Just bought an Alfa Sun and it needs tires. Came with LT235/85 R16, guy at OK Tire recommends I go with ST235/80 R16 is that the way to go? Would appreciate a little input on this. If there is a previous post on this subject, I apologize, please point me in that direction.
This is our first purchase and are looking foreward to "getting on down the road".
Terry and Jo said
04:47 PM Oct 23, 2011
Welcome, Butch.
First and foremost, thanks for your service to our country. Many of us are veterans and we all appreciate both our vets and our serving military personnel. We welcome your participation with questions and comments here at the RV Dreams forums.
As to tires, without knowing the tire brand names, it is hard to answer your question. I would research them and find out what kind of load rating the tires will handle. While I know "LT" probably means "light truck", but "ST" stumps me unless it is "standard tire or truck."
Since RV's can be pretty heavy, I would imagine that the weight capacity of the tire might be more important than the profiles. If you can, have your tire store provide you with what the tires are rated as in regards to being on a heavy RV. Also, when buying, pay close attention to the manufacture date information. There should be a code of 4 numbers somewhere that indicates the week and the year they were built. For instance, the tires on our coach have a code of "0410" meaning they were built the fourth week of 2010.
As to whether one profile is better, some one else will need to answer that question.
Terry
BandA said
05:19 PM Oct 23, 2011
Terry, Thank you and thank you for your service to your country as well. ST=Special trailer it has an UV inhibitor built into the rubber, brand is a Goodyear Marathon. Thanks for the info I will be having further conversations with the tire dealers. Les Schwab recommended a Toyo LT tire so I guess I'll have to do a bit of research on the pro's and cons of LT vs ST and their weight capacities.
Butc
53 Merc said
07:42 AM Oct 24, 2011
On another forum if you mention the word Goodyear, they collectively throw rocks at you. The members there have had a lot of issues with Goodyear ST Marathon tires.
When I removed the "maypop" tires from my 5er, I went to Michelin LPS Ribs in the size you quoted. They have had along standing excellent reputation. I have towed approximately 35000 miles on them and am very satisfied. Schwab is reputed to be good to deal with, I am just not sure about the Toyo. Just be sure you monitor the pressures and keep them at a level to support the rated loading. Have the rig weighed when packed for a trip and set tire pressure to hold it up. Low tire pressure equals heat equals failure.
flyone said
11:56 AM Oct 24, 2011
Hey Butch, good question--you will find many opinions on the Internet about which tires you should get. But the ultimate decision is up to you. As Terry said you might want to be more concerned about weight rating more so than size. Now as far as LT (Light Truck) vs. ST (Special Trailer), the next time I need to replace my fiver tires I will seriously consider LT tires, many people have blow outs with over loading their ST tires. They are made very cheaply, if you are fortunate and don't blow one out then you will have to replace it in approx 4 years due to dry rot or sun rot. My truck tires have set out 24/7 for 5 years and they do not show one hint of sun rot, many people say LT tires can't take the stress of sharp turns (as in backing a trailer into a spot), baloney think about the abuse your tires take on a truck and for 60,000 miles. My LT tires have nearly as much weight on them as the trailer tires when I'm towing and I have never had one of them blow out, and I have had a blow out on a trailer tire. You will have to pay more for an LT tire but you know the old saying you get what you pay for, and in this case it may be worth paying extra. Of course all of this is just my opinion, but you ask. I can say watch the weight rating either way you go.
Flyone
BandA said
05:40 PM Oct 24, 2011
As I looked further into this I found the same thing you did about the Marathon Maypops and have decided against them.
Thanks for the info
BandA said
05:51 PM Oct 24, 2011
I've decided that since Alfa manufactured this rig with LT tires, I'm going with the LT's also. I checked with our local COSTCO but they act like they don't really want to sell me the Michelin XPS plus I'd have to bring just the wheels in since they don't have the facility to handle a 5ver. So I'm leaning toward Les Schwab and their TOYO's. They sure want to sell the tires siped but see that as something I really don't want or need.
