On my previous and current 5th wheels respectively I've used the all-steel construction Michelin XPS Rib (recommended by Michelin for trailer service) as well as the trailer-specific all-steel construction Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST. The designation on the first was LT235/85R-16E (3042 lbs @ 80 PSIG), while the latter is an LT235/85R-16G (3750 lbs @ 110 PSIG).

Rusty

 

I cannot find any "ST" tires in 16".

The XPS Ribs and the Goodyears are ...... expensive. I am sure that they are worth every penny but I'm not sure I am ready for $200/tire yet.

I am considering a set of Hankook LT Load range E's. I can get them for $100 each shipped, mounted and balanced.

 

Hump
ST tires are only rated for 65 mph and have had many problems with heavy TT/5ers. Their cheap and have been around for years as they were made when most campers used them a few times a year going to the lake. We don't use St tires on any of our trailers, utility/GN/emplement/cargo/5ers/stock trailers. My neighbor is a hotshoter and will not use a ST on any of his trailers. We have had good luck with B F Goodrich Commerical A/S LTs E rated on our heavier trailers. The oldest set going on three years and is on the tripple axle stock trailer. Michelin XPS Rib LTs are a very good trailer tire also.
I made a living installing canopys over service station drives for several years so had lots of bad experiences with ST/Marathon/Carlisle trailer tires.
The only Carlisle on my place is on the wheel barrow and the dang thing had split in the sidewall.
Go to 16" wheels with LT E rated tires that were mentioned and forget about tires comming apart. Thats been my experience over the years.
.........JIM

 

A few years ago, I was elected by my camping group to do some research on trailer tires. This is what I found out.

Many of the manufacturers were using polyester/steel in the tread plys of the ST tires & were having lots of problems with them blowing-up. The answer was to go with an additional outer ply of nylon.
The polyester/steel combination has a tendency to expand, when hot, until it finally blows. The outer nylon ply does not expand, when it gets hot, and acts like a "girdle", holding the poly./steel in place. Since they started using the poly./steel & nylon combination, the blow-out problem has lessened, dramatically.
The "Towmasters" are distributed by a company called Greenball. They have Goodyear manufacture them on the same Canadian assembly line as the G/Y Marathon's. Everything is the same as the Marathon's except for the name imprinted on the sidewalls. The Towmasters are usually much cheaper than the Marathon's because you are not paying for Goodyears advertising, or the Blimp.
Look for a local tire distributor that handles them & you may get a great price.
My entire camping group has gone to the Towmasters & has had not one problem. I've driven across country with them, a number of times, & had no problems, yet. Mine are 225/75/15, load range D. I went up two sizes from 205/75/15, load range C. They fit beautifully, on my trailer, & I really like the extra capacity of the larger load range D tires. They are never anywhere near their maximum weight rating.

Hope this helps.

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

I had Carlisle load range D 15 inch tires on my 2002 Wildcat 5th wheel from the factory. One explosion with damage and one sidewall bubble. I checked the tire pressure before every trip and was not overloaded (weighed at CAT scales).

I did some research and found many other failures with Carlisle tires.

I switched to 16 inch rims, Michelin LT load range E tires and never had another problem. I have over 50,000 miles on the tires.

I like LT tires on 5th wheels.

Bobby

 

Class action law-suit has been filed against Carlisle by a couple of owners of damaged trailers. Filed in the south eastern Mi. if someone has experienced any problems. Search of the net should have more info.

 

For guys running Carlisle's as original equipment on their trailers, Carlisle will repair any damages to the trailer and send you however many tires you need (not Carlisle's).

My friend didn't head my warning about Carlisles, but at least he got his trailer repaired.

Good luck.................Jim

 

I learn the hard way.. bought a used Airstream in Tuscon, '99, with '97 tires on it,, made it almost home to Wyoming, and blowout on left rear took out the holding tank.. (guy behind me had his windshield wipers going..) .. $3700 worth of damage to trailer. Now, it wears '05 dated ST tires.. I ordered them thru local shop,, specified 05 date of manufacture.. would not accept anything older.. HTH Les

 

That 5 yr. thing is for when the tire is out in the sunlight, weather cracking. Not stacked in the shop!