OK let's sum it up - tire replacement

[mykytiukr]

LT235/85R16 Goodyear preferred! But any name brand will be fine! Same tire for the tow vehicle!!! Motor On!!!

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

...snip....
Even if you buy into the derating bs crowd.

...snip...

Oy vey....

I'll assume you didn't intend to insult me, or others who use that formula, or Switz whose reply #17 here just after yours outlined exactly why the derating "bs" isn't - and is actually instead worth implementing.

Do what you like based on whatever it is you think you understand. But know that our tires - you and I have the same exact ones on our trailers - are P(assenger) tires - not light truck tires despite the marketing of the "LTX" branding at the END (not the beginning) of the tire stamp and that people smarter than you and I - whose careers are spent in this space - require that derating when P tires are used on a trailer.

Now have a salubrious day [emoji3]

[4Kilefamily]

Could someone give a quick review of how ST tires are different and better for trailer towing than LT tires ??

[delrossa]

I have a 28’ FC. Last year I replaced the Marathons with the Endurance’s. These tires are rated higher and are made in the USA. So far they seem great. I recommend these plus a tire monitor system.
Good luck.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by 4Kilefamily

Could someone give a quick review of how ST tires are different and better for trailer towing than LT tires ??

They say SPECIAL TRAILER on their sidewalls.

[Johnnyooo]

If those are the original tires, they need to be replaced...Go with Michelin...You won't regret it...What's important is how you maintain them ...The right air pressure and the weight in the trailer is well balanced...any tire can fail if you don't do the proper inflation.

[GandW]

I went with GY Endurance. Why? Higher weight, speed and pressure ratings. Didn't have to change rims. And they make America great!

[GandW]

And they are trailer rated.

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Guess I'm the exception, I've had GYM D's since new,(9tires), no failures, one nail.

Will be replacing with the new Goodyear Endurance ST's when due.

If it ain't broke, fix it till it is....

Bob

Basically the same experience here and will end up with the same result.
Goodyear Endurance going on in a couple of weeks to get ready for 3 trips this summer.

[rdb504]

I am currently running used Goodyear Marathon's with zero issues, I run 65 mph, which is what is the speed rating of this tire. Upon my return from the West coast where we presently are, my plan is to install new Goodyear Endurance tires, US made, 85 mph rated. The old Marathon's are made in China, but as I said, no problems from NC to Maine and back, to Mississippi and back, and now California. I run them @ 65 psi / 65 mph. 73 Ambassador with new axles last year.

[KK4YZ]

Ive been wringing my hands on this forum for the past year with the same question. My 2017 FC came with GYM’s. We traveled about 3-4K miles last year with no problem. BUT, with all the horror stories about GYM,I’m not waiting til the explodathons cause damage to my AS.

From all the experienced guys on this forum I figured there are at least three good alternatives: Michelin (Either 16”LT OR 15” LTX), Nokian 15” LT, and Goodyear Endurance. I’m sure there are other good alternatives.

Talked to my local tire Guy and we decided to go with the Endurance. Had them installed today. With an unmounted GYM and Endurance on the stop floor, I compared stiffness in the sidewall. Huge difference.

I added a TPMS last year. An undetected slow leak on the highway will cause any tire to fly apart eventually. TPMS is something you should do.

Did I make the best choice? Who can be sure? Is my situation improved? I’m pretty sure it is. FWIW

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by 4Kilefamily

Could someone give a quick review of how ST tires are different and better for trailer towing than LT tires ??

I’m no tire expert but I’ll tell you what I understand from the experts: because trailer whhels don’t steer, the tires on a tandem axle trailer experience high stresses during a tight turn on pavement. The tires tend to get dragged sideways a bit. ST Tires supposedly have stiffer sidewalls to put up with this stress. However there’s a lot of very good experience here with non-ST tires. If you use non-st tires on your trailer you’re supposed to derate load capacity by 10%.

Also there’s a lot of bad experience with Marathons.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by switz

I installed the 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires (sidewall rated 2,183 pounds and derated to 1,985 pounds) on our 2013 25FB International Serenity before the first trip after getting it home from the selling dealership. Andy Thompson at CanAm in London, Ontario, Canada has installed literally thousands of this model and size tire on Airstreams for years, even six of them on a 34' Classic.

I also upgraded from the stock 14" tires and wheels that came with our 2015 23D International Serenity before leaving the selling dealer's lot to 15" SenDel T03-56545T wheels (rated 2,150 pounds at 60 psi) with Centramatic wheel balancers (part #200-221), Dill 1506-453 TPMS and Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires.

