Big mish mash of tires on my step, looking to replace them all and start fresh some time soon. Michelin doesn't seem to make a suitable tire, so I'm looking at Goodyears G104 RST(which seems to be the only trailer specific tire in that size):

Goodyear Commercial Truck Tires - Unisteel G104 RST Details

According to michelin fuel savings calculator, it has a respectable rolling resistance. It's also the only truck tire I've ever seen rated for more then 75 mph. I'm wondering also if I could just use 275/80r22.5's. Save me a lot of hassle. I'll dump the trailer next time, and see how much clearance there is. The difference between 275's and 255's would be about 1.5 inches radius. From what I hear, 255's can be very very hard to find in Canada. Not only that, they need 120 psi compared to 275's 100 psi. That makes the 275's easier to fill with the truck. On top of that, the 275's all seem to have lower rolling resistance. Especially the XTA energy.

If I switched to 275's is there anything I'm missing other then clearance? I know the deck height will go from 42" to 43.5" or so, but from what I hear that's not an issue at Payne. Could always switch back in the future.

 

Not familiar with the specifiks, but that's definitely what i would do, if it's at all possible.

 

The more I think of it, the more it makes sense.

 

i'm using the Firestone 255/70 r 22.5 16PR, T575 LP on my step with real good results from abrasion wear on the spread. I like the wider groove, so rocks don't get stuck in the tread.

The other tire firestone has thats comparable is the T559, the groove is smaller and should have a lower rolling resistance, and it has the buttressed shoulder ribs, also with abrasion resistant rubber.

 

I use the 255's on my step deck. I have used Bridgestone, Cooper and Ching Ching's. I prefer the Ching Ching or Cooper. They are half the price and wear just as well if not better. T pay $189/US. The Bridgestones cost over $300 on national account, as I recall.

 

Not that it makes a huge difference but you should only gain .75'' because the tire will push the axle up from the bottom not the top. So when you drop the air on the trailer you'll only need.75'' more than you have now.

 

That was already taken into consideration. I dumped the air, and there was about an inch. Not enough.

 

I found this article about Chin Shin tires, of course they weren't for a 18 wheeler, but should make you think twice.





Chin Shin / Greenball trailer tires
I purchased 4 tires 3000 miles ago for my 2004 Terry Travel Trailer, during that time I have had 3 full tread seperations, the most current caused heavy damage to my trailer. I just received a call from the importer stating they were denying any claim. They , without research, claimed the tire suffered a full tread seperation due to heat, I was in a rain storm and traveing at 54 mph and had the proper inflation (I check them every day of travel), They didnt bother to reaearch any of that. Their mission is to deny any claim.
My recomendation to anyone buying any tires for any vehicle you own --is to research where that tire is made (China, Tiwan, Japan they don't relly care )and what kind of customer care and service has been reported. You might find , as I did, they dont care, They dont even put their name or country of origin on the tire, they dont want you to know! Wake up , and try to cure the problem before we have no choice, ask Mattell or Purina how their problems are comming along, if those countries dont care about our kids or dogs , do you think they care about or vehicles or trailers,, certainly not. Do your homework and research before you buy, I will in the future, I will throw these away any buy some GOOD tires.

 

I wouldn't run Chinese junk rubber on my truck, In this world you get what you pay for.

 

Been running spreads for years and have tried just about everything out there.

I've had my best luck and service out of:

Firestone FS560 - Pretty expensive tires
Sumitomo ST738 - Slightly, ONLY Slightly less expensive.

But both tires give me over 100,000 miles on the rear axle of the spread, which is pretty damn good.

Put on 2 Goodyear drives that were nearly new. Put them on the rear axle and got about 10,000 miles out of them! Guess drives just don't work back there!

I buy tires from Magnum Tire Corporation - they ship free if I buy 8 at a time and give me 3 to 4 months to pay for them. Monthly payments of course. You might give Joe a call there, he's in Minneapolis. His number is 651-631-4500. Tell him Goodyear Trucking sent you.