We recently purchased a 2007 Teton Liberty (36') with triple axles and a GVWR of 20,000#. We are planning to upgrade to the Mor/ryde IS suspension and disc brakes in early September. The tires that are now on the trailer are 16" Geo Trac E rated tires that we think are a very poor choice (very bad reviews on handling and wear). The tires that would originally have been on the trailer were ST 235/80 R16D. Since we want to replace the tires, we're thinking of replacing the rims too and going to 17.5 wheels. We've recently been doing a lot of reading about tires and rims and are having trouble deciding on exactly what we should change to. Are aluminum rims best? Any thoughts on what brand of 17.5" tires? We would welcome any thoughts that you might have.
Edit: Ok, I've been doing more reading and talked with our local tire shop (good folks - been here since the 1950's) and we're strongly leaning toward the GY G114 H rated tire and an Alcoa rim.
-- Edited by Judy L on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 01:14:36 PM
igotjam said
08:42 PM Aug 13, 2013
IMO your edit is the right answer. With triple axles the 17.5s are not needed and will cost you more, be more difficult to find etc. I had 17.5s on my dual axle and they were great but for 3 axles the GY 16 load range g should be right. Never seen GY 16s with load range H but that would be even better.
TheHarveys said
09:14 PM Aug 13, 2013
The GY G114's are the 17.5 tires. I have those on my Carri-Lite and I love them. While, they are not required in your situation, and you may have a little "too much" tire with the 17.5's... if expense is not an issue, I would highly recommend them. I have used both the GY 16's (G rating) and now the 17.5's. The 17.5 's last a lot longer, wear more evenly and will provide you with a great peace of mind.
Bill and Linda said
09:17 PM Aug 13, 2013
Judy L wrote:
Edit: Ok, I've been doing more reading and talked with our local tire shop (good folks - been here since the 1950's) and we're strongly leaning toward the GY G114 H rated tire and an Alcoa rim.
-- Edited by Judy L on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 01:14:36 PM
Judy:
Without question this is the correct answer: G114's "H". You will not regret getting the G114 "H" tires for many reasons. We have some 60,000+ miles on these tires to backup our opinion.
IF you are interested you may be able to save some money on those tires and wheels and have them installed at MOR/ryde as a part of the IS installation. We've found the price from Trailer Tire and Wheel has been less for the total package and that included mounted, balance and ready to install. They will deliver the tires and wheels to MOR/ryde for you and MOR/ryde will install them. Things could have changed in the past year but if you want the contact info just ask. We've done this before and MOR/ryde has been very accommodating to us using this outside vendor. They do this "all the time."
Good luck.
Bill
Judy L said
11:55 PM Aug 13, 2013
Igotjam - Thanks for your comments. Sorry I wasn't more clear about the G114 being a 17.5" tire. I've been reading posts by other Teton owners with triple axle rigs on one of the Teton forums and it seems that many are converting to 17.5" wheels to reduce the chances of blowouts. I know it isn't foolproof but hopefully if we're vigilant about tire pressures and temps it will help.
The Harveys - Thanks for the reassurance. I hope we have as good an experience with the GY G114 as you have.
Bill - Thanks for the suggestion about purchasing the tires in Elkhart. Since we're concerned about the tires that are currently on the Teton we really want to have them replaced before we travel far. Also, we've been doing business with our local tire store for quite a while and like the idea of giving them our business. They might not be as competitive but they're really good people that have always gone out of their way to help us with any problems. It just feels right working with them.
Thanks again for your comments and suggestion! Judy
heyjohnm said
12:52 AM Aug 14, 2013
Hi Judy
Since you are getting the Mor Ryde IS and disc brakes installed, have you considered the bearings? Interesting discussion on the Nev-R-Lube bearings on the HitchHiker Owners Forum and other forums as to the +/-'s over standard bearings. Thought I'd through that into the mix since your doing the IS, brakes, tires and wheels!
John & Ginny
Judy L said
03:00 AM Aug 14, 2013
Hi John!
Thanks for the tip, we hadn't really discussed bearings yet but we'll need to figure it out. I'll check out the HH threads.
Say "Hi" to Ginny for me :) Hope to see you folks again on down the road. We're headed to the Fall RV Dreams Rally this year and then on down to FLorida for the winter. Give us a shout if you gonna be in Central FLorida.
