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Old 10-01-2016, 10:58 AM   #1
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2015 23' Flying Cloud
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15" Tire Recommendation

I'm looking to switch out my 14" GYM to 15" on a 23D.

Have the new wheels and now looking at the best tire (235/75)

Is there any issues with using a P tire rather than an ST when cornering & backing? My concern is rolling the P tire off the tandem axle wheel when under severe cornering stress.

Also, any wheel well clearance issues to be concerned with?

My three tire choices:

1. Michelin Defender

2. Bridgestone Dueller

3. Maxxis
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Old 10-01-2016, 01:44 PM   #2
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Hi. Many threads on this topic - if you google "Airforums Michelin 15" for example, you'll get many threads to weed your way through:

https://www.google.com/search?q=airf...iw=375&bih=628

Personally, I use the 15" Michelin LTX MS/2 P-rated tires on my 27FB (which came with 15" GYMs originally) and have only once worried about popping them off the rims in a very rare, near jackknife back-in situation (which I could have done better anyway).

My trailer loaded for camping is about 6000# on the scales so the 4 tires at 1985# capacity each (derated for application on a trailer) have plenty of headroom. I also use a TST TPMS to monitor pressure and temp and consistently they never exceed 10% pressure rise or 30* rise above ambient at 65 MPH - something the tire engineers in the forum suggest is a good tolerance.

Michelin does NOT recommend their tires for use on a trailer, for whatever that's worth. I've had 3-4 years of very successful service from them.

Good luck!
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Old 10-01-2016, 02:46 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Air88 View Post
I'm looking to switch out my 14" GYM to 15" on a 23D.

Have the new wheels and now looking at the best tire (235/75)

Is there any issues with using a P tire rather than an ST when cornering & backing? My concern is rolling the P tire off the tandem axle wheel when under severe cornering stress.

Also, any wheel well clearance issues to be concerned with?

My three tire choices:

1. Michelin Defender

2. Bridgestone Dueller

3. Maxxis
I installed Michelin LTX M/S2 235/R75 XL 15s 108 on my 2014 23D two years ago.

The ride was noticeably softer and braking was much better with the Michelins.

Wheel well space was adequate for the size upgrade. I used a Dremel tool to grind off the ends of the trim for peace of mind but as far as I know there is no or very little lateral movement of the wheels.

The MS/2 had a derated capacity of 1965 or 7860, still well within the 23D's needs. That model has been replaced by the Defender LTX MS. It has a slightly greater load capacity. 2273 pounds per tire.

The Defender LTX MS XL 109 is well within load spec for the 23D. 2273 pounds minus 10% derated for trailer use equals 2046 per tire or 8184 pounds for the trailer whose GVWR is 6000.

I recently replaced the GYMs on my 2017 International 25FB with the 15 inch Defenders.
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Old 10-01-2016, 03:05 PM   #4
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I switched out my almost new Goodyear Marathons for Maxxis E rated 10 ply 225/75 15R. My motivation to stay with ST tires came from the strength of the sidewalls, Maxxis reputation and the gut feeling that ST tires are put on trailers for a reason. I filled them to 75lbs pressure using nitrogen instead of air and so far so good after an over 10,000 mile trip. Next I plan to install TPMS before any future trips.
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Old 10-06-2016, 01:27 PM   #5
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15" Tire Recommendation

Try Carlisle tires for trailers and the rating is much better than any I have seen out there. Michelin tires are not, repeat not for trailers. I think that the load range and load rate is much better with Carlisle. I run with 225 75 R15 at 80 psi. It appears to be a better load carrying capacity plus better tire pressure. Sustained speed on Goodyear is max 65 mph.
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Old 10-06-2016, 01:39 PM   #6
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Michelin Defender. Easy choice.
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Old 10-06-2016, 01:47 PM   #7
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Quote:
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Michelin Defender. Easy choice.
I'm on my third Airstream trailer running Michelins. Never a problem.
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Old 10-06-2016, 01:54 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by interstateflyer View Post
I installed Michelin LTX M/S2 235/R75 XL 15s 108 on my 2014 23D two years ago.

The ride was noticeably softer and braking was much better with the Michelins.

Wheel well space was adequate for the size upgrade. I used a Dremel tool to grind off the ends of the trim for peace of mind but as far as I know there is no or very little lateral movement of the wheels.

