We have had 2 blow outs in the last 3 months. Our camper was bought new 11 months ago, and probably has less than 8000 miles on it. We have decided to replace all the tires, but don't know what with. What are you running on your 5th wheels?
Terry and Jo said
09:36 AM Sep 3, 2010
Paul,
First of all, I would suggest checking your fifth wheel's GVWR and then get it weighed to see if you are still under the GVWR.
As for what "we" are using, our situation would not be the same as yours. For instance, our Mobile Suites has a GVWR of 18,500 lbs and is over 38 feet long. The manufacturer on that size of fifth wheel puts on 17.5" wheels and "H" rated tires. (I think they are Goodyear's brand.)
To put the tire rating in perspective, the "H" rated tires will handle more weight than a "G" rated tire. You may want to check the tire rating and should you decide to buy new tires, to get a higher rated set of tires.
As for "brand" recommendations, I would guess that you will get all kinds of answers to your question. Once you get brand recommendations, check all the data you can on the tires you may be considering. Some brands indicate a maximum speed for which they can be used.
Good luck with this problem. No one likes blow-outs.
Terry
Delaine and Lindy said
09:41 AM Sep 3, 2010
Paul, Not sure what size tires you have but if their 16" there is no doubt I would buy Goodyear G614's. I have had three 5th wheel and all have had G614's and they are American made. I would never run a China made tire. There have been hundreds of major tire damage done by the China made tires. Michelin and BF Goodridge also make tire for the lighter weight 5th wheels.
Hope you didn't have a lot of damage to you RV. We are on our last stop before being back at Home base, we have covered about 6,000 mile + and have seen in almost every RV Park were a tire had blown and done several thousand dollars in damage. In Oklahoma City, while walking the furr kid and came up to a Montana that was 6 months old and had done about $4,500. I said bet your tires are Mission Tires he ask how did you know, then I told him about all of the major tire failure that has and is happening. He said he hadn't heard of these problems, I told him of the Montana Owners Group and he will get plenty of information there.
We now have a 2010 Mobiles Suites and I'm now running Goodyear 17.5" G114, have only ran about 10,000 miles so for and they have shown no wear at all. I ran a set of the Goodyear G614's 22,000 miles and they showed very little wear. Good Luck with your research. GBY...
Luvglass said
01:23 PM Sep 3, 2010
You don't say what RV you have and what it weighs, but manufacturers usually put on the minimum grade tire that will legally get the rig out the door. That is probably your problem, but to solve it you need numbers and tire up accordingly.
Be aware that your rims have to be able to take the increased pressure that higher rated tires require. E's take 80#, G's 110#, and H's 125#
Good luck,
Bill and Linda said
02:18 PM Sep 3, 2010
Paul and Shirley wrote:
We have had 2 blow outs in the last 3 months. Our camper was bought new 11 months ago, and probably has less than 8000 miles on it. We have decided to replace all the tires, but don't know what with. What are you running on your 5th wheels?
Well, it depends on your rig naturally.But since you’re asking for opinions, here’s mine:
First, I run Goodyear G-114 “H” tires.(Same “upgrade” from “G” tires Howard made on his rig.)This is an upgrade from the “G” tires that came on my rig.It required new wheels.I.e. “rims.” Well worth the money IMO.
I have 21,292 miles on the new “H” tires.Of that mileage 11,500 miles included a recent trip to Alaska up the Alcan and the Taylor Highway toward Chicken, AK.I had zero problems on that trip. We will leave shortly for a 5,000 mile trip out west.Tires are in great shape and I have no reason to change them for that trip.
I, based on a lot of reading, am convinced “G” tires are not up to some of the loads they are asked to carry.I did have 16,394 miles on Goodyear “G” tires before I upgraded to the “H.”They were giving me no trouble. But I was just leery, so I upgraded.
It is critical that tires be inflated to the proper air pressure as has been noted.I always check my tires at each stop for excess heat.I do this by hand and based on experience with an infrared thermometer, if they are running hot, I would know and do something about it.(Get the Pressure Pro monitor if you like.That’s another discussion.)Excessive heat is a dead giveaway about a lot of tire issues.
