Another TIRES Post...Sorry!

[Toad Haul]

Hate to put everyone thru this again, but after my blown tire and trailer damage last weekend we're kinda paranoid now....

We want to change out all the stock tires on our Rockwood 2608WS. We have Trail Express ST 205 75/R14's on there, except for the new replacement. Needing a new tire I had to go with a Carlisle tire since that was all I could get at that time.

I have spent the last three nights reading everything I can find about TT tires and learned one thing.... There doesn't appear to be a single brand everyone agrees on, just like there's no one brand everyone hates.

I'm not certain the blowout we had last week was a faulty tire, low pressure, road debris or what. I do know tho, that I'm scared to death to pull the thing right now. Brand new trailer and scared to pull it is just sad.

Aside from all the debates on weights, speed ratings, Chinese vs American, etc etc...is there a problem on going with Carlisle ST 215 75/R14's? Are they good tires?

Any input would be greatly appreciated....

[Fire Instructor]

I've had great results from the Kumho 857's so far. It's the ONLY non-Chinese 14" tire designed for a trailer that I could find! Got them from the Tire Rack, and since there is one in Hartford, CT, and we were going to be in that area at the time, I picked them up there, and saved the shipping costs.

If you go with the Kumho's, keep in mind that they are sized "European aspect", which means that to replace your 205's you want a 195 in the Kumho's.... Someone who understands this better can/will probably explain it better!

And BTW - I, like you, had that same fear of another blow-out. After talking to a couple of tire dealers, I learned that most TT tire blow-outs are due to overheated tires, usually caused by low pressure. A good TPMS solves that worry. I went with a Pressure-Pro system for the TT and the pick-up.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by doverfel

Hate to put everyone thru this again, but after my blown tire and trailer damage last weekend we're kinda paranoid now....

We want to change out all the stock tires on our Rockwood 2608WS. We have Trail Express ST 205 75/R14's on there, except for the new replacement. Needing a new tire I had to go with a Carlisle tire since that was all I could get at that time.

I have spent the last three nights reading everything I can find about TT tires and learned one thing.... There doesn't appear to be a single brand everyone agrees on, just like there's no one brand everyone hates.

I'm not certain the blowout we had last week was a faulty tire, low pressure, road debris or what. I do know tho, that I'm scared to death to pull the thing right now. Brand new trailer and scared to pull it is just sad.

Aside from all the debates on weights, speed ratings, Chinese vs American, etc etc...is there a problem on going with Carlisle ST 215 75/R14's? Are they good tires?

Any input would be greatly appreciated....

I'm partial to GY Marathons. If possible, try to go to 215 if they are available and balance them. You would gain 110 lb load/tire.

[PHS79]

Sorry man, that SUCKS!! I just replaced the Trail Express 205/75/14 that were on our 2012 Grey Wolf, when I got the camper out of winter storage mine were starting to show weather checks in the sidewalls and I didn't feel comfortable towing the TT with tires show marks like that. I put on 215/75/14 Hercules Power STR, I heard good things about them and I was able to get them locally, total was 364 OTD mounted and balanced.

I have also heard very good things about the Maxxis M8008 and Kumho 857. They were also on the list of tires I was looking at, but since no one around here could get them I went with the Hercules.

Good luck!!

[RPAspey]

I've only used Carlisle tires as my mechanic recommends. I've had only 1 blowout, and one near miss, in about 15,000 miles. Although I can't be 100% certain, the blowout might have been due to a bad valve stem. The near miss was a badly leaking valve stem I discovered at a rest stop. Here's my discovery, most rubber stems are only good for 65#.

Bottom line, watch pressures, don't use old tires, use high pressure valve stems, inspect tires before moving, if you can afford it get a TPMS and one more thing, don't worry about the brand.

[BarryD0706]

Originally Posted by RPAspey

...Bottom line, watch pressures, don't use old tires, use high pressure valve stems, inspect tires before moving, if you can afford it get a TPMS and one more thing, don't worry about the brand.

"Don't worry about the TIRE brand"? Is that what you meant? So you think the China-Bombs that come on many RVs are fine?


