I'll be needing new tires

[hmsteader]

I'll be needing new tires.
I'll be needing new tires, 225/75 R15 LR "D", for our 27' Safari. In previous years I've had good luck with the Good Year Marathons. However, In reading several of the comments regarding tires I still have questions. I've checked locally with four different tire shops as to various brands. Unfortunately, most or all of them are Chinese made.

Has anyone heard of or used a tire manufacturer called "Greenball Transmaster"? Evidently this company makes tires for commercial, industrial, and off road use. (Today was the first I've heard of them.)

Next question: What about the "ST" vs "LT" series. Is there any benefit of one over the other?

Thanks,
Jim
Air Forum # 6370

[tuffr2]

I also need tires. I am leaning toward LT tires. Here is why.

ST tires are rated for 65mph max. They do not carry passengers so they are built to a lower standard. I have seen and heard about a lot blowouts on ST tires.

[Ridgerunner3]

Originally Posted by hmsteader

I'll be needing new tires.
I'll be needing new tires, 225/75 R15 LR "D", for our 27' Safari. In previous years I've had good luck with the Good Year Marathons. However, In reading several of the comments regarding tires I still have questions. I've checked locally with four different tire shops as to various brands. Unfortunately, most or all of them are Chinese made.

Has anyone heard of or used a tire manufacturer called "Greenball Transmaster"? Evidently this company makes tires for commercial, industrial, and off road use. (Today was the first I've heard of them.)

Next question: What about the "ST" vs "LT" series. Is there any benefit of one over the other?

Thanks,
Jim
Air Forum # 6370

Maybe this will help you with your question.

A quote from CapriRacer (a tire engineer), exerpt from this thread, http://www.airforums.com/forums/f465...res-69297.html

"OK, the ST tire problem: I see 2 issues here. The first is that these tires are produced by - oh, let's call them 3rd tier manufacturers - with the one exception and in that case I would characterize these tires as being built with 3rd tier equipment. Maybe a better way of saying this would be that they aren't benefitting from cutting edge technology - unlike LT tires.

I could say the same thing about LT tires coming from 3rd tier tire manufacturers, but getting evidence to support this is difficult. Failure rates aren't published - and even hints at the rate are especially hard to find for obscure tires - and pretty much all ST tires qualify as obscure.

The second problem I see with ST tires is that they are speed limited - something that isn't understood by the novice RV'er - and because of that, they are allowed a more intense loading. "

[SteveH]

There are several long threads about this same subject, so I suggest you take a look at them. Lots of information on ST tires and alternatives.

Personally, I have bought my last ST tires.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by SteveH

There are several long threads about this same subject, so I suggest you take a look at them. Lots of information on ST tires and alternatives.

Personally, I have bought my last ST tires.

Mee too.

[Bill M.]

If I was going to buy ST tires I would certainly stick with Goodyear.

I run the Michlen LTX (a p-metric tire) on my 25' and am extremely happy with them after 4.5 years and many thousand miles. Going to buy another set of them for it next month when we get home.

I have 4 year old GYM D load range on the longer trailer that only moves a few thousand miles in a couple of years. I watch them pretty carefully when we do pull it.

A benefit of LT tires is that they do not seen as subject to catastrophic failure as ST tires.

[hmsteader]

I'm now considering the Michelin LTX M/S2 P237/75R15XL tires. However, they are reported as LR "E" which is a 10 ply tire. Isn't that overkill and wouldn't it shake a 25' Airstream to pieces? What PSI are you using?

[Dan and Liz]

I may be in left field, but I'm putting the Firestone Destination LE2's on. They are rated at or above Michelin LTX on Tire Rack, run at 50psi.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by hmsteader

I'm now considering the Michelin LTX M/S2 P237/75R15XL tires. However, they are reported as LR "E" which is a 10 ply tire. Isn't that overkill and wouldn't it shake a 25' Airstream to pieces? What PSI are you using?

I think you're mistaken. The 15-inch M/S2 is listed with a load index of 108, which without any other information would mean 2205 lb per tire, but michelin on their website claims only 1985 lb per tire and some people say you have to derate that figure further for trailer service. I find it interesting that the difference from 2205 to 1985 is right at 10%, so perhaps the 1985 lb figure already has that taken into account. At any rate, any 3 of my tires will carry significantly more than the rated max gross of my trailer, so I'm not worried. They maintain air pressure and run cool, I'm very happy with the M/S2 15" option.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by hmsteader

I'll be needing new tires.

Has anyone heard of or used a tire manufacturer called "Greenball Transmaster"? Evidently this company makes tires for commercial, industrial, and off road use. (Today was the first I've heard of them.)


Thanks,
Jim
Air Forum # 6370

Greenballs are to be blackballed too as they are made in china.

[Bill M.]

The load range E tires mentioned above are a different tire.
The LTX XL tire that many of us use is a extra load tire that has a maximum inflation pressure of 50 psi. Rides smooth. It is closer to a C tire. I have the load range E Michlens in 17 inch on my truck. different tire altogether.

[cwf]

I put these on today
TRC15225E ST225/75R15 LRE 2,830@80psi max

[r carl]

Here's a typical greenbomb tire.

[switz]

After reading the tire threads on this forum and other forums as well, I replaced the OEM GYM after getting the trailer home. I purchased five Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires with sidewall rating information of 2,183 pounds @ 50 psi, but they must be derated to 1,985 pounds and are 28.9" in diameter which is 0.3" taller than the OEM GYM tires.

The reason for the derating is:

49 CFR 571.110

Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less.

S4.2.2.1
Except as provided in S4.2.2.2, the sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to an axle shall not be less than the GAWR of the axle system as specified on the vehicle's certification label required by 49 CFR part 567. If the certification label shows more than one GAWR for the axle system, the sum shall be not less than the GAWR corresponding to the size designation of the tires fitted to the axle.

S4.2.2.2
When passenger car tires are installed on an MPV, truck, bus, or trailer, each tire's load rating is reduced by dividing it by 1.10 before determining, under S4.2.2.1, the sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to an axle.

S4.2.2.3
(a) For vehicles, except trailers with no designated seating positions, equipped with passenger car tires, the vehicle normal load on the tire shall be no greater than 94 percent of the derated load rating at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure for that tire.
(b) For vehicles, except trailers with no designated seating positions, equipped with LT tires, the vehicle normal load on the tire shall be no greater than 94 percent of the load rating at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure for that tire.

[cwf]

Called Greenball. They said to run 80 psi all times to keep temps down. Will try that.