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Post by poppachris on Feb 21, 2016 19:48:44 GMT -5
My new 262RKS came from the factory equipped with Trailer King ST205/75R15 Load Range C/6ply (1820lbs@50psi) tires. According to the label they are at or near the limit of their capacity at max air pressure with absolutely no "wiggle room". Frankly, this gives me a lot of worry.
I'm seriously considering swapping them out before something happens. I have no issues with the Trailer King brand as every bit of on-line research I can find leads me to believe they are as good as anybody else out there (which isn't saying much).
I am looking at Trailer King ST225/75R15 Load Range E/10ply (2490lbs@80psi) as a replacement. Before doing so, I have a few questions I'm hoping might be answered here:
1: Is this reasonable?
2: If so, does the higher pressure rating require inflating to that pressure or some lower pressure that my match up to my 262RKS GAWR?
3: There is also a ST225/75R15 Load range D/8ply (2540lbs@65psi)... Would this be a better choice? Plus the same questions as for the 10ply.
I'm getting so confused! Please help!
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 21, 2016 23:12:37 GMT -5
I side stepped all the ST and Chinese tire issues by using made in USA Goodyear LT tires. I have a 261RKS which is almost identical to your trailer. WranglersYour axles, bearings, springs are marginal at best. I wouldn't go to 80 PSI tires on such a weak trailer. |
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Post by spadoctor on Feb 22, 2016 7:35:58 GMT -5
I have towed over 250000 miles and only issue with tires was a US made Goodyear. The hype about the import tires is just that...hype. There are millions of those on the road with no issues. To get the capacity out of any tire you need to inflate to the max as shown on the tire. As for your axles bearings and springs....you'll be fine.
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 22, 2016 8:41:24 GMT -5
Just so you know, my axles were bent from new, my brakes didn't last, my bearings failed and my springs sagged and broke. Good Luck! Some information |
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Post by spadoctor on Feb 22, 2016 14:46:15 GMT -5
Just so everyone knows....I have read this guys posts on multiple sites....he has everything in the world go wrong with his camper....many agree he finds things wrong just to post. Look him up its incredible.
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 22, 2016 16:37:09 GMT -5
A personal attack has been reported.... again.
And again!
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Post by spadoctor on Feb 23, 2016 7:22:21 GMT -5
Sorry if the truth hurts. It was not an attack either just a statement of fact....hence I suggested everyone look for themselves.
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Post by cooperrobt on Feb 23, 2016 12:13:55 GMT -5
What up with the personal attacks?
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Post by johnr on Feb 23, 2016 12:30:00 GMT -5
I'm with lynnmor on this one. It was a blatant attack on his credibility and character. There's no excuse for personal attacks. You don't like the guy? Keep it to yourself. You have a contrary view on tires or equipment? Feel free to post away and let people believe which piece of information they want.
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Post by joecamper on Feb 23, 2016 13:04:38 GMT -5
Oh Boy, another Forum that personal attacks are starting to rear their ugly head.
Hope this gets nipped in the bud quickly.
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Post by spadoctor on Feb 23, 2016 14:12:24 GMT -5
If you wish to call it an attack that's up to you. BUT for over 2 years he has badmouthed KZ and he claims to have had dozens of major failures...likw 4 sets of wheel bearings... causing him to redesign many things on this unit. When there is someone with as large a file as this it brings suspect and as such others need to know before they are influenced. This was his statement to the OP... "Your axles, bearings, springs are marginal at best. I wouldn't go to 80 PSI tires on such a weak trailer." Is he qualified to make such a statement?
. Like I said research for yourself. End of my involvement.
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 23, 2016 14:58:06 GMT -5
See my second post in this thread. Go to the link in it, and decide for your yourself if I am qualified for anything. I didn't even mention that my frame cracked in four places. I am trying to help the original poster so that he doesn't make mistakes, but others might not care.
I have had numerous repairs to my KZ and I made many improvements. I documented everything with photos, but some might not like what they are looking at and would rather hurl insults. I have freely shared all that information so that some might benefit from it. If that is not the purpose of this forum, then what is it's purpose?
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Post by johnr on Feb 24, 2016 8:52:50 GMT -5
Are any of us qualified to make any statements on here? spadoctor, you said yourself in this very thread: "As for your axles bearings and springs....you'll be fine." Do you have credentials as a suspension expert and did you personally inspect the trailer, or are you a general RVer like most of us?
