2019 T@B 400 Boondock Tires: Rainier Apex ST235/R75

ChrisFix

falcon1970 said:

On my TAB 400 at least the lug pattern on the alloy wheels is 5 bolt-4.5" diameter, with a 5" rim width and 0 offset.  However, the steel spare wheel is a 6" wide rim width.

Interesting that the spare is a 6" rim and the trailer tires are 5" rims.
The spare is a 205/75, like the standard trailer tires, isn't it?

falcon1970

It is but on mine it was a different brand than the road tires.

falcon1970

Actually, unless you are mounting some really extreme tires, most tires can accommodate a variation in wheel widths.  I don't think one inch would make a difference.  Two or more inches may pose problems.

ChrisFix

falcon1970 said:

Actually, unless you are mounting some really extreme tires, most tires can accommodate a variation in wheel widths.  I don't think one inch would make a difference.  Two or more inches may pose problems.

That is true...just seems really odd to have two different size wheels on the regular T@B 400, while using a 6" wheel on the Boondock. Perhaps the 235/75 isn't spec'd for a 5" wheel, while the 205/75 could fit either 5" or 6".

Awca12a

To close this loop, heard back from the Factory as follows:
1) The non-boondock trailer comes with ST205/75R15 tires just like the spare
2) The weight rating sticker with the ST205/75R15 would be less than the current 1010# payload
3) They don't ship the trailer with ST225 so there would be no factory weight rating for that tire.

My conclusion is that the ST225 is the way to go.   Question, the speed rating of the current boondock tires is an M (87mph) and the ST225 is an L (75mph).    I know the Endurance E/10 tires can do 75 without a problem as we have them on another trailer.  Any thoughts on running 75 on the ST225's?

		Load		Trailer		Tire Wall
Make/Model	Size	Range	Ply	Rating	PSI	Rating	Width	Diameter	Speed
	ST205/75R15	C	6		50		8.1	27.3
Power King TowMax STR2	ST225/75R15	D	8		65	2540#	8.9	28.4	L / 75
Rainier Apex	ST235/75R15	C	6	1010	50	2340#	9.3	28.9	M / 87

falcon1970

@Awca12a
The Goodyear Endurance ST in 225/75R15 has a load range of E (2830 lbs at 80 psi) and a speed rating of N (87 mph).  Overkill for what we are pulling but a very good tire from everything I have read.
An M speed rating is 81 mph rather than 87.  Still much faster than I will be moving.  75 is about the fastest I will be going unless I'm being chased by something.
Oddly, Tire Rack lists the PowerKing Towmax STRII (in 225/75R15) twice--one with a load rating of D and a service description of 113/108L (for $83.77) and one with a load rating of E and a service description of 117/112L (for $87.77).  I don't know what to think about that!

Awca12a

The Endurance is way overkill but I love the tire and feel comfortable driving it at the speed limit where 75 is posted.    But, for a small trailer like this one, just don't know.

Was leaning towards pulling off the Apex and putting on the Power Kings and calling it a day the first time there is a problem.

N7SHG_Ham

@Awca12a you could get the smaller 205 Endurance a little less stiff probably. I am still undecided between the Endurance which is a good tire and going to the wild side and putting on a Michelin LT, same exact size as factory Boondock tires.

dsfdogs

I just watched today's Long Long Honeymoon YouTube video about tires. Several years ago they switched to LT tires and bigger wheels. The comments are worth going through as well. Here is a comment from someone named Victor Urbina about Rainier 15" ST tires (for whatever it's worth): "Had China Bombs (Ranier 15 inch ST) trailer tires when I purchased our 28 foot Jayco travel trailer. There was so much sidewall flex on the turns. It was horrible. I thought about going with an LT tire but Goodyear had started manufacturing the Endurance ST tire here in the U.S. I had heard very good reviews even though it was a relatively newer ST tire. I went ahead with the Goodyear Endurance ST tires (15 inch) load range E and speed rated at 82 mph. Not that I would ever go that fast but it has an N rating. We took a round trip from Chicago area to south Texas and back without any issues. We don't tow near as much as you all but I think the tire performance was night and day compared to the Rainier tires that came on my Jayco."
https://youtu.be/n2P32UczhZ4

N7SHG_Ham

Let me get the popcorn started:) I skimmed many/most of the comments on the LLHO video. I find it interesting that COSTCO and Discount tire were specifically mentioned as two major tire dealers who will not put LT's on a trailer. Still undecided if I will run the factory 400 BDL tires longer than to the tire store or take my chances. A single blowout will potentially cause more damage than a pair of quality tires cost and while it may seem like throwing away brand new tires, it may just be buying insurance. Do you take chances, or do you buy some peace of mind?

I guess I need to decide soon, picking up on the 23rd with a 2000 mile trip home.

grubbster

Seems like piece of mind is all you would be assuring yourself.  Buying expensive tires may reduce the statistical risk of a blowout due to quality but it does not eliminate it.  Of course we don't have any statistics on the catastrophic failure of these tires but I would doubt it is significantly higher than the other tires mentioned.  I have the stock tires on my 400 BDL and am satisfied with the apparent quality.  I do think it is silly to put a tire with an aggressive tread on a trailer but agree the do look cool.  For me it would not be worth it to replace new tires.  Too many other toys to buy.

Verna

I have over 6,000 miles on my 400 Boondock Lite tires and I am satisfied.  Another 2,000 or so miles until I get “home”. They came in handy in a Forest Service campground with muddy roads two days ago, coupled with the four wheel drive of the Tacoma. No sliding at all as they followed the Tacoma. I’ll have a clean up job when I get home to get the mud out of the wheel wells. 

