Thoughts on new tires.

[truth]

Guys,
I'm looking to replace the tires on my 2016 Cougar 336bhs fifth wheel. Any recommendations?

[rhagfo]

What is currently on it?

[truth]

235 80 16. I don't recall the brand but they look cheap to me. I was looking at the Saliun s637.

[NorskeBob]

Put Maxxis ST RADIAL M8008 on our last RV. Load range E

[travelin texans]

Sailun is a good choice. In my opinion I'd go at least 1 load range higher than original, provided the wheels are rated with higher psi if necessary.

[ctbruce]

Here's a thread that summarises the tire questions. It's a good place to start.
If you do a search on the forum for tires you'll find more reading than you could do in couple of days.
http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31747


Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[busterbrown]

Carlisle Radial Trail HD are always an affordable and safe option. They have a great reputation in the last 3-4 years as quality in their line has improved remarkable. At $77/tire, their worth considering.

Your fifth wheel coach's GVWR is around 12,200 lbs. If you're trailer and wheels can accommodate it, try sizing up on the aspect ratio to 85 cm and load range to F. It's only an increase of 0.9 inches in tire diameter. You'll then 1,760 lbs of additional reserve load capacity. Your wheels will have to support the increased PSI of 95 lbs of course. See below...


ST235/85R16, LRF, Diameter: 31.7, width: 9.3, wheel width: 6.5", Load capacity: 3,960 lbs, Max PSI: 95

verses

ST235/80R16, LRE, Diameter: 30.8, width: 9.0, wheel width: 6.5", Load capacity: 3,520 lbs, Max PSI: 80

Carlisle specs can be found here:
https://www.carlislebrandtires.com/our-products/product-detail/radial-trail-hd

[Seven Gable]

Carlisle Radial Trail HD are always an affordable and safe option. They have a great reputation in the last 3-4 years as quality in their line has improved remarkable. At $77/tire, their worth considering.

Your fifth wheel coach's GVWR is around 12,200 lbs. If you're trailer and wheels can accommodate it, try sizing up on the aspect ratio to 85 cm and load range to F. It's only an increase of 0.9 inches in tire diameter. You'll then 1,760 lbs of additional reserve load capacity. Your wheels will have to support the increased PSI of 95 lbs of course. See below...


ST235/85R16, LRF, Diameter: 31.7, width: 9.3, wheel width: 6.5", Load capacity: 3,960 lbs, Max PSI: 95

verses

ST235/80R16, LRE, Diameter: 30.8, width: 9.0, wheel width: 6.5", Load capacity: 3,520 lbs, Max PSI: 80

Carlisle specs can be found here:
https://www.carlislebrandtires.com/our-products/product-detail/radial-trail-hdI second the Carlisle Radial Trail HD in ST235/85R16 LRF. I have a 2017 Cougar 336BHS & the tires are a major improvement over the softer OEM tires. There is a thread I started about the decision.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[MerlinB]

Guys,
I'm looking to replace the tires on my 2016 Cougar 336bhs fifth wheel. Any recommendations?

Another vote for Maxxis M8008s. LR E.

[srvnt]

https://www.americastire.com/buy-tires/goodyear-endurance/p/32645

The only ST tire made in the USA. Check the good reviews. Very happy with mine after over 10,000 miles. Rebate offered at AT.

[CWtheMan]

Guys,
I'm looking to replace the tires on my 2016 Cougar 336bhs fifth wheel. Any recommendations?

According to the Keystone specs for your trailer it has 5200# GAWR axles. The OE tires are/were ST235/80R16E. When the OE tires are inflated to the placard recommendations they provide more than just adequate load capacities for your maximum loaded trailer. Your personal selection of a replacement brand name will probably make you more comfortable. IMO, overkill above the OE size is unwarranted.

[rhagfo]

Well I tend to think out of the box, we put LT 235/85-16E on our 2005 Copper Canyon with a GVWR of 12,360#, this is what came OEM on the 5er. I know they ONLY have a per tire rating of 3,042# each, but, the 5er at full GVWR will have less than 10,000# on the tires. I feel the LTs are higher quality and safer than an ST with stated higher load capacity. JMHO

[CWtheMan]

Well I tend to think out of the box, we put LT 235/85-16E on our 2005 Copper Canyon with a GVWR of 12,360#, this is what came OEM on the 5er. I know they ONLY have a per tire rating of 3,042# each, but, the 5er at full GVWR will have less than 10,000# on the tires. I feel the LTs are higher quality and safer than an ST with stated higher load capacity. JMHO

It really wasn't about ST vs LT. When that trailer was built, Keystone decided the tire size and design was an appropriate fitment.

Keystone found that that sized tire didn't work well with 6000# axle fitments and discontinued their use in late 2006. However, on your 5200# axles they provide a nice load capacity reserve.