The MS/2 had a derated capacity of 1965 or 7860, still well within the 23D's needs. That model has been replaced by the Defender LTX MS. It has a slightly greater load capacity. 2273 pounds per tire.

The Defender LTX MS XL 109 is well within load spec for the 23D. 2273 pounds minus 10% derated for trailer use equals 2046 per tire or 8184 pounds for the trailer whose GVWR is 6000.

I recently replaced the GYMs on my 2017 International 25FB with the 15 inch Defenders.
l just had my first long haul (2k miles) since installing these 2 weeks ago in MT. Drove through Yellowstone, Tetons, and middle of Colorado down to Pueblo, up down, around, freeway speeds, windy 20 mile an hour curves, bumpy back roads, etc...then thru TX down to Austin over 4 day trip. The Michelins preformed very much better than GYMs which came on my AS. I am very pleased with overall ride also. Rating per tire as stated, 2273/tire is more than adequate for my AS. I have always run Michelins on my TV and trailers when I upgrade to new tires from stock. Ride is quieter and have never had a blow out...knock on wood. Obviously, some folks go by the Mfg. recommendation and I understand the argument on the 6-10 ply sidewall, but these work well as many have stated.
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Old 10-06-2016, 06:24 PM   #9
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I will go against the grain here and recommend you pick a tire specifically designed and built for trailers. A lot of people on this forum have had luck with using light truck tires on their trailers, and I am very happy for them. But if I were to buy a new tire tomorrow, I would pick one that the MANUFACTURER of the TIRE recommends for use on my trailer.

But that's me. I'm funny that way. YMMV.
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Old 10-06-2016, 06:39 PM   #10
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Dark Horse

You should check out Hercules tires.

http://www.herculestire.com/tire-gal...ial/specialty/

Never had an issue with them,
safe travels
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Old 10-07-2016, 10:04 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FCStreamer View Post
I will go against the grain here and recommend you pick a tire specifically designed and built for trailers. A lot of people on this forum have had luck with using light truck tires on their trailers, and I am very happy for them. But if I were to buy a new tire tomorrow, I would pick one that the MANUFACTURER of the TIRE recommends for use on my trailer.

But that's me. I'm funny that way. YMMV.

If you tow your 30' trailer very much in the heat, you'd be wise to get rid of your ST tires.
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Old 10-07-2016, 10:37 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Top View Post
If you tow your 30' trailer very much in the heat, you'd be wise to get rid of your ST tires.

I appreciate the advice, but I monitor my tire pressure, stay under 65mph, and feel 100% comfortable with tires specifically designed for my trailer. I brought it down from New Jersey to Tampa, 1200 miles, with no incidents.

And if I ever need to change them, I will be selecting tires made for trailers, not for cars or trucks.
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Old 10-07-2016, 02:27 PM   #13
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15" Tire Recommendation

Tires made only for trailers are not legal to use on passenger vehicles. Not tested thoroughly.

Okay for a low construction materials trailer getting dragged around.

Designed "for" a trailer? I'm afraid you have things backwards. LT tires were all we had for decades until this category showed up to get a few more years production from worn down tire manufacturing equipment.

A single blown tire can cause in excess of $7,000 in damage. That's far more likely to be an ST than an LT.

Preaching about how one will not ever make a mistake in tire care or towing won't cover the risk.

Good luck.
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Old 10-07-2016, 03:13 PM   #14
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I have Carlisle Radial Trail RH tires on my trailer and am satisfied. They have a speed index rating of 87 mph.
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Old 10-07-2016, 03:21 PM   #15
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I have met a seemingly large number of "careful" people who have had blowouts with GYM ST tires. I do not question the design of ST tires. I just think some of them are manufactured so poorly that they will blow out and damage the trailer no matter how careful one is. They may be better now. But in 2008 there were a lot of people who had trouble. My next door neighbor lost 3 sets of trailer tires on his 5th wheel, with a lot of damage each time, before he gave up and parked it in Florida.

While LT or P tires might not be the ideal design for a trailer I know know that on my Airstream trailer they work fine, do not cause sway, do not pop off the rim when backing, and I have been lucky enough not to have a blowout. Have about 50,000 miles spread out over 2 sets in 8 years. My tire engineer/designer friend who spent a career at Goodyear and who went to China to help with the manufacturing there runs Goodyear Wrangler LT tires on his trailer instead of the Goodyear Marathons because he thinks (knows?) they are built better.
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