LT Tire Survey

[sarasafari]

I hate to repeat what has probably been posted, but I renovated my '69 23' Safari and it needs new tires. I've been through some domestic issues (ahem) and got side lined. So, what say ye, fine folks?

[lahrfarm]

If we're ever at the same place, I'll buy the beer!

[xrvr]

I stand by my on the road experience about both tires. Who cares what they look like in the showroom or how noisy they are! I found both tires satisfactory and prefer the Firestones. Opinions vary. Jim

[Cardinal283]

I've always found it interesting how people will rave about tire A and dump on tire B. What are they basing their opinions on? Did they do some testing of their own? Get out in the rain and measure the stopping distance of each tire? Did they get a spectrum analyzer out to see if the tire is quieter or louder and at what frequencies? Did they measure sidewall flex of the two? Temperature build up?

They are based on purely anecdotal experiences such as: I didn't have a blow out using A and I did with B so I like A more than B.... Well you also didn't hit a branch in the road with A or you didn't accidentally run it under inflated/over loaded like you did with B.

The tread on A lasted 2 years longer with a than B. Well you also had tight properly lubricated bearings when you had A. You put new tires on but didn't repack the bearings. Or the shocks on the trailer are still the factory shocks. They don't last forever you know.

So many factors that people overlook.

[tjdonahoe]

After reading these last posts,I don't think you guys should be drinking beer together, unless you are 850 miles part, you might start talking about religion or politics, like I said my gyms' are doing good......

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

After reading these last posts,I don't think you guys should be drinking beer together, unless you are 850 miles part, you might start talking about religion or politics, like I said my gyms' are doing good......

I got bad news for you TJ, all those GYM's do good, until they don't.....

Watch for bulges in the tread area. That's what they do right before they throw the tread, tear up the trailer, and blow out.

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by SteveH

I got bad news for you TJ, all those GYM's do good, until they don't.....

That pretty much sums up all tires of all types that have caused problems


George

[Msmoto]

The Firestones I looked at certainly looked the same as all the Michelins i have purchased. But, I do not know much about how a good vs. a bad tire looks.....just have to base my opinion on what a very reliable dealer tells me.

I suspect this discussion has become more of something other than about tires, unless we have someone who may have extensive experience with LT tires, as in a fleet manager, or similar.

In any case, I have some wheels coming from Ohio, and will have the tires mounted by the weekend, on the trailer in a few days. And then photos!

[r carl]

I still remember what Bridgestone did when they bought Firestone in the mid 1990's. I have friends here that worked at the Goodyear plant here and in their union news letter they were asking members to boycott Bridgestone-Firestone because the first thing Bridgestone did when they bought Firestone was fire all the employees at a plant in southern US and told them they can come back to work for $8 an hour.

[fordfarmer]

I question wheather you need to go to an LT tire for a 4800 # trailer. Others should post on this. The LT difference is in the sidewall. The Michilin (and a few other brands) difference is in the ride and tread assembly and dependability. Try to find a radial tire with load range E. That increases the layers of tire tread base, and also the weight rating. Having said that, I experienced blowouts with my 27' Argosy. But not as many as my '89 Argosy fifth wheel. I just went whole hog and will have some 15" nearly new load range E tires and wheels for sale.

[xrvr]

There's no one on this forum that I wouldn't want to have a beer with. We all have and are entitled to our opinions. These discussions aren't going to affect the problems of the world, but are a good release from them. I have breakfast with people who are totally oposite of me politically. They are my BEST friends. We have great discussions. I respect them as I respect those on the forums I may disagree with. Peace,jim

[tjdonahoe]

My experience with my big truck tires, is not to wear them completely down, I always pull them early ,I use michelin, BfG, and Bridgestone and they all seem to develop problems, with 6 super singles on the trailer, 2 will run excellent, 2 will have problems , 2 will be so-so, just the luck of the draw...

[sarasafari]

Sorry folks, but I have to ask this. Do regular tire dealers sell these tires? I say "AS travel trailer" and people hang up on me. Is there a chain out ther? Tires plus, Pep Boys?

[dznf0g]

Some tire dealers are hesitant to install anything on a trailer except an ST...presumably due to their perception of potential liability.

I remove my wheels and take them in. They have never questioned that.

[FishinHatteras]

Originally Posted by avionstream

There's no one on this forum that I wouldn't want to have a beer with. We all have and are entitled to our opinions. These discussions aren't going to affect the problems of the world, but are a good release from them. I have breakfast with people who are totally oposite of me politically. They are my BEST friends. We have great discussions. I respect them as I respect those on the forums I may disagree with. Peace,jim

Well said avion. VERY well said. A resounding "Amen" from this corner!

[GCinSC2]

Might depend on the brand of beer being shared, but the offer is always accepted. IPA is mighty fine.

Yes, I prefer round black tires with air in them. 😎

[Moflash]

I use to work for Firestone Tire Corp. I buy Michelin's.
The reasons for buying 16's vs 15's are as follows

A better grade tire more suitable for our application is available in 16's
LTX or Rib.(these Ltx series are constructed differently than 15 Ltx's that are lighter duty tires).
Better sidewalls,higher load rating and it can be ran at a lower pressure than its maximum ( do to higher load rating than required for our trailers)for a smoother ride.

1/2 inch of additional ground clearance.

And they just look cooler!


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Msmoto]

I talked with a friend who owns a large truck company and he has Firestones on his personal Suberban, but on the big rigs, Michelin and Bridgestone are the ones that the manufacturer is easiest to deal with. However, with the weight of about 7200 on the wheels across the scales, the Firestones are what I have chosen based upon several folks who were running these with no issues.

Now if I could figure out how to insert a photo....mmmm.... I would show the new wheels.


Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB / 2008 Dodge Cummins 4 X 4
WBCCI #4165 AIR #31871

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Msmoto

I talked with a friend who owns a large truck company and he has Firestones on his personal Suberban, but on the big rigs, Michelin and Bridgestone are the ones that the manufacturer is easiest to deal with. However, with the weight of about 7200 on the wheels across the scales, the Firestones are what I have chosen based upon several folks who were running these with no issues

Firestone popular with the hotshot oilfield crowd. Not better than premium tires, but a better price for tires that will be destroyed by lease roads no matter the brand.

Was 7200-lbs with WD applied? How much did WD add to TT axle weight?

[Msmoto]

The weights were, as I remember, steer axle 4400, drive axle 4300, TT 7200. As I understand the way things work weight distribution simply changes how weight is distributed on TV, and does not alter TT weight.


Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB / 2008 Dodge Cummins 4 X 4
WBCCI #4165 AIR #31871