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romap · 08-21-2009, 08:20 AM

A few folks on a Boston Whaler forum have stated that Goodyear has moved their trailer tire production back to the USA. One said that he bought a replacement that was maked "Made in USA" and another that had a defectve Marathon replaced was told by the dealer that production has been relocated back to the USA.

I hope these are not rumors and are in fact truth because it sure would be welcome news.

**moosetags** · 08-21-2009, 08:24 AM

I, also, hope that is correct.

Brian

markdoane · 08-21-2009, 08:53 AM

My dealer said production moved back to the USA over a year ago.

HowieE · 08-21-2009, 09:00 AM

I spoke to Goodyear customer service in Akron today and they can not make a statement that the Tires are made in the US. They also did not make any attempt to confirm that they are not still made in China even when I said I would post their statement.

The best bet is to look at any tire before you buy it and check the country of manufacture.

ArtStream · 08-21-2009, 09:10 AM

A few Forum members have purchased new Marathon tires with the USA mark.

Of course any motivation to move production back to the U.S. would have nothing to do with the quality of the China produced tires.

I'm sure it's just a commuting issue

rustyrivet · 08-21-2009, 10:07 AM

I just purchased a new set of Marathons yesterday after my Maxxis order fell through. The DOT code indicates the tires were produced the 30th week of 2009 at a Goodyear plant in Alabama. Very new tires and very American. jc

StingrayL82 · 08-21-2009, 10:37 AM

Until I read good reviews about the Goodyear Marathon for the next two years, I'll stick to my Carlisle Radial Trail tires.

Happycampers · 08-21-2009, 01:28 PM

I wouldn't buy a Goodyear tire if they made them in my back yard and I could watch over them all day.

Marvin

HowieE · 08-21-2009, 01:47 PM

A follow up. I called Goodyear Corp and talked to Ed Marky, reported to be VP of US Communications. He said he would check on the country of manufacture for the Marathons. He returned my call and said ALL MARATHONS are now manufactured in the US.

However he did not offer any explanation as to when this transfer took place.

I would advise anyone considering to buy Marathons to look at the tires before hand as it may take some time to move all inventory through the pipe.

mchildress · 10-27-2009, 07:44 PM

I bought 3 new ones today they have made in USA on them. The original ones were 7 years old and had made in canada on them. Had to replace one a couple years back after running over a piece of metal and the new one had made in china on it. One of the 7 yrs old canada tires developed a bubble in the side wall and I found another was starting to tread separate today so I replaced the three older ones.

subfan1 · 10-27-2009, 07:59 PM

I just replaced our two tires with GY Marathons that are made in the USA date code 2009. Only time will tell if that was the right choice, I sure hope so!

deauxrite · 12-23-2009, 06:15 AM

I just purchased four that are marked made in USA. They replace the four that are marked Made in China. By the way, the Chinese tires seemed to work pretty well. One of them developed a bulge at about 35000 miles and I decided to replace them all.

handn · 12-23-2009, 11:17 AM

It's not where they are made but how they are made. I have had equal bad experiences with Canadian and Chinese Marathons. As long as the tires are made to minimal ST specifications in Alabama, Timbucktu or wherever, D rated tires are just as likely to fail on a long summer road trip down South where daily air temperatures meet or exceed 100 degrees.
I suspect the change in place of manufacture has more to do with the recent imposition of duty on cheapie Chinese tires rather than any improvement of quality control.
To my knowledge, no Good Year spokesman has intimated that there is any improvement in the quality of the tires based upon the change of location of manufacture.

arcamedies · 01-06-2010, 04:43 PM

With all the hubub over the Goodyear Marathons I called the local dealer and as of today the replacement tires for my size 225X75X15 load range C are no longer available from Goodyear so dealer suggested Towmaster tires as replacements.

Sophiehaus · 01-06-2010, 05:00 PM

The attached link may explain, at least in part why Marathon tires are being made in the USA again instead of China.
U.S. to Impose Tariff on Tires From China - washingtonpost.com

Al - K4GLU · 01-06-2010, 05:05 PM

If I remember correctly that plant in Huntsville, AL was where the Carlisles were being made in 2000/01/02. The Carlisles had if anything even worse problems during this period than the Marathons are having now. To this day I wouldn't put a Carlisle on a wheelbarrow. It's doubtful that the move back to the USA will result in any quality improvements to the Marathons - in my opinion.

Melody Ranch · 01-06-2010, 06:31 PM

My previous tires were Towmasters made in Canada. Never a problem.
I went to get tires for my Curtis and decided on Canadian Towmasters again. The dealer showed me an interesting marking on the tires. He thought the tires were Canadian made because with a quick check they all had a Canadian Maple leaf logo. When I pointed out the "made in China" also on the tires we looked closer and could see where "made in Canada" had been removed from the manuacturing mold...very obvious....only the maple leaf remaining.

He could not guarantee that the Marathons he could get in were not made in China.

Still searching.

By the way, why I am so particular...last summer, during a Summer trip with some friends....I witnessed three China made Marathons fail....two on a Casita and one on a Caravel. All within about 50 miles of each other

HiHoAgRV · 01-06-2010, 06:44 PM

I've got a couple thousand miles on a new set of 6 USA made marathons. So far, so good.

Melody Ranch · 01-31-2010, 07:44 PM

Well, I ordered MADE IN USA Marathons a few weeks ago....not expecting much. I had a newly manufactured set of Marathons delivered and installed on my new wheels yesterday.

deauxrite · 01-31-2010, 07:57 PM

I had Chinese made Marathons on the Safari for 3 years and 30,000 miles before the first one started looking pretty poor. I just replaced all four with new Marathons made in the USA. I will watch them the same way that I watched the chinese made tires to see if they are performing properly.

BTW... I bought the new tires at Walmart. Each is marked made in the USA.