Yet another tire question

Ky-N · 01-14-2016, 04:23 PM

The Clipper 17FQ came with 13" D rated Westlake tires and I just do not feel that a 13" tire is adequate, just looks to small for the job. I have flipped the axle the get more clearance so that I can now use a 14" or even a 205/15 without concern of bottoming out.

After HOURS and HOURS of reading and research I finally decided on the Kumho 205R14C or the Maxxis 205/75R-15 both are both are D rated tires (have to buy rims so that is not an issue as to either 14" or 15"), the problem is neither is available locally without ordering. A 3 to 5 day wait is not an issue sitting at the house BUT what is the availability going to be out on the road should a need for a tire arise?

So there is my question, what have others found for the availability of either brand while traveling? Or is there another brand that I am over looking and should consider? Smaller size tires in D ratings is slim pickins.

RSchleder · 01-14-2016, 04:56 PM

Interestingly, I just ordered 4 new MAXXIS trailer tires for my 1 year old Wildcat MAXX to replace my oem tires with 5K miles on them. My tires will be here tomorrow. I plan on carrying my spare which will be the original oem tire. If I get a flat tire with the MAXXIS I'll simply put the spare on and head on down the road. I'll get the flat tire repaired at the nearest tire place and replace the spare with the MAXXIS. If I need to replace the MAXXIS due to road hazard/blow out ( which is far less likely with a good quality tire like the MAXXIS), I'll start stopping at tire places to find, or have a tire shipped to the same companies facility at a town/city that I'll be at in the next few days. In my opinion, buying the MAXXIS is a lot less risk than buying the readily available "China Bomb" tires that DO fail at a much higher rate!!!

A32Deuce · 01-14-2016, 05:07 PM

A word of warning on wheel size change. I learned this lesson from experience. Find out f the wheel spindle can handle the larger diameter! Found out just because a bigger diameter rim fits doesn't mean the spindle can handle the extra leverage applied to it. They can bend/brake! Ask before the jump. Just my experience!

emm-dee · 01-14-2016, 05:09 PM

Not sure about the "chain" tire outlets but the independent dealer I frequent has several different brands in "stock" but says he never has a china bomb in the store. If someone wants them he says he'll order them but puts a statement on the invoice that the tire is not recommended.

He, along with most other dealers, cannot stock every size of every type but can usually get the ones you want from the distributor warehouse by the next day.

Ky-N · 01-14-2016, 05:14 PM

Just got off the phone with the local Kumho dealer and he said they no long make the 205R14C or any small tire, only semi tires which sounds fishy since TireRack has them listed ready to ship.

My big concern is being stranded and not able to get replacements if the need were to arise like it did last summer in Wyoming when we lost both Goodyear tires. They were fine that morning as I ALWAYS check the tire pressure before hitting the road.

Coach-Net's roadside service payed for itself big time that day!!!

A32Deuce · 01-14-2016, 05:21 PM

Ky-N see post #3 before any purchase!

Ky-N · 01-14-2016, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Ky-N see post #3 before any purchase!

Yes, looking into it.

RSchleder · 01-14-2016, 05:51 PM

If you're really that worried, carry 2 spare MAXXIS tires (or whatever brand you decide) either on or off the rims!!!! The situation you describe should be VERY rare and could occur regardless of which tire you choose. As stated in this thread, dealers do not carry every brand in every size, so standard procedure is for the tire shop to order tires they don't have in stock and receive them the very next day. This was certainly my experience today as I'll be having my MAXXIS tires installed tomorrow @ 10:00AM!

Blackhat6mike · 01-14-2016, 10:54 PM

We installed 4 Maxxis M8008 on our TT just before or trip down to the FL Keys. They replaced 4 "new" china bombs [Akuret], two had already popped within less than 2,000 miles.
The drive down and back was so much smoother and no white knuckles. Pressures and temps were all steady. We have three Hercules tires as spares that were already purchased before the Maxxis. If you have to have a china bomb, I believe the Hercules are the best of the worst.

phillyg · 01-15-2016, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ky-N

.........BUT what is the availability going to be out on the road should a need for a tire arise?..........