Bill and Linda said
01:23 PM Aug 14, 2013
Judy:
Concerning the Nev-R-Lub bearings, that is “sealed” bearings, I’ll throw this out for your consideration –
If I were going to use the RV little for actual RV travel, mostly sitting and not traveling all that much each year, I’d put on the Nev-R-Lub bearings for a variety of reasons, mostly convenience.
If however, I were going to travel a lot, then I would put traditional “grease-able” bearings on the rig.Not the EZ-Lub type either.The traditional bearings that can be removed, examined, repacked and replaced relatively inexpensively.
You can have either type on the IS but you must make that decision prior to installation.
As many shops, who are straight forward about this will tell you, it is just not possible to actually “evaluate” the condition of a Nev-R-Lub, sealed, bearing to any certainty. They run fine, without excessive heating or any indication of trouble, and then they tend to just fail if they fail.And the failure mode will be “catastrophic” and usually take out the axle spindle with that failure.
This is worth the conversation as pertains to the IS installation because it is expensive to change from one bearing type to another once any suspension is installed due todifferent spindle sizes between the two types of bearings.
For your consideration. Great question by the way.
Bill
igotjam said
03:46 PM Aug 14, 2013
I agree that GY 17.5s are the best answer but as I recall 6 of them will give you a max load rating of just under 30,000#. At 20,000# total trailer wt, with only 75-85% on those tires, seems like overkill to me. My figures could be off as I no longer have the 17.5. In any event, you are doing the right thing by researching and asking questions. You will never be wrong giving yourself an extra safety cushion. I had the mor-ryde IS and discs too....you won't be sorry.
Bill and Linda said
07:47 PM Aug 14, 2013
I offer this perspective FWIW:The tire “H” “ratings” are over kill in some respects by numbers.However, the tires are not over kill.The problem with the “G” and especially “E” tires has to do with the side walls failing. I.e. blowouts.The “H” tires are in a whole other class as to durability in both tread longevity and side wall strength.
Goodyear provides a recommended pressure chart for the "H" tires running lighter loads for those who wish to do that.Nonetheless, the reason for the “H” tires is to take every precaution to prevent blowouts.“E’s” and “G’s” even under lighter loads are simply not in the same safety class as the G-114 “H” tires.As an added benefit, and we have the personal experience to back this up, the “H” tires will easily last for 3 or more times the miles of the “G” tires.
Please also note that the Goodyear “H” tires have a 75MPH speed rating.Other “H” tire brands, and “J” tires provided by some OEMs, are speed limited to 65 MPH or less.While we don’t drive that fast, it is nice to know we are not right up against a speed rating when driving 58-62 MPH.
Just our experience and opinion
Bill
Judy L said
12:37 AM Aug 15, 2013
Wow, thanks for the great comments and analysis. Bill you pretty much summed up the reasons we decided to go with the 17.5" G-114. I agree that it's overkill on the weight bearing capacity but I didn't feel that the G or E rated tires provided enough of a cushion plus there are all the issues with blowouts. I'm comfortable with this decision now.
With regard to bearings, after reading some other threads and Bill's comments, we're leaning toward the traditional bearings. Our '03 HitchHiker has Neverlube bearings and it has always concerned me that they could not be checked. I'll feel better if we can have them checked and re-packed periodically.
Thanks everyone for all your input. I really appreciate all the time and thought you've put into your comments.
We recently purchased a 2007 Teton Liberty (36') with triple axles and a GVWR of 20,000#. We are planning to upgrade to the Mor/ryde IS suspension and disc brakes in early September. The tires that are now on the trailer are 16" Geo Trac E rated tires that we think are a very poor choice (very bad reviews on handling and wear). The tires that would originally have been on the trailer were ST 235/80 R16D. Since we want to replace the tires, we're thinking of replacing the rims too and going to 17.5 wheels. We've recently been doing a lot of reading about tires and rims and are having trouble deciding on exactly what we should change to. Are aluminum rims best? Any thoughts on what brand of 17.5" tires? We would welcome any thoughts that you might have.
Edit: Ok, I've been doing more reading and talked with our local tire shop (good folks - been here since the 1950's) and we're strongly leaning toward the GY G114 H rated tire and an Alcoa rim.
-- Edited by Judy L on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 01:14:36 PM
Judy:
Without question this is the correct answer: G114's "H". You will not regret getting the G114 "H" tires for many reasons. We have some 60,000+ miles on these tires to backup our opinion.