Tire loads for 23D

Tongue………928
Front….1,280……1,246 - total front axle 2,526
Rear…..1,376……1,233 - total rear axle 2.609
Total Axles………5,135
Total Trailer….6,063

Using "P" rated tires in tailer applications requires a 10% derating per the regulation below:

***********************
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.

***********************************

I switched out the stock 15" GYM tires and stock 15" wheels on the 2014 31' Classic for 16" SenDel T03-66655T wheels (rated 3,580, pound at 80 psi) and Michelin LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 tires rated 2,680 pounds @ 80 psi. We use 72/73 psi when towing.

The Classic tire loads are

……1200……——1200 Tongue

2034……2042—4076

1921…….2062—3983

Total weight——9259

Since I have used only Michelin tires on all of my cars and trucks for nearly 50 years with no tire failures, I put them our Airstreams as well.

I had GYM ST tires fail on multiple motorcycle trailers over the years. I could not remove them fast enough from our Airstream trailers.

The problem with these rules is that they have never been revised to reflect modern tire technologies. The ST tire is an abomination. The very method of construction guarantees failure.

[switz]

What is, is, and what I think about it does not change the reality. That regulation may be more stale than last month’s bread, but it is still the rule we must operate by if we want to use “P” rated tires on a trailer. The derating of a replacement “P” tire means that the insurance company can not deny coverage for a tire related incident if the proper rating tire is installed.

[megamike]

so i guess it's down to Michelin LTX/MS2/P235 R15/108T or Goodyear Endurance... any final thought?
just as a curiosity, why people here recommend going 16? why would it be worth it going trough buying rims and all?
sorry, i just really try to make it simple to the ones of use that don't have much experience and the last thing we want is body damage to our Airstream lol

[bwoodtx]

I have '97 30' Classic. I have run the Michelin LTX P235/75R15 XL for the last 5 years with no issues. The load rating on the tire was 2185. Recently Michelin has come out with a newer version: the Michelin Defender LTX M/S P235/75R15 XL with a load rating of 2271. When I replaced the older tires, there was no noticeable treadwear and the tracking characteristics and stopping characteristics were outstanding.

No need to go to a 16" tire-you are just wasting money IMHO.

These tires are on all my trailers, especially the one which I use to haul my Great Pyrenees dogs to the kennel or vet.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by megamike

so i guess it's down to Michelin LTX/MS2/P235 R15/108T or Goodyear Endurance... any final thought?

just as a curiosity, why people here recommend going 16? why would it be worth it going trough buying rims and all?

sorry, i just really try to make it simple to the ones of use that don't have much experience and the last thing we want is body damage to our Airstream lol

Those are the two *I* would think of. Others may want different choices - see my initial reply.

The 16 is for 2 reasons as far as I can tell:

1) to get load capacity - the Michelin 16 is nearly 2200# per tire, the 15 about 2000 (1984 derated)

2) the 16 is an LT (light truck) tire - the 15 is a Passenger car tire (not that it CAN'T be used on a trailer - but it DOES have to be de-rated). The GYE ST tire can be had in an E load (2830#/tire) at 15" vs Michelin derated P 15" tires at 1984# load capacity per tire.

Make sense?

[bwoodtx]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Those are the two *I* would think of. Others may want different choices - see my initial reply.

The 16 is for 2 reasons as far as I can tell:

1) to get load capacity - the Michelin 16 is nearly 2200# per tire, the 15 about 2000 (1984 derated)

2) the 16 is an LT (light truck) tire - the 15 is a Passenger car tire (not that it CAN'T be used on a trailer - but it DOES have to be de-rated). The GYE ST tire can be had in an E load (2830#/tire) at 15" vs Michelin derated P 15" tires at 1984# load capacity per tire.

Make sense?

Steve-
You need to check the load ratings on the Defender. You are quoting specs for the older version of the 15" Michelin

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by megamike

so i guess it's down to Michelin LTX/MS2/P235 R15/108T or Goodyear Endurance... any final thought?
just as a curiosity, why people here recommend going 16? why would it be worth it going trough buying rims and all?
sorry, i just really try to make it simple to the ones of use that don't have much experience and the last thing we want is body damage to our Airstream lol

It’s very difficult to get LT tires on 15” rims. That’s why people (some) have gone to 16”. The Nokian is the only LT tire available in 15”. They’re supposed to be great tires. Availability just isn’t there yet from what I can see.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by bwoodtx

Steve-
You need to check the load ratings on the Defender. You are quoting specs for the older version of the 15" Michelin

Thanks - I think you're right - they may have around 50# more per tire (or something like that) in the current version - I have the older version. Thanks for pointing that out.