Forum Discussion

blofgren's avatar
blofgren
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013

Tires in NW Washington

Hello all. I am on the hunt to replace the tires on my fifth wheel which are quite overdue in age but are still in great condition. They are Goodyear Marathon ST235 80R16 Load Range D with a load limit of 3000 lbs at 65 psi. They were made in the USA and have a manufacturing date of December, 2004. I have had absolutely no trouble at all with them (knock on wood) which is likely due to the fact that they were made in the USA and the trailer has been winter stored indoors since new.

Anyway, I have read all of the horror stories here of the Chinese made ST tires which apparently the Marathon is as well and how it is best overall to go to LT tires. I have been shopping around in NW Washington (specifically Discount Tire) and have found a large reluctance to install E rated LT tires and they keep steering me towards ST tires. They claim that the Carlisle has been revamped in the last year or two and they have had no issues with them. They also claim the Maaxis tires are better if I wish to pay a bit extra for them.

I did some searching and have read a lot of very bad stories about Carlisle and do not want to go there. It seems like the Maaxis have a better track record but I am still a bit reluctant.

Does anyone know of a good tire shop in the Bellingham/Burlington area that will install LT tires for a good price? I have been thinking of the BF Goodrich Commercial T/A LT235 85R16 Load Range E but am open to other good quality tires as well.

In regards to my trailer, it has a GVWR of 12,000 lbs, 6000 lb axles and approximately 2500 lb pin weight.

Thanks to everyone for any help you can provide.

Brad
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Jul 06, 2013
    Francesca! He was an old hermit alien from the same distant planet that you must be from! You do not seem to know much about the Michelin XPS RIB. As FE likes to point out, as if it is a negative, it is re-groove able and retread able commercial grade tire that will last many years.

    Think the fumes from the old alcohol plant did some damage to the thought process?

    Chris
  • BeerCan's avatar
    BeerCan
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    Lowsuv wrote:
    BeerCan wrote:
    Lowsuv wrote:
    LT tires are graded on a higher standard than ST tires.
    LT tires at the minimum are 99 mph tires.
    There are a few LT tires with a higher mph rating .
    ST tires are rated for a maximum 65 mph .
    The percentage failure rate of ST tires is higher than LT tires .


    Be careful making these assumptions. You have no evidence to back them up. For instance the LT tires on my trailer are speed rated "L" (75mph)

    There is an " L " speed rating that is a 75 mph tire .
    However , that " L " speed rated tire is not offered in any volume by any manufacturer .
    I could not find any LT tires currently available with anything lower than a " Q " speed rating , which is 99 mph .
    The exception is some of the "G " load rated tires , which are often 75 mph .
    What brand and size are your " L " speed rated tires ?
    Are your particular " L " speed rated tires still available ?
    If so please advise .

    The first statement was absolute, your reply had exceptions. Does any of that apply to the "other facts" in your post?

    Not the ones I use but is GoodYear a big enough brand for you ?
    L rated LT tires
    I think that is one of the most recommended LT tires on this forum, behind ribs and the Duravis.
    The Sailun that I use a readily available and I had mine installed the day I ordered them. In addition there were many other tires with this rating to choose from. Unless one live in the sticks, this stuff is easy to get.
  • gitane59's avatar
    gitane59
    Explorer III
    Jul 06, 2013
    You know my mother taught me not to make comment that were not of a positive nature but she also taught me to stand up for what I believe so I will continue to express my opinions and beliefs based on data, personal research and experience.

    To the OP congratulation on making a wise decision that you can feel confident will give you many miles of confident reliably towing in spite of the few random in-experienced un-informed poster's comments.

    Poster's without credibility and experience in the specific topic being discussed can make all the ridiculous comments they like as it just continues to show their lack of cred which wise people will quickly see right through.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Jul 06, 2013
    blofgren wrote:
    Thank you to everyone for their replies; I really do appreciate everyone's experience and insight.

    I have great news; I placed my order online with Discount Tire in Burlington for 4 LT235 85 R16 BF Goodrich Commercial T/A's last night. Their website indicated it was a special order so I had some doubts that they would bring them in for me, but I was wrong! They called me today and said they are in already and I have an appointment next Friday morning to have them installed. I am so happy to be getting tires that I feel much more confident about than ST tires.