IF you are interested you may be able to save some money on those tires and wheels and have them installed at MOR/ryde as a part of the IS installation. We've found the price from Trailer Tire and Wheel has been less for the total package and that included mounted, balance and ready to install. They will deliver the tires and wheels to MOR/ryde for you and MOR/ryde will install them. Things could have changed in the past year but if you want the contact info just ask. We've done this before and MOR/ryde has been very accommodating to us using this outside vendor. They do this "all the time."
Good luck.
Bill
Igotjam - Thanks for your comments. Sorry I wasn't more clear about the G114 being a 17.5" tire. I've been reading posts by other Teton owners with triple axle rigs on one of the Teton forums and it seems that many are converting to 17.5" wheels to reduce the chances of blowouts. I know it isn't foolproof but hopefully if we're vigilant about tire pressures and temps it will help.
The Harveys - Thanks for the reassurance. I hope we have as good an experience with the GY G114 as you have.
Bill - Thanks for the suggestion about purchasing the tires in Elkhart. Since we're concerned about the tires that are currently on the Teton we really want to have them replaced before we travel far. Also, we've been doing business with our local tire store for quite a while and like the idea of giving them our business. They might not be as competitive but they're really good people that have always gone out of their way to help us with any problems. It just feels right working with them.
Thanks again for your comments and suggestion! Judy
Hi Judy
Since you are getting the Mor Ryde IS and disc brakes installed, have you considered the bearings? Interesting discussion on the Nev-R-Lube bearings on the HitchHiker Owners Forum and other forums as to the +/-'s over standard bearings. Thought I'd through that into the mix since your doing the IS, brakes, tires and wheels!
John & Ginny
Hi John!
Thanks for the tip, we hadn't really discussed bearings yet but we'll need to figure it out. I'll check out the HH threads.
Say "Hi" to Ginny for me :) Hope to see you folks again on down the road. We're headed to the Fall RV Dreams Rally this year and then on down to FLorida for the winter. Give us a shout if you gonna be in Central FLorida.
Judy:
Concerning the Nev-R-Lub bearings, that is “sealed” bearings, I’ll throw this out for your consideration –
If I were going to use the RV little for actual RV travel, mostly sitting and not traveling all that much each year, I’d put on the Nev-R-Lub bearings for a variety of reasons, mostly convenience.
If however, I were going to travel a lot, then I would put traditional “grease-able” bearings on the rig. Not the EZ-Lub type either. The traditional bearings that can be removed, examined, repacked and replaced relatively inexpensively.
You can have either type on the IS but you must make that decision prior to installation.
As many shops, who are straight forward about this will tell you, it is just not possible to actually “evaluate” the condition of a Nev-R-Lub, sealed, bearing to any certainty. They run fine, without excessive heating or any indication of trouble, and then they tend to just fail if they fail. And the failure mode will be “catastrophic” and usually take out the axle spindle with that failure.
This is worth the conversation as pertains to the IS installation because it is expensive to change from one bearing type to another once any suspension is installed due todifferent spindle sizes between the two types of bearings.
For your consideration. Great question by the way.
Bill
I offer this perspective FWIW: The tire “H” “ratings” are over kill in some respects by numbers. However, the tires are not over kill. The problem with the “G” and especially “E” tires has to do with the side walls failing. I.e. blowouts. The “H” tires are in a whole other class as to durability in both tread longevity and side wall strength.
Goodyear provides a recommended pressure chart for the "H" tires running lighter loads for those who wish to do that. Nonetheless, the reason for the “H” tires is to take every precaution to prevent blowouts. “E’s” and “G’s” even under lighter loads are simply not in the same safety class as the G-114 “H” tires. As an added benefit, and we have the personal experience to back this up, the “H” tires will easily last for 3 or more times the miles of the “G” tires.
Please also note that the Goodyear “H” tires have a 75MPH speed rating. Other “H” tire brands, and “J” tires provided by some OEMs, are speed limited to 65 MPH or less. While we don’t drive that fast, it is nice to know we are not right up against a speed rating when driving 58-62 MPH.
Just our experience and opinion
Bill
Wow, thanks for the great comments and analysis. Bill you pretty much summed up the reasons we decided to go with the 17.5" G-114. I agree that it's overkill on the weight bearing capacity but I didn't feel that the G or E rated tires provided enough of a cushion plus there are all the issues with blowouts. I'm comfortable with this decision now.
With regard to bearings, after reading some other threads and Bill's comments, we're leaning toward the traditional bearings. Our '03 HitchHiker has Neverlube bearings and it has always concerned me that they could not be checked. I'll feel better if we can have them checked and re-packed periodically.
Thanks everyone for all your input. I really appreciate all the time and thought you've put into your comments.