Forum Discussion

pjberny5's avatar
pjberny5
Explorer
May 27, 2015

New Tires

Know this might start a major debate but I am looking at replacing the OEM tires on my Bighorn 3260EL. It currently has TOW Max STR 235/80R-16 E rated tires and after just a year and only about 7000 miles noticed some bubbles forming on the inside side wall on two of the tires. I'm very anal about inspecting and checking the air pressure and torque each time before we move. Not sure if this is just bad luck on these particular tires and replacing with the same brand and size or with their ST235/85R-16 would be the best or not. Have researched on the WEB but seem to find good and bad on almost all brands of ST tires.

Would appreciate any recommendations from your experience.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2015
    pjberny5 wrote:
    Know this might start a major debate..
    It usually does, especially when Towmax and ST are mentioned in the same sentence. A search for 'tires' in the heading of this forum might serve you well.

    Funny.. just occurred to me that nobody says 'new to me tires'.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    May 27, 2015
    larry barnhart wrote:
    I would buy duravis 250 from bridge stone if you want another E tire.

    chevman


    These, or Michelin Ribs, if you want to spend more. :-) Upgrade to G-rated, if your rims will handle 110 psi.

    Lyle
  • taken's avatar
    taken
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2015
    Agree with Lyle. Goodyear G614's or Sailun S637. Both G rated and both very highly regarded. I had the G614's on my last rig and just put them on my new one. Lots of carefree miles to be had there...
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    May 27, 2015
    Big Horn web show your 3260 EL shoulds have 7k axles which means a 3500 lb tire at a minimum.
    The LT E doesn't have but 3042 lb capacity and simply won't work on a 7k axle. And I sure wouldn't put any brand ST tire back on a trailer that size.

    Options can be a Goodyear G614 RST LT235/85-16 G...
    or the commercial grade all steel ply carcass Sailun S637 in a ST or LT 235/85-16 G.
    Both tires are rated at 3750 lb capacity at 110 psi.

    And some folks move on up to the 17.5" wheels and commercial grade LT tires.
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    May 27, 2015
    JIMNLIN wrote:
    Big Horn web show your 3260 EL shoulds have 7k axles which means a 3500 lb tire at a minimum.
    The LT E doesn't have but 3042 lb capacity and simply won't work on a 7k axle. And I sure wouldn't put any brand ST tire back on a trailer that size.

    Options can be a Goodyear G614 RST LT235/85-16 G...
    or the commercial grade all steel ply carcass Sailun S637 in a ST or LT 235/85-16 G.
    Both tires are rated at 3750 lb capacity at 110 psi.

    And some folks move on up to the 17.5" wheels and commercial grade LT tires.


    I just did the 17.5 conversion... very glad I did.. Call Scott over at Trailer Tires and Wheels...
    Or I would look real hard at the Sailuns.. they are getting some real high regards here , and their Quality standards mirror the better manufacturers .
  • NC_Hauler's avatar
    NC_Hauler
    Explorer
    May 27, 2015
    Agree with all the above....7,000# rated axles should be covered with G rated tires, I'd recommend the GY G614's or the Sailun S637's.....if you have the deeper pockets for 17.5" wheels and tires, could go that route...cheapest, yet still very, very good choice would be the 16" Sailun S637 tires...
  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2015
    To say that LR E tires "simply won't work" is absolutely wrong.

    They WILL work, but the tire capacity becomes the critical measurement in the suspension load capacity. His 7K axles now have a maximum capacity of 6,048 pounds. Just like those of us with 6K axles.

    The lower rated tires are not going to "hurt" the capacity of the axles.

    You now have to be very careful about loading the trailer, but that doesn't mean that it "won't work".

    I do agree that it doesn't make much sense to reduce the capacity of the suspension, but it could be done without damaging the axles.
  • NC_Hauler's avatar
    NC_Hauler
    Explorer
    May 27, 2015
    Allworth wrote:
    To say that LR E tires "simply won't work" is absolutely wrong.

    They WILL work, but the tire capacity becomes the critical measurement in the suspension load capacity. His 7K axles now have a maximum capacity of 6,048 pounds. Just like those of us with 6K axles.

    The lower rated tires are not going to "hurt" the capacity of the axles.

    You now have to be very careful about loading the trailer, but that doesn't mean that it "won't work".

    I do agree that it doesn't make much sense to reduce the capacity of the suspension, but it could be done without damaging the axles.


    Why go through all that when all you have to do is match the tires with the axle rating? One would have to weigh their unit to make sure they only had around 6,000# on each axle...seems like a lot of bother, when in the long run, purchase 16" G rated tires that are "normally" mounted on 7,000# rated axles, (I said, "normally"). The Sailuns can be had at a VERY affordable price....Why not go with something that will give one "Peace of mind" and KNOW you were within the safety specs of the units GVW?
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    May 27, 2015
    NC Hauler wrote:
    Allworth wrote:
    To say that LR E tires "simply won't work" is absolutely wrong.

    They WILL work, but the tire capacity becomes the critical measurement in the suspension load capacity. His 7K axles now have a maximum capacity of 6,048 pounds. Just like those of us with 6K axles.

    The lower rated tires are not going to "hurt" the capacity of the axles.

    You now have to be very careful about loading the trailer, but that doesn't mean that it "won't work".

    I do agree that it doesn't make much sense to reduce the capacity of the suspension, but it could be done without damaging the axles.


    Why go through all that when all you have to do is match the tires with the axle rating? One would have to weigh their unit to make sure they only had around 6,000# on each axle...seems like a lot of bother, when in the long run, purchase 16" G rated tires that are "normally" mounted on 7,000# rated axles, (I said, "normally"). The Sailuns can be had at a VERY affordable price....Why not go with something that will give one "Peace of mind" and KNOW you were within the safety specs of the units GVW?


    Here is a quote from a member back in April -
    "The price seems pretty reasonable for 4 tires shipped to Utah ,the total is 704.44 thats 176.11 per tire plus mounting ,and balancing. they are going to be under 800.00 for the set.
    Thats a far cry from a set of Goodyear G614's. "

    Cheap alternative for a what look to be a quality tire

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,006 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025