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Tires on new trailers


John Welte

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I read an article in RV Life that said to just buy new tires when you get your new trailer as they put on very cheap tires to get the trailers and RV's out the door.   I assume they meant other trailer brands.   I can't picture that being an issue with Oliver. 


John and Debbie, Beaverton, Oregon,  2017 Ford Expedition EL 4x4 3.5 liter Ecoboost, with heavy duty tow package. Hull #1290, twin bed with Truma package (a/c, furnace, hot water heater with electric antifreeze option), lithium pro package, picked up November 7, 2022

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Last I heard Oliver was installing Cooper Light Truck tires. Perfectly fine tires. Most other trailers come with ST (Special Trailer) tires, often of dubious quality. Google "RV China Bombs" and you'll see lots of horror stories.

With our 3 previous rigs, the first thing I did was put quality tires on them. I won't be changing out the Oliver's Coopers.

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Stephanie and Dudley from CT.  2022 LE2, Hull #1150: Eggcelsior.

Tow vehicle: 2016 GMC Sierra 6.0 gas dually 4x4.

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Where we've been RVing since 1999:

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Yes, Oliver still installs Cooper tires. We have been very happy with our 10 ply E rated Cooper truck tires and see absolutely no need to change out.

 

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2020 OLEII - Hull #634 aka-  “XPLOR” 

2021 F350 6.7 liter Diesel Lariat Ultimate Tremor aka- Beast

 

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I replaced my factory original BF Goodrich tires last year with Cooper Discoverer AT3 LTX.  It’s a little more aggressive model than what Oliver is using now.  I just put them on my truck as well, 35” F rated.  Mike

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1 hour ago, Mike and Carol said:

I replaced my factory original BF Goodrich tires last year with Cooper Discoverer AT3 LTX.  It’s a little more aggressive model than what Oliver is using now.  I just put them on my truck as well, 35” F rated.  Mike

Please post a pic, I have used them in the past on my LC200 and found them to be lacking for that truck. I now have the AT3 XLTs on it and they are most excellent, mainly because they sling practically no gravel, unlike the finer tread and they have sexy cool sidewall protectors. But I think the AT3s would be great for “Mouse”, especially since they don”t make a small enough XLT😬

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John Davies

Spokane WS

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SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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4 hours ago, John E Davies said:

Please post a pic, I have used them in the past on my LC200 and found them to be lacking for that truck. I now have the AT3 XLTs on it and they are most excellent, mainly because they sling practically no gravel, unlike the finer tread and they have sexy cool sidewall protectors. But I think the AT3s would be great for “Mouse”, especially since they don”t make a small enough XLT😬

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John Davies

Spokane WS

I mis-typed.  I put Discoverer AT3 XLTs on the trailer last. Year.  Same size as the BF Goodrich’s.  I just put the same, Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLTs on my truck.  35/12.5 R18.  I’ll post some pics.  Mike

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Texas Hill Country | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 6.7L

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Great looking tires, Mike. How do they ride?

Love the sidewall protection. 

2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

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Mike, thanks for posting, I was confused because Cooper and Discount Tire both do not list that size. I actually think that your Ollie tires are the AT3 LT, not the more aggressive “off roady” XLT that are on your truck! These are the only 16” sizes listed for the XLT:
 

F30B7FF3-A46B-4040-8C74-225794F2E292.thumb.png.16c1fa21e0b3a87e8fa26076bbdcc92c.png

 

I have the XLTs on my LC200 and love them, I am a huge Cooper fan. Buyer Beware, the rolling resistance is a lot higher than with a pure “street” tire, it will affect your mileage, but you won’t have to worry about sidewall cuts. My original Ollie Michelins are now six years old, they will come off next Spring for a set of these LTs.

F08884AF-24ED-49B7-B6D7-9DB8F1E24B0C.thumb.jpeg.9136ad82d3887b23c85d4a0d9f78bcce.jpeg

https://www.amazon.com/Cooper-Discoverer-All-Terrain-Radial-Tire-LT225/dp/B07CZZSTYD

John Davies

Spokane WA

F08884AF-24ED-49B7-B6D7-9DB8F1E24B0C.jpeg

SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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26 minutes ago, SeaDawg said:

Great looking tires, Mike. How do they ride?

Love the sidewall protection. 

The ride is smooth and quiet.  I wanted something a little more truck-like.  The stock Firestones were basically regular street tires.  They didn’t wear well either, after 35K miles they were ready to be replaced.  Mike

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Texas Hill Country | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 6.7L

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5 minutes ago, John E Davies said:

Mike, thanks for posting, I was confused because Cooper and Discount Tire both do not list that size.

