LT Tire Survey

[flyerboy]

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm spending this winter trying to decide if I want to replace the tires on our 2008 30' Classic with LT tires.

I've read most if not all threads (discussions/ arguments) for and against LT tires on TTs, but what I would like to accomplish with this thread is for any and all that have been USING LT tires to come forward and tell the good, the bad and the ugly that you have experienced. Real life stories/ experiences, preferably first hand, but "unembellished" second hand are OK too.

I'm looking at the Michelin LTX M/S2 LT235/85X16E that will handle the load, 3050# along with my 3400# wheels.

Thanks in advance for your help in documenting LT tire options!

[tjdonahoe]

I am going to do mine when the marathons are worn a bit more,Airstream is doing it at the factory.I would trust a michelin or Bridgestone, over any china built tire...

[SteveH]

I'm probably the only guy that has had a failure with an LT tire. It was a LT225/75X16E B.F. Goodrich Commercial TA, (Discount tire told me they were just as good as Michelins) about 2 1/2 years old with about 30,000 miles on it. Seperated at 60mph and did $2000 damage to my trailer.

I then replaced all them with Michelins and have not had any more troubles, but this was last summer so don't have hardly any time of miles on them.

[Wingeezer]

I put the Michelin LT's on our 2005 Classic two summers ago - don't have a whole lot of experience with them yet, a couple of shorter trips plus one longer trip from the Toronto area to Tucson and back, and so far they have been perfect in every respect.

One very minor point was that the the larger spare would not fit in the rack under the front of the trailer - but I wasn't too bothered about that as it seemed a shame to put the fancy new aluminum wheel under there anyway (I bought 5 wheels/tires.) so I just carry it in the back of the truck.

It looks as though it would be an easy job to cut/weld the rack to accept the larger wheel - might even get it to fit with a little judicious bending of the rack! One day I will look at it!

Previously I had the regular Marathon ST's and did experience some problems with them (delimitation.)

No wheel well clearance problems or any other issues - I would make the switch again, I feel that I can have more confidence in these tires - not only because of the design, but also the higher weight / speed rating. I use centramatics and a TPMS and still try to keep a close eye on the tires at every stop en route.

Brian.

PS - I have noticed that they don't seem to lose much air if any. previously I often seemed to be topping up the air.

[Moflash]

I ran on 16 LT's then switched to Michelin Rib's.The Rib has a thicker sidewall with a better tread pattern,it is just a much better constructed tire.I have used them this year on the dirt roads of the Gunflint trail in Mn to the 106 temps of Az then down to the Key West Fl.They show no wear at 12500 miles this year.As I said earlier I had LT's until Michelin recalled them and they were out of stock so Michelin let me upgrade to Ribs for free.I will not go back to LT's when it comes time for replacement time.This tire does it all.


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[Al and Missy]

I have LT255/75-16 MS2s Michelins I put on in May on the Sendel T03-6555 wheels. I have about 2000 miles on them with no problems. They hold pressure well. I took the trailer out in September and the pressure was still right where I set it.

The only bad things are you really have to jack the trailer up to get them out of the wheel wells, you may have to bend the sides of your spare tire mount to fit a 16" tire, and they come very close to the edge of the wheel well. Others have reported having to trim the wheel well (not hard, just an extension of one of the Al sheets with an Al molding screwed to it) but I had no problems and mine have not rubbed.

I love the peace of mind I have, whether it is real or not.

Al

[dkottum]

Looking at the space in the wheel well of our LTX 225/75-16 MS2 Michelin (the same tire option Airstream uses) I doubt the larger tire you are thinking of using will fit in your wheel well.

We put ours on two years ago, no problems. Unlike the original GYM ST tires, their reliability history lends immediate confidence. We're happy they are there.

[JimGolden]

I'm running Maxxis UE-168 tires in 235/75-15. I've put about 20,000 miles on them and they've been great. They are D-rated. They are a commercial tire, and are actually stamped both LT and ST. I guess they have more UV inhibitor in the sidewalls than the standard LT.

I will probably switch out to 16" and go with Michelin or BFG. But, these Maxxis have been good tires.

Best of luck,

[handn]

We take one freeway trip per year in the SW when temps are 100 degrees and over.
We had serial blowouts with ST tires including Maxxis'. Load range E ST tires lasted a little longer but the trailer road like an oxcart and the tires ended up blowing in the second or third year.
I have a 25 foot trailer so 235 15 tires had a load range that supported my rig.
Since switching to Michelins 4 years ago I have had zero tire trouble and the ride of my trailer is vastly improved since the sidewalls have more flex and inflation is 50 lbs.
The tires have about 20k miles and the rear ones are showing a tiny bit of wear where they skid in a tight turn.
Switching to LT tires is a no brainer if hot weather traveling is planned.

