Opinions on the Westlake ST235-80-16R, Load range G

[Ron3rd]

Hi Folks, our new to us Solitude 310GK came with the Westlake ST235-80-16R, Load range G tires. I'm not familiar with this tire and looking for opinions; ie, are these considered China Bombs?

The tires probably have less than a 1,000 miles on them and look great. If I replace them I would probably for with the Sailuns, BFG, or Michelin XPS Rib, or some other quality tire.

 

[Calbar]

Hi Folks, our new to us Solitude 310GK came with the Westlake ST235-80-16R, Load range G tires. I'm not familiar with this tire and looking for opinions; ie, are these considered China Bombs?

The tires probably have less than a 1,000 miles on them and look great. If I replace them I would probably for with the Sailuns, BFG, or Michelin XPS Rib, or some other quality tire.

I have seen a lot of good reports on this and another Grand Design forum about these tires. I am sure others will chime in but based on what I have read they are a good tire and not considered a "China Bomb".

Rob

 

[Gronk1]

Hi Folks, our new to us Solitude 310GK came with the Westlake ST235-80-16R, Load range G tires. I'm not familiar with this tire and looking for opinions; ie, are these considered China Bombs?

The tires probably have less than a 1,000 miles on them and look great. If I replace them I would probably for with the Sailuns, BFG, or Michelin XPS Rib, or some other quality tire.

I believe it is the LR E tires that have a bad rap. From what I hear the G rated have been mostly reliable. I changed mine out after a year & a half with the Sailuns, then sold the WL's for $200. Have/had no problems with either.
Use the search button & you can read about WL, GY, Sailuns-good & bad for days.

 

[jackrandy]

You have presented a great question. I have a new Solitude 310GK delivered in December 2021 with the Westlake STE235-80-16R, Load range G tires. I have heard that these are considered China Bombs. (They were stamped made in Thailand.) I looked at Goodyear Endurance tires yesterday and while same size, they were Load range E tires. I don't believe that Endurance comes in Load Range G. Not sure what to do. I feel that I am stepping down. Goodyear has recommended moving to a commercial tire to maintain the Load Range G. I have heard the new Solitudes are using Endurance now. (Not confirmed)

 

[Ron3rd]

Good info. Thanks.

 

[triplethreat]

The load range "G" Westlake tires are a good tire. The load range "E" is the ones that all the issues are with. I'm not saying that you will never have an issue with the G rated tire, but then I have to say the same exact thing about ANY tire....Stick with the Westlake "G" rated and save yourself some $$$ I run them on my trailer, as many others do, and I have a 20,000 lb GVWR trailer.

 

[cfowler55]

I ran the same tires 20k miles / + 30 months. They did fine , never lost air , and were wearing ok. Actually still had plenty of tread life left when I pulled the trigger on a set of Sailuns to replace them. We’re in central Texas , so most of our trips are at least 1k miles one way. Gotta get out of state to escape the heat. I just replaced them for my own peace of mind.
Charlie

 

[Ron3rd]

Thanks for the info. I'll keep the Westlakes until it's time to replace.

 

[Clanker24]

I have run the westlake g’s for over 3 yrs on our triple axle with no issues. I plan on switching them out after year 5 and will probably put on sailuns

 

[Ron3rd]

Good to hear, thanks Clanker.

 

[Second Chance]

"I have heard" and "opinions" aren't worth much. The load range E tires have been problematic. The Westlake load range G tires have a good track record. I had a medical director at one time in the Army who's undergrad was in math. His motto was, "In God we trust; all others bring data."

Rob

 

[Keebler]

One more data point, not an opinion, I just replaced 4 y/o G rated Westlakes. 20k plus miles, no issues; I was starting to see dry rot.

Replaced with G rated Sailuns, which, by the way, are stamped, "made in Vietnam". These tires are beasts, crazy heavy.

 

[Ron3rd]

Follow up questions: I assume these tires are to be run at the max pressure of 110 psi?

Also can someone give me the lug torque on the 8 lug wheels; there's a sticker on the trailer but it's faded by the sun.

 

[Keebler]

I've posted this before, so forgive the repeat, but here is a good read on max pressure: https://www.rvtiresafety.net/search/label/Max Inflation

 

[Cajun Couple]

I've had good luck so far with the factory 235x80x16 G rated Westlakes on the Solitude 377 we've been having for 3 yrs. No problems even on the hot Louisiana and Texas roads I drive on in the summers. Not quite as ruggedly built as the Sailun 637's I had on our Fuzion toyhauler for 3-1/2 yrs but pretty darn close. On the Westlakes I've been running 105 to 110 psi cold with no problems.

 

[Ron3rd]

Thanks Cajun

 

[Cajun Couple]

Follow up questions: I assume these tires are to be run at the max pressure of 110 psi?

Also can someone give me the lug torque on the 8 lug wheels; there's a sticker on the trailer but it's faded by the sun.

I've been going 110 to 120 ft lbs. Ain't broke one yet!!

 

[RobW-NC]

You have presented a great question. I have a new Solitude 310GK delivered in December 2021 with the Westlake STE235-80-16R, Load range G tires. I have heard that these are considered China Bombs. (They were stamped made in Thailand.) I looked at Goodyear Endurance tires yesterday and while same size, they were Load range E tires. I don't believe that Endurance comes in Load Range G. Not sure what to do. I feel that I am stepping down. Goodyear has recommended moving to a commercial tire to maintain the Load Range G. I have heard the new Solitudes are using Endurance now. (Not confirmed)

It is the E rated tires that people have had the most problems with. G rated has good reviews.

 

[oldmanonthebike]

Why wait

It is the E rated tires that people have had the most problems with. G rated has good reviews.

Go get quality tires now. I went about 7000 miles on my Westlakes always wondering when I was going to have a blow out. It’s not worth the worry.

 

[Clanker24]

Follow up questions: I assume these tires are to be run at the max pressure of 110 psi?

Also can someone give me the lug torque on the 8 lug wheels; there's a sticker on the trailer but it's faded by the sun.

I torque mine to 110. As to pressure most people will run at the recommended max cold pressure of 110psi. They r built to take the higher pressures that happen as the tire heats up. I have a triple axle which spreads the load out so I am well under the weight ratings so I set them to 105 psi.