I know this topic has been beaten into the ground, however, as I read forum after forum about the LT vs ST topic, I noticed a lot of people posting about changing to LT tires have heavier trailers with heavier axles (6,000, 7000lbs etc).I just purchased a new light 29' 5th wheel. The dry weight is about 7300lbs and it came with 4400lb LCI axles. The trailer came with cheap ST225/75-15 load range D tires. The first upgrade I would like to do is take of the current 15" wheels and put on 16" wheels. After reading all the different opinions about LT vs ST tires and reading about what brand tires people are using, I think I have narrowed it down to either: 1) Michelin XPS Ribs LT225/75R16 weight = 50lbs 2) Bridgestone Duravis LT225/75R16 weight = 52lbs3) Firestone Transforce HT LT225/75/16 weight - 34lbsAll those listed are load range E.I have thought about sticking with the 15" but seems there are more, and better, tire options with 16"s.So my question is will running the Michelin or Bridgestone tires cause more long term wear on other components because of their heavier weight? The Firestone Transforce is quite a bit lighter. I have read through various forms that people have had good experiences with all three brands.I will be traveling around the country for the next 2 years so I will be putting quite a bit of miles on the trailer, so trying eliminate as many blowouts and mechanical issues as possible.Thanks for the thoughts and opinions

Your first problem is trying to find 5 lug 16 inch wheels. From there LT tires would be your best choice.

Get the Bridgestone Duravis that fit your needs if you can fit wheels to your rig. They are awesome tires. Heavier weighing tires have no effect other than more rubber on the road and more protection from the elements.

donn0128 wrote:Your first problem is trying to find 5 lug 16 inch wheels. From there LT tires would be your best choice.He probably has 6 lug wheels.I would check the recommended wheel width for the Michelins, then get the wheels and tires and travel with confidence.

XR4rider wrote:I know this topic has been beaten into the ground, however, as I read forum after forum about the LT vs ST topic, I noticed a lot of people posting about changing to LT tires have heavier trailers with heavier axles (6,000, 7000lbs etc).I just purchased a new light 29' 5th wheel. The dry weight is about 7300lbs and it came with 4400lb LCI axles. The trailer came with cheap ST225/75-15 load range D tires. The first upgrade I would like to do is take of the current 15" wheels and put on 16" wheels. After reading all the different opinions about LT vs ST tires and reading about what brand tires people are using, I think I have narrowed it down to either: 1) Michelin XPS Ribs LT225/75R16 weight = 50lbs 2) Bridgestone Duravis LT225/75R16 weight = 52lbs3) Firestone Transforce HT LT225/75/16 weight - 34lbsAll those listed are load range E.I have thought about sticking with the 15" but seems there are more, and better, tire options with 16"s.So my question is will running the Michelin or Bridgestone tires cause more long term wear on other components because of their heavier weight? The Firestone Transforce is quite a bit lighter. I have read through various forms that people have had good experiences with all three brands.I will be traveling around the country for the next 2 years so I will be putting quite a bit of miles on the trailer, so trying eliminate as many blowouts and mechanical issues as possible.Thanks for the thoughts and opinionsI believe your first comment is stated backwards because on the heavier RVs, its harder to find an LT tire that has the same weight rating as the ST tires do. For example is the Sailun G rated ST tires that have a 4400 or 4800 lb weight rating, not sure they have a designated LT tire comparable. Goodyear Endurance ST tires may be the same also. Actual weight of the tire is really irrelevant on an RV.As others have mentioned, in order to change up to 16" wheels you will have to have 6 lug wheels on your RV.

Sorry, I forgot to mention, yes it is 6 lug. The current wheel is a 15x6" wheel. Ive found a few 16x6" or 16x6.5" wheels that will work. I guess I was a bit concerned with the extra tire weight of the Michelin. Bit I have read a lot of good reviews of them.

Upgrade to 16" wheels ,seek opinions for tires (LT vs ST?)

donn0128
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2018
Your first problem is trying to find 5 lug 16 inch wheels. From there LT tires would be your best choice.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Mar 07, 2018
Get the Bridgestone Duravis that fit your needs if you can fit wheels to your rig. They are awesome tires. Heavier weighing tires have no effect other than more rubber on the road and more protection from the elements.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Mar 07, 2018
donn0128 wrote:
Your first problem is trying to find 5 lug 16 inch wheels. From there LT tires would be your best choice.