I have these on my LC200 and love them, I am a huge Cooper fan. Buyer Beware, the rolling resistance is a lot higher than with a pure “street” tire, it will affect your towing  mileage, but you won’t have to worry about sidewall cuts. My original Ollie Michelins are now six years old, they will come off next Spring for a set of these.

Did you include the spare and does it still fit under the cover, the OD is a trifle larger. That doesn’t matter to me since I have no cover.

John Davies

Spokane WA

I got both sets at Discount Tire.  Maybe they’ve discontinued the trailer size.  I didn’t include the spare, still have the smaller size BF Goodrich.  Not optimal, I am considering a spare that matches the installed tires and leaving the cover off.  I was a little concerned that my speedometer would not be accurate with the larger diameter tires.  With the Firestones (285/60 20) actual speed was generally about 1mph below GPS and various roadside radar.  These tires, almost 1.5” taller, show the same speed on my speedometer and GPS.  I haven’t encountered one of those roadside radar displays yet, but right now it seems my speedometer is more accurate.  So far, I’m happy.  They look good, fill out the wheel well better and have a quiet, smooth ride.  We leave for Colorado in the morning, so I’ll be able to see what the gas mileage difference is.  Mike

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Texas Hill Country | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 6.7L

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3 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

Trailer - Cooper AT3 XLT 225/75-16.

5140095C-185B-4F4B-9162-EE410F174664.thumb.jpeg.8a39e0409e64e75fe985c39269673272.jpeg70877603-B625-4DE3-8A65-86DFCF3A5B2B.thumb.jpeg.e3bfc7df3255fc6fb3dca205cd5f5799.jpeg

 

Truck - Cooper AT3 XLT 35/12.5-18.

49408B09-01EA-4409-A9E9-11DC11584897.thumb.jpeg.a705d71f3b6e77ba4e94bad639ba1bdf.jpegF95AEB46-C2D1-4F38-B4EB-9C2D27CD6493.thumb.jpeg.dd36a7344f5a7665d0b1461ce8fa819f.jpeg

Does your mud flap do the job to protect the trailer?   I am considering Rock Tamers.   They're bigger and attach at the hitch.   We get our Ollie in November so I anticipate some rainy weather on the trip back to Oregon.   It would be nice if it wasn't chipped up and filthy by the time we get home. 

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John and Debbie, Beaverton, Oregon,  2017 Ford Expedition EL 4x4 3.5 liter Ecoboost, with heavy duty tow package. Hull #1290, twin bed with Truma package (a/c, furnace, hot water heater with electric antifreeze option), lithium pro package, picked up November 7, 2022

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1 minute ago, John Welte said:

Does your mud flap do the job to protect the trailer?   I am considering Rock Tamers.   They're bigger and attach at the hitch.   We get our Ollie in November so I anticipate some rainy weather on the trip back to Oregon.   It would be nice if it wasn't chipped up and filthy by the time we get home. 

My mud flaps do a marginal job.  They aren’t really big enough to provide real protection.  I have a little more relaxed attitude than most Oliver owners and so I have some chips on the lower part of the front of the trailer.  Not really noticeable unless you’re up close.  I keep it clean, waxed and well maintained.  After over 6 years and 80,000 miles it still looks pretty good.  Mike

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Texas Hill Country | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 6.7L

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Rock tamers, properly installed, do the job for us on slow speed gravel roads.  (5 to 25, maybe 35 mph, campground and entrance roads).  We only have a very few chip marks.

Beyond that, you'll want some frontal  protection. 

Typical campground entances have  slow speed limits.

If you want to get out there, check out the Alaska  threads. That's where it gets interesting. 

 

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2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

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1 hour ago, John Welte said:

I am considering Rock Tamers.   They're bigger and attach at the hitch.   We get our Ollie in November so I anticipate some rainy weather on the trip back to Oregon.   It would be nice if it wasn't chipped up and filthy by the time we get home. 

They are a great start, but also add a set of extended ones on your truck like Mike’s. Think layers of protection. In fact you might want to consider a temporary stone protector aerosol film for the trip back, so you won’t worry so much. Peel it off when you get home. Or tape closed cell foam on the front of the Ollie with gaffers tape, not cheap duct tape. Some folks headed to AK do this and it seems to work pretty well.

