Well after 5 years (6 on the tires) we finally ponied-up for a new set of shoes. The original 235/80-16's were baked and running out of tread (thanks in part to the wonderful tire scrubbing 3-axle trailers do) so we upgraded. I was looking into the LT type of tire after reading so much about them here. I liked that there are more options in the LT line than in the trailer line. In fact, the replacement Goodyear 614's would have been $330 each x 6. Not cool. After some searching and giving some trust to my tire guy, I went with 6 265/75-16"s. for $150 each I purchased 6 Cooper Discoverer HT's that have a rating of over 3400 pounds each. That is 800 pounds total over each axle's capacity so that should help cover the LT extra capacity need I've read about here. I anticipate better traction as the tread is significantly grippier than what was on there. Can't wait for our first real trip in a few weeks!
Side note: The old tires were a bit chewed up (Out-of-round) from never being balanced, according to the installer. I never even thought they would not bother balancing 6 tires on a rig like this. I may not have felt it in my TV, but I'm sure it did not help the trailer's ride much.
08 Jayco Recon ZX 40' 3 axle T/H, dual A/C, 2006 RAM 3500 Cummins Dually, Pac Brake, Banks CAI, Monster Exhaust, 3.5" RAM intake, 51 Gal aux tank w/ tool box, 265/70/17 Goodyear Wrangler SA Pro Grades, Reese Sig series 24K hitch. DVD/NAV/Backup Camera.
Good choice. I used Bridgestone tires that were rated at 3415# at 80PSI and I have always replaced my RV tires with the E rated tires that worked well for me.
Frank
2011 Palomino Maverick 1000SLLB on a 2004 Dodge Quadcab CTD Ram3500 SRW long bed equipped with Timbren springs, Stable Load bump stops, Rickson 19.5" wheels/"G" range tires and a Helwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar.
rsg63 wrote: Well after 5 years (6 on the tires) we finally ponied-up for a new set of shoes. The original 235/80-16's were baked and running out of tread (thanks in part to the wonderful tire scrubbing 3-axle trailers do) so we upgraded.
After some searching and giving some trust to my tire guy, I went with 6 265/75-16"s. for $150 each I purchased 6 Cooper Discoverer HT's that have a rating of over 3400 pounds each. trailer's ride much.
Rsg . . . . .I have ST235/80-16 tires, Trail Express (China tires).
Is there any size problem going from that size to LT265/75-16??
thanks ken
2011 Ford F-350 6.7 diesel, Crew Cab, LB, SRW, 4X4, White
Cedar Creek 34SB, 37 feet 5th wheel, Reese 20K Hitch
"So many questions, so little time."
rsg63 wrote: Well after 5 years (6 on the tires) we finally ponied-up for a new set of shoes. The original 235/80-16's were baked and running out of tread (thanks in part to the wonderful tire scrubbing 3-axle trailers do) so we upgraded.
After some searching and giving some trust to my tire guy, I went with 6 265/75-16"s. for $150 each I purchased 6 Cooper Discoverer HT's that have a rating of over 3400 pounds each. trailer's ride much.
Rsg . . . . .I have ST235/80-16 tires, Trail Express (China tires).
Is there any size problem going from that size to LT265/75-16??
thanks ken
Need 7" wheel and a rib tread pattern to mitigate the extra tread width. Extra tread width will scrub and stress suspension more.
rsg63 wrote: Well after 5 years (6 on the tires) we finally ponied-up for a new set of shoes. The original 235/80-16's were baked and running out of tread (thanks in part to the wonderful tire scrubbing 3-axle trailers do) so we upgraded.
After some searching and giving some trust to my tire guy, I went with 6 265/75-16"s. for $150 each I purchased 6 Cooper Discoverer HT's that have a rating of over 3400 pounds each. trailer's ride much.
Rsg . . . . .I have ST235/80-16 tires, Trail Express (China tires).
Is there any size problem going from that size to LT265/75-16??
thanks ken
Ken, that's exactly the size I came from and the small difference is size is so little that there is no issue at all. I've already taken her down the highway, into of-pitch/camber driveways, tight turns all without a problem. The tires are going to scrub either way and the contact patch is only very slightly larger. IMHO I like the idea of a slightly larger contact patch since 99.9% of my time is spent going down the highway, not making 90 degree turns. Any assist on cross-winds, wet roads, braking is all welcome to me. Everyone will have an opinion on this and of course their opinion is "the" opinion. But I posted this because I wanted to share the news and that we are very happy with our decision.
You know what elese is great about going to the LT's? Full road hazard and mileage warranty (we paid $23 extra per tire for that). Trailer tires are not offered with this type of protection even if you're willing to pay for it. Granted mileage is not provable in a trailer, but if they wear like eraser rubber, they will be replaced free. ("Free" is relative here as I did pay for a warranty...)
Win-win-win-win.
Strength, Ride, Cost, Warranty.
Some folks express their opinion based on years of actual experience vs some experience vs no experience.
There are reasons trailer manufacturers don't use nor do they recommend wide base tires like the 265 on a multi axle trailer.
Best of luck with your decission and double check the trailers suspension/wheels and the tires themselves for side load stress issues.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
JIMNLIN wrote: Some folks express their opinion based on years of actual experience vs some experience vs no experience.
There are reasons trailer manufacturers don't use nor do they recommend wide base tires like the 265 on a multi axle trailer.
Best of luck with your decission and double check the trailers suspension/wheels and the tires themselves for side load stress issues.
Interesting comment. Not sure who you directed that at since you probably do not actually know anyone on this site, therefore do not actually know what their 'experience' level is. It is a relative term anyway. Experience with trailers? Experience with trucks? With the combination of the two? Just limited to RV trailers or including Semi-trailers and tractors? The list could go on an on. And since most of us have not met, we should not assume such things.
And yes there are reasons manufacturers do a lot of things Jimlin, but surprisingly the reasons are not always because of proper engineering needs. Often times it's for monetary reasons.
And finally: "Wide based tires"? Do you actually know how wide these are compared to what Jayco installed? 1" wider, total. That's 1/2" on each side! Not worth mentioning, yet you focused on it.
Well, I stick by my decision as we are on day three with the rig and it's been great. No issues in tight parking lots and a dream on the highway. Really, that was the whole point of my OP anyway. Happy trails everyone!
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2005 GMC 2500Dmax C/C S/B with 06 air box.
Reese 16k Slider hitch.
2006 Everest 344J.3500lbs springs, Monroe shocks, LED taillights Travelsoft water softener.
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