He probably has 6 lug wheels.

I would check the recommended wheel width for the Michelins, then get the wheels and tires and travel with confidence.
tinner12002
Explorer
Mar 08, 2018
XR4rider wrote:
I know this topic has been beaten into the ground, however, as I read forum after forum about the LT vs ST topic, I noticed a lot of people posting about changing to LT tires have heavier trailers with heavier axles (6,000, 7000lbs etc).

I just purchased a new light 29' 5th wheel. The dry weight is about 7300lbs and it came with 4400lb LCI axles. The trailer came with cheap ST225/75-15 load range D tires. The first upgrade I would like to do is take of the current 15" wheels and put on 16" wheels. After reading all the different opinions about LT vs ST tires and reading about what brand tires people are using, I think I have narrowed it down to either:
1) Michelin XPS Ribs LT225/75R16 weight = 50lbs
2) Bridgestone Duravis LT225/75R16 weight = 52lbs
3) Firestone Transforce HT LT225/75/16 weight - 34lbs

All those listed are load range E.

I have thought about sticking with the 15" but seems there are more, and better, tire options with 16"s.

So my question is will running the Michelin or Bridgestone tires cause more long term wear on other components because of their heavier weight? The Firestone Transforce is quite a bit lighter.

I have read through various forms that people have had good experiences with all three brands.

I will be traveling around the country for the next 2 years so I will be putting quite a bit of miles on the trailer, so trying eliminate as many blowouts and mechanical issues as possible.

Thanks for the thoughts and opinions

I believe your first comment is stated backwards because on the heavier RVs, its harder to find an LT tire that has the same weight rating as the ST tires do. For example is the Sailun G rated ST tires that have a 4400 or 4800 lb weight rating, not sure they have a designated LT tire comparable. Goodyear Endurance ST tires may be the same also. Actual weight of the tire is really irrelevant on an RV.
As others have mentioned, in order to change up to 16" wheels you will have to have 6 lug wheels on your RV.
XR4rider
Explorer
Mar 08, 2018
Sorry, I forgot to mention, yes it is 6 lug. The current wheel is a 15x6" wheel. Ive found a few 16x6" or 16x6.5" wheels that will work. I guess I was a bit concerned with the extra tire weight of the Michelin. Bit I have read a lot of good reviews of them.
drsteve
Explorer
Mar 08, 2018
donn0128 wrote:
Your first problem is trying to find 5 lug 16 inch wheels. From there LT tires would be your best choice.

Tire Rack has them.
gmw_photos
Explorer
Mar 08, 2018
any of your three choices are good ones in my opinion. I run the Firestones on one of my gooseneck horse trailers that maxes out usually around 12K pounds. This is the second set of them on this trailer. First set aged out but still had some tread. No problems ever with them.
path1
Explorer
Mar 08, 2018
Faced with same problem..
After adding up cost of new rims I'm thinking with the new trailer tires goodyear has started making. And load range e. But only been on market for short time now. Local discount tire mounted 28 so far and not one problem so far
But the long time record is still out.
That is only reason I read tire posts anymore. Very few problems with them. Think their name is endurance?
bg71361
Explorer
Mar 08, 2018
XR4rider wrote:
Sorry, I forgot to mention, yes it is 6 lug. The current wheel is a 15x6" wheel. Ive found a few 16x6" or 16x6.5" wheels that will work. I guess I was a bit concerned with the extra tire weight of the Michelin. Bit I have read a lot of good reviews of them.

I upgraded 15 to 16 and left the ST’s a long time ago, I now have the Michelin XPS’s, awesome tire worth ever penny I paid not only in performance but peace of mind. I just purchased another set getting ready to mount them soon. Keep in mind you get responses all over the place, it’s kind of like asking what’s best Ford, Dodge, Chevy blah blah blah.
Good luck!
XR4rider
Explorer
Mar 08, 2018
Yea Path1. I have definitely thought about the price to do the wheel/tire upgrade. It is a lot of money. I think if didn't plan to put so many miles on the trailer the next few years I would think more about keeping the 15s and finding a good 15" trailer tire. Hopefully those Goodyears keep getting good reviews.