Hartland or Carlisle?

[Sledog]

I'll be replacing my Rainer Raptor tires (due to age) within a month or so after the new year kicks off. I have my brand choices reduced down to Hartland, or Carlisle. The Hartland's are about $100 each less expensive but, other than price, I don't see a big difference in reliability. I typically don't drag the Raptor more than 5K miles per year, usually much less. My biggest concern is the collateral damage a blow-out will cause. Any thoughts (pro or con) for one brand or the other based on experience?

[sourdough]

Which tires are you looking at? I don't find a LRG Hartland tire which is what you need.
Carlisle has the CSL 16 which is a steel body tire, again which is what you want.

[Sledog]

Thanks for the reply. I have the right tire for each brand picked out, both G rated. And yes, the Carlisle'ss I'm looking at are the CSLs. I'm looking for user experiences with the brand(s). Have you ever had a good, or bad, experience with either brand? An unexpected blow-out, or delamination?

[dutchmensport]

On my previous travel trailers, I switched them over to Carliles. I never had a problem with them. On my fifth wheel, I switched over to Hercules. Absolutely no issues, other than replacing one because of a bent axle a couple years ago.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Sledog

Thanks for the reply. I have the right tire for each brand picked out, both G rated. And yes, the Carlisle'ss I'm looking at are the CSLs. I'm looking for user experiences with the brand(s). Have you ever had a good, or bad, experience with either brand? An unexpected blow-out, or delamination?

I have had Carlisle's but not the CSL. I've not used the Hartland. I believe one of our members went with them so maybe they will chime in. Is the Hartland a steel body tire? I did not see that in their description so that may be the difference in cost. If so, you want a steel body tire in that load range IMO.

[Sledog]

Sourdough-yes, the Hartland's are steel - thanks.
durchmensport-thanks for the reply

[fjr vfr]

I have no experience with either. Personally I'd pick the Carlisle simply because so many people have used them and had good results. It's like viewing a product on Amazon that has 4.9 stars and 2,000 reviews verses another that has 5 stars and 3 reviews. Which rating do you trust the most?

[gearhead]

Carlisle for me. I had them on a previous Montana HC. Currently have them on a tandem boat trailer and a 15ft utility trailer. Never a problem.

[DebH57]

Put Carlisle CSL16 ST235/80R16 on our 2020 MHC last August (2022) after a bad blow out of the factory-provided Raniers. They have been great. Hold pressure well (we monitor with TST pressure monitoring system.) No signs of extraordinary wear.

[pakuma]

I put Carlisles on my 13 179RKW, have about 5,000 miles on them don't even look worn.
They were a replacement for Maxims that 3 of the 4 tires had a tread sparation.

[Gamma]

Just curious how you came to be with those two brands as almost every tire thread I have read lean to Sailin for budget minded and Goodyear for more money. Again, not questioning your desire to buy the choices you have made, just curious why so many threads lean to different brands. My unit has OEM tires but before I go on our next biggie (+/- 12,000 miles roundtrip) I will put new tires on. Leaning to Goodyear's at the moment.

[Dennydj2]

I had Providers on my 5wheel new. Replaced them after years with Carlisle 14 ply rating, same as the Providers. I have had them for two years with no problems. The small town tire dealer I buy from told me that he had no blow out complaints with Carlisle tire users. He told me that most of the customers that purchase Carlisle return for the same as replacements. He has never led me wrong yet.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Gamma

Just curious how you came to be with those two brands as almost every tire thread I have read lean to Sailin for budget minded and Goodyear for more money. Again, not questioning your desire to buy the choices you have made, just curious why so many threads lean to different brands. My unit has OEM tires but before I go on our next biggie (+/- 12,000 miles roundtrip) I will put new tires on. Leaning to Goodyear's at the moment.

Remember that there are two very different "tire technologies" used on ST tires. Smaller tires 14" and 15" typically are steel belted, nylon/polyester sidewall technology and are load range C, D and E. The two "most talked about as good" are Carlisle Radial Trail HD and Goodyear Endurance. They typically fit smaller fifth wheels and most travel trailers.

The other "technology" is heavier duty tires, usually "all steel tires" (both steel belts and steel sidewall construction). Heartland and Sailun seem to be the "most liked" but there are several other brands as well. They typically are avaliable in LRG and in 16" wheel size. Then, there is also the 17.5" wheel size which is an even "heavier duty" commercial tire, but few opt for that wheel size since it requires buying not only tires, but also wheels, and in some cases, even new hubs/axles.

For travel trailers and lighter fifth wheels (less than around 11K GVWR) with 14", 15" and 6 lug 16" wheels, Carlisle and Goodyear Endurance seem to be the "go to brands"...

For larger fifth wheels with 16" 8 lug wheels, the "go to" becomes the all steel ST tires from Sailun, Heartland and others.

It's somewhat important to keep the two technologies separate, since suggesting Sailuns for someone with 15" wheels won't "fly". Also, suggesting Goodyear Endurance for someone with LRG tires is a "non-starter" since that brand is not available in the sizes needed for larger fifth wheels.

In short, we're talking about "two different breeds of tire". If they were animals, we'd be saying "one lives on land and one swims in the water"...

[Javi]

If you have 8 on 6.5 hubs there is no comparison between the available 16" tires and the available 17.5 commercial trailer tires, both in ride and wear.
Best money I have ever spent on tires, dollar for dollar.

[Gamma]

Now i’m really confused. Isn’t that Raptor a big 5ver toy hauler? I would expect it would be using similar tires to mine unless maybe it’s 3 axles?

[travelin texans]

My last16.5k lb 5th wheel came equipped with GY G rated 614s, they wore good & lasted 5+ years/50k +/- miles, no complaints. When time to replace them Performance Trailer Braking, that did the disc upgrade, had a special; 4-17.5" H rated Sailun 637s mounted on 4 new aluminum 17.5" wheels for less than the price of 3 of the 16" GY replacements, it was a no brainer for me. The disc brakes & 17.5" tire/wheels were the best $$ spent on upgrades in my opinion.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Javi

If you have 8 on 6.5 hubs there is no comparison between the available 16" tires and the available 17.5 commercial trailer tires, both in ride and wear.
Best money I have ever spent on tires, dollar for dollar.

Mike! Back after a long hiatus. Hope all is well. Your perspective has been missed!

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Mike! Back after a long hiatus. Hope all is well. Your perspective has been missed!

What I was about to say. Glad you’re back.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by Javi

If you have 8 on 6.5 hubs there is no comparison between the available 16" tires and the available 17.5 commercial trailer tires, both in ride and wear.
Best money I have ever spent on tires, dollar for dollar.

Yes Sir. The 17.5 tires are monsters. You better cinch up yore drawers before you throw one with a wheel in the back of the truck.
I went with Hercules SteelGuard almost 3 years ago. Very happy.

[Sledog]

All good info, thank you all for sharing your thoughts. Carlisle wins my vote.