Recommendation on a Set of Trailer Tires with Tire Size 235/85R16

Question:

Hello I need to get 4 new tires on my 5th wheel. we are going to Alaska this summer I have a 38.5 ft 17000 lb gvwr trailer with Goodyear lt235/85R16 tires. I would like to get 4 new ones but they are a bit pricey 300 per tire have been looking at the taskmaster provider and the Sailun tire please help with my dicision

asked by: Robert H

Expert Reply:

For replacement tires for your 5th wheel trailer, I have two different recommendations for you to review.

The Westlake ST235/85R16, # LHWL410, is a special trailer radial tire. This radial tire has a 14-ply rating and a 4,400 lbs max load a 110 psi. The Westlake tire is rated up to a maximum speed of 75 mph and will fit rims that measure 16 X 6, 16 X 6-1/2, and 16 X 7 inches.

The Westlake tire has a 5-year warranty and includes a 2-year complimentary roadside assistance. If your trailer happens to get a flat within the 2 year period, then all you will have to do is call the help line and a technician will be sent to your location to change your flat. This service is offered 24 hours a day,7 days a week, and 365 days a year form anywhere in the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico.

The second tire I recommend is the Taskmaster Provider # TTWPRG235R16 that you referenced. The Provider is also a 14-ply rated radial tire with a max load rating of 4,400 lbs at 110 psi. The Provider has a speed rating of M with a max speed of 81 mph.

Both the Provider and Westlake tires are excellent for highway driving. Both have a tread design that has extra gully to displace water better that will provide for better traction in wet conditions.

The main differenced between the two tires is the warranty. The Provider has a 2-year warranty and does not offer the road side assistance program like the Westlake tire. This difference can be seen in the price difference between the two tires.

I recommend that you use ST tires on your trailer instead of passenger rated or LT(light truck) rated tires. Although passenger tires in many cases might have better tread designs than trailer tires, these tires cannot compete with the load carrying ability of a ST(special trailer) tire. The side walls on ST tires are designed to carry the varying heavy loads that are seen on trailers. ST tire will last longer and will be less prone to blow outs if properly maintain and always inflated to the max psi rated on the tire. Plus ST tires in most cases will be more cost efficient than LT tires.