Triple axle tires ...help

[Shejustsaidjoe]

Got a 1996 38' HR 15000gvwr moving it 900 miles end of april. It needs new tires and so I'm finding myself in the middle of an apparently age old controversy of LT vs ST. Unfortunately I didn't realize that until after I ordered tires. Specs on the tongue is LT23585R16E. It is a triple axle. Some early advice came from a blog from a seemingly smart guy about thicker sidewalls on ST tires so that's what I ordered. However, I have read much more on multiple forums since. My concern is another issue. The tire guy said the tires he ordered are ST23585R16D. Didn't know at the time that D stands for 8ply. Could have swore he told me it was a 14ply tire. I know he said it was a higher load rating and can understand that that may be true but am I in trouble here? Have a transport guy too and I bet he will want to go faster than the recommended 65mph. Just a one time move I hope. Again it's the D ply I have a question about, is it OK seeing it's triple axle?

[Shejustsaidjoe]

Turns out the tires are F, think I'm good, on to the next crisis, thanks

[Shejustsaidjoe]

Tires are in and they're Fs, on to next crisis

[Shejustsaidjoe]

Yep, read that earlier, as jimnlin said, the weight specs show its fine, just really more concerned that they are Ds, gonna try to catch the tire guy if not too late and maybe change to LT23585R16E if possible

[YnotTurbo]

See page 9. This will give you some info. Actually, there is a lot of info to read... I have the Goodyear G614's on my triple axle.
http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/tire-care-guide.pdf

[RedJeep]

I used ST tires on my 18k pound triple axle FW Cyclone for thousands of miles without any issue.

[jmtandem]

Specs on the tongue is LT23585R16E.

If these are the specs called for by the manufacturer, what is there to really decide? I would take LT tires over ST tires any day. So, apparently does your manufacturer for this coach.

[Shejustsaidjoe]

Ok, I just checked prices, and STS and LTS in an E can be bought for $120 per tire or even less but when I entered ST23585R16D it said no shopping results, maybe I did hear him wrong....or more likely he found some tires that were made so deep into the remote wilderness of China that they are not on the internet.

[Shejustsaidjoe]

Actually haven't put them on yet, just ordered them and I will call 1st thing Monday morning to clarify. But I was the one who brought up ST and when he looked for one to order it was the D.....well, I feel bad walking away from the situation, also the price was $800 for the set of 6 out the door and if they will work OK I'd rather leave it alone than jump way up to a possibly much higher price. Just to clarify I do believe he implied the Ds were 14 ply, I'm hoping when I call I find out he said G not D but that is not how my life goes. Seems like the Es were rated just over 3000 but the Ds were like 3400, so it boils down to speed I guess?

[JIMNLIN]

You should be fine.
Your 15000 GVWR triaxle most likely came with 5200 lb axle X three = 15600 lbs. The 16" ST D show a 3000 lb capacity = 6000 lbs per axle or 18000 lbs gross.

D tires at only 65 psi isn't the best idea on a tri axle trailer but for just 900 miles about any type tire would work.

Now if your looking long term with 40k-60k miles per set you will need a good 16" LT E class tire with enough capacity for your trailers axles.

[WNYBob]

I can think of a few things.
1. Check the trailers gross weights, and then do the math. Calculate the max weight on each tire.
2. Get the max rating for the tires you bought.
3. Transport the trailer "dry" or totally empty, if you are under per tire you're ok.
4. Have both you and your transporter sign a piece of paper (make 2 copies) that simply state the max speed rating of the tires and if he has a blowout, he is responsible to pay for any and all damages. That should hold up in court.

Good luck!

[valhalla360]

I wouldn't worry about LT vs ST, especially if it's a one time move. They won't instantly blow up if you exceed 65mph.

I would worry about load range D vs the requirement for load range E (that's where the number of plys comes in).

Assuming you told him the tire number on the tounge and he doesn't come up with a load range E tire, I would ask for my money back.