Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-18-2010, 03:34 AM   #1
Rivet Master
 
redeagle313's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
NE , Indiana
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 620
Images: 7
Goodyear Marathons - Back in the USA!

Our five year old original equipment Marathons needed replacing. I have bee researching options, but had not made a decision.

Last week while we were on a trip to Wisconsin, one of the tires had a belt seperate, we were lucky to have caught it before any damage occurred.

Later that day, I got on the computer to narrow down the choices. Michelin LT's like Rich Luhr's, Maxxis as other forum folks had done, or was the rumor about the Marathon true.....are they once again being manufactured in the US of A?

I called Tire Rack, talked with a sales Rep, he verified the 225-75 x 15 load range D Marathons were again American made. They were in stock and were 2010 tires. I pulled the trigger and had them dropped shipped to a Tire Rack recommended installer. When I got to the shop, I found that the tires had the made in the USA stamp and that the manufacture week was the 26th week of this year (less than three week old tires).

The recommended installer, Pomp's Tire in Monroe, WI, had me in and out in 40 minutes, and that included putting the spare back up in the carrier.
__________________
Hi Yo Silver, Away II?
looking for our next AS
TAC IN-3
AIR 7185
redeagle313 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 07:19 AM   #2
Site Team
 
GCinSC2's Avatar

 
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere , South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
My new GYM's are also USA production, we'll see how they hold up. I think we are all curious to some degree. I even ditched my original GYM China spare in favor of the previous owners single MAXXIS purchase. I know, China also, but 4 out of 5 on one trailer failed. 5th had to go.

Time to tow and stop armchair wishing, coming soon.

Good luck to us all!!
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
GCinSC2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 09:42 AM   #3
I approve of this message
 
ostream's Avatar
 
2006 28' International CCD
Redmond , Washington
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 94
Images: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by redeagle313 View Post
Our five year old original equipment Marathons needed replacing.
How many miles did you get before replacing?
ostream is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 12:04 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
redeagle313's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
NE , Indiana
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 620
Images: 7
I am guess-timating that we had about 30 to 40,000 miles on them. But there were on the trailer for over 5 years.

Before I found the broken belt, I had just travelled through some wicked road construction on the Indiana Toll Road in the Hammond IN area. Tire pieces from semi's littered the road. Not sure if that assisted in the breakage of the belt.
__________________
Hi Yo Silver, Away II?
looking for our next AS
TAC IN-3
AIR 7185
redeagle313 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 12:20 PM   #5
_
 
. , .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
best of luck with the new tires, where ever they are made.

30-40K on your 04/05 tires is good service imo...

THOSE gyms were probably made in canada...

and just to be clear the vast majority of REPORTED problematic gyms...

were made domestically (usa and canada) prior to 06.

the china gyms were much better tires imo, looked better and gave good service...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...ons-27999.html

it's EASY to distinguish the older usa/canada and NEWER usa gyms...

since they have NO RUB RAIL ((which came on the 3 years of gyms made in china.))

hey gcinsc2...

check the sidewall on that maxxis, it was very likely made in THAIland...
________

keep those new tires INFLATED and balanced and ROLLIN'...

cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.

we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
2airishuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 03:37 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
redeagle313's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
NE , Indiana
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 620
Images: 7
I am not going to go back and tally the reports of failed GYM's, but it seemed to me, from reading on several other forums,( boating, rving, trucking ) there were multiple reports of Chinese Marathons blowing up, as well as Chinese Carlisles.

