Chinese Tires
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Delaware
https://www.maxxis.com/Industrial/Tr...ST-Radial.aspx
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,179
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From: The "real" Northern CA
I have researched the ST tire issue heavily as well. It seems that ALL trailer tires are made in China except Maxxis which are made in Thailand. All the Chinese made ST tires have a long list of negative reviews, and some are so bad you'd wonder how they're legal. Do a simple Google search for each manufacture and see what you get. 
There's a reason they're called China bombs.
In saying that, trailers (especially RV trailers) tend to only be moved about 1-2 times a year at most and that lack of use is horrible for any tire. Rubber needs to move to stay pliable. No tire dressing is going to keep a non-moving tire intact which is why they seem to come apart right after moving them from long storage. Another fact is that the life span of trailer tires isn't measured in miles but rather years. Trailer tires are not designed to ever wear out and are usually always kept at or near their maximum weight rating, sometimes under-inflated. They're designed to be run at their maximum air pressure all the time. 5 years and they need to be replaced no matter what they look like because the structural integrity of the rubber becomes too weak. Thats tough for most people so they run them until the quit.
As for their weight ratings, the difference between a ST tire and a LT tire is trailer tires do not have reserves in their ratings because they dont carry human passengers. But LT tires do and therefor have reserves in their ratings which is why they tend to support more weight and have less trouble. Unfortunately LT tires with enough capacity to support trailer weight only come in 16" or larger rims so anyone with 15" or smaller will have to upgrade if they want LT tires. Its strongly suggested that you get trailer tires at their highest rating for your size rim. Being overrated in tire capacity is good.
I have a triple axle trailer with 15's and to upgrade to 16's and LT tires would cost me about $3000. So with respect to that, I'm installing a set of Maxxis tires because they have the highest and best reviews of all available ST tires. I hope they do as well as people praise them.
There's a reason they're called China bombs.In saying that, trailers (especially RV trailers) tend to only be moved about 1-2 times a year at most and that lack of use is horrible for any tire. Rubber needs to move to stay pliable. No tire dressing is going to keep a non-moving tire intact which is why they seem to come apart right after moving them from long storage. Another fact is that the life span of trailer tires isn't measured in miles but rather years. Trailer tires are not designed to ever wear out and are usually always kept at or near their maximum weight rating, sometimes under-inflated. They're designed to be run at their maximum air pressure all the time. 5 years and they need to be replaced no matter what they look like because the structural integrity of the rubber becomes too weak. Thats tough for most people so they run them until the quit.
As for their weight ratings, the difference between a ST tire and a LT tire is trailer tires do not have reserves in their ratings because they dont carry human passengers. But LT tires do and therefor have reserves in their ratings which is why they tend to support more weight and have less trouble. Unfortunately LT tires with enough capacity to support trailer weight only come in 16" or larger rims so anyone with 15" or smaller will have to upgrade if they want LT tires. Its strongly suggested that you get trailer tires at their highest rating for your size rim. Being overrated in tire capacity is good.
I have a triple axle trailer with 15's and to upgrade to 16's and LT tires would cost me about $3000. So with respect to that, I'm installing a set of Maxxis tires because they have the highest and best reviews of all available ST tires. I hope they do as well as people praise them.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,311
Likes: 52
From: Holly Ridge, N.C.
I have researched the ST tire issue heavily as well. It seems that ALL trailer tires are made in China except Maxxis which are made in Thailand. All the Chinese made ST tires have a long list of negative reviews, and some are so bad you'd wonder how they're legal. Do a simple Google search for each manufacture and see what you get. There's a reason they're called China bombs.
In saying that, trailers (especially RV trailers) tend to only be moved about 1-2 times a year at most and that lack of use is horrible for any tire. Rubber needs to move to stay pliable. No tire dressing is going to keep a non-moving tire intact which is why they seem to come apart right after moving them from long storage. Another fact is that the life span of trailer tires isn't measured in miles but rather years. Trailer tires are not designed to ever wear out and are usually always kept at or near their maximum weight rating, sometimes under-inflated. They're designed to be run at their maximum air pressure all the time. 5 years and they need to be replaced no matter what they look like because the structural integrity of the rubber becomes too weak. Thats tough for most people so they run them until the quit.
As for their weight ratings, the difference between a ST tire and a LT tire is trailer tires do not have reserves in their ratings because they dont carry human passengers. But LT tires do and therefor have reserves in their ratings which is why they tend to support more weight and have less trouble. Unfortunately LT tires with enough capacity to support trailer weight only come in 16" or larger rims so anyone with 15" or smaller will have to upgrade if they want LT tires. Its strongly suggested that you get trailer tires at their highest rating for your size rim. Being overrated in tire capacity is good.
