I need to replace the tires on my camper. They are ST235/80R16's load range D. The local places don't carry them but one has the St235/80R16 E's ($101.00)and another has a LT235/85R16 E(this is what I have on my horse trailer) at 151.00. Anyone know of somewhere cheaper to get them on line?
Good tires ain't cheap, cheap tires ain't good... Just don't replace them with Carlisle or any of the other Chinese built tires..... It will just cost you alot more in the long run.
Posted 2009-05-05 12:10 AM (#104464 - in reply to #104460) Subject: RE: tires
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I have no intentions of buying cheapies. My kids are going to be riding with me! I hadn't thought of looking for take offs. I'll have to check into that. We are going to Fl come Sept and I want to take the camper but we have to get new tires first.
Posted 2009-05-05 3:32 AM (#104467 - in reply to #104464) Subject: RE: tires
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by Terri on 2009-05-05 1:10 AM
I have no intentions of buying cheapies. My kids are going to be riding with me! I hadn't thought of looking for take offs. I'll have to check into that. We are going to Fl come Sept and I want to take the camper but we have to get new tires first.
What "brand" does the camper have on it now? Had any trouble with them? How old are they?.... Going to be tough finding an "ST-80" series takeoff..... An "LT-85" series is a little taller, you may have some clearence issues with the taller tire, some of those campers sit might close to the tire when loaded. Measure, measure, measure...
Posted 2009-05-05 6:09 AM (#104468 - in reply to #104453) Subject: RE: tires
Regular
Posts: 85 Location: Foothills of the Smokeys
While traveling to Tex from Tn. A friend and I were both pulling 3 horse trailers with 10ft. lq in Tex. Phil blowed a tire on his 05 Sundowner . a lot of damage to the side .after replacing the tire for 300 dollars a few days later he blows another tire on the opposite side. more damage. These were Trail American tires. low miles. any way to tell what year they were made?
Posted 2009-05-05 6:30 AM (#104469 - in reply to #104468) Subject: RE: tires
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by mud_dog on 2009-05-05 7:09 AM
While traveling to Tex from Tn. A friend and I were both pulling 3 horse trailers with 10ft. lq in Tex. Phil blowed a tire on his 05 Sundowner . a lot of damage to the side .after replacing the tire for 300 dollars a few days later he blows another tire on the opposite side. more damage. These were Trail American tires. low miles. any way to tell what year they were made?
They are built in China, Taiwan, etc... Notice on their web site they dont list any contact info... The country of origin should be stamped on the sidewall.
Posted 2009-05-05 2:48 PM (#104493 - in reply to #104467) Subject: RE: tires
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
We haven't had any problems with the brand that is on the camper. I'm not exactly sure how old they are. We bought the camper new in Feb 06 but it has been sitting and the side walls are really checked/cracked. I'd rather not chance a 3000 mile trip with them in that condition.
The camper is loaded right now, we went to the lake last weekend and I haven't unloaded it. I'll have to go out and measure the tires and check the clearances.
Posted 2009-05-05 9:29 PM (#104515 - in reply to #104453) Subject: RE: tires
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Southern Indiana
OK I'll probably catch flack for this one.. But try a junk yard. yes a junk yard. Look at the spare tires. Most of them have never been on the ground. I can usually find 4 brand name matching tire. Sometimes I might have to wait a week or two for some fresh kill to come in. But its worth the time looking. Most of the time I can get all 4 for the price of a new one. Then another 40-50 bucks to have them mounted and balanced and the old one disposed off.. Just my 2 cents worth.
Posted 2009-05-05 9:54 PM (#104519 - in reply to #104515) Subject: RE: tires
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by apex6000 on 2009-05-05 10:29 PM
OK I'll probably catch flack for this one.. But try a junk yard. yes a junk yard. Look at the spare tires. Most of them have never been on the ground. I can usually find 4 brand name matching tire. Sometimes I might have to wait a week or two for some fresh kill to come in. But its worth the time looking. Most of the time I can get all 4 for the price of a new one. Then another 40-50 bucks to have them mounted and balanced and the old one disposed off.. Just my 2 cents worth.
How old are those brand new spares that have never been on the ground...?? 4-5-6-7 years old?
Posted 2009-05-06 9:09 AM (#104535 - in reply to #104528) Subject: RE: tires
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2009-05-06 2:10 AM
The problem with using LT instead of ST...is the less rigid sidewalls on the LT...
The LT tires do not have the lower speed limitations as do many of the ST tires.
The LT tires are designed to work well on the steering axles of the towing vehicle, under varying side loadings and road conditions. They not only support the towing vehicle, but part of the trailer load as well.