Stopping the chips is most important, but NO way is your trailer going to stay clean over a 2500+ mile trip in November. In fact, you will probably have to take the longer route across the SW deserts then up on I-5. you will hit snow in the passes otherwise. Bring chains or cables for the truck AND the Ollie. What is your delivery date, and can you have it bumped a little earlier? You still need a few days in TN for the shakedown testing.

In your shoes I would be thinking about having the Ollie delivered to Oregon.

John Davies

Spokane WA

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SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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10 hours ago, John E Davies said:

In fact you might want to consider a temporary stone protector aerosol film for the trip back, so you won’t worry so much. Peel it off when you get home.

I tried aerosol film paint protector spray for two years in a row - I wouldn't waste my time on it again.

In order to get the thickness you need to provide even marginal protection you will need numerous coats.  With the time that takes plus the masking of areas where you do not want this spray, the entire process will take at least two days.  I had as many as seven coats on and it still wasn't as thick as even 8mm protection film.

Bill

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2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

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19 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

Trailer - Cooper AT3 XLT 225/75-16.

5140095C-185B-4F4B-9162-EE410F174664.thumb.jpeg.8a39e0409e64e75fe985c39269673272.jpeg70877603-B625-4DE3-8A65-86DFCF3A5B2B.thumb.jpeg.e3bfc7df3255fc6fb3dca205cd5f5799.jpeg

 

Truck - Cooper AT3 XLT 35/12.5-18.

49408B09-01EA-4409-A9E9-11DC11584897.thumb.jpeg.a705d71f3b6e77ba4e94bad639ba1bdf.jpegF95AEB46-C2D1-4F38-B4EB-9C2D27CD6493.thumb.jpeg.dd36a7344f5a7665d0b1461ce8fa819f.jpeg

We installed new LT Cooper tires from Discount Tire with over 6 years on our original BF Goodrich Commercial 225/75R/16 tires, but believe the tread looks different compared to Mike's new tires. Need to drop by Ollie today, will take photos and get Cooper tire model. We have a smaller spare tire from Oliver 215/60R/16, maximum 44PSI, too. We could install a standard size spare tire on the wheel since we keep Ollie's spare in the pickup bed to keep Ollie's weight under 5000 pounds ready to camp along with other LE2 weight saving measures. Keep the wheel cover on Ollie for looks.

2022061010014500--367979112853859998-IMG

 

 

 

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1 hour ago, topgun2 said:

In order to get the thickness you need to provide even marginal protection you will need numerous coats.  With the time that takes plus the masking of areas where you do not want this spray, the entire process will take at least two days.  I had as many as seven coats on and it still wasn't as thick as even 8mm protection film.

What do you use now? Anything?

The yoga mats some people have used with nonresidue duck tape looks like an economical and effective solution, to me.

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2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

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Here's the Cooper tires we replaced original Commercial BF Goodrich tires with at Discount Tire. My goal was to use a tire close to what Oliver was using last year when they were replaced.

Cooper Discover HT3  LT 225/75R/16

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/cooper-discoverer-ht3

2022061014120804-1649339192100755724-IMG

2022061014120804-4529046343782961364-IMG

Thinking about installing wheels Oliver has been installing on Ollies lately, but have not done it yet. This is not the newest wheel mentioned earlier.

https://www.lionsheadtireandwheel.com/Jaguar-Aluminum-Wheel

edited

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I am seeing a lot of confusion here about the various Cooper models. HT3 is a commercial street tire, with a very high load capacity, over 3000 pounds:

2D94BF55-D444-4275-89AB-35C95DF44E7D.thumb.jpeg.eeceb32cf41e89d50acef0d82eba906f.jpeg

The AT3 series are all terrain tires There are a bunch of Discoverer variants including AT3 LT, AT3 4S (for winter), AT3 XLT which is a hybrid mud/ all terrain tread with beefier sidewall lugs, 12 different models in all!

https://coopertire.com/en-us/find-tires/all-tires

Some will not be available in the stock size or load range for an Ollie - for example the XLT variant is NOT, they don’t offer one that small. The LT works. The LT 4S is tlhe right size but the wrong load rating. You have to look at specifications charts to see what is available. For example the 4s is not a Load E 10 ply tire:

837452BC-C6BB-4F7F-A3DB-E3CEB2C24A0E.thumb.jpeg.adde4de7efa1cbd0d91fefc334232388.jpeg

 

And the LT obviously is Load E:

82509DC0-7398-457F-B7F5-43DDCCEACE76.thumb.jpeg.fb4508777de293778c446738365d263f.jpeg

If you are going to post pics, make user comments, and provide links, please make very sure you are talking about the correct tire variant. Otherwise it is just static and super confusing for everyone. You do NOT have to put 10 ply tires on your Ollie, but that is a whole different conversation…..