I have a triple axle trailer with 15's and to upgrade to 16's and LT tires would cost me about $3000. So with respect to that, I'm installing a set of Maxxis tires because they have the highest and best reviews of all available ST tires. I hope they do as well as people praise them.
There's a reason they're called China bombs.In saying that, trailers (especially RV trailers) tend to only be moved about 1-2 times a year at most and that lack of use is horrible for any tire. Rubber needs to move to stay pliable. No tire dressing is going to keep a non-moving tire intact which is why they seem to come apart right after moving them from long storage. Another fact is that the life span of trailer tires isn't measured in miles but rather years. Trailer tires are not designed to ever wear out and are usually always kept at or near their maximum weight rating, sometimes under-inflated. They're designed to be run at their maximum air pressure all the time. 5 years and they need to be replaced no matter what they look like because the structural integrity of the rubber becomes too weak. Thats tough for most people so they run them until the quit.
As for their weight ratings, the difference between a ST tire and a LT tire is trailer tires do not have reserves in their ratings because they dont carry human passengers. But LT tires do and therefor have reserves in their ratings which is why they tend to support more weight and have less trouble. Unfortunately LT tires with enough capacity to support trailer weight only come in 16" or larger rims so anyone with 15" or smaller will have to upgrade if they want LT tires. Its strongly suggested that you get trailer tires at their highest rating for your size rim. Being overrated in tire capacity is good.
I have a triple axle trailer with 15's and to upgrade to 16's and LT tires would cost me about $3000. So with respect to that, I'm installing a set of Maxxis tires because they have the highest and best reviews of all available ST tires. I hope they do as well as people praise them.
KATOOM:
Excellent post Sir!
I agree 100% with everything you have said and have told almost the exact same thing by my tire dealers where I live.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,179
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From: The "real" Northern CA
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,680
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From: McKinney, TX
..................................................
I have a triple axle trailer with 15's and to upgrade to 16's and LT tires would cost me about $3000. So with respect to that, I'm installing a set of Maxxis tires because they have the highest and best reviews of all available ST tires. I hope they do as well as people praise them.
I have a triple axle trailer with 15's and to upgrade to 16's and LT tires would cost me about $3000. So with respect to that, I'm installing a set of Maxxis tires because they have the highest and best reviews of all available ST tires. I hope they do as well as people praise them.
Are you sure it will cost you $3 grand to go to 16'' LTs? I bought 5 rims and tires (including a brand new spare) for my toyhauler it was well under $1000 at Discount Tire. I guess if it is a chrome aftermarket rim they would be more.
These are plain, relatively inexpensive 16'' rims and BF Goodrich Commercial LT truck tires on my toyhauler that replaced the stock 15'' ST tires. When they need to be replaced I will be going back with the same. If I eventually get another RV trailer, I will be switching them out. No more ST tires for me. Good luck with your purchase.
..
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Fall River Nova Scotia
Bf Tires
Make sure you do a date code check on your Bf Goodrich tires I had one bad.
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/voluntarysafetyrecall
The tires were fine no problems with them.
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/voluntarysafetyrecall
The tires were fine no problems with them.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,179
Likes: 142
From: The "real" Northern CA
Are you sure it will cost you $3 grand to go to 16'' LTs? I bought 5 rims and tires (including a brand new spare) for my toyhauler it was well under $1000 at Discount Tire. I guess if it is a chrome aftermarket rim they would be more.
These are plain, relatively inexpensive 16'' rims and BF Goodrich Commercial LT truck tires on my toyhauler that replaced the stock 15'' ST tires. When they need to be replaced I will be going back with the same. If I eventually get another RV trailer, I will be switching them out. No more ST tires for me. Good luck with your purchase.
These are plain, relatively inexpensive 16'' rims and BF Goodrich Commercial LT truck tires on my toyhauler that replaced the stock 15'' ST tires. When they need to be replaced I will be going back with the same. If I eventually get another RV trailer, I will be switching them out. No more ST tires for me. Good luck with your purchase.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 212
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From: Orcutt, Ca.
If you have 16" wheels, I believe the best tire is a Michelin XPS Rib all steel, tread and sidewall, tires. I've had them on my 12k 5th wheel for eight years, seven on the first set (I called the Michelin factory and they said they could be run for seven years). These are not cheap, but good insurance. My trailer runs 235/85/16E and my last set of four cost $1125.00. With previous brands, B F Goodrich and Dunlap, I have had two tread separations and a blowout (B F Goodrich) and a tread separation (Dunlap). As most of you know, a tire problem on a trailer causes alot of collateral damage, in my case about $3,000.00
Good luck John
Good luck John
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