Replacing Tires

[sundancer 87]

Originally Posted by ATCguy

I'll be moving my rig south from Phoenix down to Picacho tomorrow... It's been nice & warm here for the past 2 weeks.

Maybe you'll still be in the big Picacho RV park in August. I'll stop by if you are.

[ATCguy]

Nah.. not that long. About 3 weeks is all, then heading back to NC.

[Texmac]

Like Soonernation I too was getting nervous about the stock tires and finally pulled the trigger. After reading numerous reviews and discussions on several forums I decided to stick with an ST tire due to it's extra support for the sidewall (I have cringed everytime I have to make a really tight turn and watch the rear axle tires almost lay flat). My trailer only has two axles so I wanted to go up to at least an F rated tire (which means going to a 235/85 instead of the oem 235/80). The 235/85 is a little larger diameter but only by about an inch.

I checked around and found the best deal on Discount Tires (discounttiredirect.com) online website--the local Discount Tire gave me a quote that was a little higher than their online site but agreed to match it. I ended up with 4 Carlisle trailer tires for $912 out the door with replacement certificates. Discount recommended the Carlisle for trailer applications. I have had Carlisle tires on my flat bed and have never had an issue with them (and I have had that way overweight several times).

[azdryheat]

Yeah, but Carlisle's are still made in China...like all the other China tires that go boom. Hope you have better luck with them.

[Texmac]

Azdryheat you are correct about Carlisle making their tires in China, but the difference is that Carlisle is an American that designs and sets the standards of manufacture as opposed to a Chinese company producing a tire. My preference would always be a US produced product but that is not always possible. Like it or not just because it is made by the Chinese does not mean it is junk. I do believe that the Carlisles will be a big improvement over the Akuret oem tires. Time will tell.

[azdryheat]

Hope your Carlisle's give you great service.

[soonernation]

I spent some time researching yesterday and the Maxxis tires get some good reviews and they aren't as expensive as the Michelin Ribs.

[Camper2b]

Originally Posted by arlan in arizona

Hopefully! I am having a hard time finding any information on them. I tried without success before putting the tires on.

I'm having a hard time finding anything on the Sumec wheels NOTHING! Looks like they're provided by Lionshead Specialty wheel and tire in Goshen In. I put a call in... wow ...wow voice mail I'm shocked! left a message doubt if I'll get a response. I certainly dont want to put a 110 psi tire on a 80 psi wheel. May be limited in my choices unless replacing wheels...good grief where do it end? I'll keep looking.

[arlan in arizona]

I would not mine being in your predicament. If I had it to do over again I would buy the Alcoa 17.5" Wheels and Goodyear G114 tires.

[arlan in arizona]

Are you looking at the 110 psi tire just to get an American make tire? All this wheel and tire stuff is frustrating.

I don't need the rating of the G rated tire. I just went with the made in USA labeling. Don't know for sure it was a good idea.

I also gained about 150 pounds in weight. Not good!

[arlan in arizona]

I found this Sumec wheel 16" 8 Lug on 6 5" Bolt Circle Phenom Black Sumec HD Aluminum Trailer Wheel | eBay recently on eBay. It is rated to 3950 lbs so that seems pretty high. Also found this one 16" 8 Lug on 6 5" Bolt Phenom Silver Sumec HD Aluminum Trailer Wheel w Acc 9 16" | eBay and the say it has a 200 psi bolt in valve stem.

What's all this worth? I don't know.

[Camper2b]

I was looking at the G614 RST. The 3200 Voltage is considerably lighter than the 3905. The Goodyear G series tire gets great reviews and I have located them here in Nashville. Just don't want to install until I know what the rim psi is on the Sumec wheels are. I hardly doubt their 110 psi rated?? hope someone can step in and clear this up The thought of changing wheels has crossed my mind ... if I don't have to I won't. I may end up getting another brand ...

[arlan in arizona]

One more.

I just found this 16" 8 Lug on 6.5" Bolt Phenom Silver Sumec HD Aluminum Trailer Wheel W/ACC 1/2" - Tires and Wheels and although not identical they boast the 200 psi valve stem. There is also a telephone number for those wanting fitment information.

I have no idea if anyone will answer the telephone or what information you might get on a wheel that is similar.

Nothing seems to take me anywhere except a reseller like above or eBay.

[Camper2b]

Originally Posted by arlan in arizona

I found this Sumec wheel 16" 8 Lug on 6 5" Bolt Circle Phenom Black Sumec HD Aluminum Trailer Wheel | eBay recently on eBay. It is rated to 3950 lbs so that seems pretty high. Also found this one 16" 8 Lug on 6 5" Bolt Phenom Silver Sumec HD Aluminum Trailer Wheel w Acc 9 16" | eBay and the say it has a 200 psi bolt in valve stem.

What's all this worth? I don't know.

Great find! you must have found this while I responding to your post... I'll admit I didn't check ebay... duh Thanks arlan!

[arlan in arizona]

Slim,

I just read your reply to the fuel pump clamp post. If you trailer is still at the dealer. Why not see what they have to say about the whole matter.

I did ask the service guy at my dealership and he told me the wheels would be good to 110 psi. That it had to do with the valve stem more that anything. I wasn't completely confident with the way he said it though.

Arlan

[Camper2b]

This is a picture of my wheel. It has the high psi valve stem as shown. I did ask the dealer the other day... they said they weren't sure. As I looked through the shop and on the lot there was an array of different wheels and tires... China China China where's the American stuff!!!

[arlan in arizona]

That is the same wheel I have. I was checking mine a little while ago. The spokes are a nice solid design. All my tire pressures are a constant 110 psi, not leaking and obviously haven't found and cracks.

I've traveled 2600 miles with them so far. About 2300 or those miles were with the Akuret tires. So I only have about 300 on the G614's.

Ask our politicians where the American stuff is. It has been disappearing for decades. I remember when I was a kid (long, long time ago). Almost everything was made in the USA. Every once in a while it was made in Japan. We would think what junk. Then it was made in Taiwan or Vietnam. Now mostly China.

If the quality control is there the Chinese stuff is not all bad. It's just bad for our country.

[sundancer 87]

From what I have read and seems to be the consenus, the spoke count denotes ten pounds +/- per spoke. I don't know for sure but the guy at Discount Tire validated the ten pound per spoke theory so who knows for sure?

[arlan in arizona]

I just don't know. Here Americana Aluminum Hi-Spec Series 6 Trailer Wheel - 16" x 7" Rim - 8 on 6-1/2 HWT Tires and Wheels AM22699 is a seven spoke 110 psi wheel and lot of other variants out there. And I guess this Americana Heavy-Duty Aluminum Split Spoke Trailer Wheel - 16" x 6-1/2" Rim - 8 on 6-1/2 HWT Tires and Wheels AM22660HWT would be considered a ten spoke.

They do look like nice wheels and have DOT ratings clearly stated.

[Camper2b]

Okay, I hope I'm not beating this topic to death but I've looked a little further into it. I find these people have the same rim as mine. T09 8-Spoke I put a call into them in Athens Georgia. The guy on the phone says it's a 110 PSI wheel. He didn't have any. I plan on calling the Elkhart location and ask the same just to verify. If this is the case, I'm going with the Goodyear G614's.