I guess it would be wise to carry a spare. I think any brand would work as a spare to at least get you somewhere to wait out a delivery.

Ky-N · 01-15-2016, 08:35 PM

Well I settled on the 15" Maxxis and ordered 3 rims and tires, should have them next week sometime. Then to get them mounted and balanced so I can mark tires off the spring prep list.

Blackhat6mike · 01-15-2016, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyg

I guess it would be wise to carry a spare. I think any brand would work as a spare to at least get you somewhere to wait out a delivery.

IMHO, I carry three spares and have had to use all three during one 450 mile trip last Christmas Eve. At least with new Maxxis on the ground, you have much better odds. You should carry AT LEAST one spare if not more. You also need an inflator as you WILL need to air up your tires from time to time.

acadianbob · 01-15-2016, 11:52 PM

the Kumho is an awesome tire. Just make sure that any "spare" tire is the same circumference as your trailer tires. By the way, Kumho's (857) have an 82 aspect ratio. So, a 195/82R14 Kumho has the same circumference as a 205/75R14 tire.

ledunn · 01-16-2016, 10:12 AM

I have Westlake 225/75/15 D rated on my TT. I have 1400-1500 miles on them. So far I've had no problem. Does anybody have any experience with these tires. What tires are considered China bombs since so many tires are being made in China. Thanks

beechjet16mf · 01-16-2016, 01:18 PM

We have a 2014 27RLWS T.T. and have put 18,000 miles on our Westlakes, and have had no problems. I have to ad air twice a year. The tires took us on the ALCAN and back and a tour of the mid-West and on to AZ. They have worn 1/3 of the tread.

wuffwuff · 01-16-2016, 02:33 PM

I replaced the Akuret 14" C's on my 27' Flagstaff with 15" Carlisle D's "Radial Trail RH" after a tire failure after about400 miles. Don't see many post about the Carlisle tires, but from my research they are manufactured a little better standards then most. Check out their site ... The Carlstar Group ....

pdqparalegal1 · 01-16-2016, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyg

I guess it would be wise to carry a spare. I think any brand would work as a spare to at least get you somewhere to wait out a delivery.

15 in are easier to find than 14 in. Bigger is always better.

Ky-N · 01-16-2016, 06:47 PM

I really liked the idea of staying with the 14" Kumho's due to all the good reviews and the fact I had a source of 14" for free but there was no reliable source I could find for the tires. One dealer local shop told me they no longer made them and the other (Discount Tire) could not find any thing on them either.

I know I could have ordered them from Tire Rack but if they were that hard to locate then I had doubts about getting any IF/should the unfortunate need were to arise on the road.

In the end it just seemed like the Maxxis had better availability, no one had them in stock locally but at least they knew about the tire and could get them in a few days. So sometime next week I will have two new 15" "D" tires on the trailer and new spare.

Blackhat6mike · 01-16-2016, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledunn

I have Westlake 225/75/15 D rated on my TT. I have 1400-1500 miles on them. So far I've had no problem. Does anybody have any experience with these tires. What tires are considered China bombs since so many tires are being made in China. Thanks

Tire DOT Plant Codes â€“ Sorted by Plant Code - Tire Safety Group

SilhouettePenny · 01-17-2016, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledunn

I have Westlake 225/75/15 D rated on my TT. I have 1400-1500 miles on them. So far I've had no problem. Does anybody have any experience with these tires. What tires are considered China bombs since so many tires are being made in China. Thanks

I've also got the Westlake 225/75/15 D on a 10,000 lb 5th wheel with 8000 miles in two seasons (2014 model camper). Get them balanced and keep 'em inflated. Shock absorbers can also increase the longevity and improve the ride.

You may also like: