235/75R15XL vs 225/75-15 trailer tire

[Xenomorph]

Originally Posted by mdh

I also have found that confusing, but after reading as much as I could find I am about to get the Michelin LTX MS2 XL 235/75/15. I plan on putting these on my 2008 25 foot Safari. I just put it on the scales yesterday with it mostly empty weighing in at 5480 lbs. Even loaded the way we travel it wouldn't get over 6000 lbs. I feel this is well within the limits or these tires. Hope this helps.

Mike

I think I am going to go with these as well with some metal tire stems. I haven't had a chance to weigh my trailer yet but the listed GVWR is 6200lbs with a dry weight of 4600lbs.

1985lbs@50psi x 4 = 7940lbs

Seems like plenty of breathing room.

[Kosm1o]

According to Andy from CanAm in Ontario you want the LT version. They have installed these on over 200 Airstreams over the past decade. You can do a search for his posts. The real issue is reliability. Having ST tires with high load ratings means nothing when they fail. They don't fail because the load rating was exceeded, they fail because they are crap. I'll take the LT Michelins with the C rating before any D or E rated ST tire on my 28' Safari.

[handn]

Originally Posted by Xenomorph

I'm looking at the Michelin's.

Michelin LTX M/S2 P235/75R15XL.

I find it interesting that the same tire model is sometimes a P and other times a LT.

LTX M/S2 | Michelin Tires

Is there any difference in construction with the P's and the LT's?

?? Any one know the answer to this question?
Mine are Michelin LTX P 235/R75 15 XL. The XL means extra load and they have the same load rating as a LT C rated tire.
P's or LT's they perform great on my 25 Safari. At 50 lbs inflation, the ride is much smoother than on any of my ST tires. On my last road trip I went 70 mph all the way, safely and uneventfully.

[perryg114]

It would be an interesting test to put a trailer tire on one axel and an XL rated passenger car/truck tire on the other axel and measure temperatures after driving 60 miles in dessert heat. I bet you would find the XL tire ran cooler. You could test again and swap axels to null out any differences between front and rear axel loading.

Perry

[Kosm1o]

Here is some information from Tire Rack about the LT and P ratings. Tire Tech Information - Load Reduction of Euro- and P-Metric Tires on Light Trucks Essentially, when you use a P tire on a SUV or truck, you need to deduct 10% of the load rating. I don't know how that translates to trailer use as neither tire is rated for that.

[perryg114]

Where is the P stamped on the tire?

Perry

[Xenomorph]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Where is the P stamped on the tire?

Perry

When you look up the Michelin LTX MS2 in the size 235/75R15 it is designated as a P. I don't see anywhere online where there is an LT version.

LTX M/S2 | Michelin Tires.

When looking at the different sizes on this model the P version all have a higher speed ratings of T(118MPH), while the LT versions have R(106MPH).

In person I am not sure if they are marked P or LT as I have not seen one.

[perryg114]

I think a lot of it is blue smoke and mirrors. I think the 1985LB number is derated from 2185lb which is what the 108T lable on the tire designates. Which according to tire rack was done because the CG of SUV's was higher than a car which puts more dynamic load on the tire in a turn. So think g-load in a turn times the lever arm of the higher CG and it puts more load on the tire than the same weight car would. So if you multiply a P tire rated for 2185 which is a 108T rated P metric tire. If you put it on an SUV you multiply .91 x 2185 + 1988 which rounds down to 1985lb so there is your answer. Now does an Airstream have a high CG compared to an SUV, no probably not and you are not going to be taking turns at 90mph like poeple do all the time in cars.

Now look at speed ratings. This to me means the tire is rated for 100+ MPH with an SUV driving like a bat out of hell. Let's go for the Airstream land speed record. I don't think I will make it since Ford limited my Excursion to 100MPH before the speed limiter kicks in.

Perry

[Xenomorph]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I think a lot of it is blue smoke and mirrors. I think the 1985LB number is derated from 2185lb which is what the 108T lable on the tire designates. Which according to tire rack was done because the CG of SUV's was higher than a car which puts more dynamic load on the tire in a turn. So think g-load in a turn times the lever arm of the higher CG and it puts more load on the tire than the same weight car would. So if you multiply a P tire rated for 2185 which is a 108T rated P metric tire. If you put it on an SUV you multiply .91 x 2185 + 1988 which rounds down to 1985lb so there is your answer. Now does an Airstream have a high CG compared to an SUV, no probably not and you are not going to be taking turns at 90mph like poeple do all the time in cars.

