Sailun Tires Question

[GoPackGo]

I have a 14k GVWR fifth wheel and put Maxxis M8008 tires on it back in July 2014. Things were fine till yesterday when one of them blew while I was going down the interstate (sounded like a gunshot !). Just some minor damage, which was lucky for me, because I just had disc brakes installed over the winter so I was immediately worried about the hydraulic lines. I really am not sure why it blew. I was running my normal 60 mph and the temp was in the upper 80s. I keep them aired up to 80 psi. Maybe a piece of debris, a nail etc. But maybe it just plain blew. The tire service guy said he sees many that blow on the kitchen slide out side, which did pertain to me (36' Bighorn). He seems to believe that side is always heavier.

I full time so the tires do accumulate mileage - probably 20-30,000 miles now.

I'm looking to (again) replace all four and am seriously considering the Sailun S637T. I have not heard of any Sailun failures but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I just spent some time on their site and I see they have two versions -

1. ST235/85R16 with 4400 pounds capacity. This one is .9 inch taller.

2. ST235/80R16 with 4080 pounds capacity. This would be a same size replacement.

Both are 110 psi tires, 14 ply and take the same size rim. #1 has a little more tread depth. It looks like both are 'L' speed rated (75 mph), which I do not care about, although I do like the increased margin over the speeds I normally run.

So, which would be your the tire of choice, assuming I have the necessary clearance to mount either one ? If I choose #2 (direct replacement) I still have lots of extra capacity, based on a 20 percent pin weight. Theoretically each tire would be carrying 2800 pounds. I guess maybe the better question might be - Is there a reason to go with #1 over #2 if I have the necessary clearance ?

Please - I do not want to go the LT tires route - or start up the debate again. I believe that the stiffer sidewalls of ST tires are what you want under a trailer. And I also want tires that have an adequate load rating (including a generous reserve).

Last -
I have Good Sam as my road side assistance and they did great. The guy on the phone was professional and efficient. Called me back after they located a provider and told me how long it would be (30 minutes) and also sent me a text msg.

[Westcoasting]

Rygar wrote:
I'm currently researching tires as well. I asked at Sailun at my local tire store and they recommended Carlisle over Sailun. They do sell both. Price was not a factor in my request but the Carlisles were $45/tire cheaper. That's CDN btw. I also saw that Goodyear has a new trailer tire but it was $100/tire compared with Carlisle $158 and Sailun $203. I got leery when I saw they were so inexpensive. I leaning towards the Carlisle. Any input is welcome!

More profit on the Carlisle's! It's all about money, is that Kal Tire?

[GoPackGo]

Swung by the tire dealer Friday and got the new 80 series Sailuns installed. I almost laughed out loud when I saw them on the trailer - They hardly squat at all.

$150 each including mounting and balancing. The 85 series would have been about $30 more (each).

The tire shop I bought from is Five Oaks in Sevierville, Tenn. Highly recommended.

Only drove about 140 miles with them but I'm already beginning to wonder if maybe my MPG has improved.

[NC_Hauler]

Rygar wrote:
I'm currently researching tires as well. I asked at Sailun at my local tire store and they recommended Carlisle over Sailun. They do sell both. Price was not a factor in my request but the Carlisles were $45/tire cheaper. That's CDN btw. I also saw that Goodyear has a new trailer tire but it was $100/tire compared with Carlisle $158 and Sailun $203. I got leery when I saw they were so inexpensive. I leaning towards the Carlisle. Any input is welcome!

You need to research the two.. Sailun tires over Carlisle in a heart beat.. compare them side by side in weight, tread depth and thickness of sidewalks.. Sailun, ISO, TS16949 accredited, which means excellent Quality... Carlisle = don't know what Quality is

Jim

[Lenny_K]

Rygar wrote:
I'm currently researching tires as well. I asked at Sailun at my local tire store and they recommended Carlisle over Sailun. They do sell both. Price was not a factor in my request but the Carlisles were $45/tire cheaper. That's CDN btw. I also saw that Goodyear has a new trailer tire but it was $100/tire compared with Carlisle $158 and Sailun $203. I got leery when I saw they were so inexpensive. I leaning towards the Carlisle. Any input is welcome!

I think your tire dealer has no idea in what he is talking about. Maybe he makes more money on selling the Carlisle. With a trailer as heavy as yours I wouldn't put Carlisle on.
I currently have Maxxis tires which are in my opinion the best 10 ply ST tire available and are serving me well, but I will be putting on Sailun's in the near future because of the weight of our Montana.

[GoPackGo]

Rygar wrote:
I'm currently researching tires as well. I asked at Sailun at my local tire store and they recommended Carlisle over Sailun. They do sell both. Price was not a factor in my request but the Carlisles were $45/tire cheaper. That's CDN btw. I also saw that Goodyear has a new trailer tire but it was $100/tire compared with Carlisle $158 and Sailun $203. I got leery when I saw they were so inexpensive. I leaning towards the Carlisle. Any input is welcome!

