This has been a terrible weekend for the me as far as tires go. It begins with a call from my wife on saturday saying that she has blown a tire on her car. One of her 6 week old Yokahama's blows apart and ruins a 17" wheel. I am still looking at which direction to go there. Factory wheels arent cheap.

Meanwhile, on sunday, I am on the way home from the racetrack pulling my trailer. It is a 36ft gooseneck that weighs about 12k loaded. It has 2 8 lug axles running 16" wheels and E rated tires. I am thinking about dealing with her tire situation this week when one of my trailer tires blows apart leaving a dented fender and black marks on the side of my trailer. I can't believe what just happened. 2 tires....different vehicles....within a 24hr period.

This is the second one of the current Goodyear tires that have blown on me. The first one didnt cause trailer damage like this one did. I had to replace it with what was available at the time, and it was a Uniroyal. Now, I am at the point that I DO NOT want this to happen again. I know that it is not a totally unavoidabled situation, but I want the best tires possible.

I check my pressure regularly , and I maintain them at 80 psi. I keep an eye on the tires, so neglect is not an issue. I do not have much faith is in the Goodyears. I am thinking that i will replace all four of them with Michelin XPS rib tires.

Is this my best choice?

Is there another tire option possibly of a different size rim diameter that I could go with?

Is there a direct fit steel wheel that would use something like a 19.5" tire that I could get in a extreme load bearing tire while maintaining the same height as the current tire?

Is there something that will remove black rubber stains from the side of a trailer ?[

The bottom line is that I am looking for the best and safest option that is within reason, and I am not scared to spend a little money to make sure that it is. I sometimes come back from races late at night and most all of our traveling is on weekends. I do not need the hassle of blowing out more tires than I have spares and wondering what to do next.

I am open to suggestion before I buy the Michelins. I would be willing to change wheels to a different diameter if they were a direct fit to my axles.

 

what were model were the goodyears? the marathon or something else?

brett

 

Wrangler HT 235-85-16

I haven't read one good thing about those tires when I search on them.

 

Well I travel a lot and my 3-4 car hauler trailer stays behind me all the time. Empty it weights in at 7500 lbs and with 3 little cars I can get up to almost 17k. I had some chepo tires on it when I got it and they blew all the time. So I went with a goodyear tire and I blew 3 of them. I was in Phoenix in the summer (you know when it is hot as a mother) and I blew another one. I hate hate hate changing blowouts.

I talked to the manager at Discount and he sold me on the BFG commercial TA! I had them siped as well. I have yet to have a blow out. In my book they are an excellant tire and can take all different kinds of weather conditions as well. If I were you I would check into getting some of those.

Good luck!!

 

Remember, you're running LT tires in a trailer application. That being said, you can do it but there are tires designed for the task. On my 15k GN, I run 16's and have had no problems. My tire pressure is set at 70 psi as that's where the tires wear flat across the tread. The trailer typically weighs in between 10-12k. I think there is a 17" or 17.5" tire option but it's pricey. The tires are probably $200 plus per tire and you'll need the rims also. Check with member Chaikwa or a dexter axle dealer and they'll be able to put you spot on with the rims and the interchange.

 

The only problem I have with a true trailer tire is in my past experience they dont do weather changes very nice! Maybe I just travel to much or old school but I looked at a few "Trailer tires" and the tire guy said they are fine if you stay in one area or take it easy with them because of there compound. My problem is one minute I am in the snow and ice and freezin cold weather of northern minnesota then I drive all night non stop heading back down south to where the weather is hot and then do tons and tons of hot highway travel then go right back into the cold. That is when the tire guy said then maybe you should look at a LT tire. Plus they ride a whole lot easier and don't sing like some of the trailer tires I have had in the past.

 

I like Tow Masters. I have had them on a Utility and a Travel trailer. Mine also have been recommended and bought from Discount Tire. Have had good luck with BFG's on my truck though.

 

I know you aren't too happy with Goodyear right now, but check these out.

They came as OE on a 14K GVW wagon I bought early last year. I'm not a fan of Goodyear Tires either, but I have been extremely pleased with these particular ones.

 

Were you running at 80 PSI ?

What you will want is the Michelin XPS rib or Goodyear GS614RST. Both "all steel" belted. The XPS is 3042@80PSI the other is 3750@110.

For 12,000 lbs, you shouldn't really "need" either of these. About 3000 lbs should be on your truck (25% pin weight) so only 9000 lbs on 12,000+ lbs. of tire rating.

 

MX429, just out of curiosity, what do you haul and what do you gross on the scales?

 

I haul Motocross bikes, gear, and tools. My trailer has a living quarters. I gross 20k. I always keep the tires at 80 psi.