Thank's all for the responses I really appreciate your assistence.
53 Merc said
07:49 AM Oct 25, 2011
I agree, siping is really not required for trailer tires. When it snows, you are probably not going to be towing. It might be marginally beneficial in rain, but I prefer to be parked if it is raining.
Just bought an Alfa Sun and it needs tires. Came with LT235/85 R16, guy at OK Tire recommends I go with ST235/80 R16 is that the way to go? Would appreciate a little input on this. If there is a previous post on this subject, I apologize, please point me in that direction.
This is our first purchase and are looking foreward to "getting on down the road".
Welcome, Butch.
First and foremost, thanks for your service to our country. Many of us are veterans and we all appreciate both our vets and our serving military personnel. We welcome your participation with questions and comments here at the RV Dreams forums.
As to tires, without knowing the tire brand names, it is hard to answer your question. I would research them and find out what kind of load rating the tires will handle. While I know "LT" probably means "light truck", but "ST" stumps me unless it is "standard tire or truck."
Since RV's can be pretty heavy, I would imagine that the weight capacity of the tire might be more important than the profiles. If you can, have your tire store provide you with what the tires are rated as in regards to being on a heavy RV. Also, when buying, pay close attention to the manufacture date information. There should be a code of 4 numbers somewhere that indicates the week and the year they were built. For instance, the tires on our coach have a code of "0410" meaning they were built the fourth week of 2010.
As to whether one profile is better, some one else will need to answer that question.
Terry
ST=Special trailer it has an UV inhibitor built into the rubber, brand is a Goodyear Marathon.
Thanks for the info I will be having further conversations with the tire dealers. Les Schwab recommended a Toyo LT tire so I guess I'll have to do a bit of research on the pro's and cons of LT vs ST and their weight capacities.
Butc
When I removed the "maypop" tires from my 5er, I went to Michelin LPS Ribs in the size you quoted. They have had along standing excellent reputation. I have towed approximately 35000 miles on them and am very satisfied. Schwab is reputed to be good to deal with, I am just not sure about the Toyo. Just be sure you monitor the pressures and keep them at a level to support the rated loading. Have the rig weighed when packed for a trip and set tire pressure to hold it up. Low tire pressure equals heat equals failure.
Hey Butch, good question--you will find many opinions on the Internet about which tires you should get. But the ultimate decision is up to you. As Terry said you might want to be more concerned about weight rating more so than size. Now as far as LT (Light Truck) vs. ST (Special Trailer), the next time I need to replace my fiver tires I will seriously consider LT tires, many people have blow outs with over loading their ST tires. They are made very cheaply, if you are fortunate and don't blow one out then you will have to replace it in approx 4 years due to dry rot or sun rot. My truck tires have set out 24/7 for 5 years and they do not show one hint of sun rot, many people say LT tires can't take the stress of sharp turns (as in backing a trailer into a spot), baloney think about the abuse your tires take on a truck and for 60,000 miles. My LT tires have nearly as much weight on them as the trailer tires when I'm towing and I have never had one of them blow out, and I have had a blow out on a trailer tire. You will have to pay more for an LT tire but you know the old saying you get what you pay for, and in this case it may be worth paying extra. Of course all of this is just my opinion, but you ask. I can say watch the weight rating either way you go.
Flyone
As I looked further into this I found the same thing you did about the Marathon Maypops and have decided against them.
Thanks for the info
I've decided that since Alfa manufactured this rig with LT tires, I'm going with the LT's also. I checked with our local COSTCO but they act like they don't really want to sell me the Michelin XPS plus I'd have to bring just the wheels in since they don't have the facility to handle a 5ver. So I'm leaning toward Les Schwab and their TOYO's. They sure want to sell the tires siped but see that as something I really don't want or need.
Thank's all for the responses I really appreciate your assistence.