Carlisle HD L.R. D or Maxxis L.R. C?

gregrc75 · 03-02-2017, 07:13 AM

Hello,

I have read many tire threads on tires here comparing Maxxis to Carlisle. I have 14" rims I was leaning towards the Maxxis M8008 but you can only go up to load range C. The Carlisle HD you can get a 14" tire in load range D. I am now leaning towards the Carlisle's. Do you think that is the smarter choice?

Thank You!

CWtheMan · 03-02-2017, 07:32 AM

You can also get the new GY Endurance 14" in LRD. You can check-out the sizes available in the link below.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...FQa4wAod5V4Mdw

**JRTJH** · 03-02-2017, 08:01 AM

Let's look at some trailer "numbers", then make suggestions.

Your trailer is 6 or 7 years old. ST tires degrade about 10% per year and "age out" at 5 years. That means your current tires (assuming they are the original tires) are now running at 30-40% of their original capacity. That's a "recipe for disaster"...

The trailer is 33'6" long, a very large sail area that puts pressure on the tire sidewall in crosswinds as well as the load from trailer weight.

Trailer weight is 5963 with a payload of 1637 for a GVW of 7600 pounds.
Tongue weight should be 10-15%, so at GVW it should range between 760-1140. That puts the axle weight between 6460-6840. IF (usually doesn't happen) the wheels are equally loaded, at GVW each tire would be supporting weights between 1615 - 1710.

If you buy 205 75R14 LRC tires, their max load is 1760, so at the end of the first year (10% degrade) they will be "overloaded" at your GVW.

If you buy 205 75R14 LRD, their max load is 2040, so at the end of the second year (20% degrade) they will be overloaded at GVW.

It's a tough choice, Keystone (and most other manufacturers) put the "minimum acceptable tire" on travel trailers. This makes for a difficult situation for most trailer owners.

If it were me, I would either "upgrade wheels and tires", in your situation, probably to 15" LRD tires (I'd look at 225 75R15 LRD).

If you do keep your 14" wheels, I'd urge you to at least upgrade to Load Range D tires to achieve an adequate load capacity for as long as possible.

gregrc75 · 03-02-2017, 08:36 AM

John,

Thank you for that detailed response. The trailer came with the 14" rims and the trailer was built in Feb 2011, so it is now 6 years old. While the original tires do still look to be in excellent shape, I have read that 5 years is the time to replace them. I keep them covered and treated with 303. I thought upgrading to the load range D would be a good choice, and I didn't consider changing to a 15" rim.

PARAPTOR · 03-02-2017, 09:55 AM

I would not assume that if the trailer was built in 2011 that the tires are of the same year. Have you checked the date stamped on the actual tires?? If not I would check rather than assume. I recall many posts stating tire "looked in excellent condition" with pictures of blown tires. These tires would concern me and I would replace

gregrc75 · 03-02-2017, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PARAPTOR

I would not assume that if the trailer was built in 2011 that the tires are of the same year. Have you checked the date stamped on the actual tires?? If not I would check rather than assume. I recall many posts stating tire "looked in excellent condition" with pictures of blown tires. These tires would concern me and I would replace

Thank you and I do understand that thanks to this forum. I am replacing them regardless, I was just noting that the original ones appeared to hold up well.

**JRTJH** · 03-02-2017, 11:04 AM

Appearances can be "deadly deceiving"...

I changed my "china bombs" last year at the beginning of the season. They were 3 years old, but "something way in the back of my mind" keep me worried about them. Yes, worried probably because of the threads on this forum, but also because of the reputation ST tires manufactured in China seem to have, no matter where you look.

The tires on my Cougar are 225 75R15 LRD, which provided significantly more "fudge factor" than the tires on your trailer. Even with the 10% annual degredation, they were still able to carry the weight of my trailer, but I just felt that I didn't trust them. The only reason I mention that is to demonstrate how "safe" they were, based on calculations.....

The tires looked "new" and I also keep them covered when outside, usually store the trailer inside the pole barn and NEVER move it without first torqing the lug nuts and checking tire pressure. I use a "laser digital thermometer" at every rest stop and rotate my tires annually.

As I said, "on the trailer they looked new and undamaged"....

Here is the inside of one of the tires. Two had tread separation which is IMPOSSIBLE to see with the tire mounted and inflated.

So, again, "Looks can be deadly deceiving"......

gregrc75 · 03-02-2017, 11:12 AM

Wow, great illustration. You have me searching 15" rims now online.
Is it as simple as buying a new 15" rim, matching the existing lug pattern, making sure there is enough clearance, and installing? Are there any other considerations that need to be made or figured out?

**JRTJH** · 03-02-2017, 11:23 AM

It's essentially just that simple.... If I were you, I'd get down on your knees and look above the current tires to make sure you've got enough clearance. You should have no problem at all, but just make sure. As for between the tires, your trailer is a "spread axle unit" so no problem with clearance between the tires.

busterbrown · 03-02-2017, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Let's look at some trailer "numbers", then make suggestions.

Your trailer is 6 or 7 years old. ST tires degrade about 10% per year and "age out" at 5 years. That means your current tires (assuming they are the original tires) are now running at 30-40% of their original capacity. That's a "recipe for disaster"...

The trailer is 33'6" long, a very large sail area that puts pressure on the tire sidewall in crosswinds as well as the load from trailer weight.