Thank you.

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

 

SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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.

On 6/10/2022 at 12:11 PM, John E Davies said:

I am seeing a lot of confusion here about the various Cooper models. HT3 is a commercial street tire, with a very high load capacity, over 3000 pounds:

2D94BF55-D444-4275-89AB-35C95DF44E7D.thumb.jpeg.eeceb32cf41e89d50acef0d82eba906f.jpeg

The AT3 series are all terrain tires There are a bunch of Discoverer variants including AT3 LT, AT3 4S (for winter), AT3 XLT which is a hybrid mud/ all terrain tread with beefier sidewall lugs, 12 different models in all!

https://coopertire.com/en-us/find-tires/all-tires

Some will not be available in the stock size or load range for an Ollie - for example the XLT variant is NOT, they don’t offer one that small. The LT works. The LT 4S is tlhe right size but the wrong load rating. You have to look at specifications charts to see what is available. For example the 4s is not a Load E 10 ply tire:

837452BC-C6BB-4F7F-A3DB-E3CEB2C24A0E.thumb.jpeg.adde4de7efa1cbd0d91fefc334232388.jpeg

 

And the LT obviously is Load E:

82509DC0-7398-457F-B7F5-43DDCCEACE76.thumb.jpeg.fb4508777de293778c446738365d263f.jpeg

If you are going to post pics, make user comments, and provide links, please make very sure you are talking about the correct tire variant. Otherwise it is just static and super confusing for everyone. You do NOT have to put 10 ply tires on your Ollie, but that is a whole different conversation…..

Thank you.

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

 

The OP started the thread about trailer manufacturers installing economy trailer tires, but probably not Oliver. To confirm the OP's original post, tires that came on my LE2 Hull #75 were not economy tires. I did find the off road Cooper tires Mike installed to be nice looking tires.

The street tires that came on Hull #75 LE2 from Oliver were BF Goodrich TA Commercial that were E rated street commercial tires.

The tires I posted above were Cooper HTS E rated street tires, trying to match the tire quality that originally came from Oliver. As far as off road tires go, I prefer street tires.

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Oliver has never installed junk tires, like some other sob trailer manufacturers. 

Our first tires (st) were duros, if I remember correctly, in 2008.  Some of the very best st tires available,  at the time when goodyear marathons (nicknamed explodathons) were on pretty much every other trailer. We got five years and full life out of those tires. 

Just a few years ago, my sister was looking at an sob teardrop, a year or two old. It had load range c cheap Chinese tires. I told her to ask for new tires, at least load range d, before even considering signing. Many sob trailers leave the factory with the bare minimum tires, often unsafe at normal highway speed. But, not Olivers.

@John Welte asked a valid question, considering the general market.. 

 

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2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

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3 hours ago, SeaDawg said:

Oliver has never installed junk tires, like some other sob trailer manufacturers. 

Our first tires (st) were duros, if I remember correctly.  Some of the very best st tires available,  at the time when goodyear marathons (nicknamed explodathons) were on pretty much every other trailer. We got five years and full life out of those tires. 

Just a few years ago, my sister was looking at an sob teardrop, a year or two old. It had load range c cheap Chinese tires. I told her to ask for new tires, at least load range d, before even considering signing. Many sob trailers leave the factory with the bare minimum tires, often unsafe at normal highway speed. But, not Olivers.

@John Welte asked a valid question, considering the general market.. 

 

Agree, always though about why Ollies were so stable handling. The better grade of tires has to contribute to trailer stability. I have even had seasoned campers to come up to Ollie while camping admiring the factory installed tires & wheels.

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2 minutes ago, rideandfly said:

Agree, always though about why Ollies were so stable handling. The better grade of tires has to contribute to trailer stability. I have even had seasoned campers to come up to Ollie while camping admiring the factory installed tires.

There are so many factors built into our Ollies that provide that stability and handling. Tires, certainly,  are a part of it. Cheap tires can certainly mess up a good plan, right?

A few years ago, I  was thinking I'd be trading my Silverado soon, and since I  usually don't leave the county, just use it for short trips around town and trips to the lumber yard, garden center, and mulch yard, I bought cheaper tires for the first time in my life. Totally false economy. They were horrid in rain (despite reviews), wore quickly, and I was glad a few years later to find pirelli at tires on sale. Never again.

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2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

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