Tires for 5th Wheel

[mo01camp]

I have a 5th wheel about 12000 lbs. What tires do you suggest I use? I have blown 2 tires in the last 4 months.

[Motor31]

What load range tires do you have on it now? How old are the tires? The rule of thumb is to figure on replacing RV tires about 4 to 6 years from date of manufacture of the tires. Have you actually weighed the trailer or are you going off of an estimate of the weight? If it's just an estimate you should take the trailer to a truck stop at least and weigh it on the scales to get a real axle weight. Weigh it set up as if you are heading out on a trip. That will tell you what load rating tire you need. Then you need to make sure your wheels are up to the pressure tire you will be installing. Once you have the tires and wheels your weight requires inflate the tires COLD to max pressure before you start out each day or make sure the pressure is up.

I use Goodyear G614's. In my case the trailer is rather heavy so they are H rated tires. The same model tire is made in lower weight classes like G but you need to know how much weight is really on the axles to know what you need in load rating.
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Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

[JerryH]

I have been towing trailers and fifth wheels since 1968 and can say, without doubt, you cannot beat the Michelin XPS Rib tires. You pay a few bucks more for them, but I have never experienced a blowout on one of them. They have steel cord reinforced sidewalls that hold up very well to the twisting and side loading placed on a RV trailer tire. They are only made in 16", not 15".
Jerry
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International 4700 Custom Tow Truck &
38' King of the Road fifth wheel.
"Running the roads seeing God's Great Creation."

[hartk]

I'd be curious to know if your trailer is a Forest River product. We also had the same problem on a trailer of similar weight. Blew 12-13 tires over a 4 year period. Trailer and tire manufacturers would replace the tires, but the problem continued and frequently the blow-outs placed us in a dangerous position as well as causing trailer damage. Finally the tire manufacturer sent us larger wheels and tires; but not until we contacted their CEO and CFO. Since then, we have not had a problem. And, yes, we did have the trailer weighed - several times - and were always 2000-3000 pounds underweight. The manufacturer simply put too small of a wheel and tire on the unit. Go back to the manufacturer; don't waste anymore time or money on the current size tires.

[akareload]

After 3 blowouts we went with the Chaparral A/P. Never had another problem.
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Are We There Yet?
Full Timers
99 Country Coach
Starband Mobile Flyer Internet Connection

[otrider]

That's the second vote in recent days for the Michelin tires with the steel reinforced side walls. Thanks for confirming my decision to purchase that brand.

I am wondering if a tire is more than the recommended 4-6 years old but has not been on the trailer, would it still need to be replaced? I can't tell for sure but I have a spare in the basement that I'd like to put on the trailer and only buy 2 new tires right now, so technically I'd have three good ones. What would the life expectancy of a stored tire be?

Thanks,
Pam
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Pam
'06 F250 V10 Alas No More Choc Mousse has gone to it's new home in Port Clinton, Ohio
New Addition to the Family
2010 F350 V10 4x4 430
'99 30' New Vision Ultra

[JerryH]

If the spare has not been used and has been stored out of the elements, it should have some decent life left.
Jerry
_________________
International 4700 Custom Tow Truck &
38' King of the Road fifth wheel.
"Running the roads seeing God's Great Creation."

[boatcat]

Has anyone had experience with 15" Carlisles on a fifth wheel and/or what has worked for them in 15" tires? I'm in the 10,000-10,200 range.
Several have made comments on 16". I'd like to stick with the 15".

[markclement]

Hi

I have been having trouble (blowouts) with Kenda Klever tires. Anyone else had the same problem?
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Mark
2003 Cardinal 31LE

[Motor31]

If those Kenda tires were made in China you might want to do some research. There has been a recall of China made tires and it will expire this month (October).
_________________
Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

[markclement]

Do you have any other info? I have heard that there is something out there. I just can't find it. I have been googling it and not finding anything.

Thanks much.
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Mark
2003 Cardinal 31LE

[Motor31]

Wow, I thought I had deleted the notice so here it is.

Tire Recall - Westlake , Compass and YKS brands



Back in June, we heard about a proposed massive recall of light truck/SUV tires imported from China . Several major news services carried the story. At the time of the news article, a recall was not yet in progress, but it has been on our “watch list.” After several months without any further news coverage of the issue, I decided to do a follow-up inquiry with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Imagine my surprise to be informed that the recall has been going on since August and has an end date in October!



Here is the response I got from the NHTSA... anyone with these tires on their vehicles should definitely investigate further!

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Thank you for contacting the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Vehicle Safety Hotline Information Center .



The recall campaign of tires imported by Foreign Tire Sales (FTS) that were fabricated by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. in China will begin on Thursday, August 9, 2007. (NHTSA Recall No. 07T-003) The campaign will replace 255,000 light truck radial tires carrying the Westlake , Compass and YKS brands. Only the following sizes and models are involved. The DOT number on the sidewall of the involved tires will begin with the numbers and letters shown. Only tires within the build date range (shown as the last four numbers in the DOT number) of 0404 (April 2004) through 0206 (February 2006) are involved.



Size Model DOT No.

LT235/75R-15 CR861, CR857 7DT5FTS………..

LT235/85R-16 CR860, CR861, CR857 7DT2FTS………..

LT245/75R-16 CR860, CR861, CR857 7DT3FTS………..

LT265/75R-16 CR860, CR861, CR857 7DT4FTS………..

LT31X10.5 R-15 CR857, CR861 7DT6FTS………..



Owners are advised to visit the FTS web site at www.foreigntire.com or call the FTS recall hotline at (888) 899-9293. They will be sent a brief questionnaire to complete to assist them in confirming that their tires are involved. Then they may return to their place of purchase for replacement of the recalled tires, or they may identify a tire dealer by calling the FTS recall hotline.



Recalled tires will be replaced, mounted and balanced at no cost to the owner. However in the event that the fitment of recalled tires is not appropriate for a particular vehicle or a wheel is damaged and unsafe, there may be an incremental charge in the event that the correct fitment tire and wheel is more costly.



Owners must return their recalled tires for replacement before October 25, 2007.



We hope that you find this information helpful. However, if you need additional information on our services please feel free to contact us at 1-888-327-4236.



Thank you,



NHTSA.dot.gov Response Team



Disclaimer: "This response is for information purposes only and does not constitute an official communication of the U.S. Department of Transportation. For an official response, please write U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, West Building , Washington , DC 20590.
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Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

[Hunter11]

I am getting ready to replace our trailer tires for the first time. I am going with load range E Maxxis. I have read good reviews on them and friends of ours have them on their trailer. They just returned from a 10k mile trip up to Canada and back with no problems at all.
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Keith and Beverly
2005 Dodge 3500 Q/C 4X4
2005 Crossroads Cruiser
Buda, Tx.