Now look at speed ratings. This to me means the tire is rated for 100+ MPH with an SUV driving like a bat out of hell. Let's go for the Airstream land speed record. I don't think I will make it since Ford limited my Excursion to 100MPH before the speed limiter kicks in.

Perry

I was going to post the same thing. Agree.

[Kosm1o]

This is the Michelin P version Michelin LTX M/S2

and this is the LT version Michelin LTX M/S

The LT version is a little more expensive. I really don't know what makes them different but I suspect the P tire rides better and the LT is a little stiffer.

[RTurnConn]

Originally Posted by Kosm1o

This is the Michelin P version Michelin LTX M/S2

and this is the LT version Michelin LTX M/S

The LT version is a little more expensive. I really don't know what makes them different but I suspect the P tire rides better and the LT is a little stiffer.

Looking at the ad, the P tire has load D and E steel belts for heavier loads(hence the XL designation). If I go with the Michelin, I think it will be the M/S2. (XL).
I hope Ican get this figured out soon, I need to buy a new set by Feb. To many choices and strong opinions. But that makes it interesting!

[perryg114]

The first one is the better tire. It has a 108 service and the second one is 104 service. Also the first one is 1lb heavier. It must be an extra belt on a heavier one (first link) because the tread depth is slightly less than the second tire. I really don't know which is LT and which is P according to their specs.

You want the 108 service rating not 104.

Perry

[RLS]

Originally Posted by perryg114

The first one is the better tire. It has a 108 service and the second one is 104 service. Also the first one is 1lb heavier. It must be an extra belt on a heavier one (first link) because the tread depth is slightly less than the second tire. I really don't know which is LT and which is P according to their specs.

You want the 108 service rating not 104.

Perry

There is another tire to consider. The Continental Vanco 2, size 225/70/15. It is rated for 2,470 lbs. It does lower the trailer 1/2". I've got about 10,000 miles on them. Still look like new. Tire pressure I keep at 62 psi. Trailer weighs about 7,200 - 7,400 when loaded. I also do some very tight turns backing up on the cement driveway. No problems so far!

[perryg114]

Is that Continental tire a trailer tire or what?

Perry

[Xenomorph]

Originally Posted by Kosm1o

This is the Michelin P version Michelin LTX M/S2

and this is the LT version Michelin LTX M/S

The LT version is a little more expensive. I really don't know what makes them different but I suspect the P tire rides better and the LT is a little stiffer.

I have no problem with the M/S model except I can't seem to find it in that size anymore. Not even on the Michelin site. They only have the 16" rim version listed there. Discontinued? Thoughts?

[perryg114]

Sam's club has something similar.

Michelin X Radial LT2 P235/75R15XL 108T

Or this one which is a little bit aggresive for a trailer tire.

Michelin LTX A/T2 P235/75R15/XL 108S

And this one maybe the one you are looking for

Michelin LTX M/S2 P235/75R15/XL 108T

or

BFGoodrich Long Trail T/A Tour - P235/75R15/XL 108T which are the ones I have.

So right here are three Michelin's that would work. You have to special order that takes a couple of days but it makes it easy because you know they will have your tires.

Perry

[Xenomorph]

The AT/2 looks like an off road tire. The X Radial is certainly an option as I have a Costco Card. The X Radial is very similar to the MS/2 Specswise. The only difference I see on the Michelin website is the X Radial weighs *slightly* more at 31.94(X) vs 31.35(MS/2). On the Costco website price is exactly the same too.

[perryg114]

So stop your hand wringing and go buy some tires.

Perry

[Kosm1o]

Originally Posted by Xenomorph

I have no problem with the M/S model except I can't seem to find it in that size anymore. Not even on the Michelin site. They only have the 16" rim version listed there. Discontinued? Thoughts?

Did you call Tire Rack? They could tell you if they are still available.

[Xenomorph]

Originally Posted by Kosm1o

Did you call Tire Rack? They could tell you if they are still available.

No, but the website says there are fewer than 2 available.