[sourdough]

Well I tend to think out of the box, we put LT 235/85-16E on our 2005 Copper Canyon with a GVWR of 12,360#, this is what came OEM on the 5er. I know they ONLY have a per tire rating of 3,042# each, but, the 5er at full GVWR will have less than 10,000# on the tires. I feel the LTs are higher quality and safer than an ST with stated higher load capacity. JMHO


I guess I tend to think in the box, out of the box and all around the box.

I know you like to run over limits as dictated "by the books" and like LT tires. That's fine and works for you. Here's my thinking on your thoughts about your tires, weights etc, which I've stated before (not about you).

You think, and many sources say, you can put tires on an RV that carry less, sometimes far less, than the GVW because of pin/tongue weight. In reality, in my mind, that's silly. If my trailer ran hooked up on flat highways with nary a twist, turn, bump, frost heave, seam, poor highway workmanship in general....that might be right; but it's not.

When you hit highways (and we do a lot) that have high pitches, sharp curves, drop offs one way or the other, etc. infinitum.....those tires aren't carrying the "flat loaded" load that you think you are putting on them - they are stressed unbelievably and in many situations are stressed with far more than they were designed for. Trying to equip your RV, or vehicle, with the bare minimum to get by is just....waiting for "that" moment to happen.

I completely understand your opinion on LTs. I really don't know if they would be better or not in a given situation- I go with what the manufacturers recommend (generally not LT). I'm simply saying, IMO, that buying a set of tires rated less than the gvw of a trailer, IMO, is just fools play. It costs virtually nothing to upgrade to something to give you more safety.

[rhagfo]

It really wasn't about ST vs LT. When that trailer was built, Keystone decided the tire size and design was an appropriate fitment.

Keystone found that that sized tire didn't work well with 6000# axle fitments and discontinued their use in late 2006. However, on your 5200# axles they provide a nice load capacity reserve.

The LT 235/85-16E were an optional tire size on this unit the stock OEM size was an ST 225/75-15.

[nesparky]

I put Samson tires on my Avalanche. Figure if they can take the abuse of a farmer they should work just fine for my trailer.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180225/391e729437ed2f3835bbcdf82fa3162f.jpg

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[Tinner12002]

If your wheels are rated for the higher PSI rating of 110lbs, I would get the Sailuns, if not, I had great luck with the Maxxis 8008 E rated tires on my last 2 RVs.

[rhagfo]

According to the Keystone specs for your trailer it has 5200# GAWR axles. The OE tires are/were ST235/80R16E. When the OE tires are inflated to the placard recommendations they provide more than just adequate load capacities for your maximum loaded trailer. Your personal selection of a replacement brand name will probably make you more comfortable. IMO, overkill above the OE size is unwarranted.

If your wheels are rated for the higher PSI rating of 110lbs, I would get the Sailuns, if not, I had great luck with the Maxxis 8008 E rated tires on my last 2 RVs.

I also think placing G rated tires on a 12,300# GVWR 5er is a bit of over kill.

[travelin texans]

I'm on the overkill side, 1 less thing to worry about.
Mine originally was to be equipped with 16" "E" rated GY China Bombs, I opted for the GY 114 "G" upgrade & when it was time to replace went 17.5" H rated Sailun tires & wheels & would do the same in a minute the next time.
Hauling these things down our wonderful interstates/highways systems across the country there's enough things to be shaken/rattled/torn up & now tires aren't on that list for me anymore.

[CWtheMan]

I put Samson tires on my Avalanche. Figure if they can take the abuse of a farmer they should work just fine for my trailer.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180225/391e729437ed2f3835bbcdf82fa3162f.jpg

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

I think you should match the load capacity rating on your new tires sidewalls with your add. The specs in the add do not conform to TRA specs for that tire size.

Load range letters provide the official load capacities for ST & LT tires.

[CWtheMan]

The LT 235/85-16E were an optional tire size on this unit the stock OEM size was an ST 225/75-15.

Optional tire sizes offered by vehicle manufacturers disappear once the certification label is installed and verified. When you signed the papers for the trailer the tire size on the certification label became the official size for that trailer. Meaning it's the minimal accepted size and is the benchmark for all subsequent replacements.

The whole tire industry uses vehicle certification labels to verify minimal acceptable replacement tire/wheel sizes. You can verify that by reading any tire manufacturer's/retailer's SOP manual.

[Rangerj]

I just replace my Trailer Kings last week. I looked hard at the Carlisle, but opted out for couple of reasons. Walmart had an excellent price at $67. However, They got in 11 tires over the couple of weeks I tried to deal with them. The newest manufacture date for any of them was a week over a year old. They also repeated made excuses ranging from they couldn't install them, to they really didn't want to install them. The manager was past non-cooperative. Also, say what you want Carlisles are still made in China.
I opted for the Goodyear Endurance. The base price of the tire was about $55 more per tire. My experience with Goodyear was the opposite of Walmart. They were professional and helpful. Without asking I noticed them under my truck and Rv checking my tire pressure. The manager also suggested that even though the sticker in my truck recommended 70 Psi, he suggested I carry the 80 psi the tire would hold on my truck tire. I wouldn't carry 70 in my trailer tire, why do it in the truck tire. And to top it off, after I ordered the tires, I found Goodyear is having a $100 off promotion this month.
I'll let you know how they wear.
I opted

[rhagfo]

Optional tire sizes offered by vehicle manufacturers disappear once the certification label is installed and verified. When you signed the papers for the trailer the tire size on the certification label became the official size for that trailer. Meaning it's the minimal accepted size and is the benchmark for all subsequent replacements.

