trailer tires

[mark45678]

Anyone care to help out with there ideas on trailer tires , I just found out the goodyear Marathon is now being made in CHINA ! for years they have been made in canada and they have been good long lasting tires. How about Maxxis or some of the other brands? I need to buy 4 tires before spring for my 31' holiday rambler , it uses 225-75- 15 LR-D tires . I was thinking of updateing to a 225-75-16 light duty truck tire , they are rated to carry 100 more lbs if I get the load range E tires.

[BozDMAX]

That size of a trailer needs a tire that is designed for trailering. The tread pattern on a trailer tire is somewhat different and will allow easier side slippage on the road when maneuvering in tight places like campgrounds.

Might consider searching over at irv2.net

My 5er came with g-Rated Goodyear 614RSTs and they have done well.

[mark45678]

I forgot to say the trailer is 7400 lbs empty and dry. It has twin 5200 lb axels that are 6 lug on a 5.5" bolt circle

[Roy W]

I understand that Maxxis now makes a ST225/75/15 in a load range E tire. The only 15" trailer tire that I know of in a load range E. I think they're a bit pricey, but will probably be the next ones on my Jayco.

[conway]

I suggest you look for 'G' rated tires.

[DmaxMaverick]

High tire ratings and overkill is a good thing. But, remember, your axle is still rated for 5200#. Those high ply ratings are expensive. I suggest looking at quality, rather than capacity. G rated tires are fine, but you don't have a 7000# axle. If you move up to 16's, keep in mind the wheels and tires do not make up the max rating of the axle. The manufactures use the weight rating margin for all they're worth, and many trailers have underrated axles for their GVWR. Also, it is very rare you will ever wear out tire treads. Possibly if you are a full timer. Otherwise, 3 years is about it, and you'll be on borrowed time after that. I've replaced mine at 3 years, whether they need it or not.

My 2005 Mountaineer came with LT235/75/16E's on 6000# axles. I think I like the way they appear to be wearing better than any I've used before. I'll keep a close eye on them, and may try 4 years.

[mark45678]

anyone have any thoughts on tires that are build overseas..... Maxxis is made in China, Thailand ,Tiawand.

Goodyear Marathons made in China......

WTF cant the public see we are going to be a nation without any manufacturing in the next 10 years ! GM and ford are allmost out due to high labor costs.....

[DmaxMaverick]

The tires that came on my 2005 Mountaineer are LT235/85/16E (not 235/75/16, like I posted previously). They are "Tacoma" Trail AWT, rated @ 3042#. I was very surprised to find "Made in USA" on them. The tread pattern is similar to an A/T with a diagonal lug pattern, but not a mud type tire. I haven't researched them, but my guess is they were a low bidder for USA made tires for the RV manufacturer. It may be a company policy to have USA made tires, as all of the Montana trailers we looked at had similar tires, all made in the USA. Warranted or not, I feel a little more comfortable knowing that.

I have never had "good luck" with Marathons, or any "offshore" trailer tire (including Maxxis and NanKang). On my last 5'er, I replaced the tires about 1-1/2 years before I sold it with "Direction" tires (ST225/75/16D), and they seemed better than others I've used after a year. I don't remember where they were or who made them, but that may not really mean anything. The way so many productions are moved offshore, there's no telling what we will find tomorrow. I do not consider tires made in Japan to be in the same category as those made in other asian countries. Michelin makes good tires, but I won't send my money to that country, if I can help it.

Bridgestone makes excellent trailer tires, but they are about twice the cost of comparible others. I would have like to use them, but I couldn't justify the cost. A little inconvenience does have a price.

I've had several trailer tires blow under several conditions, and never really felt like it was catastrophic, in regards to safe handling. All were 2 or 3 axle, and barely noticeable. My concern for safety has diminished with each blowout, and that is probably wrong on my part, but they've been so uneventful. All but one blowout has been the same, and on either Marathons or offshore tires. The tire separated where the sidewall meets the tread. On one ocasion, the tire tread separated from the carcas, and it slowly leaked down (during the time it took to pull over) while driving on the steel belt. No trailer tire that's failed on me has ever had less than 50% tread left.

[mark45678]

Like you say I dont have any worries if I have a blow out , ai just dont want the $2000.00 damage like my uncle had on his last trip up my way ! 1 tire blew on the way up , it took out the cabnet and the VCR that was in it... On the way back a second tire blew didnt due much damage but cost him a few dollars paying top price for a crap offshore no name tire only to get rearended pulling into a gas station on the way home! This poor guy lucked out , Carlise paid hime for the damage from the blown tires and the the nice girl that rearended his trailer paid for the rest of the damage. he got 7600 for a 1996 26' prowler that he paid 10K for 6 years ago! I dont want to deal with the blow out and if it cost me a few hundred now in tires to avoid that I am all for it!


I am thinking more and more that 225-75-16 lt truck tires is the way to go. I dont have room for any bigger tire unless i do a axel over to it. Cant see doing that , its already 3 full steps to get in the coach 4" more will just make that look stupid and put the roof of the coach over 11' high.