I am having Sailuns installed tomorrow (Fri). Going with the '80' series instead of the '85' series. I luckily found a dealer who really seems to know their way around tires. I walked in and asked about Sailuns and they knew the brand well. The counterman said they sell a ton of Sailuns and have not gotten back one bad report.

Then he pulled out a 235/80-R16 LR-E Towmax tire and a Sailun and stood them next to each other. I then lifted both off the ground. The difference was incredible. The 10 ply Towmax weighs 34 pounds. The same size 14 ply Sailun weighs 55 pounds.

[fj12ryder]

I had 2 Carlisle tires blow out on me after less than 2 years and 8,000 miles, consequently I wouldn't buy another Carlisle. But I have heard that the new Carlisle tires are a better tire, but I don't know. I do know that the Sailun is a great tire and wouldn't hesitate to buy another set if I needed tires.

[1jeep]

When I compared the sailun on my trailer to the stock towmax as they took them off there was no doubt in my mind I made the right move by going sailun!

[Lantley]

1jeep wrote:

Rygar wrote:
I'm currently researching tires as well. I asked at Sailun at my local tire store and they recommended Carlisle over Sailun. They do sell both. Price was not a factor in my request but the Carlisles were $45/tire cheaper. That's CDN btw. I also saw that Goodyear has a new trailer tire but it was $100/tire compared with Carlisle $158 and Sailun $203. I got leery when I saw they were so inexpensive. I leaning towards the Carlisle. Any input is welcome!

Lean back towards the sailun, if they sell all 3 brands ask to see them, the sailun is a heavy tire that is well made.

Look at the 2 tires side by side and the decision will be obvious.
Compare the weight of each tire. The Sailun is a beast of a tire.

[1jeep]

Rygar wrote:
I'm currently researching tires as well. I asked at Sailun at my local tire store and they recommended Carlisle over Sailun. They do sell both. Price was not a factor in my request but the Carlisles were $45/tire cheaper. That's CDN btw. I also saw that Goodyear has a new trailer tire but it was $100/tire compared with Carlisle $158 and Sailun $203. I got leery when I saw they were so inexpensive. I leaning towards the Carlisle. Any input is welcome!

Lean back towards the sailun, if they sell all 3 brands ask to see them, the sailun is a heavy tire that is well made.

[Rygar]

I'm currently researching tires as well. I asked at Sailun at my local tire store and they recommended Carlisle over Sailun. They do sell both. Price was not a factor in my request but the Carlisles were $45/tire cheaper. That's CDN btw. I also saw that Goodyear has a new trailer tire but it was $100/tire compared with Carlisle $158 and Sailun $203. I got leery when I saw they were so inexpensive. I leaning towards the Carlisle. Any input is welcome!

[transamz9]

tinner12002 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

tinner12002 wrote:
I think if it were me I'd go with a 17.5 tire and wheel combo to get the extra capacity of the H rated tire. Then go Saluns and not worry after that.

Extra capacity? The GVWR is only 14,000 lbs. What's the point of spending money unnecessarily? The 16 inch Sailuns give plenty of carrying capacity.

In my opinion its not unnecessarily as the OP has to purchase new tires so why not spend a little extra to have real piece of mind. $400 each will get you new Sailuns and new rims in 17.5...19K capacity, never heard of anyone complaining of having too much extra capacity!

We complain at work every time we drive the F550. Every time I run it loaded or unloaded my kidneys hurt when I get out. :B

[tinner12002]

fj12ryder wrote:

tinner12002 wrote:
I think if it were me I'd go with a 17.5 tire and wheel combo to get the extra capacity of the H rated tire. Then go Saluns and not worry after that.

Extra capacity? The GVWR is only 14,000 lbs. What's the point of spending money unnecessarily? The 16 inch Sailuns give plenty of carrying capacity.

In my opinion its not unnecessarily as the OP has to purchase new tires so why not spend a little extra to have real piece of mind. $400 each will get you new Sailuns and new rims in 17.5...19K capacity, never heard of anyone complaining of having too much extra capacity!

[JIMNLIN]

Those look like a 8 lug wheel and all I've seen are good for 110 psi. However some (not all) aluminum trailer wheels pressure is dictated by the stems pressure. Sometimes the trailer mfg will use a ST E at 80 psi and use high pressure rubber stems good for 100 psi....then use the same wheel on a heavier unit and use a clamp in stem at 110-120 psi.
As mentioned best to contact the trailer or wheel mfg for their input on wheel pressures.

[hyattjlbb]

Sounds about right, geesh. Sorry for hijacking GoPackGo, back to those tires!