Right now, I'm sitting here totally pissed off with Rv manufacturers. Last year while driving from the west coast to Toronto and back I had 2 major tire blowouts. This year, I'm planning on a longer trip. East. south, west and then north. So, I decided I needed 4 new tires for my Fifth wheel. I start my research online and talking with tire stores. I also check the forums here. I was a noob before I started this search. No longer. My Montana fifth wheel That max weight is 16,000lbs was delivered with Goodyear Marathon tires rated at 3000lbs. x 4 = 12,000lbs. So, this trailer was destined to fail. The blowouts were inevitable. Do these manufacturers not care one iota about the lives of the people who give them their money. I don't know how they can get away with this. I've only found two tires that would work on my trailer, both 14ply. Sailun and Samson. Sorry, rant over.

Pin weight...... you don't travel with 16k on the axles.

They don't give you much safety margin. Put the Sailun S637 G rated 235/80-16s on mine last week. Makes me feel a lot better with extra reserve capacity. They are a lot heavier and more substantial than the GY Marathon that blew out.

Figuring 20 percent pin weight, each of your tires is carrying 3200 pounds. I also just put on the Sailun 235/80-16 tires for my 14k fiver. Each of them is rated at 4080 pounds at 110 psi. In your situation, I would suggest going with the 235/85-16 Sailuns if you have the clearance - they are .9 inch taller. They are rated at 4400 pounds each. The 85 series tires cost only a little more then the 80 series.* And I agree 100 percent with your rant.

I have been told, and agree that the tires should be rated for the trailer gross weight, to have a margin of safety.

PO'd Rv owner | Good Sam Community

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jun 23, 2017
IMO the Michelins and Sailuns are not direct competitors. One is an "E" rated at about 3,000 lbs., and the other is "G" rated at over 4,000 lbs. So really price doesn't enter into it too much between the two.
Rygar
Explorer
Jun 23, 2017
I'm running Michelins on my Tv but they are really pricey, A lot more than the Sailuns.
laknox
Nomad
Jun 22, 2017
phillyg wrote:
oldschoolhdmike wrote:
no one running michelins?......

I've heard of some folks running XPS Ribs but I think they're rather expensive.

The Bridgestone Duravis R250 is a near-identical tire and quite a bit cheaper than the Michelins...for that application.

Lyle
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jun 22, 2017
oldschoolhdmike wrote:
no one running michelins? thats are we use to run on our big rigs. of course not sure if they make that model in the size of my rv but i run michelins on all my vehicles
Michelins wouldn't solve the OP's original problem of being on the ragged edge of not enough carrying capacity with his tires. Michelins have their place, but not in this application.
phillyg
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2017
oldschoolhdmike wrote:
no one running michelins?......

I've heard of some folks running XPS Ribs but I think they're rather expensive.
oldschoolhdmike
Explorer
Jun 21, 2017
no one running michelins? thats are we use to run on our big rigs. of course not sure if they make that model in the size of my rv but i run michelins on all my vehicles
memtb
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
Rygar, Welcome to the world of rv's! Most manufacturers put in the minimum components....frame, axles, tires,ect. They sell them because...we continue to buy them. The Japanese improved the U.S. auto industry,maybe (one day) someone will do the same in the RV Industry!

Do a lot of research, crawl in,under,and through at lot rv's....and then pray!

Best of Luck! It's a frustrating journey...but not impossible!
RandACampin
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2017
Rygar wrote:
...Do these manufacturers not care one iota about the lives of the people who give them their money. I don't know how they can get away with this. ...

You, and your families life and safety are YOUR responsibility.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
My experiences on 15 years of rving is smart folks can be brain dead about their tires. Neighbor tried to air his MH tires but on inside rear would not take air.

7 " rip in the sidewall. Next season on a tire discussion he was telling he never heard the tire blow driving though Phoenix on I-10. He forgot he had said never knew it had blown. So this is just an example.
chevman
tinner12002
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
TenOC wrote:
eHoefler wrote:
Upgrade to a 17.5" wheel and tire combo. I did it 2 years ago and it was no more than the cost of replacing the 16" LT tires that I had on there. Now I am good for 6005 pounds per wheel and tire.

What measurements do you need to make to be sure the 17.5 wheel will fit with rubbing? I have a 2005 32 FKS Carriage Compass Travel Trailer. I want to upgrade to a larger wheel so I can us the same LT tires I use on my TV. This way my TV spare will be available as a TT spare.

Weight capacity is the most important thing to check. Wheels would be different possibly also. The 17.5 tires talked about in this post are ST tires, not LTs. Didn't realize they made a 17.5 LT tire, if they do the weight rating probably won't be enough to have an advantage.