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m.hony · 10-26-2015, 03:13 PM

If that is so, then I did the right thing.
Maybe I knew it once upon a time but forgot-
I can't remember anything till the end of my nose-

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TheCabin · 10-26-2015, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tireman9

Jack, your numbers provide a great example of part of the reason people have problems with ST type tires and better luck with LT.

Given that a tire's load capacity is a function of its air volume and pressure with durability affected by speed of operation I think you may be able to understand that the smaller ST tire with its over-stated load capacity is more prone to failure.
Maybe if speed limits were still 55 mph ST tires would be able to deliver acceptable durability but almost no one is willing to tow at 50 with only occasional runs up to 55.

People seem to forget that the load capacity for ST tires still use the same formula developed in the '60's while today's Passenger and LT tires follow 21st century formula and regulatory testing which is much more stringent.

I doubt that people change their driving habits if/when they change tire type so we shouldn't be surprised when we see a tire with a more realistic load capacity claim and higher speed capability delivers better durability.

IMO the formula and regulations will never improve unless the industry is forced to do so by the regulators and the regulators will never be able to go against the RV industry and low cost tire makers unless they have lots of data (complaints) to back them up but the RV owners as a group just seem to prefer complaining around the campfire, or on an RV forum rather than taking the 10 minutes it takes to file a complaint with NHTSA.

As I read more of these statements about some aspect of our trailers: tires, electrical, plumbing, corrosion prevention.., I realize that we paid with current dollars for a 1960s trailer. Nothing has changed but the price and our unrealistic expectations.

dcasr · 10-27-2015, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.hony

After I bought 16" wheels, tires, Dill TPMS, and Centramatic balancers, I realized a Firestone TransForce HT LT 235/75R15 Load Range E 10-ply tire was available and in stock at the local Southern Tire Mart. I wonder if that same tire is available in a 225/75R15 or if the 235/75R15's would fit. I could have save about $800 to buy tires only or saved $400 to not buy 16" wheels and kept my 15" wheels which I sold for $200. Also, the 15" tires were about $40 less each- $160-
Did I screw up?
Maybe-

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I can't find the tires you mention; all of them are lower ply rating. Are you drop dead sure that you have 10 ply E rating?

J. Morgan · 10-27-2015, 07:31 AM

Here are some 15" Yokohama's with 12 ply ratings.

http://global.yokohamatire.net/produ...rucktires.html

Brevi tempore!

m.hony · 10-27-2015, 07:35 AM

If I am understanding the description correctly, that tire requires an inner tube.
The description never mentions load rating, speed rating, or weight carrying capacity.

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J. Morgan · 10-27-2015, 08:37 AM

Yea I guess they are tube type...

I used these tires for my trailer.

http://www.yokohamatruck.com/commerc...s/detail/y742s

Brevi tempore!

m.hony · 10-27-2015, 09:54 AM

Still Load Range D in a 15" and Load Range E in a 16"-
I guess I made the right move switching to 16" wheels and tires.
If I screwed up, I blame Airforums-

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Tireman9 · 10-27-2015, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Tireman9, you keep repeating that "interply shear" is the primary cause of ST tire failures. Before switching to 16" wheels and LT tires, I had 3 of 5 ST tires fail with tread separation (two GYMs and one Maxxis).

Our 19' Bambi has a single axle, so interply shear is not a significant factor when towing, backing, etc.

We now have about 40,000 miles on our 275/75x16 Michelin XPS Ribs (LT, load range E, inflated to 80 psi), and have had absolutely no tire problems in 4 years.

How do you explain the difference between ST and LT tire reliability on our Airstream?

To answer your question it would help if I knew the size & LR of the ST type tires but I suspect it was a much smaller tire with much lower load capacity.
Its pretty hard to make a comparison across such large differences in tire size and type.

J. Morgan · 10-27-2015, 10:01 AM

They work for me. I sit at about 6,600 pounds "ready to camp" on my trailer axles, leaving me about 1,500 pounds to full tire capacity.

Brevi tempore!

Tireman9 · 10-27-2015, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanavera

Here's the link to the site. https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/Complaint.cfm

But understand the industry is stacked against us. From my own experience with a road hazard warranty on a claim, the dealer will use every trick in the book to throw the blame on you. I picked up a nail on my car tire and the tire deflated quickly. I got off the road quickly and got the spare on. Dealer confirmed that I had a puncture that was just outside of the tread. Not repairable due to the location. Hazard warranty claim denied due to debris inside the tire indicating the tire was rolling while flat. I noted that I was rolling when the tire suddenly deflated and yes it was rolled on as I was getting to the shoulder of the road. I protested to the manager and he made an "exception" and allowed the adjustment for road hazard damage. So much for tire forensics and my confidence in the industry to root out tire defects.

