There has been a lot of discussion & great information in this forum about tires, inflation, etc.  Last spring we bought a used 2006 K/B 3 horse, 10' s/w L/Q trailer which looked like new with Firestone tires which also looked like new.  After our second blowout within one month (different trips), we started becoming paranoid & started checking only to find that the tires were "E" (10 ply), and the plate on the trailer called for "F" (12 ply).  We intend to do more long distance traveling once we retire in 2 years and after a lot of research, we decided to put on the Goodyear G614RST since it is a heavier tire than the trailer calls and a good investment given the fact we intend to keep the trailer for a long time.  We have also joined U S Rider and in their most recent magazine, there was an article about a woman who had four blowouts in one trip and from the picture looks like she had a 3 horse LQ trailer (can sympathize with how she must have felt).  It's great to know they are only a phone call away but we would like to do all we can to prevent having a blowout in the first place.  I did a search but could find no thread about tire monitors.  I searched the internet and there are alot of brands, etc. out there and was wondering if anyone uses them on their trailer and/ortruck and can recommend if they are worth the investment and what brand, etc. would be good.  From what I read, it appears they tell you if tire pressure is low, high temperature alert, etc.  Looks like once you have the monitor, you could also put sensors on the truck as well which might not be a bad idea to help prevent an accident.  Would appreciate any advice or experience anyone has had with them. 

We also use them on the truck and trailer, they have saved us having blowouts and damaging the aluminum trailer...you must use metal valve stems...they work GREAT!

You can buy a 215-75-17.5 lrH tire and wheel for what a G614RST cost for the tire alone.... Check out these prices below on tire and wheel assembly's....!!!

http://www.easternmarine.com/HERCULES-LT215/75R-175-RADIAL-Tire-Sil-Modular-Rim-8-Lug-LR-H-/

http://www.easternmarine.com/GOODYEAR-LT235/85R-16-RADIAL-Tire-Sil-Modular-Rim-8-Lug-LR-G-/

Thanks, Flyinghfarm & Captclank.  I had started looking at the one offered by Camping World but I think it is a different brand?  I will Google & check out the Pressure Pro.  Genebob & Doughbelly when I saw what you were paying, I didn't want to respond regarding what we paid for the Goodyears until I had my bill in front of me, but we purchased our G614RST (LT235/85R16G) on 6/23/10 for $255 each which came to a total of 276.95 each mounted, balanced & sales tax through our local garage who works on our Subaru car.  He also happens to be into horses and has them on his Twister trailer which is 3 horse w/10' LQ & he had also highly recommended them.  I was there when he shopped his local suppliers since he said they would be expensive & he wanted to make sure we were OK with the price & he had them for us within a day.   I had already priced local tire dealers so I knew it was a good price plus his shop is closer & no manuveuring to get in & out with the trailer.  Goodyear also happened to have a rebate on line and we got an additional $40 back ($10 per tire).  Wow, I can't believe they went up that much!

Remember, at least our experience, that you need metal valve stems, and really snug those sensors on.  With the rubber valve stems, you can get a lot of jiggly vibrations, and a slow leak through the sensor is still a slow leak that you can do without.  Never ever had this happen on metal valve stems (which also give you a more accurate temperature reading, too)  We love ours...

Anytime your running above 60+ pounds with any kind of load, it would be wise to have metal valve stems.  Rubber valve stems at 110psi will not last long. there is a rating for rubber valve stems not sure exactly what it is but it will be in the area of 60 to 75 lbs max.

How big is your trailer and what is your GVW?  I was really feeling comfortable about the Goodyears but now I'm wondering?  However, I did buy a tire warranty when I bought the trailer & it covers both truck & trailer for blowouts and I'm good for the next 6 years.  Didn't know it at the time, but it turned out to be one of the best purchases I made! Our longest haul is about 300 miles right now so I think getting the tire monitors would be a good investment.  My husband is retiring next year & I have 2 more years to go but then we are hoping to hit the road and go for maybe a month or two & hit a lot of different states.  We had the truck & trailer weighed w/clothing, tack, etc. but w/o the horses and we were around 18,300 combined.  We will have to see how we do but this is good to know if we come to that bridge & find ourselves needing to upgrade.  When Retento put up those sites with the tire prices, the 17.5 tires were $292 including rims but I don't know if those rims would fit the trailer.  Like he said, they were cheaper than the Goodyears w/rims.  Maybe that site would also have the 19.5's but I don't know if shipping would run up the cost?

?

Zoe What type of conversion do you have on your Kiefer; I weighed mine loaded with two horses and hay for two weeks; extra Propane bottles and with a Cutter Conversion package truck and trailer was right at 25'500 #s. If that is your actual weight and not doubting that at all you will more than likely be all right. my biggest concern is I'm so heavy and a lot of times we will travel 20 to 30 miles on Forest Service gravel roads to some of these Campsites and loaded on gravel is murder on that back trailer tire. I found the 19.5's interesting and have to look at it but I do know they are a lot higher than 17.5's. I don't particulary worry about the tread wear on the trailer tires because usually they need to be changed from age before they ever get close to being wore out.

Two years ago we were camped at McCrystal in the Valle Vidal and it was right at 20 or so miles in there and just about every trailer that came in there had a flat and the nearest place to get it fixed was Raton about 60 miles away.

Our trailer has an L S R Conversion.  I fell in love with it the minute I saw it!  Had most of the "must haves" that I wanted & then some (satelite dish, electric awning) I also like the fact that K/B's are lined & insulated in the horse area & this one had fans installed, has the enclosed front w/shelf so we can easily take an extra 20 lb propane tank, etc.  & has the high full front stall divider all the way across which was great since  we intend to haul our hay in the 3rd stall. A friend of mine who travels buys compacted alfalfa bales (really neat) so she can take more hay because she will go a month or so at a time.  We do not currently have a roof rack but can add one if & when we feel we need it.  Nose is 7'6" and full closet across the front & the side closets as well. Hubby has a tool box in truck bed (height of the rails) and we have a 50 gallon water tank between it & the gooseneck hitch.  We have the dinette & water tanks under each bench & I'm guessing they are 30 gal each.  We get by with a 1,000 watt Honda generator - our truck camper didn't have roof air but in PA mountains we didn't need it.  It will run the fan for air circulation, just not the air conditioner.  As much as I like all the goodies, we've camped primitive for 30+ years & you only needed your batteries for lights & the water pump since fridge & heater worked on propane alone, didn't have electronic ignition & blowers for heat - everthing now draws on the batteries so you can't be w/o a generator to recharge them.  I also wanted to keep the length to 24' box so hopefully we can get into most camping areas w/o a problem.  We are pulling with a '99 Ford F-350 dually 7.3 P/S Diesel (just turned 56,000  miles).  I wanted hubby to put an exhaust brake on it but says we don't need it but I would feel safer.  He talks about "maybe" getting a new truck but with all I read about this regen/additive stuff not to mention how much they cost, I'm thinking we should keep what we have since it's paid for and seems to be the best engine Ford had.  Tom Tom, I'm curious as to what you have & are pulling with since you are also borderline in weight?