Bluegrowler
Paterson ,Washington
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Joined: 01/17/2007
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Hello, I would like some input on buying new tires for a 5ver that we are about to buy. Its a 2002 Terry Dakota has factory tires on it . They look ok , but feel they need replacing at 5 plus yrs. Fact is I will put on new before I pull it home , 160 miles.
What I need is advice on brand , made in the USA?, the size is ST205/75/R14 . What load rating, c or d/ Thank you Ron
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mtofell1
Oregon
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Joined: 12/08/2006
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Everybody has a favorite brand and I'm sure they'll chime in. The #1 thing you have to do is know the weight of the 5ver and buy tires that are capable of carrying it (and hopefully a modest factor of safety).
My 5th weighs about 12000 all loaded up (2K is on the pin so really there's only 10K between 4 tires). Each tire is an E rated capable of 3415 lbs. That is an acceptable setup.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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This is what I would do. Click on the link below and look at the 14" and 15" rims and tires. They are very competively priced, so call for shipping costs. They come already mounted to a new rim, and might be within $20 of buying a tire locally.
The advantage is if you have the space, you can upgrade to 15" rims and even upgrade to load range D if you want to. Then you can tow with the confidence that your tires are only loaded to about 65% to 75% of their maximum capacity, and know you are less likely to have a blowout that when using tires loaded to 95% of their load rating.
You can pick import or Goodyear tires - it is up to you, but you can guess what I would pick, and it is not made in China.
You will need to check the bolt circle (5 bolts with 4.5" diameter through the center of the hub or a different measurement). If you are buying this from a dealer, they will probably accept the tires from the delvery driver, mount them on your trailer, use one of the 14" rims for a spare, then they will exchange the other 3 tires and rims for the labor to install the other 4. Then the dealer will have 3 extra tires to put on other trade-ins.
I would also want radial tires, not biased ply tires, as they will last much longer.
Here is the link.
ETrailerpart.com
Be sure to carefully measure the outside diameter of your 14" tires, they are probably 26" and the 15" rims should have 28" or 30" tall tires. SO if you don't have an extra 6" between the tires, then going up 2" taller will not work well. Each tire will get 1" closer to the other, so you will lose 2" between the tires.
Fred.
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RandACampin
Kathleen, Georgia
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Joined: 04/06/2006
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Another tire thread? 
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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Maxxis shows a commercial hiway LT tire in a LT205/75-14" 8 ply rating (D)at 65psi. Are your present wheels rated for 65 psi ?? As others suggest if you can move up to 15" trailer wheels there are better tires avaiable. Without knowing what GVWR your trailer is were guessing at what you may need. Trailer weight is most important when choosing a good tire for trailer use.
JIM
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
'97 Park Avanue 28' with two slides
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gillguy
Valdosta, GA
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Look at Denman or Maxxis tires.
Bobby (USAF Retired)
2007 Chevy 2500 LBZ Duramax C/C, S/B 4X4
2006 Rockwood 8317SS
1973 Airstream Ambassador
Old Town Penobscot 16
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BC Jim
Bay City, MI
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If you consider Goodyear Marathon, check the country they're made in. I've seen "made in China" on some Marathons.
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SH
Lynden, WA
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Joined: 09/27/2006
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gillguy wrote:Look at Denman or Maxxis tires.
I support this suggestion! Tried the Goodyear's (which are made in China) one blew at only 600 miles. Seems there is little tolerance with tires...be vigilant of weight limits, pressure ratings, and vehicle speeds.
Best of luck! Have a great holiday season and a Happy Camping New Year!
2003 Springdale 279
2007 Chev 2500 LMM Duramax/Allison
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1989 Sporty
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M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
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I started on my 10,000 lb fifth wheel with 15" D tires (1 blowout), immediately switched to 15" E tires (1 blowout), and finally went to 16" Uniroyal Laredo LT E tires and have had no problems since...
Most manufacturers I have seen put on D trailer tires (I said most do so stop typing a response now) which on the heavier RV's are not adequate in my opinion...
ERIC & BEV
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually CC/LB Duramax/Allison
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS fith wheel
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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I'd advise you to get ANYTHING you can find not made in China. Titan is about the only ST tire that I've seen that is made in the USA. Some Goodyear Marathons are made in New Zealand but can be hard to find. Most of them are now Chinese made (apparently by a manufacturer of boats because most call them "junk") 
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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