The whole tire industry uses vehicle certification labels to verify minimal acceptable replacement tire/wheel sizes. You can verify that by reading any tire manufacturer's/retailer's SOP manual.

Most forget that before 2006 many RVs didn’t have a tire certification label. Our 2005 Copper Canyon has a label on a cabinet door near the sink, like most before 2006 had.
Think about it far better location than front drivers side of the trailer, where it fades in about three years.

[Tinner12002]

I'm on the overkill side, 1 less thing to worry about.
Mine originally was to be equipped with 16" "E" rated GY China Bombs, I opted for the GY 114 "G" upgrade & when it was time to replace went 17.5" H rated Sailun tires & wheels & would do the same in a minute the next time.
Hauling these things down our wonderful interstates/highways systems across the country there's enough things to be shaken/rattled/torn up & now tires aren't on that list for me anymore.

I agree, with the roads we deal with around the country I don't believe there is such a thing as overkill!! What one person considers overkill may not be for another. Its called piece of mind!

[byrdr1]

good price on those sampsons.
I just put the new Goodyear Endurance on my 5er last October. they have like 550/600 miles on them today. They are covered up right now but soon and very soon they will be uncovered. BUT I had run 2 sets of Maxxis during the last 7 years we have owned the trailer. replaced the factory bombs then the second year we owned it.
So I cant way in on too much. other than they were $618.00 out the door with mounting and balancing each while off the trailer. Discount tire here in town. BUT I know the asst. .manager so he supposedly hooked me up.
randy

[cherrydl]

235 80 16. I don't recall the brand but they look cheap to me. I was looking at the Saliun s637.

sailuns are the best

[Cabindweller]

Another vote for Goodyear Endurance. I just installed them on my 336BHS.

[notanlines]

Cabindweller, I'm curious what makes you recommend a tire you just bought, with which you have no experience, to someone needing help with choosing a proper tire. Would it be because it is black, nice and round, and has the Goodyear brand? Yes, I am poking that now well-known stick through the fence, but surely you see where I'm coming from.

[rhagfo]

Guys,
I'm looking to replace the tires on my 2016 Cougar 336bhs fifth wheel. Any recommendations?

So posted a bit back about putting Yokohama YK-HTX LT 235/85-16 E's on our 32" Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS with a dry weight of 9,820# and a GVWR of 12,360#.
Now CWtheMan came back about these were Optional tires on our 5,200# axles, but they do cover the axle weight well, almost including the entire GVWR. They are rated at 3,042# ea. that is a total of 12,168# capacity. Now the tires I run on my truck are also LT's although a slightly larger capacity, but I don't worry too much about brushing a curb, or hitting a bad set of RR tracks, they don't tend to fail. In addition they are rated for that 3,042# at 106 MPH! Most ST tires while having about a 300# per tire capacity advantage are only rated to carry that to 65 mph, there are some rated to as much as 85.
This is why I chose to go with LT tires rather than ST's.

https://i.imgur.com/yhbwvYi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5AjgdBf.jpg

[ctbruce]

In addition they are rated for that 3,042# at 106 MPH!

Do you have any video? I'm thinking a trailer doing 106 mph would be....spectacular!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[rhagfo]

In addition they are rated for that 3,042# at 106 MPH!

Do you have any video? I'm thinking a trailer doing 106 mph would be....spectacular!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Actually there is a video somewhere of the land speed record for a trailer at about 106 or so.

Found it!!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_E0LYU0AYG8

[ctbruce]

Actually there is a video somewhere of the land speed record for a trailer at about 106 or so.

Found it!!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_E0LYU0AYG8Wow! Not for the faint hearted...https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180308/49866fc5dade426e776562ede10d5f18.jpg

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Cabindweller]

Cabindweller, I'm curious what makes you recommend a tire you just bought, with which you have no experience, to someone needing help with choosing a proper tire. Would it be because it is black, nice and round, and has the Goodyear brand? Yes, I am poking that now well-known stick through the fence, but surely you see where I'm coming from.


It’s based on a tremendous amount of research, specs and the fact that I was just in the same situation as the OP, deciding on which tires to buy for the exact same Cougar model camper. If you don’t like my recommendation, don’t take it and move on to the next post.

[CaptnJohn]

Good to see so many testing the Endurance for GY. So far it looks pretty good. It will take 5 years to be certain. Then, still need to watch GY as the Marathons were good when they came out and then..... My Cougar came with LR E tires and switched them to Carlisle LR F. I'd do the same again but now run Sailun LR G on the Montana.