Just in case you are not aware, tires, at least those for which specifications are "actually published," have speed limits.Many trailer tires are speed rated only to 65 miles per hour.The G114’s “H” tires are rated to 70 MPH.I don’t drive that fast. But the point is, there is a tire speed rating and it matters a lot as to how much the tires can take – especially on a hot day at speeds that may be right at the design limits.
I recommend you read Howard’s section on his tire upgrade.He provides lots of good, and accurate, information there.
Again, knowing nothing about your rig it is hard to make other comments except to say, cheep tires are not a good thing.A friend blew 3 tires on a recent trip with us.Reason: bargain tires that were barely within the specifications needed for the job.Result – flat tires.
Safe travels
Bill
Racerguy said
07:43 PM Sep 3, 2010
Bill makes a very important statement about the speed rating on trailer tires.Like he said most are rated to 65 mph and some to 70 mph.I drive 62 mph max with mine and couldn't count on my fingers and toes the times I've been passed by someone towing so fast it looks like I slamed on my brakes.
DreamerBob said
08:28 PM Sep 3, 2010
I too have heard of lots of horror stories about Chinese tires. Our Cameo was originally equipped with 16" "Duro" tires. On a recent trip I noticed a bubble on the sidewall. I quickly had the spare put on and researched new tires. After lots of internet research I decided on American made Goodyear G614's. I was told by the dealer that Goodyear had tried manufacturing tires in China (including this model) and has since moved manufacturing back to the USA due to Chinese quality problems. If you do go with Goodyears, you'll want to specifically insist on American made ones which will be imprinted with "Made in USA"
Like others have said, research the weight & speed ratings carefully. I upgraded from E rating to G.
Good luck with your research and be prepared for a salty price tag - the safety is well worth it.
First of all, I would suggest checking your fifth wheel's GVWR and then get it weighed to see if you are still under the GVWR.
As for what "we" are using, our situation would not be the same as yours. For instance, our Mobile Suites has a GVWR of 18,500 lbs and is over 38 feet long. The manufacturer on that size of fifth wheel puts on 17.5" wheels and "H" rated tires. (I think they are Goodyear's brand.)
To put the tire rating in perspective, the "H" rated tires will handle more weight than a "G" rated tire. You may want to check the tire rating and should you decide to buy new tires, to get a higher rated set of tires.
As for "brand" recommendations, I would guess that you will get all kinds of answers to your question. Once you get brand recommendations, check all the data you can on the tires you may be considering. Some brands indicate a maximum speed for which they can be used.
Good luck with this problem. No one likes blow-outs.
Terry
Well, it depends on your rig naturally. But since you’re asking for opinions, here’s mine:
First, I run Goodyear G-114 “H” tires. (Same “upgrade” from “G” tires Howard made on his rig.) This is an upgrade from the “G” tires that came on my rig. It required new wheels. I.e. “rims.” Well worth the money IMO.
I have 21,292 miles on the new “H” tires. Of that mileage 11,500 miles included a recent trip to Alaska up the Alcan and the Taylor Highway toward Chicken, AK. I had zero problems on that trip. We will leave shortly for a 5,000 mile trip out west. Tires are in great shape and I have no reason to change them for that trip.
I, based on a lot of reading, am convinced “G” tires are not up to some of the loads they are asked to carry. I did have 16,394 miles on Goodyear “G” tires before I upgraded to the “H.” They were giving me no trouble. But I was just leery, so I upgraded.
It is critical that tires be inflated to the proper air pressure as has been noted. I always check my tires at each stop for excess heat. I do this by hand and based on experience with an infrared thermometer, if they are running hot, I would know and do something about it. (Get the Pressure Pro monitor if you like. That’s another discussion.) Excessive heat is a dead giveaway about a lot of tire issues.
Just in case you are not aware, tires, at least those for which specifications are "actually published," have speed limits. Many trailer tires are speed rated only to 65 miles per hour. The G114’s “H” tires are rated to 70 MPH. I don’t drive that fast. But the point is, there is a tire speed rating and it matters a lot as to how much the tires can take – especially on a hot day at speeds that may be right at the design limits.
I recommend you read Howard’s section on his tire upgrade. He provides lots of good, and accurate, information there.
Again, knowing nothing about your rig it is hard to make other comments except to say, cheep tires are not a good thing. A friend blew 3 tires on a recent trip with us. Reason: bargain tires that were barely within the specifications needed for the job. Result – flat tires.
Safe travels
Bill