Another Tire Question

[bsmith0404]

Ok, it’s time for new tires for my Alpine. I’ve been running Hartland LRG tires for the past 7 years and intend to put them back on this time. I know the LRGs are way overkill rated at 4080 each and I only have 11,000 lbs on the tires. One thing that bothers me is the tires are showing a little more wear in the center obviously due to inflation vs weight. When looking up the tires, there is a newer version available with even more load capacity of 4410 each. They’re the same price. Although I like the idea of the extra 1300 lbs of carrying capacity, the thought that the current tires are wearing in the center makes me believe these would be even worse. Just curious what thoughts are from others, which tire would you buy?

Don’t bother trying to say Goodyear, Carlyle, Sailun or any other brand. I’ve owned other tires in the past including some of those brands and I’m very happy with the Harland, no need to change brands.

[flybouy]

You don't share the trailer info so what does the tire placard list for OEM? What's the gvw of the trailer? In my opinion there's a diminishing return when you go past one rating higher than OEM, especially if the OEM has 10% reserves. JMHO, YMMV

[bsmith0404]

Trailer info is in my signature, but it’s a 2013 Alpine 3500RE with 15,500 GVWR. The placard shows LRE, but obviously that was back in the day when tires that barely met the minimum were installed. Fully loaded I’m only at 14k with just over 11k on the tires with 2800 pin weight.

However, my question is with only 11k on the tires and the current tires rated for 4080 showing center west, would anyone go to the newer version of the tire that’s rated for 4400 each?

[travelin texans]

IMHO! There's a difference between an upgrade to a higher rating for piece of mind & just flat out overkill.
It sounds a though you've had piece of mind & good service with the current tires, jumping up to the next level would be overkill.
But your $$, your rv, your choice!

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

IMHO! There's a difference between an upgrade to a higher rating for piece of mind & just flat out overkill.
It sounds a though you've had piece of mind & good service with te current tires

That’s kind of what I’m thinking. It would be an easy decision if the other tire was more expensive, but being the same price had me thinking if it’s a good thing or just too much overkill. It’s over 1,600 lbs of extra capacity per tire compared to the 1300 lbs I currently have.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Trailer info is in my signature, but it’s a 2013 Alpine 3500RE with 15,500 GVWR. The placard shows LRE, but obviously that was back in the day when tires that barely met the minimum were installed. Fully loaded I’m only at 14k with just over 11k on the tires with 2800 pin weight.

However, my question is with only 11k on the tires and the current tires rated for 4080 showing center west, would anyone go to the newer version of the tire that’s rated for 4400 each?

Your signature isn't showing up in posts in this thread. Someone who is more tech smart than me can take a guess... perhaps using phone to post or well... can't remember; something about full site mode or something. Help this fella would you guys? BTW: Brent, your "about me" doesn't list the year of your Alpine.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

That’s kind of what I’m thinking. It would be an easy decision if the other tire was more expensive, but being the same price had me thinking if it’s a good thing or just too much overkill. It’s over 1,600 lbs of extra capacity per tire compared to the 1300 lbs I currently have.

Some might say go with the heavier just don't inflate to XXX psi.
IMHO if you pay the $$ for an upgrade then deflate to smooth out the ride or the for whatever reason you've wasted the $$ & lost the benefits of the upgrade & also created one of the 3 deadly sins as per tire experts for rv tires, under inflation.

[sourdough]

I would go with the one what brung ya. I can't see any reason to with the higher load rated tire free or not. I think you've hit the point of "no return" vs "diminishing return" by going that heavy.

[Alpine]

Just a shout out.... remembering when we first met! It was at Cabela's in Sydney, NE. in 2014. You approched our Alpine fifthwheel curious about the tires we had, as they we standing up firm and high, not squishy.

They were Toyo 14-ply 17.5 J-rated. I just replaced those tires last summer (2021) not because of tread, but because of weather cracking on the side walls. They were 125psi tires... I ran them at 115psi. They had a minimum of 90 to 100,000 miles on them. Have a great day!

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Alpine

Just a shout out.... remembering when we first met! It was at Cabela's in Sydney, NE. in 2014. You approched our Alpine fifthwheel curious about the tires we had, as they we standing up firm and high, not squishy.

They were Toyo 14-ply 17.5 J-rated. I just replaced those tires last summer (2021) not because of tread, but because of weather cracking on the side walls. They were 125psi tires... I ran them at 115psi. They had a minimum of 90 to 100,000 miles on them. Have a great day!

I remember. I was transporting back then and stopped into Cabelas for a battery box if I remember correctly. Or that may have been the excuse I used, not that I needed an excuse.

I decided not to go to the 17.5” like you have, but I did upgrade the wheels and went to a 236/85R16 instead of the 245 /80R 16 that came on it. Just a slightly taller tire, but at the time was the only way I could get an LRG

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

BTW: Brent, your "about me" doesn't list the year of your Alpine.

