Our new Classic 31, just off the assembly line a couple weeks ago came equipped with Chinese Goodyear Marathons. I noticed this AM, while looking at the tires closely, that 3 of the mounted ones have indentations in them. Sort of the opposite of bulges. I remember having seen this on tires before, but I can't remember the circumstances. Has anyone seen this and know what it means? 3 of the tires have 1/2 diameter red circles stamped on the sidewall. I wondered if this indicates that they are seconds.
In any case I am not going traveling with these.
Ken
Ken,
Our '06 30' Classic has Canadian made Good Year Marathons and they have the same indentations as your Chinese made Marathons. I read a thread here that those indentation are where the steel threads are joined and are actually stronger than the rest of the tire. We have been traveling on ours since we got the railer in '06 and have had no issues.
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Carl, Elaine & Bailey Beagle
2006 30' Classic W Slide & Limited Package Katarina
1987 34' Excella 1000 Double Door Savannah
2006 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 Turbo Diesel Crew Cab 8' Bed AIR #14487 WBCCI #7429
I would first go to a tire dealer you trust and ask what is anything a red dot means. Armed with that I would then go back to the Airstream dealer and ask for new tires.
The indentation in the side wall in it's self in not uncommon. It is something to do with the molds.
For many years after the war new cars came with tires that cost the auto manufacture 2 or 3 dollars and most people drove directly to a tire shop and bought replacements. The cost of replacement has gotten to a point that one should not have to accept poor quality when paying these prices.
Another thing to check. There were millions of Chinese valve stems shipped into the country that fail if any force is placed on them. I would look at each one and while watching the base of the stem bend it to one side. If you see any type of separation about 1/8 in. from the wheel have them replaced.
Buy steel stems once and never have to replace them
The Bermuda Triangle lures plane and boat mishaps because the attractive weather and destinations bring a huge amount more traffic than, say, the Labrador coast. S*** happens and more happens when you saturate an area with people/tires/reality TV shows... Marathon ST discussions abound because they are installed on so many, many coaches from many manufacturers. Pull up a week's worth of TV dinners, set your search on 'Marathons' and read away.
Well just checked the tires on my new 2009 23FB Flying Cloud and as feared all four speak Chinese. While I am not thrilled with the Marathon's I've decided to use them for awhile with frequent air checks and visual inspections. Doubt I'll run them for much more than a year and then switch to Maxxis - although I believe I remember reading somewhere that at least some Maxxis tires are now being made in China. But I'm not really sure it matters since I had problems with two Marathon's on my Casita - fortunately caught both just before they went - and both of those were made in Canada.
As of January Goodyear Marathon tires are being manufactured in the United States. The indentations are mold marks.
Apparently these have been sitting somewhere for a bit as they say Made in China on the sidewall.
I have been convinced that the dents are acceptable. Obviously they are not inevitable, however. I had Marathons on my previous trailer and they looked nothing like this. As well as dents these have discolorations in the rubber. I have Michelins on my TV and two other cars that show none of this.
I have had one blowout with a travel trailer (my fault) and the collateral damage was a PIA. So I am inclined to be cautious with tires. I trust the place where I buy my tires so I will have them look at these before I do anything.
Thanks to all for you help and links. At least I learned something.
Regards,
Ken
As of January Goodyear Marathon tires are being manufactured in the United States. The indentations are mold marks.
Perhaps but the 2010 I received in June has Chinese Marathons and, yes, the indentations. 2500 miles so far.
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Antique Pedaler
'10 Flying Cloud FB
'05 GMC Pickup
X '99 27, X '05 19, X '07 23
Santana, and Ventana Tandem bicycles
Hobie tandem Kayak
I had about 13,000 miles on my Chinese Marathons (manufactured in 2007) and just replaced them with Maxxis M8008's. I had no problems with the Marathons, ran them at 65PSI and monitored them closely. I am getting ready for another 2500 mile trip and I did not want to worry about the whole Marathon "thing" again.
I may have over reacted by changing them out early but if $400.00 in new tires saves me a blow out/wheel well damage I figure it is well worth the money. I realize there are no guarantees, blow outs can occur with any tire for any number of reasons but it gives me a little more piece of mind to have the "dreaded" Marathons off my Airstream.
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Steve and Bonnie
The "Mississippi Queen"
Perhaps but the 2010 I received in June has Chinese Marathons and, yes, the indentations. 2500 miles so far.
The sale date of a unit only has a loose correlation to the actual build date. The tires will have a DOT code (4 digits) that will show what week and year they were made. You could have 2008 manufactured tires on your 2010 trailer.
Action
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1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - towing a - 1966 Overlander International Twin Bed
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII Diamond Anniversary 4.6L (275hp), 4R70W - 1990 Ford E 150 5.8L, E4OD, 3.55 ____________________________________
Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
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New Classic 31 with chinese Marathons 
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