Carlisle Tires

[bigtbasser]

34'Heartland 5th wheel. Came with Tow max tire. 5 years of good use . Probably around 10,000 miles. Noticed a low tire, 65 lbs, and brought it back up to 80. I should have stopped by a tire store but headed home, 250 miles. Once home noticed tire was real low and took it off. There was a tear on the sidewall. I can't believe how luck I was not to have had a blowout.
Shopping for 4 new tires and am looking at Carlisle tires. I keep my speed below 65. Are the new Carlisle's better than the tow max. Les Schuab sells the Tow max. Thanks Terry

[JIMNLIN]

otrfun wrote:

Dankenbring wrote:
Most of the problems have been the ST tires on large travel trailers and fifth wheels weighing over 14K lbs.

Not sure if it's accurate or fair to lump all ST tires together.

There are G-rated, ST tires like the Gladiator and Hartland (Discount Tire, Gladiator housebrand) that have a 14-ply rating, all-steel carcass, an L-N speed (75-87 MPH) rating, and weigh 60+ lbs. (typically 20-25 lbs more than the same size E-rated tire). To my knowledge, there haven't been any issues with these ST tires, even on the very heaviest rigs.

Danken makes a good point about the size of the trailers and the use of ST tire having most of the issues. IMO a 80 psi tire rated in the 3400-3600 lb range are simply too soft/flexy for that kind of weight on a vehicle that the tires slide sideways as the vehicle turns.

This is where the LT or new gen ST G at 110 psi makes better cents/sense on heavy trailers with 7k axles or max loaded 6k axles.

[otrfun]

Dankenbring wrote:
Most of the problems have been the ST tires on large travel trailers and fifth wheels weighing over 14K lbs.

Not sure if it's accurate or fair to lump all ST tires together.

There are G-rated, ST tires like the Gladiator and Hartland (Discount Tire, Gladiator housebrand) that have a 14-ply rating, all-steel carcass, an L-N speed (75-87 MPH) rating, and weigh 60+ lbs. (typically 20-25 lbs more than the same size E-rated tire). To my knowledge, there haven't been any issues with these ST tires, even on the very heaviest rigs.

[Karl_Kamper]

Bought set of Carlisle USA TRAIL tires.They are a bias ply tire made here in the states.Have had good luck with them so far.(8000 miles).They hold the road better than radial tires and ride surprisingly smooth.Have had enough of "MADE IN CHINA"tires.

[Dankenbring]

Most of the problems have been the ST tires on large travel trailers and fifth wheels weighing over 14K lbs.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

TxGearhead wrote:
The newer Carlisle HD is supposedly better. I just put them on a small utility trailer. Fingers crossed.

The "small utility trailer" is an excellent place for Carlisle tires!.:C

In spite of there being "new" or "improved" Carlisle tires, there are many, many better choices for 'serious' trailers...

but guess that's in the eyes -or on the wheels- of the beholder and his wallet..:W

~

[Tachdriver]

bigtbasser wrote:
Went with the Carlisles and will get back to everyone on how they hold up. Thanks for all the responses. Terry

So you will be back in 5 years to update this thread? :B

[avvidclif1]

As a side note: When you have the tires balanced make sure they have the tool to center the wheel on the lug bolt holes and not the hub (hole in center). Trailer tires are not necessarily true to the center, mine aren't. I think E-Trailer will verify this.

[bigtbasser]

Went with the Carlisles and will get back to everyone on how they hold up. Thanks for all the responses. Terry

[shepstone]

Since Feb I have put about 4,000 plus miles on my Carlisle's, so far so good, whatever tires you get have them balanced. I noticed with our trailer that all the doors were getting wear spots from vibration,(7,500 mile long trips at a time) after I had the new ones balanced and installed I haven't seen any new or worsened wear spots.

[robrose1]

Third summer with my Carlisle RH and no issues. Will buy them again. Had Maxxis on my other rig but when one separated I had to go with a cheap tire because Discount Tire had to order another Maxxis.

[Dankenbring]

I also,had triangle tires. Replaced at 8K. Looked online and you could get them for $50 each. Went with LT tires.

[SanMarMor]

I had the very same issue as you, with my "Triangle" brand tires, with 10K miles and 5 years on them. I was ready to change them anyway, but this forced the issue. When I took it to the tire store, they said a second tire was also delaminated very bad, and a third had started. I replaced them with Carlisle HD 235/80-16E, which has a speed rating of 75mph. It seems different sizes have different speed ratings. I won't be towing that fast, but I like having the margin.

Many people say put this or that G rated tire on. I didn't want to have to replace my wheels, to put tires on that were overkill for our 13K trailer. I couldn't go bigger tires, I don' have the wheel spacing. And I had read enough about the difference between ST and LT tires, that I chose to stick with ST. From what I've read, the newer Carlisle tires haven't had any issues, and they surely will be better than my Triangle tires. They look 200% better too.

That's how I made my decision, for what it's worth.
Mark

[laknox]

Assuming the OP has 16" wheels, so I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Michelin Ribs or Bridgestone Duravis R250s as an alternative...

Lyle

[Padlin]

Went through 2 sets of Tow Max's in 4 years on the last trailer before going with the Maxxis. The newer trailer came with Carlisle Radial Trail RH's, look similar to the Maxxis. Have about 20K on them an they still look good, no issues what so ever. I'd have no problem getting them again.