    I would truly have loved to have Michelins (I am a true Michelin fan; I run LTX MS2's on my truck and Michelin Cross Terrains on my wife's Acura MDX) but they were just a bit steep for me. If I had a heavier trailer I would have sprung for them.

    Again thanks to all and I will report back after they are on and I pull the trailer back home.

    Brad


    Good call, if you did not BFG is owned by Michelin.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Jul 06, 2013
    Francesca Knowles wrote:
    larry barnhart wrote:
    I feel different about used tires. If they are not good enough for me, they are not good enough for anybody else.

    Good for you, Larry. Too bad more people aren't as responsible as you are. Tragically, those who do foist used/worn out tires off on unsuspecting victims probably sleep as well as folks like you or me that would never think of doing so.

    There's much to be said for living without a conscience...at least in THIS life. ;)


    Francesca, the guy that bought my used Ribs was tickled pink to get four high quality used tires for an old pickup he had for garbage dump runs once in a while.

    If you think ST tires are better than LT tires on a trailer you truly have been enjoying the coolaid! But then how would you know with the small bumper pull trailer that you own.

    What is you purpose on this 5th wheel forum?

    Chris
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    larry barnhart wrote:
    I feel different about used tires. If they are not good enough for me, they are not good enough for anybody else.

    Good for you, Larry. Too bad more people aren't as responsible as you are. Tragically, those who do foist used/worn out tires off on unsuspecting victims probably sleep as well as folks like you or me that would never think of doing so.

    There's much to be said for living without a conscience...at least in THIS life. ;)
  • Lowsuv's avatar
    Lowsuv
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    BeerCan wrote:
    Lowsuv wrote:
    LT tires are graded on a higher standard than ST tires.
    LT tires at the minimum are 99 mph tires.
    There are a few LT tires with a higher mph rating .
    ST tires are rated for a maximum 65 mph .
    The percentage failure rate of ST tires is higher than LT tires .


    Be careful making these assumptions. You have no evidence to back them up. For instance the LT tires on my trailer are speed rated "L" (75mph)

    There is an " L " speed rating that is a 75 mph tire .
    However , that " L " speed rated tire is not offered in any volume by any manufacturer .
    I could not find any LT tires currently available with anything lower than a " Q " speed rating , which is 99 mph .
    The exception is some of the "G " load rated tires , which are often 75 mph .
    What brand and size are your " L " speed rated tires ?
    Are your particular " L " speed rated tires still available ?
    If so please advise .
  • VW_Factor's avatar
    VW_Factor
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    Me Again wrote:
    Brad, for yourself a big favor and walk out on any tire salesman that wants to sell you ST tires. Find a commercial tire shop. There is a Michelin one in Mount Vernon. You need 33 inches center to center or more for LT235/85R16E's. If less look at LT245/75R16's.

    Michelin XPS RIBS, BRIDGESTONE DURABIS R250'S. or something less in the Firestore Transforce HT or the TA.

    The marketing hype for ST tires is just that!

    Chris


    This is the advice I was looking for in my NW Oregon tire thread.

    I'll take a look in the 245 size and find some good LTs. Are the BFG Commercials something I should be looking at in that size?
  • blofgren's avatar
    blofgren
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    Thank you to everyone for their replies; I really do appreciate everyone's experience and insight.

    I have great news; I placed my order online with Discount Tire in Burlington for 4 LT235 85 R16 BF Goodrich Commercial T/A's last night. Their website indicated it was a special order so I had some doubts that they would bring them in for me, but I was wrong! They called me today and said they are in already and I have an appointment next Friday morning to have them installed. I am so happy to be getting tires that I feel much more confident about than ST tires.

    I would truly have loved to have Michelins (I am a true Michelin fan; I run LTX MS2's on my truck and Michelin Cross Terrains on my wife's Acura MDX) but they were just a bit steep for me. If I had a heavier trailer I would have sprung for them.

    Again thanks to all and I will report back after they are on and I pull the trailer back home.

    Brad
  • BeerCan's avatar
    BeerCan
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    Lowsuv wrote:
    LT tires are graded on a higher standard than ST tires.
    LT tires at the minimum are 99 mph tires.
    There are a few LT tires with a higher mph rating .
    ST tires are rated for a maximum 65 mph .
    The percentage failure rate of ST tires is higher than LT tires .


    Be careful making these assumptions. You have no evidence to back them up. For instance the LT tires on my trailer are speed rated "L" (75mph)

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