I prefer Goodyear Marathons but would consider Maxxis too.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by doverfel

Aside from all the debates on weights, speed ratings, Chinese vs American, etc etc...is there a problem on going with Carlisle ST 215 75/R14's? Are they good tires?

Carlisle tires got a bad reputation in the early 2000s. I ended up putting some on my Trailmanor in 2007, and the present owners are still running them with nary a problem.

I did upgrade to 15s......14s on the single axle Trailmanor were maxed out. If your trailer is not near the maximum load, then 14s should be OK.

[rattleNsmoke]

A lot of folks on the board have been using Maxxis with good success.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by rattleNsmoke

A lot of folks on the board have been using Maxxis with good success.

After an afternoon of online research, I went with Maxxis tires (made in Thailand) after some tire woes.

To the OP- I don't know anything about Carlisle tires, sorry.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by ependydad

After an afternoon of online research, I went with Maxxis tires (made in Thailand) after some tire woes.

To the OP- I don't know anything about Carlisle tires, sorry.

Did you ever get the 4th tire?

[RPAspey]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

"Don't worry about the TIRE brand"? Is that what you meant? So you think the China-Bombs that come on many RVs are fine?

I prefer Goodyear Marathons but would consider Maxxis too.

yes, I am saying that. If your tires are a major brand.

[RPAspey]

I think I should clarify my thoughts on this matter.

I believe there are good and bad tire mfg. and batches of tires. The quality of tires does vary, but the name brands are generally going to be better quality.

I think the main difference between tires is the tire's tolerance to misuse. Some tires can tolerate being slightly under-inflated more than others. Some tires tolerate being overloaded more than others. some tires will last longer. And some tires will tolerate the hard hit or curb strike better.

All of these things are variables that all of us can control to one extent or another. If we have the proper tire installed, If we don't overload them, keep th at the right pressure, and drive with care, most tires will last their expected lifetime.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by Fire Instructor

I've had great results from the Kumho 857's so far.

X2! And they are D rated and speed rated for 99 mph. Awesome tire.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

X2! And they are D rated and speed rated for 99 mph. Awesome tire.

Just what we need, a 5000# trailer being pulled 99 mph.

[wolfpack21643]

I just got my new issue of Trailer Life Magazine a few days ago and they had a very good article about tire choices and things to look for. If you dont get it I'm sure you can find it online or at your local magazine shop.

[spierce617]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

"Don't worry about the TIRE brand"? Is that what you meant? So you think the China-Bombs that come on many RVs are fine?


I prefer Goodyear Marathons but would consider Maxxis too.

I just put 4 new tires on my trailer last month. They were the Good Year Marathon tires. They have a manufacture date of 0613 so I would assume the 6th week of 2013. With your statement I must assume they are China-Bombs since Made in China is stamped on the side of them also.

OP buy what ever you feel comfortable having installed on your trailer. It still is your trailer. I do agree have them balanced I did and could feel the difference in the pull.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by spierce617

I just put 4 new tires on my trailer last month. They were the Good Year Marathon tires. They have a manufacture date of 0613 so I would assume the 6th week of 2013. With your statement I must assume they are China-Bombs since Made in China is stamped on the side of them also.

OP buy what ever you feel comfortable having installed on your trailer. It still is your trailer. I do agree have them balanced I did and could feel the difference in the pull.

I think you will find most ST tires are made in China or Taiwan.

[bakken]

Carlisle seems to have a variable reputation.
Some folks have great results, but I put them on my motorcycle/quad trailer and the sidewalls cracked after about a year. They only had maybe 1500 miles on them.
As soon as we got our new fifth wheel, we replaced the factory tires with Maxxis. But I am hearing that they are getting hard to find. The Kumhos get a lot of good reviews, and the Goodyear Marathons seem to be ok. Goodyear is supposed to have a US plant running again, but I don't know if they make Marathons there.

[caper]

We have the Carlisle tire on our trailer. They have been on for three years now and have over 14,000 mile on them. Have not had a problem.

[Fire Instructor]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Just what we need, a 5000# trailer being pulled 99 mph.

I may not get up to 99mph, but with this rating I don't have to worry about staying with the flow of traffic at 70mph!