I have tried to read all relevant postings, I have gone to the mfg. web sites and I am still lacking answers to help me decide between:
Goodyear G614 RST and
Michelin XPS Rib
I am hauling a 4Star horse trailer/living quarters. It weighs, minus the horse, 9042#. Fully loaded with two horses will be slightly under 12,000# That is trailer weight and contents not weight on axles since the Truck will be carrying some. Axles are 7000#
The trailer came with Mastercraft LT Load range E tires. We go quickly down the road often more than 65 mph. Never had any problems, tires do not get hot. They must be over 4 years old but seem to be holding up well.
I contacted the Trailer Mfg (Four Star) They are now recommending the Goodyear G614 RST with new rims.
My question is: Will the extra load capacity of the Goodyear compensate for the hi speed or am I better off with the Michelin tires with arguably better speed and sufficient load limit. Also when doing tight backing I worry about the stress being put on the sidewalls of thses LT type tires.
Also I have good experience with Michelin for the truck and no experience with Goodyear.
Posted 2007-08-11 5:58 PM (#65630 - in reply to #65620) Subject: RE: Trailer Tires Michelin vs Goodyear
Member
Posts: 12
Location: Phoenix
I have had both and currently use the Michelin RIB Tires. The Michelin seem to come more recommended in my area and have friends with 8-9 horse trailers that drive cross-country with the Michelin RIBs and have had no flats with them. The Michelins I have are a year old and I have had no problems even with all the heat in AZ but never had any trouble with the Goodyears either.
Posted 2007-08-11 7:06 PM (#65633 - in reply to #65620) Subject: RE: Trailer Tires Michelin vs Goodyear
Location: Texas
The Goodyear is 14 ply versus 10 ply for the Michelin. They are also twice the price. They are as good a tire as I have been able to find, but high priced. If you don't need the extra weight capacity, don't spend the extra money on them. If you want the best, get the Goodyear. They are also the only "G" rated tire I have been able to find that has a speed rating higher than 62 mph, and I have researched a lot of them. At 62 mph, I would soon get discouraged and go back home. I put a lot of hard miles on them and they have not failed. They are just expensive.
Posted 2007-08-11 7:29 PM (#65636 - in reply to #65620) Subject: RE: Trailer Tires Michelin vs Goodyear
Location: Texas
I forgot to add that I run Michelin 12 ply XPS tires on my truck and have had good luck with them. They just don't make a trailer tire to compete with the 614.
Posted 2007-08-11 7:58 PM (#65642 - in reply to #65620) Subject: RE: Trailer Tires Michelin vs Goodyear
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
Sounds like you are familiar with weight/capacity issues with tires, what you need to find out is what the speed rating on the Michelin is. Goodyear trailer tires are the only ones I have found with a speed rating of 70mph. I haven't found a tire rated higher. What the speed rating means is they are rated to go 6 hours non-stop at that speed. You can drive faster than the speed rating without too much worry (not taking into consideration what the speed limit is, etc) but not for an extended period of time. With todays auxillary fuel tanks many rigs are quite capable of going 6 hours non-stop so speed ratings are something to pay attention to. If the Michelin is a new model maybe it does have a higher speed rating but that would be a question for the Michelin folks. I was able to find a tire guide on Goodyear's website with all their tire speed ratings (and other specs) I imagine Michelin has something similar available.
Trailer Tires Michelin vs Goodyear
