than the table for 2600 on each tire or just put them at 80 pounds inflation. With similar weight I run 71 pounds in mine. I ran 65 according to the trailer placard for the first few years on RIBs and notice slight more wear on the outer ribs, so I upped inflation to 71 and they wore evenly. So I run the R250's at the same 71 pounds.

When you run a RIBs or R250s on a 5200 or 6K axle you do not have to worry about to many things except enjoying your trip.

BTW both my Ribs for 6.5 years and now the R250's for two years hold air pressure VERY well, not requiring adding air except every 1-2 years, and that was only because a valve core that needed to be tighten.

To the OP, you will be a happy camper for many years.

Chris

[MM49]

Bamaman1 wrote:
My Fiver has a 12' slider on one side with a couch and recliners filling up the space. The big screen TV, pantry, stove, microwave and fridge take up the other slider--probably about 15' long.

My kitchen side of the trailer is 700 lbs. heavier than the furniture side. I would think this is common throughout the industry.

You are right. My Sunny Brook wore the tires out sooner on the kitchen side. I really wish it was easier to get a 4 - 6 wheel weight analysis.
MM49

[Bamaman11]

My Fiver has a 12' slider on one side with a couch and recliners filling up the space. The big screen TV, pantry, stove, microwave and fridge take up the other slider--probably about 15' long.

My kitchen side of the trailer is 700 lbs. heavier than the furniture side. I would think this is common throughout the industry.

[MM49]

mbrule wrote:

Paul Clancy wrote:
Remember to subtract loaded pin weight when calculating.

Have not weighed yet, but I am going to.

Based on the specs:

11050 Dry
14000 GVW
2181 Pin

If I assume that I am at 14000 lbs (I do travel heavy), and pin weight is at spec:

I would have 2181 on the pin and 11819 on the 2 axles, assume even distribution and that is 2955 on each tire leaving 87 lbs margin / tire.

This just seems too close for comfort. I know there are a number of assumptions that I can clear up by actually weighing. Maybe I am just paranoid.....

You are correct in identifying the assumption of equal balance (L - R) axle load. I've seen loads differ side to side.
You need to consider the dynamic loads also. Your trailer will see (L - R) axel loads all over during a wind gust or a swerve. You need more tire capacity.
MM49

[mbrule]

I am back for an update:

First I want to thank everyone for the advice!!!!

I weighed the rig this weekend (those CAT scales are pretty cool), I do not have the exact numbers in front of me, but truck was about 10,600 total, just over 6000 or rear and remainder on front. OK, there @ 11400 GVW, 7000 rear GAW, 6000 front GAW. Truck is right about 8000 empty so 2600, or so, pin weight.

And MORE IMPORTANTLY about 10400 on trailer axles, lighter than I thought.

So I am waiting for my new wheels from Etrailer DexStar 16x6 Steel wheel rated at 3960 @110 PSI. Went with the heavier ones for a few bucks more.
(http://www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Wheels/Dexstar/AM20768.html)

My local tire dealer is bringing in four Bridgestone Duravis R250s for $195 EA mounted, appears to be a good price.

Hopefully will get wheels early in week, then get tires then get them installed in time to head for the Fryeburg Fair!!!! WooHooo

Thanks again everyone!

[mbrule]

I have Michelin XPS that were mounted on my 16x6. Company said it was OK. I stepped up to Load Range E as my original were D's

Yes, The XPS ribs are OK on 6" wheels according to Michelin's website. Load range E are rated 3042 lbs per tire and I fear this my be too close for me.....

[Dandy_Dan]

mbrule wrote:

roman traveler wrote:
That's what I'm running, but I don't know the exact ratings. Go to Tire Rack.com and they will have all the information you need.
RT

Thanks, you were right!

Now another question, most of the 235/85R16E tires seem to have a 3042 max rating. That is 42 lbs per tire safety margin (assuming that I am loaded heavy). I do not think that is enough (am I nuts or ?) and would like to go to a higher load range. I don't seem to be able to find a tire that will fit a 16 x 6 rim with a higher capacity. Do I need to go to 16 x 6.5 (only seem to be available in alloy $$$$), or even 17.5 inch wheels.