I can give advice based on my experience with RVs that I've owned or helped others work on. I'm sure that holds true for each and every one of us here. My brother-in-law had an RV where the back wall literally separated and fell off of a fifth wheel. I saw it happen personally. Does that mean that all back walls will fall off of RVs? Does it mean that 50% of walls will fall off? Does it mean that 10% of walls will fall off? No, it was that particular RV. Do I check the seams inside and out on my RV because of it? You bet I do.
You can't fault anyone for their experiences and you shouldn't defame anyone for stating their experiences. That's what we're all here for. It's better to take a look at your own unit with a wary eye and be proactive about finding potential trouble. If your unit is in good shape then that's awesome.
There are KZ dealers for the tough questions and to have experts look at our RVs. Let's keep the forum what it is, user to user advice for the stuff we have questions on. None of us, as far as I'm aware, have ever claimed to be experts or are willing to warranty our suggestions to any other user here. It's just friendly advice.
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Post by joecamper on Feb 24, 2016 14:51:31 GMT -5
Well stated, John
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Post by poppachris on Mar 7, 2016 22:59:38 GMT -5
I hope that as the original poster it is OK if I ask that we please get back to the topic I asked about.
I am currently considering Good Year Marathon ST225/75R15 Load Range D as a replacement tire to the Trailer Kings. Any comments? (Just on the tires, not the people.)
FYI: I always read as many posts as I can about a subject I'm interested in. I can usually smell out a chronic complainer on my own. I never make comments about him/her as I am often guilty of just the opposite position, too quick to praise rather than denigrate.
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Post by lynnmor on Mar 8, 2016 8:49:04 GMT -5
The 225's require a 6" to 7" wide wheel, you likely have 5.5" wheels. The Marathons are made in China and the 215 Wranglers that I mentioned are made in USA.
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Post by myredracer on Mar 20, 2016 13:44:54 GMT -5
We ordered our 2014 262RKS with Marathons. I've been to a scale (a number of times too) and the tongue weight is over 900 lbs. With a GVWR of 6800 lbs, that gives about 5900 lbs on the tires & axles. LRC are rated 7280 lbs total (and axles, 2 x 3500 lbs). It is recommended that you have at least 20% reserve load capacity on ST tires and the LRC means about 19% spare capacity. That is *if* you are loaded to no more than the GVWR max. I have learned that the NCC is low on the 262RKS and just one full holding tank would make us over the GVWR (and that is loaded with things for an ordinary weekend trip). It is also very possible that the tires are unevenly loaded side to side. It would be a valuable exercise to go to a scale and find out what your weights are. A TPMS is highly recommended. Keep in mind that with ST tires, it is very important to treat them properly. This means max. 65 mph, keeping them inflated to the correct psi, avoiding potholes and speedbumps (at speed) and staying off shoulders where you could pick up something that would cause a puncture. I beleive that most ST tire failures are caused by improper care but it is impossible to ever know as reports on forums are anecdotal and you will never know how they were treated. If you are just going to local campgrounds, the LRC may be okay but if doing long trips and/or highway speeds, I'd go with LRD tires. Some say that Marathons are not that good but some swear by them. Maxxis is often recommended but failures have been reported with them too. Our Marathons are 2 years old with about 10K miles on them and I expect to get a lot more out of them. Lots and lots of great tire info on RVtiresafety.com by a retired tire engineer. When we ordered our new Spree, I asked the salesman why anyone would want to order the optional LRD Marathons just to see what he would say. His answer was "I dunno"... He also said not many buyers order them. If it were me and if you have the $$, I would definitely go with LRD tires. Sell the OEM Trailer Kings on CL. There's always threads on other RV forums on ST tires but they're guaranteed to drive you crazy with all the opposing views. You could upgrade to LT tires but would have to get new 16" rims. I hope that as the original poster it is OK if I ask that we please get back to the topic I asked about. I am currently considering Good Year Marathon ST225/75R15 Load Range D as a replacement tire to the Trailer Kings. Any comments? (Just on the tires, not the people.) FYI: I always read as many posts as I can about a subject I'm interested in. I can usually smell out a chronic complainer on my own. I never make comments about him/her as I am often guilty of just the opposite position, too quick to praise rather than denigrate. Gil, Deb and Dougal the Springer Spaniel 2014 KZ Spree 262RKS 2009 F250 |
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Post by myredracer on Mar 20, 2016 14:16:31 GMT -5