[Moflash]

A large cresent wrench and 2 mins is all that is required to modify the spare tire carrier to accept the 16 Lt tire upgrade.Simple


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[AlbertF]

I have Yokohama Geolander HT/S - LT215/75/15, Load Range C. This is sufficient for the 6200 lb GVWR of the Overlander.

The LTs were conventionally balanced. The benefits:

• They have stayed in balance (no more loose screws in the screen door, and the interior pop rivets seem to be staying tight);
• They hold air nicely; inflated to 50 psi when I got them, were all at 45 psi 12 months later, and I didn't touch them until the second spring when they were all at about 40 psi - adjusting tire pressure every 2 years doesn't happen with STs;
• Trailer stability and handling seem to be slightly improved;
• We have peace of mind.

[flyerboy]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

I have LT255/75-16 MS2s Michelins I put on in May on the Sendel T03-6555 wheels.
Al

Could you double check the size of your tires, I don't see that size as being available in a LT Michelin.
Thanks,
Flyerboy

[dkottum]

Michelin LTX 225/75-16 MS2 is the optional size Airstream now provides on their trailers.

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by flyerboy

Could you double check the size of your tires, I don't see that size as being available in a LT Michelin.
Thanks,
Flyerboy

You are correct. I mis-typed. I have 225/75-16s, the same tire Airstream puts on as an option.

Yeehah! Post #500!

Al

[Phoenix]

In January 2011, we switched to Michelin XPS Ribs (225/75x16, LR-E, inflated to 80 psi). So far, they have been on our 2005 19' Bambi for 20,000 trouble-free miles; and they show no visible tread wear.

[Craig Schrader]

Installed 16" LT's and wheels 12K miles ago. No issues. Like others have said, I did some bending to get the spare to fit in the carrier. I run 70 psig in them.







CHECK your brakes when you take the wheels off, the last pic is my brake pad after 25K miles. The leading edge had started breaking apart, all four were like that.

[boondockdad]

Originally Posted by flyerboy

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm spending this winter trying to decide if I want to replace the tires on our 2008 30' Classic with LT tires.

I've read most if not all threads (discussions/ arguments) for and against LT tires on TTs, but what I would like to accomplish with this thread is for any and all that have been USING LT tires to come forward and tell the good, the bad and the ugly that you have experienced. Real life stories/ experiences, preferably first hand, but "unembellished" second hand are OK too.

I'm looking at the Michelin LTX M/S2 LT235/85X16E that will handle the load, 3050# along with my 3400# wheels.

Thanks in advance for your help in documenting LT tire options!

The amount of time/distance we've been running our Michelin LTX M/S size LT225/75R16, we'd had 3-4 (I lose count) catastrophic failures on the Marathon ST's.

Only 'good' with the LT's, no 'bad' or 'ugly'.

BTW- you might be pushing it size-wise with 235/85 on 16" rims. Our 225/75 look to be taking up every bit of space between the wheel well trim and each other.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by boondockdad

BTW- you might be pushing it size-wise with 235/85 on 16" rims. Our 225/75 look to be taking up every bit of space between the wheel well trim and each other.

I think you are right, my 225/75 16's take up all my wheel well space.

[Silver Goose]

I replaced the original Marathon STs on our '08 27FB with a set of Maxxis M8008s but after 2 of them were replaced under warranty due to belt separation, I had Jackson Center install a set of Michelin 225/75/16 LTs on new wheels. That was 19 months and over 20,000 miles ago (including a 4 month 12,000 mile trip to Alaska this past summer). These tires have performed flawlessly for us. I'm amazed how cool they are when I check them at a fuel stop, typically <10° above air temperature as measured with an IR thermometer. As other have mentioned, air pressure retention is excellent. There is about 1" clearance at the narrowest point where the body curves under but that causes no interference to remove a tire, you just have to watch where you put your hand. There may be some variation on that clearance from trailer to trailer. I kept a mounted 15" for a spare to allow me to get to the next tire shop if needed. In over 30 years of trailering, these LTs have given me the most confidence of any tires I've put on a trailer.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

I have LT255/75-16 MS2s Michelins I put on in May on the Sendel T03-6555 wheels. I have about 2000 miles on them with no problems. They hold pressure well. I took the trailer out in September and the pressure was still right where I set it.

The only bad things are you really have to jack the trailer up to get them out of the wheel wells, you may have to bend the sides of your spare tire mount to fit a 16" tire, and they come very close to the edge of the wheel well. Others have reported having to trim the wheel well (not hard, just an extension of one of the Al sheets with an Al molding screwed to it) but I had no problems and mine have not rubbed.

I love the peace of mind I have, whether it is real or not.

Al

You need one of these and then you won't have to jack up your AS at all. I have one in each of my vehicles just in case I run across someone trying to change a tandem tire.

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