Should I get a higher load rated tire?

[Lic0rice]

Originally Posted by CWtheMan

Keystone may have violated federal regulations by fitting your trailer with ST235/80R16E tires. According to their internet specs for your trailer it has 7000# axles and because of the specs Keystone must set your GAWRs at 7000#. Without specifying a specific tire for those GAWRs the certification label would be in error. The reason for that is there are ST235/80R16E tires such as Maxxis and Goodyear that only provide a maximum of 3420# of load capacity and do not qualify for fitment on 7000# axles. So if your certification label says 7000# GAWR for each axle and list ST235/80R16E as a proper fitment without explanation Keystone has made an error in fitment or misprinted the certification label. Doing the math with the specs leaves no room for derating the axles. Its a catch 22 safety violation and you should get an explanation from Keystone as to how they have justified your tire fitments without an explanation.

Here is how I did the math on your trailer's specs;

SW = 12805
CCC = 3660

GVWR = 16565
Hitch weight = 2565
Minus Hitch weight = 14000

Divide by 2 = 7000# -- That's the minimum axle requirement according to their specs.

NOT just the axles.....the wheels are marked Max Single Load 3042# and 80psi max.

I thought that I would go with Sailun S637 but they are rated at 110psi/4080#.

Would I be best to just buy new wheels? Don't mind doing that if it will solve the issue. I am not comfortable with any of the ST tires that are rated to 80psi.

[cw3jason]

Originally Posted by Lic0rice

NOT just the axles.....the wheels are marked Max Single Load 3042# and 80psi max.

I thought that I would go with Sailun S637 but they are rated at 110psi/4080#.

Would I be best to just buy new wheels? Don't mind doing that if it will solve the issue. I am not comfortable with any of the ST tires that are rated to 80psi.

Look at the back of your wheels. The Montana's are coming with 110psi rated rims, I do not know the year or model of your Montana, but if it's fairly new, you may have the rims you need and can just get a set of Sailuns mounted and balanced.

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[cw3jason]

Originally Posted by cw3jason

Look at the back of your wheels. The Montana's are coming with 110psi rated rims, I do not know the year or model of your Montana, but if it's fairly new, you may have the rims you need and can just get a set of Sailuns mounted and balanced.

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It really sounds like someone put the wrong tires on your rig. Maybe the previous owner? I know my Montana came with wheels rated for 3520 and I still want to change them to. G rated tire.

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[Lic0rice]

Originally Posted by cw3jason

Look at the back of your wheels. The Montana's are coming with 110psi rated rims, I do not know the year or model of your Montana, but if it's fairly new, you may have the rims you need and can just get a set of Sailuns mounted and balanced.

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They may be coming with those wheels now but my '06 wheels say 80psi/3042lbs. The original owner says those are the wheels that came on it new.

[cw3jason]

Originally Posted by Lic0rice

They may be coming with those wheels now but my '06 wheels say 80psi/3042lbs. The original owner says those are the wheels that came on it new.

Got it. You definitely need an upgrade

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[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by cw3jason

Axles are 7000 and tires are rated for 3520. Like I said they just meet the spec, but should be replaced due to tire degrading 10 percent a year.

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Technically your tires rated at 3520# do meet the minimum requirement for 7000# GAWR axles. By the "book" they do not, without documentation from Keystone to NHTSA. Keystone must inform NHTSA they are using ST235/80R16E tires that meet the minimum requirements for GAWR 7000# axles.

Because of another NHTSA regulation that says in part that when tires of an identical size and construction having more than one load capacity at a given psi they must all default to the lowest value. The ST235/80R16E tires are manufactured in three different maximum load capacities, 3420#, 3500# and 3520#, all @ 80 psi. For one to properly fit replacements for your trailer they would match the information found on the certification label, tire placard or in the owner's manual. See where I'm coming from? Keystone has often overlooked the problem with that size tire and has had to recall certification labels because of it. You should aske them to do it again.

[Lic0rice]

OK, I get the tire issue but I still have 2 simple questions regarding the rims which I see as two separate issues:

1) Is it safe/smart to run tires marked "Max Load 3520 - Max psi 80" on a rim marked "Max Single Load 3042# - 80psi Max" ?

2) Is it safe/smart to use rims marked Max Single Load 3042# on a Montana 3400RL ?

[dcg9381]

Are your tires rated for 3520 @ 80 psi?


1) That means your rims will have a load failure before your tires will. I expect that a rim failure is likely much more catastrophic than a tire failure - but you're improving the tire situation.

2) A 2015 3400RL has a shipped weight of 12710, with a GVWR of 16715. Pin weight, 2715.

Roughly, loaded, 16715 - 2715 = 14000 lbs, 3500 lbs per tire (if loaded evenly). Might be slightly better situation, as the pin will take some of that load... I would say at GVWR (max loaded weight) you should not run wheels rated for 3042.

[Lic0rice]

Originally Posted by dcg9381

Are your tires rated for 3520 @ 80 psi?


1) That means your rims will have a load failure before your tires will. I expect that a rim failure is likely much more catastrophic than a tire failure - but you're improving the tire situation.

2) A 2015 3400RL has a shipped weight of 12710, with a GVWR of 16715. Pin weight, 2715.

Roughly, loaded, 16715 - 2715 = 14000 lbs, 3500 lbs per tire (if loaded evenly). Might be slightly better situation, as the pin will take some of that load... I would say at GVWR (max loaded weight) you should not run wheels rated for 3042.

That confirms exactly what I was thinking. Unless someone talks me off the ledge, I'm purchasing new rims and Saulin S637 with a Load Range "G".

Thanks for all the help!!

ETA: The 2006 specs for a 3400RL is 11,650# shipping weight and 1975# tongue weight. Even with those lower numbers, I need new wheels and G rated tires.

[cw3jason]

Originally Posted by Lic0rice

That confirms exactly what I was thinking. Unless someone talks me off the ledge, I'm purchasing new rims and Saulin S637 with a Load Range "G".

Thanks for all the help!!

ETA: The 2006 specs for a 3400RL is 11,650# shipping weight and 1975# tongue weight. Even with those lower numbers, I need new wheels and G rated tires.

I believe you have made a wise choice

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