Tires one more time

[klr650goldwing]

I know this topic comes around frequently, but I just did searches and couldn't find specific information. Very soon I'll be replacing tires on a 12,000lb, 36 foot 5er with 16 inch wheels. I'm a Michelin guy on my cars/pickups, but not sure about the 5er. I will gladly spend the money for the best tire available. Which tire would you recommend?

[2naEagle]

klr650goldwing wrote:
My current tire size is ST235/80R16. So with that information, would everyone still make the same recommendation?

Tire Size Calculator

The LT E XPS Ribs or the Bridgestone R-250 in 245/75R16

[Me_Again]

klr650goldwing wrote:
My current tire size is ST235/80R16. So with that information, would everyone still make the same recommendation?

You need at least 33" center to center on the axles for Ribs or R250's, and about 3" above the tire, which will be 1/2" closer on the top. Chris

[JIMNLIN]

klr650goldwing wrote:
My current tire size is ST235/80R16. So with that information, would everyone still make the same recommendation?

Your not passing along all the info we need so were guessing your trailer has 6k axles. If thats the case those LT E at 3042 lbs capacity work great.

[Me_Again]

laknox wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
XPS Ribs or Transforce

Save a couple hundred bucks and get Bridgestone Duravis R250. Virtually the same tire as the XP Rib but +/- $50/tire cheaper. Never seen a single bad word on them here in > 10 years of reading.

Lyle

I agree on the R250's. On our Cardinal that had similar weight to OP's, I ran XPS Ribs and R250's.

R250's.

[klr650goldwing]

My current tire size is ST235/80R16. So with that information, would everyone still make the same recommendation?

[laknox]

donn0128 wrote:
XPS Ribs or Transforce

Save a couple hundred bucks and get Bridgestone Duravis R250. Virtually the same tire as the XP Rib but +/- $50/tire cheaper. Never seen a single bad word on them here in > 10 years of reading.

Lyle

[JIMNLIN]

The LT E XPS Ribs or the Bridgestone R-250 are both a all steel ply carcass commercial grade tire at 3042 lb capacity and are the holy grail for 16" wheels and 5.2k lb and 6k lb axles. The R-250 is quite a bit lower priced. One isn't any better than the other.

Now if your trailer has 7k lb axles then the Goodyear G614 RST in a LT235/85-16 G at 3750 lb and 110 psi.
Or the Sailun S637 ST235/80-16 G at 4080 lbs at 110 psi. Make sure your trailers wheels are approved for 110 psi.
Both tires are a commercial grade all steel ply carcass and are tops for heavy trailers requiring 7k axles.

When replacing OEM tires on a the tires capacity should meet the trailers axle ratings.

And of course do your homework on proper wheel well and between the tire clearances for your particular trailer. We can guess but a good truck tire dealer can assist you with clearance issues.
edit; added sailun brand

[2naEagle]

IMHO XPS Ribs are the best E rated tires out there. Ran them for over 6 years on a 2008 Jayco Eagle. 245/75/16. I don't think I've ever, ever, ever heard of anyone having a problem.

[Durb]

donn0128 wrote:
Rib 245 75 16s are only 30.6 diameter and 0.1 narrower than the 235s

Those would be an excellent option for me and maybe the OP.

[Durb]

klr650goldwing wrote:
Durb,

You sound much more knowledgeable than I am about tires. At the moment I'm confused.

You said:

XPS Ribs are fine tires but they are LT tires and only come in 85 aspect ratio as opposed to the 80 series tires you are most likely replacing. The 235/85R16 have a diameter of 32" whereas the 235/80R16 tires you are most likely replacing would average 30.8". Just make sure you have an extra half inch of top clearance to spare to your wheel well and an extra inch between the tires.

1. What brand of tire are you talking about?
2. Are LT tires somehow insufficient? In what way?
3. What specifically do you mean by 85 aspect ratio? As opposed to what?
4. What is the 80 series that you think I am replacing? What is unique about that tire?
5. Are you advocating the 235/85R16 with the diameter of 32"?
6. So you are advocating a tire that has a larger diameter than what you think I have now?
7. Sorry for so many questions. I appreciate your knowledge. I'm just trying to really understand what we are saying here. Thanks.

Most likely you are replacing ST (Special Trailer) tires which are 80 series meaning the side profile is 80% of the tire width. LT (Light Truck) tires generally come in 85 series so they have a taller side profile and larger diameter. The Ribs are more than sufficient for your trailer if they fit. If you feel you don't have room for the slightly larger tires then reconsider.

I would consider the Ribs for my trailer but I only have 2" of clearance from the top of the tire to my trailer, don't want to cut that to 1 1/2". Plus my chocks wouldn't fit.

The best move for this forum is to post the size of your current tires and measure the height from the top of the tire to the wheel well and the minimum distance between the tires. I may be sounding an unnecessary alarm.

[randyshanks]

I just put new Goodyear G614 RST TL G 14 ply
These are LT235/85R16B
This the same tire that our 2008 Carri-Lite which weighs 17,000 lb. dry came with new.
I figured Carriage knew what they were doing.
$1558.00 mounted, balanced and installed on camper tax included
Randy

[klr650goldwing]

Durb,

You sound much more knowledgeable than I am about tires. At the moment I'm confused.

You said:

XPS Ribs are fine tires but they are LT tires and only come in 85 aspect ratio as opposed to the 80 series tires you are most likely replacing. The 235/85R16 have a diameter of 32" whereas the 235/80R16 tires you are most likely replacing would average 30.8". Just make sure you have an extra half inch of top clearance to spare to your wheel well and an extra inch between the tires.

1. What brand of tire are you talking about?
2. Are LT tires somehow insufficient? In what way?
3. What specifically do you mean by 85 aspect ratio? As opposed to what?
4. What is the 80 series that you think I am replacing? What is unique about that tire?
5. Are you advocating the 235/85R16 with the diameter of 32"?
6. So you are advocating a tire that has a larger diameter than what you think I have now?
7. Sorry for so many questions. I appreciate your knowledge. I'm just trying to really understand what we are saying here. Thanks.

[donn0128]

Rib 245 75 16s are only 30.6 diameter and 0.1 narrower than the 235s

[klr650goldwing]

Durb,

What brand are you referring to regarding 80 series tires?

Very nice bike by the way. My first road trip was on the Dream, all the way from Bemidji, MN to Rapid City. Had a wonderful time. My buddy was on a 175 yamaha.