Upgraded 5th Wheel Trailer Wheels/Tires to Avoid Blowouts on Long Distance Highway Travel

Question:

I currently tow a fifth wheel RV which weighs close to 10,000 lbs loaded. It has twin 5,000# axles and came with OEM Westlake ST225/75R15 tires. The tires are made in China and have a really bad reputation for blowouts. They show 2 ply polyester sidewalls and tread is 2 polyester + 2 steel + 1 nylon. Im told they are 10 ply rated but dont see how. Weight rating is 2830 per tire. I travel cross country and have just had to repair damage from blowout. What options do you recommend for a better tire that can handle interstate travel and weights of 2830 or better? Replacing rims is an option.

asked by: Keith C

Helpful Expert Reply:

Today a tire's ply rating does not necessarily match its actual ply construction. This is due to improved materials and manufacturing technology allowing, for example, a 5-ply tire to perform like an 8-ply used to.

Most trailer tires these days are made in China, but they have to meet the very same DOT standards as all others, including those tires made in the U.S.

The highest rated ST225/75R15 radial trailer tire we offer is the Kenda Karrier # AM10303, which has a Load Range E rating of 2830-lbs per tire at their rated pressure of 80-psi. This tire carries a 10-ply rating, 65-mph speed rating and it is protected by a 2-year warranty. Radials are better for highway use since they flex more and run cooler than bias ply tires.

If you wanted to increase your wheel diameter to a wider 16-inch size (and if you have room to do so, see the linked article on tire sizing) you could then use a higher-capacity tire with even more weight handing. Taskmaster # TTWTRTM2358016E is a Load range E ST235/80R16 radial tire with a weight capacity of 3520-lbs at 80-psi. It also carries an M-speed rating of 81-mph. If you routinely cruise the interstates at 70-mph, then you want a M-speed rated tire to avoid heat build-up.

For a new 6-lug 16-inch wheel you can review the items on the other linked page. For example, part # AM22658HWT is a split-spoke wheel similar to yours in a 16 x 6-1/2 size that will work great with the Taskmaster tire above.

Always keep trailer tires fully-inflated to the cold psi pressure noted on the tire sidewall. It is never appropriate to under- or over-inflate a trailer tire.