Most of us lack the proof or the facilities to prove the weight of our vehicles, tire pressures, and speed that our tires were at when the failure occurred. Without the forensics which are hard to provide, simply asking for an allowance from the dealer is like pulling teeth.

Jack

IMO if you had purchased Road Hazard warranty and the dealer admitted there was a puncture then the dealer should have made good on the warranty. It appears he sold you Insurance and is now trying to renege on the deal. This might even be worth a complaint to the local BBB.
The idea behind a RH warranty is that the tire will be repaired or replaced even if there is a puncture.

m.hony · 10-27-2015, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

They work for me. I sit at about 6,600 pounds "ready to camp" on my trailer axles, leaving me about 1,500 pounds to full tire capacity.

Brevi tempore!

My trailer is heavier, at 8,800# ready to camp.
I feel better with Load Range E. I feel like it was an upgrade from the Goodyear Marathon Load Range D 15" tires.

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J. Morgan · 10-27-2015, 04:37 PM

We should all look for our "Goldilocks" tires, not too hard and not too soft, but just right...

Brevi tempore!

Phoenix · 10-28-2015, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tireman9

To answer your question it would help if I knew the size & LR of the ST type tires but I suspect it was a much smaller tire with much lower load capacity. Its pretty hard to make a comparison across such large differences in tire size and type.

Below is info on the three failed ST tires:

Goodyear Marathon, ST225/75x15, load range D (original, factory-installed tires that came on our Bambi). These two tires were always inflated to 65 psi, were about three years old, and they had about 6-7,000 miles on them.
Maxxis, ST225/75x15, load range E (one of two tires that replaced the two GYMs). This tire was always inflated to 80 psi, was less than one year old, and had about 2,000 miles on it.

MACINRIC · 10-30-2015, 12:39 PM

Thanks everyone.....Ordered up some addl 15's for now.

Climber · 10-30-2015, 06:32 PM

Question for those running 16" Michelins:

We just upgraded from 15" GYMs to LT 225/75/R16 M/S2 tires on our 2012 27' Flying Cloud. We have an Equalizer Hitch.

Is it normal for the trailer to feel a little more "lively" in tow. The trailer isn't swaying, it just feels "frisky" and I can definitely feel its presence back there.

I'm wondering if the extra 1" radius calls for a bit of hitch height adjustment.

We'll be on the weigh scales Sunday so I'll look for any deviance in tongue weight.

Thanks to all you experts out there for an opinion!

Cheers,

Climber

ps we're running at 80 psi

rodsterinfl · 10-30-2015, 07:06 PM

Quote:

I typically tow at 60-65 and only exceed this if and when I have to pass.
any recommened pressures that anyone has to offer?

Here we go, the controversy begins.

I use the Michelin load rating chart to my 16" LT E rated tires are set around 60 psi. The E rated tires are really hard so jarring is an issue too. I started at around 50psi and have watched temp. increasing to the 60 psi.

switz · 10-31-2015, 06:38 AM

When I weighed the individual 16" wheels on the loaded for camping Classic, I had two that were nearly identical and the other two were one higher and one lower than the pair. Thus I had to consider the highest load for the setting for all four.

I currently run at 75 psi but may try 72 on the next trip and see what the Dill TPMS reports.

CapriRacer · 10-31-2015, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodsterinfl

Here we go, the controversy begins.

I use the Michelin load rating chart to my 16" LT E rated tires are set around 60 psi. The E rated tires are really hard so jarring is an issue too. I started at around 50psi and have watched temp. increasing to the 60 psi.

I am interpreting the word "temp." to mean temperature, but I think you mean "pressure".

And a pressure buildup from 50 psi to 60 psi is way too much. That's 20%, and you don't want to see anything more than 10%. You need to use more pressure - and I would suggest that 65 psi is where you want to be.

Oh, and the load charts are MINIMUMS, not recommendations.

paiceman · 10-31-2015, 06:43 AM

Run our 16" Michelins at 73 Degrees F. 10,000 miles this summer, varied somewhat during driving, came down to 73 quickly - no issues at all and a surprise to me with our F350 and the 30' no popped rivets I could find and I checked all over the inside, under the trailer and outside. Just lucky I guess.

TheCabin · 10-31-2015, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paiceman

Run our 16" Michelins at 73 Degrees F. 10,000 miles this summer, varied somewhat during driving, came down to 73 quickly - no issues at all and a surprise to me with our F350 and the 30' no popped rivets I could find and I checked all over the inside, under the trailer and outside. Just lucky I guess.

So it sounds like we can risk the damage to our wheel wells when a 15" GYM blows or switch and take the chance of shaking the trailer apart with 16" higher pressure LT tires. This is fun.