Wheels and tires..sigh...

[vampress_me]

Hi everybody,

I've gotten myself completely confused and hope you can help un-confuse me (good luck!).

I was reading through many of the tire posts because I would dearly love to replace our OEMs. I DON'T want to start a fight over ST versus LT, but want to make sure I get tires that will work for us and are safer than what it seems might be a ticking bomb on there now. I will admit I'm leaning towards LTs just because its been our preference on all our other trailers.

We have a 2014 X-Lite 28RDB, with 4400# GAWR (each axle) and Trailer King ST225/75R15D to inflate to 65psi. The wheels are the great unknown. I climbed under the trailer to read the inside of the wheel, which says Max Load 2150 lbs and Max Load 2830 lbs. What the heck?!?!?! In all our paperwork or on the wheels themselves, I can't find a manufacturer but someone on another post said Tredit does all of Keystones wheels. Tredit's website says for our wheel (T03?) the max load is 2830 lbs. So, do I believe that? Then why the 2 max load amounts on the wheels themselves? I know I have to make sure the wheel can stand a higher psi depending on what tires I can find. I'll try to attach a picture of our wheels if anyone is interested.

And then the last question - other than ensuring I have enough room between the tire and anything around it (3" min. per axle stuff), is there anything else specific to campers that I have to watch out for if I look at new 16" wheels and tires? 16's give me many more options for tires than 15's.

Thank you!

[fla-gypsy]

The wheel is made for Keystone to use in multiple applications most likely. Aside from that either max load rating meets (nearly) or exceeds the axle rating so I am not sure what the issue is. Since they are rated to 65 psi you could get load range D ST tires that have a 2540 rating at 65 psi and get yourself some reserve capacity. If you do choose to go the ST route I would recommend the Maxxis Load range "D" tires rated for 2540#. They would be a definite upgrade from the OEM tires.

[Festus2]

IF you go by the 2830 number, you could get a set of Maxxis tires (225/75R15) 10 ply Load Range E 80 psi rated for 2830 lbs.

OR you could still get a set of Maxxis tires (225/75R15) 8 ply 65 psi rated for 2540 lbs.

As you can see both are 15" and depending upon which figure (2150 or 2839 you decide to use) both would make an excellent choice and a definite improvement in quality and reliability over what you have now. Both are also good for a 6" rim width.

I'm not sure why there are two different numbers on the same tire. Are there two different numbers on all four wheels or have you looked at only the one wheel?

It seems to me that you first have to determine which of those two numbers is the correct one and the one you use as a reference point to help determine the type of tire you can go with.

Also I am not sure why you feel the need to go to a 16" tire......... If you do, you'll probably have to go to a different wheel and then the changeover not only becomes more complicated but more costly. Maxxis makes an excellent 15 " tire --- I'd keep it simple and go with that.

[therink]

I had the same 15" wheels on my last Keystone fiver rated for 2830. I upgraded my factory junk tires and went with 22575R15 LRE Maxxis. Keep in mind that upgrading to an E rated tire wil not increase your axle ratings but will give you a far superior tire.
You will have a hard time finding a 15" LT.
Steve

[theeyres]

All across the forums that I follow the Maxxis tires always seem to get an A+ rating. Never, ever hear of unneeded blowouts or shredding. Why not just get the Maxxis that fit the wheels and loads? Simplest solution.

[JRTJH]

Believe it or not, there is a "logical" explanation for the two max weight ratings on the cast wheels used on Cougar and many other Keystone products.

The cast wheel is "cast" with no lug holes. Then, after the cast is completed, lug holes are drilled. If the wheel is drilled with 5 holes, the weight rating is 2150 and if the wheel is drilled for 6 lugs, the weight rating is 2839.

In order to determine this, just count the lug holes.... And, you'll find the following stamped adjacent to the max weight:

5H114.3 MAX LOAD 2150 LBS
6H139.7 MAX LOAD 2830 LBS

You have to read the information contained on three spokes to get the 5 hole weight rating, then the next three spokes are the 6 hole rating.

I've posted a picture of the back of my wheels with this information cast on the spokes.

We had a thread about this last year. It's here: http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13571&highlight=wheel

[vampress_me]

I've only checked 3 of the 4 wheels, they all have both max load numbers on them. The reason I want to know which load rate is accurate is that I've read on other posts that I have to know the max load rating (or better yet the max psi) for the wheel if I want to up them to 10 ply and 80 psi to be safe using them. And I have to admit it threw me for a loop have 2 load ratings on the same wheel.

The reason for looking at possibly going to 16" wheels/ tires is then I could get LT tires, which we have on all our trailers, horse, flatbed, etc., and have not had problems with bulges or blow-outs in numerous trips between MN and western MT, and all over the mountains in MT. And I have to admit, I don't like being restricted by a tire to a speed of 65 mph no matter what. I would like to have the freedom to choose to do 70 if I want to. Whether I do choose to go faster is not a certainty, but I want the choice and the ability to have a tire I don't have to worry about even if I sustain 65 mph for hours at a time. Being stranded with blown out tires rates up there with being stranded in the middle of nowhere WY pulling a 5000 lb horse trailer with a yearling in it and burning up a brand new Dodge's auto transmission...but that's another story.

Moral of my story, I'm anal and probably too literal. If tires are rated for 65, what happens if I go 67 for a little while and don't notice? Will I pop one? Probably not, but I WILL worry about it for the rest of the trip and longer.

[vampress_me]

Believe it or not, there is a "logical" explanation for the two max weight ratings on the cast wheels used on Cougar and many other Keystone products.

The cast wheel is "cast" with no lug holes. Then, after the cast is completed, lug holes are drilled. If the wheel is drilled with 5 holes, the weight rating is 2150 and if the wheel is drilled for 6 lugs, the weight rating is 2839.

In order to determine this, just count the lug holes.... And, you'll find the following stamped adjacent to the max weight:

5H114.3 MAX LOAD 2150 LBS
6H139.7 MAX LOAD 2830 LBS

You have to read the information contained on three spokes to get the 5 hole weight rating, then the next three spokes are the 6 hole rating.

I've posted a picture of the back of my wheels with this information cast on the spokes.

We had a thread about this last year. It's here: http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13571&highlight=wheel

Thank you for this! That is what the inside of our wheels look like too, including the "extra" numbers of 5H and 6H. Sheesh! Never would have thought that was the answer because looking at the wheel, there is no way (at least to me) that you could drill a 5 hole pattern in this casting. Also thanks for the thread link, I searched, but my search abilities are apparently lacking...

[gearhead]

Looks like you have Discount Tire in Minnesota. Call them and see if they stock, or have to order, Maxxis 225/75 /15 Load Range E (10 ply rating). Have them install steel valve stems. May even talk to them about a Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Air them to 80PSI. Don't look back...go have fun.
http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-122-129-st-radial-m8008

This comes highly recommended as well (by me!):
http://www.joesracing.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=1160

[jsmith948]

Yes!!! ^^^^^^

[therink]

And don't forget to get them balanced.

[bdaniel]

I switched load range D Carlisle exploding tires for Mitchelin load range E 16 inch LT tires on my 2002 Wildcat and it was the best thing I ever did.

Here is a write up on my change.

http://www.bobbystuff.com/RV/index.php?blog=2003-16-inch-tires

Bobby