That’s strange, it’s all there on my end. Oh well

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by sourdough

I would go with the one what brung ya. I can't see any reason to with the higher load rated tire free or not. I think you've hit the point of "no return" vs "diminishing return" by going that heavy.

Kinda what I’m thinking. Got 7 years and somewhere between 20-30k miles on this set before I lost one. It wasn’t even going to be a discussion on what the replacement set would be, until I saw the “new/improved” for the same price. I’m just thinking it’s too much tire.

[gearhead]

Is the new model a steel cased tire?
If so and the current tire is not, I would go steel cased.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by gearhead

Is the new model a steel cased tire?
If so and the current tire is not, I would go steel cased.

Both say all steel. My initial thought was the same as yours that one is steel case and one not, they used to have that back when I bought my current tire. Other than the load rating the only difference I can see is in the description which states the internal construction makes them wear evenly. Which is something that I mentioned I was concerned about with the current tires.

[gearhead]

That’s a Discount Tire house brand isn’t it? Think I would visit a couple stores and get their sales pitch.
Tough decision. I did the same thing a few months back. Had a great deal on CarlisleLR E to replace the LR C on my GoDevil trailer. It doesn’t have 5 miles on it since so who knows.
With center wear have you thought of running a few pounds less pressure?
Kyle Larson barely made the show last night. Started 21 and finished 5th I think. So he does make the feature Saturday night. Unbelievable driving.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by gearhead

That’s a Discount Tire house brand isn’t it? Think I would visit a couple stores and get their sales pitch.
Tough decision. I did the same thing a few months back. Had a great deal on CarlisleLR E to replace the LR C on my GoDevil trailer. It doesn’t have 5 miles on it since so who knows.
With center wear have you thought of running a few pounds less pressure?
Kyle Larson barely made the show last night. Started 21 and finished 5th I think. So he does make the feature Saturday night. Unbelievable driving.

It is a Discount Tire house brand. I’ve dropped air pressure down to 95 psi cold on the current tires instead of the 110. Started that about 4 years ago I guess. That reduced the center wear.

After reading the differences between the two tires and the fact that they’re both max psi of 110, I’m starting to think going with the heavier rated tire that is supposed to be constructed in a way that promotes even wear and dropping them to 95 psi like I’ve been doing may be the way to go. That’s still 4000 lb load carrying capacity on that tire, which is more than enough for my 5er.

Wow, that’s still a pretty good run to start 21st and move up that far.

[Alpine Custom Upgrade]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Ok, it’s time for new tires for my Alpine. I’ve been running Hartland LRG tires for the past 7 years and intend to put them back on this time. I know the LRGs are way overkill rated at 4080 each and I only have 11,000 lbs on the tires. One thing that bothers me is the tires are showing a little more wear in the center obviously due to inflation vs weight. When looking up the tires, there is a newer version available with even more load capacity of 4410 each. They’re the same price. Although I like the idea of the extra 1300 lbs of carrying capacity, the thought that the current tires are wearing in the center makes me believe these would be even worse. Just curious what thoughts are from others, which tire would you buy?

Don’t bother trying to say Goodyear, Carlyle, Sailun or any other brand. I’ve owned other tires in the past including some of those brands and I’m very happy with the Harland, no need to change brands.

I installed a TST tpms system on my LRG tires on my Alpine. The tires are rated for 110 psi but I deflated them to 100 psi to see what the tire temperature will be. If they wear too much in the center, I will deflate them to a lesser pressure to see how they wear then as long as the tire temperature is not too high. I am now a firm believer in tpms.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Alpine Custom Upgrade

I installed a TST tpms system on my LRG tires on my Alpine. The tires are rated for 110 psi but I deflated them to 100 psi to see what the tire temperature will be. If they wear too much in the center, I will deflate them to a lesser pressure to see how they wear then as long as the tire temperature is not too high. I am now a firm believer in tpms.

Been using the TST 507 for about 8 years now and it’s paid for itself. On this last trip with our LRG tires set to 95 psi, the biggest temp difference I saw from ambient temps was 17 degrees. To be honest, I haven’t noticed a temp difference from when I used to run 110 psi, definitely nothing that was concerning.

[wrvond]

How bad is that center tread wear? I'd say seven years of service is pretty darn good.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by wrvond

How bad is that center tread wear? I'd say seven years of service is pretty darn good.

It’s not bad now after I started running 95 psi instead of 110. Difference of 2/32 over 20k+ miles, but most of it was in the first half of the tires life when I had 110 psi. I’d say its wore some more at 95, but minimal compared to 110. I was just wondering how many others are seeing this with upgraded tires that have a lot of weight reserve. I know a lot of RVs don’t get enough miles to notice. I even thought of dropping down to an LRF, but I think the LRG with 95 will work ok.