I considered the possibility of going to LT tires. BTW, the '05 Marathons were US tires made in the 8th week of '05.
__________________
Hi Yo Silver, Away II?
looking for our next AS
TAC IN-3
AIR 7185
redeagle313 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 04:28 PM   #7
_
 
. , .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
well there is NO NEED to tally.

simply SCAN the gym failure threads here (or 4 that matter on ANY rv forum)

>>>90% of those reported failures PRE date production in asia.

asian made gyms are from a VERY SHORT window (3 years)

while the belt separation/failure reports are MOSTLY related to tires made from 2000-2006.

don't try rewriting history, just enjoy the tires u have.

cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.

we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
2airishuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 04:37 PM   #8
Rivet Master
 
knunut's Avatar
 
2023 16' Basecamp
Currently Looking...
Chgo. N.W. Burb's , Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 628
Made in USA GYM

Had "Made in USA " GYM's put on 4000 miles ago.At 2000 miles they were showing the large indent's and small bulges on side wall's. TWO Tire dealers recommended they be replaced!!! @ 2000 miles.Drove home 2k miles and Prayed all the way. Now with the 4k on them i'm looking for "Another Brand " . Already replaced Good Years on my TV.
knunut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 04:46 PM   #9
_
 
. , .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
Quote:
Originally Posted by knunut View Post
... showing the large indent's and small bulges on side wall's...
post a PIC

these are typically NORMAL, related to belt/ply overlaps...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...tml#post754815

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...tml#post602824

cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.

we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
2airishuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 04:58 PM   #10
4 Rivet Member
 
Chief's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Fort Walton Beach , Florida
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 478
Images: 3
GYMs Finally bit me!

2Air,

We just got home a couple of days ago from a 30-day adventure in the Northeast.....5k+ miles, 18 states and Canada. I had to replace two GYMs in SC due to belt separation. They were made in '08, had the rub rail, and approximately 15k miles on them. Needless to say, I was not a "happy camper," but fortunately they didn't blow.....my TPMS indicated a loss of air and inspection revealed the ugly "out-of-round" appearance of the tires. It only delayed us a couple of hours....and $300. Aside from Jenn trying to tear her big toenail off on the ferry to Martha's Vineyard.....the trip was outstanding! But, these aluminum travel pods get really small after 30 days!

Ron
__________________
Dream like you're going to live forever, live like you're going to die tomorrow, and dance like nobody is watching!

AIR # 22776
Chief is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 05:01 PM   #11
_
 
. , .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
good report ron, and happy to read nothing was damaged but yer wallet.

a good tpms may pay for itself in ONE event, like this.

just to follow up,

WHERE on the trailer were the 2 problem tires?

cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.

we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
2airishuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2010, 11:58 AM   #12
4 Rivet Member
 
Chief's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Fort Walton Beach , Florida
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 478
Images: 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2airishuman View Post
good report ron, and happy to read nothing was damaged but yer wallet.

a good tpms may pay for itself in ONE event, like this.

just to follow up,

WHERE on the trailer were the 2 problem tires?

cheers
2air'
Joe,

Sorry about the late response....still unpacking, etc.!

I had just rotated the tires, and repacked bearings, before starting on the trip......about 300 miles prior to failure. The Interstate was very hot, and there were a lot of semi's that were suffering problems. Tires were replaced in Florence, SC. I am very anal about tire pressures, loading, etc. Tires were never more than 3-4 lbs. low (from 65 psi) since we bought the trailer new. Trailer weight was just over 6,000 lbs (it can gross out at 7,300 lbs).

The tires that were replaced (after rotation) were rear driver's side, and front curb side. Most of the 15k mile wear occurred when they were mounted front driver's side, and rear curb side.

Regards,
Ron
__________________
Dream like you're going to live forever, live like you're going to die tomorrow, and dance like nobody is watching!