I’ll worry about replacing them when they need replacing. I tend to act before their end of life, and, sorry, not at the beginning of their life. 

I replaced 3 of my Tacoma tires at 60,000 when they were near the end of their useful life and one at 52,000 with a screw through the edge of the tread. Two dealers said it was not repairable. 

Just my opinion on how I’ve always taken care of tires on my vehicles. 

Brett

Awca12a said:

The Endurance is way overkill but I love the tire and feel comfortable driving it at the speed limit where 75 is posted.    But, for a small trailer like this one, just don't know.

Was leaning towards pulling off the Apex and putting on the Power Kings and calling it a day the first time there is a problem.

 Curious to know what you decided to do. 

I’ve got the same 400 BDL as you. I’m about to take a 2500 mile trip and I’m very concerned with the Westlake brand that comes stock from the factory.  I’d rather upgrade than worry about a catastrophic blowout while doing 65 on the interstate! 

Did you upgrade or stick with what you have?

DenisP

I have a 2018 400 (not BDL) and I replaced the OEM tires at 6K with Endurance load range D prior to our last 9500 mile trip cross country. The tires performed flawlessly and with what it appears as a slight increase in MPG. Prior trip from MA to Fl we got 11.5 mpg with my Tundra and the big trip which included WY,OR,WA,MT, BC, AB AVERAGED 12.2 mpg.  

Awca12a

Kept with the stock tires and figure it will have at least 3000 miles by the fall. At that point will reassess.  Decided to stop making myself crazy and if one fails, I’ll just replace both and call it a day then.  Was not worried about catastrophic failure, only the inability to buy them from anyone but the factory.  If it was going on a remote Canada trip I’d replace them before I left. 

N7SHG_Ham

Bringing an old thread back to life to see if there are any new thoughts on best replacement for the Rainier Apex ST 235/75R15 tires? Mine now have around 5500 miles and one year of time. They look fine, but thinking of replacing as discussed throughout this old thread with a higher or at least perceived higher quality tire.

I think I am still at two choices, either the Goodyear Endurance ST tires in a ST 225/75R15 or a Michelin Defender LTX tire in size LT 235/75R15 The Goodyear has a load rating of 2830 pounds (Load Range E 10PR) and the Michelin has a load rating of 2271 pounds (Load Range XL 4PR).

Stock tires have a load rating of 2340 pounds (Load Range C 6PR).

I had never noticed the Michelin tire being a 4PR before, I run the same tire in a bigger size on my pickup (Tab TV) and they are 10PR. Being only a 4PR might sway me to not use it...

Anyone find any other good choices over last few months?

jrhamel

I put the Defender on my 400 BDL and with about 3k on them I satisfied thus far

fishergary

I just got 3 Kumho MT51 235/75R15 mounted on Bearcat rims (from eTrailer) for my 2019 320. Still in the process of upgrading to a Boondock axle.

ChrisFix

@fishergary
That looks like a nice alternative to the Rainier Apex - with nearly identical load of 2,335lbs and 65 PSI. 
I've had very good luck with Kumho tires as well and would trust them enough to try this tire out.

Awca12a

Nice use of an archived old post by @N7SHG_Ham to get new ideas on a common problem.  Really glad to see how this community remains proactive and vibrant.  

TNOutback

Probably opening a can of worms here, but light truck radials have softer side walls, which could result in more trailer sway (than special purpose trailer tires).  It would be interesting to hear @fishergary if you notice any difference in trailer sway after mounting them.

gspdx

Does anyone here have personal information about the Rainier ST Apex tires have quality/failure issues?  So far mine look great.  Visual inspection seems fine, but...

Would really like to know if people here have had issues.

Bayliss

@gspdx, I have 10,000 miles on mine and they still look new with even tread wear.  I have rotated them once (earlier this year) with the Boondock spare in preparation for camping this year, which Covid-19 cut short.  I did change out the valve stems to high-pressure stems.  The tires have balancing beads that were included with the factory installation.    

jrhamel

Update on the Michelin Defender LTX tires. I have maybe 5000 miles on them and I'm not sure I'm happy with them. I installed Anderson WDH because of tongue weight and I still get some kick out at the back end of the trailer, its not constant, which is why I'm thinking it could be the tires. My main reason for going to the Defenders is to keep the same size 235/75r15s. What difference might I see going to the 225's, other than potentially getting rid of sway? 

jrhamel

Has anyone considered Carlisle Radial Trailhead? The make a C load range tire, 2150 max load and 50 PSI and an M speed rating. This closer to the Apex than the other tires mentioned. Price from Discount Tire is $106 a piece or $258 installed. 

JeffroNC

I just put a couple hundred miles on my new GY Endurance tires on really curvy roads. They track great. Much better than the originals. 

jkjenn

I have decided to leave my Rainers on until spring. I am considering either going back to the General Tire AT Grabbers (loved them on 2015 T@b) or the Goodyear Endurance tires. 

ChrisFix

Have any T@BBERS actually had problems with the Rainers? I know there isn't a lot of love for Chinese manufactured tires, but I have to say the Rainers perform excellently on my 400 and with close to 4K miles on them, look brand new still.

Denny16

Our Rainer tyres have 1800 mikes on them, and are two years, going on three years old, and still look new, no issues.
cheers

Bayliss

DELETED..........comments were similar to my earlier response.