Carlisle Tires for 49 trailwind

[Benjo]

Hey there-
I have a 18 ft 49 trailwind. I am having a new frame built for it to replace the pipe frame. I have 3 Carlisle tires that I have stored inside that i would like to use on the trailer. here are the specs: ST205/75 R14 Tread 2 poly + 2 steel Sidewall 2 poly. Max load 1760 lbs Load range C. So after the new frame is on I think the total weight of the carriage will be less than 2000 lbs. I am looking for opinions on these tires. My confidence has been shaken a little based on what I have read on the threads. Seems like people have had more bad experiences than good. Any thoughts from the Airstream community?
Thanks!

[Lumatic]

The question is how old are these tires? Even unused tires age. From the little I know if they are more than 5 years old there may be structural deterioration you can't see.

[mustang]

You might have them mounted at a reputable tire shop then inspect them.

[mustang]

If there is a belt rpoblem they wont balance. Also I know there is moreload on single axle wheels. If questionable maybe peace of mind in new tires?

[Action]

As indicated above there is a date code stamped into the side wall. It gives the week and year the tires were manufactured. I would be more concerned about how old and proper inflation than brand.

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[Benjo]

i checked the tires today and they are stamped with 2004. I rode them from LA through the southwestern states to MN (couple thousand miles or so) with no problems. I have had them stored since then. Agreed age and tire pressure are key ( i work in bike shop and see people with under inflated tires everyday). I may run them this fall to see how they do. Just hate to toss out tires that might still have some life in them.

[nypatnva]

I had my Carlisles replaced last year and they looked brand new but I felt it was time. The old one(s) I ran for seven years. I use one of the old ones for a spare.

[Action]

4 year old tires are not used up in my opinion. However there isn't much left. I keep my tires at max. Just watch them well. And stay away from road hazards as best as possible.

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[LI Pets]

You just spent money on a new frame and now you're talking about saving maybe $200?

For piece of mind and safety buy two tires

[Benjo]

Waste not, want not is my motto bob. I like to utilize my resources to their fullest potential instead of taking part in a throw away culture. Stewardship, man. Thanks though.

[Action]

Just don't waste the trailer with marginal tires.

I am not so convinced the brand has much to do with tire issues. And that was your original question. You said your confidence was shaken (My confidence has been shaken a little)

Usage and care have a lot to do with how well the tires preform.
Don't over load them. ~ 2000 #'s on 3520 load rating of the tires isn't
Don't over drive them. (Keep the speed less than 65)
Keep them clean and aired up. At least 90% of max pressure.
Stay away from road hazards.

With those guidelines you could get some more usage. It isn't the thread depth that makes the service life on these tires. Because the actual road miles on trailer tires gets no where near the road miles on your daily driver. Most people will drive a 40,000 mile passenger car tire for 4 years and replace because the tread depth is < 2/32". The structure of the rest of the tire may be OK, it is just worn out. Your trailer is not seeing that kind mileage so the tire will end it's life with lots of tread. Hopefully not on the trailer.

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[Benjo]

That's some good info on caring for tires so they last. I have been a firm believer in tire care ever since I blew a worn tire on a 15 passenger van packed with friends ten or so years ago. From then on I have taken my trailer tires off in the winter and stored them instead of leaving them out in the weather to dry rot etc. I am always checking pressure and examining the side walls and tread. I guess that's where the rubber meets the road. B

[63Silver]

I say why take a chance, spend a little worry less. If you are not comfortable buy new tires.


63silver

[Benjo]

Ok folks, I called up the tire shop chain that I purchased my tires and rims from and this is what they told me. They have had nothing but problems from the Carlisle tires. Whether they are brand new or five years old. Apparently, the tire chain complained to Carlisle and encouraged them to do a recall on them but it was denied. They don't carry them anymore and discourage anyone from using them. He said that nine times out of ten the tires tread just came of the wheel resulting in damage to the trailer. Case closed. Thanks!

[Action]

Recalls are usually generated by NTSHA for safety reasons and require the manufacture to comply. Yes there are such things a voluntary recalls. Poor performance of a product usually gets design changes based on sales or lack there of, not a recall.

Sales or marketing moves the manufacturer of any product to shrink sales price because market demands it. Best way to shrink sales price is to cut cost and cost cutting to an extreme gets poor performance of a product.

Just my .02 worth.

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