Replacing original cheap tires

[John4th]

An expected one of ownership expense should be new tires. So after one year, I have a tiny crack in one of my tires. On our past trailer, we switched to Goodyear Marathons. I was very happy with them, but they are pricey. What other brands do you recommend? All replies will be civil, I know this can be a heated subject.

Next time I buy a new trailer, I think I'll just replace the tires when I take delivery.

[jonrjen]

I replaced my tires before our first trip out camping.

The delivery driver had one blow out on the trip just to get the trailer to us. When I went to get the trailer state inspected I noticed that another tire was low so I had it pulled off only to find out it had also been plugged due to a leak.

When I had the new tires installed I found out that the spare tire was a Goodyear Marathon tire. And when placed next to the OEM China tires they looked exactly the same with the exception of the name on the sidewall.

All of that being said, the secret to any tire delivering any life is owner maintenance of proper care.

I tried my best to stay civil, as you say this can become a heated argument. Even more so than Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge vs. Toyota

[John4th]

This is the tire in question. The surface 'ribbing' is what's split. The actual tire surface itself is not. All three other tires seem ok.

[John4th]

And I have kept the tires covered since ownership. The trailer never sat on the dealer' lot.

[f5moab]

Not impressed with Goodyear in regard to being a strong tire. I have towed at highway speeds with them (TP boosted by 10 psi per a Goodyear bulletin) and never had a problem. However, I have changed a few due to sidewall cuts that happen when taking the trailer off-road and sidewalls hitting sharp rocks.
I would say that is expected, but on my Hummers that I take off-road on some extremely serious trails, I have never had a sidewall cut.

But I guess that is expected with trailer tires, they are not designed to do any type of off-roading where there could be sharp rocks.

So, I switched to Yokohama truck tires. But some serious research and calculations are needed prior to doing the switch and it may not be an option for most. And that last sentence will cause a lot of controversy, but I'm not alone in doing this. In fact, many of the off-road trailers shipped from the factory have A/T truck tires.

[ependydad]

When I researched tires- it came to either Goodyear Marathons or Maxxis m8008 tires. Ultimately I went with the Maxxis, but I'm sure I would have been happy with the Marathons, too.

[kerrlakelover]

First, JohnIII, that kinda looks like a curb rash abrasion maybe. Are you sure you haven't jumped a curb sometime in the past and just noticed the "split"?

As for brands, if you search FRF (and you will not have to search long and hard) you'll see the 3 most popular brands will be GY Marathons (OC's favorite), Maxxis and Power King Towmax. I personally just bought a set of Towmax because my tire guy, whom I've dealt with for 30 years, recommends and uses them on all his personal equipment.

As for RV owner maintenance...your search of the forum will also discover critical things that us owners must consider/remember. Some of those things will be proper sizing, monitor tire age, tire pressures, maximum speed (65 for most tires), RV balance/equal tire weight loading, curb jumping, and trying to prevent very tight maneuvering which put unbelievable stress on the sidewalls.

I'm not a tire specialist and have learned most of this stuff from our friends on this forum.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by JohnIII

This is the tire in question. The surface 'ribbing' is what's split. The actual tire surface itself is not. All three other tires seem ok.Attachment 48383

That's how my trail express tires started at first, less than one year old. Then three blow outs over the next year. Caught the fourth one just before she blew. Smart decision to seek new ones now. I had maxxis on my first TT. It was only 4500 lbs but I used them 5 years with no issues. I'll be looking for new tired this spring so I'm interested in watching this thread.

Sent from David's RAZR M.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

I've got over 6K miles on our factory Westlake tires...I've been overjoyed how well they have performed and held up for factory tires.
When I make the move to replace them...best price going between Marathon & Maxxis will be my purchase.

[Mtelkman]

Since there are Les Schwab tire centers literally everywhere out west here, the Power King Towmax will be what replaces my factory tires. If I ever have a problem, Les Schwab will take care of me and they seem to always have what I need in stock or can get it in a few hours.

[cabranch47]

Hi,
I just replaced my aging Carlisle (load range C) tires with Kenda Loadmasters (load range D) and new wheels on my Flagstaff HW27SC. Does anyone have any opinions on these tires. I could not find too much info on them. Incidentally I purchased them at etrailer, date code indicates they are 3 months old.