spadoc seems to have a personal vendetta against lynnmor and it's been going on for years on this and other forums. It's almost like spadoc has a vested interest in KZ and can't take anyone telling the truth about poor quality, design and workmanship. I am very familiar with what Lynnmor has been through with his Spree and I agree 100% with what he says. He's an accomplished machinist and have great respect for his knowledge. I also met lynnmor last year and toured his Spree and have seen up close some of the things he has done and what the issues have been. As lynnmor will say, the frame on the Spree lineup in particular is a rather weak design (3-piece I-beams welded together from 1/8" mild steel) leading to various issues, like in lynnmor's case as an example, cracks in the frame above the spring hangers. The frame flexes enough to cause excessive movement which can even damage the aluminum frame superstructure like in the photo. Some people prefer to keep their heads in the sand. As a prof. engineer, I have been astounded by some of the things I have learned - weak frames, poor insulating in the ceiling, poorly functioning heating system, and much more. Problem is tho., this is endemic in the RV industry. One of the best mods. we have done is to add shocks to our trailer. However, the dealer insisted that the work be done by a shop down the street from them when we first got it. Last year one of the shock mounts fell off on a trip to Nevada. Ended up destroying a tire and we had to get the shock brackets all removed and redone at a reputable frame shop. Can't even rely on some dealers to do things right (and it's not just the shock trouble we've had).  Are any of us qualified to make any statements on here? spadoctor, you said yourself in this very thread: "As for your axles bearings and springs....you'll be fine." Do you have credentials as a suspension expert and did you personally inspect the trailer, or are you a general RVer like most of us? I can give advice based on my experience with RVs that I've owned or helped others work on. I'm sure that holds true for each and every one of us here. My brother-in-law had an RV where the back wall literally separated and fell off of a fifth wheel. I saw it happen personally. Does that mean that all back walls will fall off of RVs? Does it mean that 50% of walls will fall off? Does it mean that 10% of walls will fall off? No, it was that particular RV. Do I check the seams inside and out on my RV because of it? You bet I do. You can't fault anyone for their experiences and you shouldn't defame anyone for stating their experiences. That's what we're all here for. It's better to take a look at your own unit with a wary eye and be proactive about finding potential trouble. If your unit is in good shape then that's awesome. There are KZ dealers for the tough questions and to have experts look at our RVs. Let's keep the forum what it is, user to user advice for the stuff we have questions on. None of us, as far as I'm aware, have ever claimed to be experts or are willing to warranty our suggestions to any other user here. It's just friendly advice. Gil, Deb and Dougal the Springer Spaniel 2014 KZ Spree 262RKS 2009 F250 |
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Post by spadoctor on Mar 21, 2016 7:53:57 GMT -5
First I have no connection with KZ....second if you research Lynnmors posts he claims to have had more then his share of issues....third Sprees are SINGLE piece I beam not 3 piece...third I have worked in the RV industry (the original Coachmen company) and know a lot about how things are done....Forth I suggest you take a tour of the factories... not just KZ.. and see that your claims are unfounded as are Lynnmors. Several of the early mods he did could cause serious issues resulting in severe failures. I suggest you research him fully. He might be a good machineist but that means nothing unless the calculations for your mods is correct. For myself my background includes engineering and skills in machining...welding...carpentry...plumbing and electrical. As I stated before....I have been rving since 1983....have towed over 250000 miles and if I add up all the issues I have had with 6 rvs they don't come close to his on one unit and I think most will agree.
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Post by myredracer on Mar 21, 2016 11:08:10 GMT -5
I beg to differ, but the I-beams are most definitely made from 3 pieces of steel welded together and have been for a number of years. Maybe they have just done away with them? I doubt it tho. They did look into a BAL/Norco frame a couple of years ago but BAL could not commit to the required quantities. Spree Connect models had them in very early 2014 models and I saw them in person. The weld on the 3-pieces is quite visible and can be easily checked by running a finger over the weld. It's also used on a few other brands/models. I would suggest you stop dissing other people, esp. when you really don't know some things... First I have no connection with KZ....second if you research Lynnmors posts he claims to have had more then his share of issues....third Sprees are SINGLE piece I beam not 3 piece...third I have worked in the RV industry (the original Coachmen company) and know a lot about how things are done....Forth I suggest you take a tour of the factories... not just KZ.. and see that your claims are unfounded as are Lynnmors. Several of the early mods he did could cause serious issues resulting in severe failures. I suggest you research him fully. He might be a good machineist but that means nothing unless the calculations for your mods is correct. For myself my background includes engineering and skills in machining...welding...carpentry...plumbing and electrical. As I stated before....I have been rving since 1983....have towed over 250000 miles and if I add up all the issues I have had with 6 rvs they don't come close to his on one unit and I think most will agree. Gil, Deb and Dougal the Springer Spaniel 2014 KZ Spree 262RKS 2009 F250 |
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