Trailer weight is 5963 with a payload of 1637 for a GVW of 7600 pounds.
Tongue weight should be 10-15%, so at GVW it should range between 760-1140. That puts the axle weight between 6460-6840. IF (usually doesn't happen) the wheels are equally loaded, at GVW each tire would be supporting weights between 1615 - 1710.

If you buy 205 75R14 LRC tires, their max load is 1760, so at the end of the first year (10% degrade) they will be "overloaded" at your GVW.

If you buy 205 75R14 LRD, their max load is 2040, so at the end of the second year (20% degrade) they will be overloaded at GVW.

It's a tough choice, Keystone (and most other manufacturers) put the "minimum acceptable tire" on travel trailers. This makes for a difficult situation for most trailer owners.

If it were me, I would either "upgrade wheels and tires", in your situation, probably to 15" LRD tires (I'd look at 225 75R15 LRD).

If you do keep your 14" wheels, I'd urge you to at least upgrade to Load Range D tires to achieve an adequate load capacity for as long as possible.

This is exactly what I am faced with on my 35 foot Bullet. 1760 lbs of load rating on a 7600 lb GVWR trailer. Even after you account for tongue weight, this trailer is overweight by laws of tire degradation after just the first year.

Read through this forum thread as I asked for similar advice.

I'm having Carlisle Radial HD's installed next week after Discount Tire gets there next shipment in. Look at the DOT date code on the tire. Make sure it's within 6 months of today's date. I went to have my tires mounted last week on my new 15" wheels (rated for 2540 lbs) but the DOT was April of 2016. Almost a year old sitting in a warehouse. DT was nice enough to order new ones directly from the manufacturer.

CWtheMan · 03-02-2017, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregrc75

Hello,

I have read many tire threads on tires here comparing Maxxis to Carlisle. I have 14" rims I was leaning towards the Maxxis M8008 but you can only go up to load range C. The Carlisle HD you can get a 14" tire in load range D. I am now leaning towards the Carlisle's. Do you think that is the smarter choice?

Thank You!

GY has a 14" LRD tire with 2200# of load capacity.

66joej · 03-02-2017, 04:19 PM

As CWtheMan said GY Endurance and they just started selling these tires last month so you will be getting fresh tires.

Desert185 · 03-02-2017, 05:28 PM

Even though I have Maxxis tires on the toy hauler (with Carlisles on the utility trailers), the decision between Maxxis and Carlisle is essentially a quality wash. With either tire or size you decide on, going with LRD would be the preferred choice, IMO.

CaptnJohn · 03-02-2017, 06:04 PM

I have had Carlisle on my last 5er and the current one. The tires I put on last Sept may be replaced with Endurance at age 3 but probably will want a little more time with more of them on the road for some time. GY G614 have a good reputation but other GY products like the Marathons do not. The GY that came on a 1/2 ton I bought as a grocery getter in 2015 sucked as well.

gregrc75 · 03-02-2017, 06:17 PM

Thanks for all the input. It is helpful. I definitely want to go with load range D, but now I'm considering 15" rims too. I've got lots of research to do!
I did measure my neighbors 15" travel trailer tires and they are only slightly larger than mine so I believe the clearance is not an issue if I upgrade.

busterbrown · 03-02-2017, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregrc75

Thanks for all the input. It is helpful. I definitely want to go with load range D, but now I'm considering 15" rims too. I've got lots of research to do!
I did measure my neighbors 15" travel trailer tires and they are only slightly larger than mine so I believe the clearance is not an issue if I upgrade.

If your trailer axles have 5x4.5" lug patterns, 15 inch wheels will open up the door for more tire sizes and brands. I bought $70 aluminum Sendel wheels to match the OEM style. Although, if you're not needing aluminum faced wheels, these Sendel silver painted steel wheels are priced very nice. They are rated for 2600 lbs in the 15"x6" size. I bought 1 for my spare.

gregrc75 · 03-03-2017, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busterbrown

If your trailer axles have 5x4.5" lug patterns, 15 inch wheels will open up the door for more tire sizes and brands. I bought $70 aluminum Sendel wheels to match the OEM style. Although, if you're not needing aluminum faced wheels, these Sendel silver painted steel wheels are priced very nice. They are rated for 2600 lbs in the 15"x6" size. I bought 1 for my spare.

What did you do for your spare tire? Purchase a 5th aluminum rim or a steel wheel for the spare?

EDIT: The link you provided would make a good spare, and rereading your post you answered my question. I plan on purchasing aluminum rims to match the aesthetic of the OEM rims.

gregrc75 · 03-03-2017, 05:38 AM

Another question I now have during my research.
Trailer GVWR is 7600lbs.
The 15" tires have a max load of approx. 2500lbs. Some 15" rims are around 2150lbs and some around 2500lbs max. Is it ok to go with a 2150 lb max rim with a 2500lb max tire? I am thinking that either way the 4 rims can handle more than the GVWR of the trailer.

busterbrown · 03-03-2017, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregrc75

I plan on purchasing aluminum rims to match the aesthetic of the OEM rims.

These are the ones I bought. Mated with a 225 tire, you'll be worry free for at least 3 years.

gregrc75 · 03-03-2017, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busterbrown

These are the ones I bought. Mated with a 225 tire, you'll be worry free for at least 3 years.

Thanks! That is one of the two choices I have narrowed it down to. I will need to double check the clearance of the larger size tires before I do any ordering.

This leaves me wondering about the axles and how adequate they are. Can of worms!

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