[John4th]

My tire place prefers Carlisle over the Marathons. I will check out these other brands as well.

[jeeplj8]

This is the brand and tire I prefer.
Greenball Tires - Towmaster

As far as I know they are the only trailer tire that is rated at 75mph at maximum load with standard pressure. I spoke with one of the engineers one time who confirmed they performed all testing with standard inflation and maximum load.

[John4th]

I did have good luck with the GY Marathons on our last trailer. Maybe I ought to go that route. Same price as the Carlisles at DT.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

This is the brand and tire I prefer.
Greenball Tires - Towmaster

As far as I know they are the only trailer tire that is rated at 75mph at maximum load with standard pressure. I spoke with one of the engineers one time who confirmed they performed all testing with standard inflation and maximum load.

I always look for tires that support my camper's GVWR...I like the TM in my size @ 3500lbs/each

[jeeplj8]

Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy

I always look for tires that support my camper's GVWR...I like the TM in my size @ 3500lbs/each

agreed. I stepped up to LRD from the LRC that came stock.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by JohnIII

An expected one of ownership expense should be new tires. So after one year, I have a tiny crack in one of my tires. On our past trailer, we switched to Goodyear Marathons. I was very happy with them, but they are pricey. What other brands do you recommend? All replies will be civil, I know this can be a heated subject.

Next time I buy a new trailer, I think I'll just replace the tires when I take delivery.

What size are your rims? These are European designed trailer tires. The "C" after the size denotes commercial design. Their 205/R14 LRD has a load capacity of 2271# and a Q=99 MPH speed rating.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....4857&tab=Sizes

Airdale

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by kerrlakelover

First, JohnIII, that kinda looks like a curb rash abrasion maybe. Are you sure you haven't jumped a curb sometime in the past and just noticed the "split"?

As for brands, if you search FRF (and you will not have to search long and hard) you'll see the 3 most popular brands will be GY Marathons (OC's favorite), Maxxis and Power King Towmax. I personally just bought a set of Towmax because my tire guy, whom I've dealt with for 30 years, recommends and uses them on all his personal equipment.

As for RV owner maintenance...your search of the forum will also discover critical things that us owners must consider/remember. Some of those things will be proper sizing, monitor tire age, tire pressures, maximum speed (65 for most tires), RV balance/equal tire weight loading, curb jumping, and trying to prevent very tight maneuvering which put unbelievable stress on the sidewalls.

I'm not a tire specialist and have learned most of this stuff from our friends on this forum.

My last two Surveyors came from the factory with Power King Towmax tires. I had never heard of them and actually thought they might be China bombs, but the first camper went three years and the new one has gone one year now with no tire issues.

[campingwilliamsons]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

This is the brand and tire I prefer.
Greenball Tires - Towmaster

As far as I know they are the only trailer tire that is rated at 75mph at maximum load with standard pressure. I spoke with one of the engineers one time who confirmed they performed all testing with standard inflation and maximum load.

I used Towmaster on my Palomino Popup and they never failed me. I probably towed that little trailer an easy 10,000 miles on those Towmasters. I was using LRC 12 inch bias ply tires and towed that trailer at 65-70mph all the time.

[Platokidd]

Originally Posted by kerrlakelover

First, JohnIII, that kinda looks like a curb rash abrasion maybe. Are you sure you haven't jumped a curb sometime in the past and just noticed the "split"?

As for brands, if you search FRF (and you will not have to search long and hard) you'll see the 3 most popular brands will be GY Marathons (OC's favorite), Maxxis and Power King Towmax. I personally just bought a set of Towmax because my tire guy, whom I've dealt with for 30 years, recommends and uses them on all his personal equipment.

As for RV owner maintenance...your search of the forum will also discover critical things that us owners must consider/remember. Some of those things will be proper sizing, monitor tire age, tire pressures, maximum speed (65 for most tires), RV balance/equal tire weight loading, curb jumping, and trying to prevent very tight maneuvering which put unbelievable stress on the sidewalls.

I'm not a tire specialist and have learned most of this stuff from our friends on this forum.

So the power king towmax are good tires?? If so lucky me my unit came with them.