I am so confused...... Any help or opinions appreciated.

I have Michelin XPS that were mounted on my 16x6. Company said it was OK. I stepped up to Load Range E as my original were D's

[mbrule]

JIMNLIN wrote:
With a 14000 GVWR trailer don't guess at loads on the trailers axles. I would get it weighed before buying tires.

Even at 14k gross minus a 20% pin (2800 lb) = 11200 lb gross axle divided by 4 tires = 2800 lbs per tire.

You may have more tire reserve than you think. However only actual scaled weights will tell the tale.

Yes, I have located the closest CAT scale and am going to scale before buying anything. I think I am am over thinking it, especially without actual weights. Once I scale then I will probably be worried about exceeding the trucks capacity too!!!!

Again, I can't say enough about how helpful you guys are as I go through this process!!!!!

[JIMNLIN]

With a 14000 GVWR trailer don't guess at loads on the trailers axles. I would get it weighed before buying tires.

Even at 14k gross minus a 20% pin (2800 lb) = 11200 lb gross axle divided by 4 tires = 2800 lbs per tire.

You may have more tire reserve than you think. However only actual scaled weights will tell the tale.

[Me_Again]

mbrule wrote:
I have done some more research and am still bothered by the max load of 3042 lbs of load range E truck tires compared to load range E trailer tires having a significantly higher max load.

The experience on this board seems to say that truck tires are the way to go, but they are just so close on the ratings!!!!

Many here and forum across the web just do not buy into the inflated ratings of ST tires that are based on speed the restriction of 65 MPH and lower testing standards. ST tires are not low price based on millions and millions of them being built. They are low priced because they are built that way despite the claims of special chemicals and compounds!

A little logic questions how a 35 pound ST235/80R16E can carry more weight than a 57 pound steel ply carcass tire rated to 3042 pounds. LT tires follow long standing industry wide weight ratings that are the same for all manufacturers for a given size. That is a Firestone, Bridgestone, BFG, Michilen, Toyo etc etc in size LT235/85R16E will have the same 3042 pound weight rating. Poly carcass or stronger steel ply carcass makes no difference in what is stamped into the sidewall, they will all be rated to 3042 pounds.

We do not almost daily read about LT tires failing on trailers, and I know many run the XPS Rib and R250 at the max. I personally would not do that with a poly carcass LT unless it was the over built Duravis R500HD with two ply poly sidewall that I just put on my TV.

Chris

[fred42]

I recently called Bridgestone with some questions about inflation pressure before I purchased the Duravis R500s for my truck. When they realized it was an RV situation they mailed me two documents. I think they are applicable to other tire brands as well.

Rx for Light Trucks,
RVs, Mini-buses & Ambulances

How to Weigh Your
Travel Trailer or RV
WORKSHEET

From the documents, I see they are both downloadable from this page:

http://www.bridgestonetrucktires.com/us_eng/rv/index.asp

[MrVan]

mbrule wrote:
I have done some more research and am still bothered by the max load of 3042 lbs of load range E truck tires compared to load range E trailer tires having a significantly higher max load.

The experience on this board seems to say that truck tires are the way to go, but they are just so close on the ratings!!!!

In my experience the load rating on trailer tires are not indicative of their actual performance. If you do your research right here on RV.net you will find verification of that.

[Bamaman11]

I have a set of R250's to put on my new fifth wheel trailer. It's hard to believe that the LT (E) rating on the tire is the same as the Toyo Open Country A/T's on my tow truck. They're substantially thicker and so much heavier. Costco had a $70 Bridgestone rebate which brought the R250's down to $195 each--a great price.

The manager at Costco said they order R250's in for 1 ton trucks with utility beds and other very heavy applications, like service trucks with welders and cranes. He said they're not a truck commonly put on personal use pickup trucks--too beefy. They suggest R500's for daily drivers that need such heavy duty tires.

[mbrule]

I have done some more research and am still bothered by the max load of 3042 lbs of load range E truck tires compared to load range E trailer tires having a significantly higher max load.

The experience on this board seems to say that truck tires are the way to go, but they are just so close on the ratings!!!!