New tires for my TT

I had the same sized stock tires and replaced them with Maxxis M8008 215/75R14. Love them!

Wishin wrote:

gmw photos wrote:
And a little followup to what Marty said regarding the Kumho, if you look on the tire rack site, they give all the specs for the different sizes of these tires. Among the issue of size, that "could" be of concern on some trailers, is the overall diameter, if there is limited clearance above the tire in the fenderwell. It was an issue on my trailer ( funfinder ), so I am using the Kumho in a 185-14, which as it turns out is two tenths ( .2" )of an inch smaller in diameter than the 205-75-14 ST that came from the factory. The Kumho is an "82 series" tire. I measured the tread width where it touches the ground, and this 185 is right at one half inch narrower as far as tread on the ground vs the old 205.

Re Maxxis, for some interesting reading, do a search for Maxxis Airstream, and poke around on the airforums website to get a feel for what those owners have experienced.

I've got Maxxis tires currently and had my first blow-out on a trailer tire ever this summer with them. They are 7-8 years old per the date code on the tires. My plan was to replace them before next year anyway, luckily no damage. I'm sure my tires are maxed out as far as load goes, and I've upsized from 175/80R13 to 180/80R13 already, both were load range C. I'm seriously looking to buy some 14" rims and the the smallest of those Kumho's that you pointed out, I've had my eye on them. I can get a slightly larger tire (that looks like it will fit on my trailer), higher load range (D vs C), and 99mph speed rating. Seems like an ideal tire for my trailer and needs. My trailer is slightly over it's GVWR the last time I measured with a full fresh water tank. Honestly, I think going up to a higher load rated tire is more important than what brand you buy. Too many of us are at our tires limits it would seem.

....yes, your last sentence there is likely the biggest problem we seem to face on many of the towable RV's out there....the manufacturers are simply not specifying axles/wheels/tires that have enough reserve capacity, leaving many folks too close to or over the limits.

Wishin wrote:


I'm seriously looking to buy some 14" rims and the the smallest of those Kumho's that you pointed out, I've had my eye on them.

I put 2 x 14" rims and the 185/R14 Kumho 857 on my TT this week. If you STFW, you will find that the 857s get good user reviews.

Discount Tire in OKC has them in their computer system now. I will carry a 175/80R13 spare.

HTH;
John

gmw photos wrote:
And a little followup to what Marty said regarding the Kumho, if you look on the tire rack site, they give all the specs for the different sizes of these tires. Among the issue of size, that "could" be of concern on some trailers, is the overall diameter, if there is limited clearance above the tire in the fenderwell. It was an issue on my trailer ( funfinder ), so I am using the Kumho in a 185-14, which as it turns out is two tenths ( .2" )of an inch smaller in diameter than the 205-75-14 ST that came from the factory. The Kumho is an "82 series" tire. I measured the tread width where it touches the ground, and this 185 is right at one half inch narrower as far as tread on the ground vs the old 205.

Re Maxxis, for some interesting reading, do a search for Maxxis Airstream, and poke around on the airforums website to get a feel for what those owners have experienced.

I've got Maxxis tires currently and had my first blow-out on a trailer tire ever this summer with them. They are 7-8 years old per the date code on the tires. My plan was to replace them before next year anyway, luckily no damage. I'm sure my tires are maxed out as far as load goes, and I've upsized from 175/80R13 to 180/80R13 already, both were load range C. I'm seriously looking to buy some 14" rims and the the smallest of those Kumho's that you pointed out, I've had my eye on them. I can get a slightly larger tire (that looks like it will fit on my trailer), higher load range (D vs C), and 99mph speed rating. Seems like an ideal tire for my trailer and needs. My trailer is slightly over it's GVWR the last time I measured with a full fresh water tank. Honestly, I think going up to a higher load rated tire is more important than what brand you buy. Too many of us are at our tires limits it would seem.

PartyMarty wrote:
This forum is the only place that I have found that Maxxis tires are held in high regard .
The Maxxis brand tires have placed in the lowest 25 % of results conducted by Consumer Reports in 2 different reports .
Snip...

As has been mentioned several times in the past in regards to that report on this forum, it was for PASSENGER car tires and NOT for trailer tires. They are two different animals and really cannot be compared.

To my knowledge, there is no comparative testing that has been done on trailer tires. All we have to go by is user reports and dealer recommendations. Of those two, I would rely on the user reports the most. Most user reports on this forum, and other RV forums I am a member of, regard the Maxxis ST tires highly. I have been using them for the past several years and have had no problems at all.

I agree with most of the rest of your post that I did not quote and think you gave some good advice.
This section was the only one that gave he heartburn. :W
Barney

And a little followup to what Marty said regarding the Kumho, if you look on the tire rack site, they give all the specs for the different sizes of these tires. Among the issue of size, that "could" be of concern on some trailers, is the overall diameter, if there is limited clearance above the tire in the fenderwell. It was an issue on my trailer ( funfinder ), so I am using the Kumho in a 185-14, which as it turns out is two tenths ( .2" )of an inch smaller in diameter than the 205-75-14 ST that came from the factory. The Kumho is an "82 series" tire. I measured the tread width where it touches the ground, and this 185 is right at one half inch narrower as far as tread on the ground vs the old 205.

Re Maxxis, for some interesting reading, do a search for Maxxis Airstream, and poke around on the airforums website to get a feel for what those owners have experienced.

This forum is the only place that I have found that Maxxis tires are held in high regard .
The Maxxis brand tires have placed in the lowest 25 % of results conducted by Consumer Reports in 2 different reports .
As noted on this forum the most knowledgeable posters do not espouse a brand .
Instead the recommendation is to go to a tire that has a higher load rating in pounds as listed on the sidewall .
You have an 1820 # rated tire as I recall in an ST rating .
LT rating standards are tougher than ST rating standards .
LT tires are speed rated at minimum 99 mph ( a few exceptions )
ST tires are speed rated at 65 mph .
A tire can be found on Tire Rack that is a 2271 # sidewall rating , is an LT tire and has a 99 mph speed rating
Specifically that is the Kumho 857 size 205R14 .
Go to tire rack and search around under trailer tires .

full_mosey wrote:

sgrizzle wrote:
What is the difference between ST and LT tires for TT's?

A potential LT owner is someone who has not yet had their first bad ST experience.

After that, the one's that get the second set of ST's don't subscribe to the fool me once theory. :)

HTH;
John

Ha ! ...well put John....but I just wasn't gonna go there !! :)

....because the usual suspects are about to come out of the woodwork again. Which is why I have kept the link for that old, now closed thread. A lot was covered there, and I think a lot of folks made their points in the thread, some better than others.
I figure the mods appreciate anything we can do to try to keep the very same arguments from occurring over and over. ;)

sgrizzle wrote:
What is the difference between ST and LT tires for TT's?

A potential LT owner is someone who has not yet had their first bad ST experience.

After that, the one's that get the second set of ST's don't subscribe to the fool me once theory. :)

HTH;
John

sgrizzle wrote:
What is the difference between ST and LT tires for TT's?

you have asked likely the most controversial subject surrounding trailers on this and other forums. Here is rather long thread with much discussion regarding it:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27100717/page/1.cfm