AIR # 22776
Chief is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2010, 12:31 PM   #13
Rivet Master
 
r carl's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin , Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
You can find the country of origin according to size here, click on the specs tab near the center of the page.
Goodyear Marathon Radial
r carl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2010, 12:47 PM   #14
2 Rivet Member
Commercial Member
 
Minneapolis , Minnesota
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 57
I decided to replace my Marathons a few weeks ago, in anticipation of a roughly 1300 mile round trip WBCCI rally knowing that it will involve hot interstate travel. I did the same research; a local company ordered Marathons for me, but they were made in China so I declined them. I called Goodyear and they said that some are now made in the USA, but some still come from the land of short cuts. Like the original poster, I found that tirerack.com had American made Marathon's in my size and load range, so had them delivered to the same installer. Price was right at $101 per tire plus shipping ($78 total for all 6), and then installation at $10 per tire. So far I am very pleased and I didn't have to send any money to China!
SMPLSGUY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2010, 05:58 AM   #15
Rivet Master
 
Wayne&Sam's Avatar
 
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville , New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
Images: 21
I found a separation in one of my '07 Marathons yesterday. I tracked down a Goodyear dealer and they had me on a new one in short order. List price was $140, but I only paid $60 mounted and balanced after the adjustment. New one is made in USA in May 2010.
Wayne&Sam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2010, 11:48 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
Splitrock's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls , South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
Blog Entries: 20
My bill for 5, Made in USA, GY Marathons was $818 in July, including tax and 4X disposal fee. Included mounting and balance with new all metal stems on 4 wheels. I didn't have the spare mounted since I still don't have a spare wheel.
__________________
Click on the link to see a picture of the Sioux River falls near my home.
https://visitsiouxfalls.com/assets/i...uxfalls-og.jpg
Eastern South Dakota is very pretty with hills, rivers, and trees.
Splitrock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2010, 10:59 AM   #17
Rivet Master
 
Coastalview's Avatar
 
2002 27' Safari
Carmel-by-the-Sea , California
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,388
Images: 14
Send a message via AIM to Coastalview Send a message via Yahoo to Coastalview
Just put on a set of 4 GYM's on our 78 Ambassador. They are size ST225/75R-15 load range D and made in the US of A.
Total cost was $551.52
Hoping for long life out of them.
I don't think they will be as good as the Goodyear 7-15 load range D Workhorse bias-plys I just pulled off.
__________________
AIR: 649
TAC: CA-40
Northern California Airstreamers
Coastalview is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2010, 03:47 PM   #18
2 Rivet Member
 
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Evergreen , Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 79
I am getting ready to buy new tires for my 25 ft FB. I have been happy with my Marathons and planning on buying 4 new ones. My tire guy said there where very few left at his suppliers that were made in the U.S. and that they were ,from now on going to be made in China. It sounds like this might not be true! He told me of a BF Goodrich tire that he thought was a great tire,( Green Dot or Label ) I think is what he told me. Help Please
Allen H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2010, 03:53 PM   #19
Rivet Master
 
Coastalview's Avatar
 
2002 27' Safari
Carmel-by-the-Sea , California
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,388
Images: 14
Send a message via AIM to Coastalview Send a message via Yahoo to Coastalview
Skip your tire guy's answer, I just bought 4 USA made Marathons from these guys:
Goodyear Marathon Radial

Look under the "specs" tab and see the country of origin

Arrived at my door in two days and were mounted on the third.
__________________
AIR: 649
TAC: CA-40
Northern California Airstreamers
Coastalview is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 08:30 AM   #20
2 Rivet Member
Commercial Member
 
Minneapolis , Minnesota
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 57
I think your guy was working off of old information, they were quite scarce but now that production has returned to the USA (some are still made in China so you have to specify), they aren't so hard to find. I am VERY pleased with the prices, quick service and quality American-made products I got from Tire Rack.com, they have earned my future business and the tires have been great. No China-bombs for me!
SMPLSGUY is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hurray, Goodyear Marathons made in U.S. now! Camper Dave Tires 22 04-13-2011 11:37 AM
180,000 miles on my goodyear marathons! 2airishuman Tires 124 08-06-2010 10:31 PM
225/75R15 Goodyear Marathons do not fit. Silver 81 Tires 13 11-07-2009 11:00 AM
Chinese Goodyear Marathons doorgunner Tires 75 07-06-2009 05:22 PM
Goodyear Marathons from 06 and 07 fail... norsea Tires 10 03-03-2009 09:13 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.