Tire purchase - Need Advice

[LIW]

We have 205/75 R14 tires on our 2014 Coachman Freedom Express 21TQX hybrid. Just had a blowout on one tire and the tires I have are all Trail Express tires which are probably at least 3-4 yrs old (bought camper used). We probably put 2-3000 miles per year and don’t travel excessively long distances (4 hr trips).

Any suggestions on a good brand tire to buy that is reliable? Don’t want cheap tires but don’t need to break the bank either. Hearing Goodyear Endurance May be a good tire?

[jeff64]

Originally Posted by LIW

We have 205/75 R14 tires on our 2014 Coachman Freedom Express 21TQX hybrid. Just had a blowout on one tire and the tires I have are all Trail Express tires which are probably at least 3-4 yrs old (bought camper used). We probably put 2-3000 miles per year and don’t travel excessively long distances (4 hr trips).



Any suggestions on a good brand tire to buy that is reliable? Don’t want cheap tires but don’t need to break the bank either. Hearing Goodyear Endurance May be a good tire?

You got it. GY Endurance st205/75 R14 load range d. Just put my 2nd set on 1st ones went 5-6 years.

[NevadaMiniLite]

I installed Carlisle Radial Trail load range D in the same size. A little cheaper than the GY and very highly rated. Just returned from 1500 miles to Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Vegas. Hot and windy the entire trip and the tires performed flawlessly. I am very happy with them.

[Bob K4TAX]

Ditto on the Carlise tires. We upgraded from the original load range C to load range D load rating. We felt the factory tires were a bit too light-rated for the trailer weight. [7685 GVRW]

The life of tires is mostly defined by dry rot being 4 to 5 years. That period includes the time in the warehouse. Unless damaged, you won't wear the tread very much. We replaced all 4 plus the spare as they were original.

Also, many tire stores don't typically balance trailer tires. One has to ask. We had ours balanced to improve the ride and life of the tires.

[HangDiver]

Also running Carlisles.... If you search for "trailer tires" in the search window above you'll get months and months of bedtime reading material.

[LIW]

K thx. I’m was searching just for ‘tires’ in the site. Few more questions….any insight to my existing Trail Express tires? Good, bad? Also, should I have these new tires balanced (or would they normally do that) and should I be rotating these tires? If so, how frequently?

Thx

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by LIW

Also, should I have these new tires balanced (or would they normally do that) and should I be rotating these tires? If so, how frequently?

Thx

You don't need to rotate trailer tires. And you had to ask about balancing...

My vote is yes for balancing, regardless of whether or not the tire shop says they need balanced.

[phillyg]

GY Endurance and Carlisle get the nod from most folks, and yes, get them balanced.

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

You don't need to rotate trailer tires. And you had to ask about balancing...

My vote is yes for balancing, regardless of whether or not the tire shop says they need balanced.

I agree with the balancing
we high speed balance the TV tires and rims to reduce wear and tear on them and they last longer.

[rsdata]

Originally Posted by LIW

K thx. I’m was searching just for ‘tires’ in the site. Few more questions….any insight to my existing Trail Express tires? Good, bad? Also, should I have these new tires balanced (or would they normally do that) and should I be rotating these tires? If so, how frequently?

Thx

trailer tire treads NEVER wear out, they AGE out

no need to rotate

do balance

I put on Endurance tires when they first came out and you will find people say the trailer rides better and tracks straighter when pulling

curb strikes when pulling out of gas stations often weaken the sidewall, and GYE have an extra bead of protection on the sidewall to protect against that

last thing I want to do is have to do is change tires during a travel excursion so I don't skimp on my travel trailer tires. I use Carlisles on my utility trailers and they are good tires.

think about going up a LOAD RANGE from your current tires... load range C to D for example for an extra margin of safety

trailer tires are one of the MOST debated subjects on ANY camper forum... lots of opinions... I have shared my opinion and experiences with you

[ebemis]

When we hit this point, I found "two-pack" Good Year Endurance tires on Walmart.com at a VERY reasonable price... ordered two sets for $477 with tax and FedEx dropped them at my front door 3 days after I clicked "yes buy them"........


I jacked and supported trailer one side at a time and brought the two wheels from each side to a local shop to have the old tires removed and my new ones installed for a nominal (not pennies but not ridiculous) charge and we were back in business in no time!

[JimMorrell]

Goodyear Endurance Tires!!!

[Chuck_S]

I did something similar 5 years ago. Had the tires shipped to me -- on new steel wheels. Didn't cost much more that having the old tires dismounted and new tires fitted and it was all done in my driveway.

-- Chuck

[itat]

Goodyear Endurance, Carlisle or Maxxis M8008.

[High Country Duramax]

I’d add Hercules and Sailun to the list too.

[mysery1]

Just finished a 6k mile trip on 4 Maxxis M8008 without any issues. Real happy with the way they handled it. I also installed a TPMS system for peace of mind and highly recommend it.

[Freetyme]

Originally Posted by itat

Goodyear Endurance, Carlisle or Maxxis M8008.

Needed tires last year, well not exactly needed but felt uneasy running with the Castle Rocks. Went with Goodyear Endurance as most reccomend by others. Would have no reservations about the others mentioned either. Alot depends on load and proper inflation maintenance.

[ysidive]

Originally Posted by LIW

We have 205/75 R14 tires on our 2014 Coachman Freedom Express 21TQX hybrid. Just had a blowout on one tire and the tires I have are all Trail Express tires which are probably at least 3-4 yrs old (bought camper used). We probably put 2-3000 miles per year and don’t travel excessively long distances (4 hr trips).

Any suggestions on a good brand tire to buy that is reliable? Don’t want cheap tires but don’t need to break the bank either. Hearing Goodyear Endurance May be a good tire?

Get the Goodyear Endurance and upgrade 1 size to the 215/75/14.. Only about 7 bucks more per tire than the 205's. Give extra load carrying and a better margin of safety. Did this when my Freedom Express was new and never regretted it. Put over 15,000 miles on them and all were trouble free. Check and keep tires properly inflated..

[jeff64]

Originally Posted by ysidive

Get the Goodyear Endurance and upgrade 1 size to the 215/75/14.. Only about 7 bucks more per tire than the 205's. Give extra load carrying and a better margin of safety. Did this when my Freedom Express was new and never regretted it. Put over 15,000 miles on them and all were trouble free. Check and keep tires properly inflated..

Check first if you have close spacing on torqueflex axles. I've got about 2 fingers between them. If you've got leaf springs , it won't matter. No thanks on the bigger diameter for me

[MilCop4523]

currently I am in the process of repacking my 2021 Cougar 5th wheel TT wheel bearings. I noticed the first set had a red and tacky grease and some black stuff mixed in as well. when I took them off the inside were scorched.
then I looked at the tire and noticed it was drug and flat spotted like a Kyle Larson tire from the Coke 600.
I tried for 3 days to locate Goodyear Endurance tires in Canada where I am at. I would have had better luck making my own rubber tires than order 2 here. I was told 2 to 3 months due to market shortages.
so I made one call to the states and ordered 2 from a national company with free USA shipping. They have already been shipped.

Maxis 8008 is another great tire. i had them on our 1st tow behind trailer and wore well.