I did a search but came up blank so here goes:
I'm expecting delivery of my new Voltage 3905 Epic with full body paint in about a week. I'm replacing the factory tires for sure. I'm looking at the Goodyear G614RST (G rated 3750#) and hearing mixed reviews. I've also priced new 17.5" aluminum wheels with Cooper Roadmaster RM160's with 4805# ratings on wheel and tires. Both have 75mph speed ratings. The GVWR of the trailer is 19,000#, pin wt. around 3500#, with 7000# axles and factory 3500#+ China Bomb tires.
My question is, how harsh of a ride could I expect for my TH with the 17.5's? It has Trail Air Equaflex suspension but I hate to beat my trailer to death. Any of you folks make this change?
'13 Voltage 3905 Epic Pkg, Loaded, w/Full Body Paint, 7 Goodyear G614 @110PSI and a China bomb 2nd spare
'08 Chevy 3500 D/A LTZ 4x4 CC Dually
'08 Saturn Sky Red Line- Rides in the Back =-}
'06 Honda 500 Foreman
'10 Custom Club Car Golf Cart- Black n Tan
Hey Cptjohn, looks like you're getting a nice rig! The 17.5's are going to make your new rig really tall! We picked our new 3950 up yesterday, replaced the China Bombs with BFG LT's and it has tons of ground clearance. We got the Trail Air pin box as well, we've used Demco boxes on all our previous rigs with the exception on the Cyclone we just traded. I only have 60 miles on the hitch, it works pretty much like the Demco.
See ya down the road!
1SG USA (RET)
'07 Excel L35TKE/'12 Voltage 3950 Toyhauler
'07 Ford F-650 Pro Hauler
Redwing1 wrote: Hey Cptjohn, looks like you're getting a nice rig! The 17.5's are going to make your new rig really tall! We picked our new 3950 up yesterday, replaced the China Bombs with BFG LT's and it has tons of ground clearance. We got the Trail Air pin box as well, we've used Demco boxes on all our previous rigs with the exception on the Cyclone we just traded. I only have 60 miles on the hitch, it works pretty much like the Demco.
See ya down the road!
Actually, the 17.5's are about the same height to .25" shorter than the 16's.
I've seen a lot of people using LT tires. The highest load rating I see on a BFG Commercial TA is 3415#. That's why I'm looking at the all steel Goodyear or Cooper. Looking for a tire rated higher than the axle since the rubber is the weak link.
Good luck with the Voltage. Can't wait to get mine!
I'm not sure the tires would necessarily ride harsh just because they are 17.5". My fleet of medium-duties has all 19.5" tires, and they range from really smooth (Continentials) to tolerable (Double Coins). I've felt worse in standard 16" AT tires. Just be sure to match the tire pressure to the actual weight, instead of always going my max sidewall.
I have heard that 17.5" tires can be really hard to find in some areas. While you are much less likely to have a flat, you can never rule out strange road hazards. I picked up a police spike strip laying across one lane of highway early one morning, but only after 4 other cars already became victim.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, ~350,000 miles
New Desert Fox in the works!
Be aware of the wheel offset issue if you change wheel size. Check your axle manufacturer specs to stay within offset specs...
Assuming it is a tri axle, I would think you would be fine with the G614. My thoughts are that the reported problems with this tire were due to overloading. You just can't run tires on a heavy trailer without a margin. I just switched out my DURO china tires and can't even begin to tell you how much more tire the G614 is. FWIW...
In all seriousness, are the China tires really that bad or are we just going there because they're from China? That's not a cut, just a question.
My Chinese OEM tires are doing just fine. I keep the pressures right at 80psi every time we roll but so far, they have around 7,000 miles on them and are doing perfect. 95% of the time we're rolling, its on the interstate at around 70 mph.
I do plan to replace these with Goodyears or something similar when the time comes but to replace them now just seems like a waste of money.
Again, this isn't a rant. But I just don't hear enough problems to warrant replacing these tires when they are still in fine shape. I've heard of more blowouts from the domestic models here on rv.net than I have of the Chinese imports.
I talked to my cousin that does a lot of rodeos. He said most trailer tires there are the Goodyear 614's so I guess I'll give them a shot. At least they have a 4 yr. warranty.
I don't know of any suspension suppliers. I guess "Google" may be your friend. My trailer is coming with the Trailair Equaflex and Tri Glide Air Ride pin box.
I sure hope the Voltage treats me as good as my Fuzion did!
lawnspecialties wrote: In all seriousness, are the China tires really that bad or are we just going there because they're from China? That's not a cut, just a question.
Some are bad, some are OK. Chinese or not, they're ALL foreign to me
My old rig with tandem axles blew tires on a regular basis until I replaced them with Goodyear G614's. Then I had no problems.
My current trailer is on Chinese tires and they're doing quite fine (touch-wood) except they're wearing fast (I figure they will be done done done in under 20K miles). I plan to remortgage my house and put 6 GY's on it next year.
lawnspecialties wrote: In all seriousness, are the China tires really that bad or are we just going there because they're from China? That's not a cut, just a question.
My Chinese OEM tires are doing just fine. I keep the pressures right at 80psi every time we roll but so far, they have around 7,000 miles on them and are doing perfect. 95% of the time we're rolling, its on the interstate at around 70 mph.
I do plan to replace these with Goodyears or something similar when the time comes but to replace them now just seems like a waste of money.
Again, this isn't a rant. But I just don't hear enough problems to warrant replacing these tires when they are still in fine shape. I've heard of more blowouts from the domestic models here on rv.net than I have of the Chinese imports.
Here's my personal experience and I'm OCD about checking pressures (always at max) and doing a walk around at every stop:
My 362 Fuzion triple axle came with Chinese 15" D's on it. They lasted 2 years and then, on 1 trip I had 3 blowouts. 1 tore up my sheet metal skirting and wheel flare. No fun changing that many tires on the side of the interstate! When I got home I ordered 7- 16" 6 lug wheels and E rated BCT's (Beijing China Tire). At 500 miles on the new tires all 6 started coming apart. One blew out and left me on the side of the interstate AGAIN! They distorted and twisted so bad they were almost touching each other. I managed to limp to the campground @ 30mph. Dealer replaced all 7 with another brand but I had to leave my camper at the campground 250 miles from home on blocks till I could get back with the new "new" tires. I sold the trailer with about 1000 miles on the newest tires with no problems.
My new Voltage has full body paint so I don't want to take the chance of destroying an $8000 paint job with the factory tires. I also ordered a tire pressure monitor to help with my tire worries.
See why "I" don't want any more China Bombs?
I also want to say I don't think "any" ST trailer tires are made in the USA any more. The Goodyear 614 is an LT tire with a trailer rating.
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