Are Tires ST235/80-16 Load Range E Rated High Enough for Trailer Weighing 14,500 Pounds

Question:

I bought a fifth wheel with gross weight stamped as 14500 lbs.. It came with Goodyear marathons ST235/80/16. These ties are rated for 3500 lbs. Each, x 4 =14000. Can this explain my blowouts? What should I replace these with *8 lug?

asked by: Tony

Expert Reply:

It's possible your tires are rated too low. However, your trailer is stamped at 14,500 pounds gross trailer weight but what is the actual weight when you're towing it? If your trailer only weighs 12,000 pounds then the problem is likely something else. Other things should be considered as well like keeping them inflated at maximum air pressue and also their speed rating. An ST235/80R16 tire we carry that has a maximum weight capacity of 3,520 pounds at 80 psi, and maximum speed rating of 81 mph is # TTWTRTM2358016E. This will give you slightly more weight capacity and possibly a higher speed rating.

If you are loading your trailer to its maximum GTW then replacing your tires with a higher load range is a good idea. We do not carry your tire's size in anything other than an E load range which isn't high enough. If you have the clearance to increase in tire size by about an inch in diameter and about 1/10 of an inch in width then you can increase to an ST35/85R16 load range F tire, part # AM10501 rated at 3,960 pounds at 110 psi. Or for a load range G part # TTWPRG235R16 that is rated for 4,400 pounds at 110 psi. Both of these have a maximum speed rating of 81 mph.

expert reply by: Charles S