The effected lateral loading of a towed trailer, is less than that encountered by the towing vehicle when encountering a turn. When a trailer is towed through a turn, its arc is less than that of the towing vehicle. If the loading is the same ratio for both vehicles tires, the trailer will encounter less of a lateral loading. If the LT tires are stable enough for the towing vehicle, they are equally so for a trailer.
I have never encountered a stability problem while towing trailers equipped with radial truck LT tires. Both of my LQs trailers are fitted with these tires.
Posted 2009-05-07 1:07 AM (#104582 - in reply to #104453) Subject: RE: tires
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
http://www.horsewheels.net/V1%20I2%20Trailer%20Tires.pdf Trailers that carry heavy loads, have high vertical side loads, or have inadequate tongue weight can be affected by trailer sway. Passenger car (P) or light truck (LT) bias or radial tires with their more flexible sidewalls can accentuate trailer sway, whereas the stiffer sidewalls of special trailer (ST) tires help to control and reduce sway. For this reason it is not recommended that passenger car (P) or light truck (LT) tires be used on trailers. The best trailer control will be achieved with special trailer (ST) tires.For trailer application, it is essential that you select the correct type, construction, size, and load range tires to match your trailer and its capacity requirements.Special trailer (ST) tires are the best choice for a horse trailer, though they are normally more expensive than passenger car (P) or light truck (LT) tires because they are built tougher with more material and are more bruise resistant. This is necessary because most trailer suspension systems are stiffer and less sophisticated than automotive and light truck suspension systems. Consequently, special trailer tires must be capable of withstanding more abuse. YMMV...
Posted 2009-05-07 9:19 AM (#104602 - in reply to #104453) Subject: RE: tires
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
When we twice jackknifed at 65 mph, the truck was being pushed in the opposite direction of the trailer. It was only the trailer's stability and brakes, that prevented the truck from tucking under and rolling over. The trailer still has the same LT tires, the truck doesn't.
I will gladly attest to the suitability of LT tires on a trailer, even when they are subjected to extreme conditions. Been there and done that.
Posted 2009-05-07 8:53 PM (#104641 - in reply to #104453) Subject: RE: tires
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
I guess for the sake of discussion I will throw this out. Had an OEM Goodyear Wrangler HT (LT235/85-16) come apart at the edge of the tread last week. I would guess it came from a heavily loaded 14,000 # trailer, loaded to the max and a tight turn. I personally feel more comfortable with the ST tires on my trailers. That's what I will replace these with. Haven't really researched it a lot, but I have been told that the biggest difference in ST and LT is the ST is designed for heavier loaded turns and also more resistant to weatherchecking. It has something to do with how the cords are laid and connected to each other ??????
Posted 2009-05-07 9:14 PM (#104642 - in reply to #104641) Subject: RE: tires
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I guess for the sake of discussion I will throw this out. Had an OEM Goodyear Wrangler HT (LT235/85-16) come apart at the edge of the tread last week. I would guess it came from a heavily loaded 14,000 # trailer, loaded to the max and a tight turn. I personally feel more comfortable with the ST tires on my trailers. That's what I will replace these with. Haven't really researched it a lot, but I have been told that the biggest difference in ST and LT is the ST is designed for heavier loaded turns and also more resistant to weatherchecking. It has something to do with how the cords are laid and connected to each other ??????
The problem with my ST tires is the checking. The ST's are the same age as my LT's and the LT's aren't checking.
I just went and double checked and the LT's are 6months older than the ST's.
Posted 2009-05-07 9:27 PM (#104644 - in reply to #104453) Subject: RE: tires
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Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
Haven't experienced any weather checking with either one. Maybe just lucky or I wear them out too fast. My main reason for the ST tire is that I tend to load my tires to the max and I feel more comfortable with the ST. If I wasn't as concerned about the weight I'd probably go with the LT tire just for the price.
Posted 2009-05-07 10:43 PM (#104649 - in reply to #104644) Subject: RE: tires
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
If I wasn't as concerned about the weight I'd probably go with the LT tire just for the price.
As long as the tire is rated for the load I don't see why there would be a problem. Around here the ST's are cheaper. $101 for the ST's or $150 for the LT's.
Posted 2009-05-08 2:49 AM (#104655 - in reply to #104453) Subject: RE: tires
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
I guess I'll clear that up. I only buy Goodyear RST 614 tires(235/85R16). I have 5 trailers that run that size and that's what they get. Not my favorite brand of manufacture, but the only one I trust in this situation. I will not buy a foreign brand. The last set I bought came in at just under $250 each. An LT would be cheaper I'm sure! My only reason for chiming in was to mention what happened to my LT tire recently. The ST tires are better built for loaded tight turns than LT tires, you know when you get in a bind and look back and think you should be snapping the spindles off. You buy whatever fits your situation.
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