[earniem]

I pull (untill a month ago a loaded 12500# 5th wheel trailer. I had 15 inch tires and wheels on it and did not relize it purchased some off shore tires. The last rondevous in Missula I had about 1000 miles on the tires and three years old and bluw one about 1000miles out then got to a park in Cataldo Idaho and while it was sitting there watched them come apart. All this to say most off shore tires are rated to a certain waight and thet is all they will do nothing over. I put on a set of 16 inch wheels and Firestone tires desighned for the class A motorhomes. E rating. They cerry more wieght and are built with a 50% margin onto them. THe ONLY difference in those and trailer tires is thet trailer tires are not desighned for the tracktion and abuse the truck tires take. The Firestone I have has a softer sidewall for a better ride on the class a coached. Most of the bigger trailers today use at least a class E tire and they are not just treiler tires. Look on them and see if you can find trailer only on them. The most important information on the tires should be load rateing and made in USA
I speak from about 40 years of experince.
I forgot to mention we now pull a 34' Montana. The tires on it are E rated and do not say for trailers only on them. From the factory. % years is all you want to run a trailer tire. That is from the manufacture date on the tire.

[Roy W]

I have had similar trailer tire experiences as others have posted. I think my worst experiences have come with Carlisle tires on my bass boat trailer. I couldn't get more than one year out of them before they would blow unexpectedly. Carlisle however, after much threatening made good on all of them. I replaced them with a trailer tire made by Denman, and the Denman's haven't given a minute of trouble in 2 years. The Marathons on my 9200 lb Jayco aren't much better. I had 2 tires both develop tread separation the same day this past summer. (while driving in the rain) One was a big blister on the sidewall, and the other was a big lump under the tread. Fortunately I discovered both of them in a walk around while in a rest area on the interstate. One of the Marathons was less than a year old, and had only 1000 miles on it. I'm fanatical about my trailer tires and check tire pressure every morning when on the road. Just a side note: I attended a RV rally in Daytona this past spring and attended a seminar put on by Goodyear. They stated that their Goodyear Marathon is only speed rated for 65mph, and that the load carrying capacity DECREASES by 10% for every mile per hour over 65mph.

[jspringator]

The "in" trailer tire on RV.net is the Michelin XPS rib. This is a retreadable heavy duty truck tire designed for low rolling resistance and highway use. If you can afford them, they are probably the best out there.

[OC_DMAX]

mark45678 wrote "I forgot to say the trailer is 7400 lbs empty and dry. It has twin 5200 lb axels that are 6 lug on a 5.5" bolt circle"

My 5th Wheel has the same combo you mention above, twin 5200# Dexter axles. The empty trailer weight is about 8500#, while fully loaded it is around 11,000#. When fully loaded, the weight on the axles is 8800# (measured). The trailer came with Goodyear Marathon ST225/15D tires.

I have heard/read too many bad things on "ST" trailer tires (especially the China manufactured tires). A number of my friends, who have large trailers, have had tread separation and resulting damage to the trailer side. There have been too many problems with these ST tires, to be just coincidental (in my opinion).

I upgraded earlier in the year to Michelin XPS Rib tires in the LT225/16E size. The change in the tire radius is only 1/2 inch over the ST tires and the trailer wheel wells had no problem accomodating this change. The difference in tire construction is truely amazing (comparing the sidewalls). The Michelin tires were $220 each out the door at Discount Tire. I also had to replace the rims. This was an expensive changeover, but I feel a lot safer on the road with these tires.

[mark45678]

mark45678 wrote "I forgot to say the trailer is 7400 lbs empty and dry. It has twin 5200 lb axels that are 6 lug on a 5.5" bolt circle"

My 5th Wheel has the same combo you mention above, twin 5200# Dexter axles. The empty trailer weight is about 8500#, while fully loaded it is around 11,000#. When fully loaded, the weight on the axles is 8800# (measured). The trailer came with Goodyear Marathon ST225/15D tires.

I have heard/read too many bad things on "ST" trailer tires (especially the China manufactured tires). A number of my friends, who have large trailers, have had tread separation and resulting damage to the trailer side. There have been too many problems with these ST tires, to be just coincidental (in my opinion).

I upgraded earlier in the year to Michelin XPS Rib tires in the LT225/16E size. The change in the tire radius is only 1/2 inch over the ST tires and the trailer wheel wells had no problem accomodating this change. The difference in tire construction is truely amazing (comparing the sidewalls). The Michelin tires were $220 each out the door at Discount Tire. I also had to replace the rims. This was an expensive changeover, but I feel a lot safer on the road with these tires.


After reading hundreds of post on the net ,some at Irv2.com I have started looking for the best deal on a set of 4 michelin xps rib 225-75-16 LR E tires . Best price for wheels I have found so far is 42.00 each at Etrailerparts.com 4 of them will be just about $250.00 at my door. the tires I found a local dealer that is willing to help me with the tires (good friend that I grew up with) right around $200 each.

[jspringator]

They would be worth it if you could get ten (10) years out of them. Are they subject to the six (6) year replacement rule? BTW, Bridgestone has a rib tire too, but I don't know the price.

[mark45678]

They would be worth it if you could get ten (10) years out of them. Are they subject to the six (6) year replacement rule? BTW, Bridgestone has a rib tire too, but I don't know the price.


On Michelins site they say there RV tires should be inspected at 5 years and every year after that and replaced at 10 years.

http://www.michelinrvtires.com/michelinrvtires/pdf/RVTireGuide.pdf

look at page 2