Tire Help!

[k9s2go]

We have a 1985 25’ Sovereign that needs new tires (they look good but are over 9 years old). Tires on the trailer now are 700R -15 LT 8PR Load Range D, Hyparadial ST by Toyo. Rims are aluminum.
At Schwab Tires they said these are no longer available and say the closest tires are 700R-15 / 8 M-53 Radial Highway Tubeless - $902.48 for four.
They suggested a less expensive alternative ST225/75R-15/10 Gladiator QR25-TS Highway, $508.60 for four.
I’ve read lots of posts on tires here and am still confused. We would like to save money and go with the less expensive alternative but is the different size and rating OK?
Any experience with these tires? Comments? Suggestions?

[2airishuman]

yo dogs...

many threads on tires and much debate.

simply read a few of the threads on treads.

goodyear marathons 225x15 in d rating...

or

maxxis 8008? 225x15 in d rating...

or ANY of the many other labeled tires (carlise, greenball, gladiator, etc) in the same size and rating...

cheers
2air'

[k9s2go]

Thanks! I'll keep reading, but it's TIRE-ing!!!!! HA!

[Phoenix]

www.tirerack.com has tire spec tables that may be helpful in finding a replacement size. They list the load rating, tire diameter and revolutions per mile, which helps find alternate tire sizes that may fit. Also, we have had gotten pretty good advice from Discount Tire, if you have one in your area. They sell a lot of tires, and usually there are several old timers there that can help you find something that fits.

We just replace six tires on our triple axle boat trailer. The old bias ply size was L78x15, which is no longer made, and Discount recommended 225/75x15 tires in load range E. These are about 1/2 inch smaller in diameter and about the same narrower, but the load went from 1950 pounds to 2860. So, I think this was a good compromise, and these are a lot better tire than what came on the trailer, years ago.

We wanted to get the Maxxis tires (which we have on our 19-foot Bambi, but the price was just too much for seven tires (we needed a spare, too). So, we ended up getting the Green Ball tires, which were a couple of hundred dollars less.

Sure glad we don't have triple axles on our Bambi, at least when buying tires!

[Ahzmyrah]

Ever since Obama changed the tariff on tires made in China the cost for tires has skyrocketed, but we now have tires made in the good old USA and hopefully better quality. As 2airishuman said there are a "lots of threads on treads". The important thing to consider is load range. It really doesn't matter what manufacturer you chose. 225/75R15 ST Load range D tires will replace your 700/15's without a problem

[Melody Ranch]

15" 15 in 7.00 700.15 700/15 700 15 Trailer Tire Wheel! : eBay Motors (item 140314555498 end time Apr-10-10 11:15:27 PDT)

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

i use these...

is that a bias ply tire?

those might be fine for old beater trailers with leaf springs, funny plumbing and gas lighting...

but would not be a wise choice for the o.p.

NONE of these modern radial ply ST tires are 8 or 10 ply...

they're C or D or E rating which is comparable to 6 or 8 or 10 ply BIAS tires...

so the term used is "PLY RATING" for these newer tires.

they are assembled with 4-5 'layers'...

for example gyms are 2 steel plys, 2 polyester plys and a nylon belt/cap layer.

genuine BIAS ply tires are still available but would be a bad choice for almost ALL 'streams built in the last 30-40 years.
________

the 1985 25 footer would actually be FINE on C rated radial tires, unless it's been altered or OVER LOADED.

D rated (8 ply equivalent) are a FINE choice...

at 25 years of age the axles may be tired, hardened or in need of replacement...

more rubber bits to consider.

cheers
2air'

[Ahzmyrah]

$508.40 for four tires mounted, balanced and tax sounds about right. I bought a 225/75R15 ST Load range E tire from Les Schwab in Estacada, OR this summer for just under a hundred dollars out the door.