Kenda 14" d rated tires

HIDE OUT · 02-25-2015, 08:54 PM

These are the only D rated tires I could find. Has anyone ever used or heard anything about these tires?? I would like to up grade to a D but wonder if I would be better off with a well known brand like GY Marathons or Maxis 8008 in a C load?? Any help or opinion's would be great.

Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D Kenda Tires and Wheels AM10235

**Platokidd** · 02-25-2015, 09:25 PM

Power King Towmax or GY Marathons are probably the best choices. But Im no tire expert.

MillerTime · 02-25-2015, 09:48 PM

I've never had kendas or maxis for trailer tires, and im a hater of anything goodyear personally.
I use to race quads when i was younger, and the Kenda's and Maxis' tires were 2 of 3 of the best tires out there and most of the big boys ran those top three. I had all three brands, maxis was my favorite with kenda a close second and the other brand was wayyyy down my personal list.

If i was buying new st tires and either of those were available and not too cost prohibitive, i would give either of them a shot!!
Good luck!!

dannyabear · 02-25-2015, 09:57 PM

No, get the Kumho 857 or Hankook RA08; 99 mph and 8ply D rated and not made in China

MillerTime · 02-25-2015, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyabear

No, get the Kumho 857 or Hankook RA08; 99 mph and 8ply D rated and not made in China

Both those brands have served me well on my trucks in the past!
Again haven't used them on light trailers though. I've had hankooks on a big rig before with good luck.

rsdata · 02-26-2015, 01:16 PM

Have you looked for tires and user ratings on www.tirerack dot com? I bought some 8 ply Kenda tires from them 3 years ago based on info i got there. So far so good.

cabranch47 · 02-26-2015, 02:04 PM

I have the same Kenda tires on my popup. Only have had them a year and 24000 miles on them but have had not problems. Got them from etrailer. I also replaced the wheels as they carry a higher PSI rating.

Happy Vibe · 02-26-2015, 02:16 PM

I have the Kumho 857's on my 6501 vibe. They are working very well. I have about 3000 miles so far including 100 mile of logging roads last summer and they still look new. Much less sidewall movement compared to the OE tires. I had them balanced and metal valve stems so I could rum them at 65 PSI (max is 69).

NV245 · 02-26-2015, 04:14 PM

I had a 2003 Cardinal 5th wheel with Kenda tires. In 2007 the rear off door side tire exploded and did almost $3000 damage to the trailer on a trip to Disney World. Put on the full size spare, replaced the tire and continued to Disney. On the way back, the front tire on the same side let loose, and I was glad that I had purchased a new tire for the spare. After getting home, I noticed that the two door side tires had baseball sized bulges on them. The build dates showed the tires were built in late 2002. The original spare was cracked in the center of the tread. I called Kenda, the reply was no help. 5 year old tires should not have gone bad like that. They got replaced with Uniroyals.

Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

HIDE OUT · 02-26-2015, 04:22 PM

Thanks everyone for all the info and experiences with the Kenda tires guess Ill stick to the good old marathons in the C range

Papa GLS · 02-26-2015, 08:40 PM

Just a word on tires. I talked (via e-mail) with Forest River rep & he said if you change to a tire rated differently than that recommended, it would void warrant (if still under warranty). I have decided to stay with recommended tires & just keep a very close eye on them. Will probably change after warranty runs out.

Happy Vibe · 02-27-2015, 12:11 PM

What warranty does it void? It can not void the warranty on the whole trailer. If your fridge has an issue how can they say that was related to different tires?

Papa GLS · 02-27-2015, 06:18 PM

Happy Vibe
Rep said if you have an issue that causes damage because of incorrect rated tires it would void your warranty. Reps name is Chris Hollowell if you would like to pursue the explanation.

DDC · 03-01-2015, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa GLS

Just a word on tires. I talked (via e-mail) with Forest River rep & he said if you change to a tire rated differently than that recommended, it would void warrant (if still under warranty). I have decided to stay with recommended tires & just keep a very close eye on them. Will probably change after warranty runs out.

I can see where this would be a problem, some units run with very small clearances so putting D on in place of C would increase the physical size a fraction but may just be enough to cause damage.

dacheedah · 03-01-2015, 08:43 PM

Load range D is a higher weight capacity , same exact size tire. If you do not exceed the axle weight and mfg loading recommendations it is not an issue.

dannyabear · 03-01-2015, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacheedah

Load range D is a higher weight capacity , same exact size tire. If you do not exceed the axle weight and mfg loading recommendations it is not an issue.

Maybe you could take a look around at what mfg are doing these days; Chinese tires with a 65 mph speed rating used on campers that empty use up about 80% of there capacity. In my case, loaded ready to go, I had 6875# on four tires that were ratd to carry a max of 7040#. Equally divided each tire would have only 41# of reserve capacity IF the torq flex axles equally divided the weight. And I know some weight is carried by the tongue; but the mfg are cutting corners too close for me. Also if you look at the weight of the smaller single axle campers you see the same thing, tires carring 3100-350000# on two tires rated to carry 3520#; again made in China whith who knows what for rubber, speed rated to 65mph, months of reading on here and elsewhere about there failures, It was a 'no brainer' for me to choose an upgrade to a quality, non chinese, 8 ply load range D tire which happens to also be rated up to 99 mph.

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