Replaced 7 year old GYMs

[Antique Pedaler]

Just replaced 7-year-old Good Year Marathons with Michellin's. The trailer is a '10 and is actually coming up six years old. But the factory had installed 1 year-old-tires when new. I bought the trailer new. I only recently realized the age of the tires when checking the manufacture date. I never had a problem or flat with the GYMs. But I was surely on borrowed time. So I crossed my fingers and drove home on them after wintering in the south. Still no problem with 21,000 miles on them. I will say my speed limit is 65 mph and rarely had to drive in extremely hot temperatures.

The photo is of my local Michellin dealer installing the new tires in my driveway. How's that for service? These tires are U.S. made in December 2014. I stayed with 15" after discussion with some of the experienced Airstream hands.


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[gandttimes]

Hmmm. Didn't know Michelin made an STS


George

[FishinHatteras]

You GO boy! An excellent decision to go with Michelin's, and I'd say you got first rate service. Did ya buy that man a pizza & an ice cold Coca-Cola? He deserves it IMHO. Santa Clause doesn't drink Pepsi!

Congratulations, and welcome to the 60 thousand mile club of trouble free roaming!
All the best to you my friend.
Gavin

[Antique Pedaler]

Originally Posted by gandttimes

Hmmm. Didn't know Michelin made an STS


George

They don't.

[Skater]

What tires did you use, out of curiosity? (I have no strong opinions for or against GYMs or any other tires - I'm asking because I'm curious. If you're concerned it'll start a flame war, feel free to decline to answer.)

I don't recall what brand of tires we've been using. They're 15" trailer tires, and we got them from the local Goodyear shop. The only problems we've had with them have been one screw too near the sidewall to repair, and one crack in a sidewall after someone nailed a curb with it . Neither issue is the tire's fault of course.

[Jacob D]

I'm convinced GYM's get a bad rap. Just replaced a 14 yr old set which looked almost like new. They had est. 60k miles on a "67 Overlander. Had one puncture and one worn on one edge after a near crash year before last. I spray the outer sidewalls with Armor All Tire Foam once a month. My new set is same tire except made in China instead of Canada and a Jan. 2015 date of manuf.

[FishinHatteras]

Good luck with those Jacob D.
You got your $'s worth from the Canadian set. I got a bottle of Dewars scotch that says you won't get 14 years out of the ones you just put on there!
You wanna increase the bet to a pepperoni pizza and an ice cold Coca-Cola?
Gavin

[BoldAdventure]

Especially while spraying Armor All on your tires. Good luck with that.

[Jacob D]

Not Armor All....Armor All Tire Foam. I also cover the tires when in storage.

[Jacob D]

I agree, 14 yrs is a stretch. I am 73 now and hope the tires outlast me but won't bet on it.

[paiceman]

Originally Posted by Jacob D

I'm convinced GYM's get a bad rap. Just replaced a 14 yr old set which looked almost like new. They had est. 60k miles on a "67 Overlander. Had one puncture and one worn on one edge after a near crash year before last. I spray the outer sidewalls with Armor All Tire Foam once a month. My new set is same tire except made in China instead of Canada and a Jan. 2015 date of manuf.

Your 14 year old Goodyears were made in the US, probably Akron OH. The new ones are made in China and along with a change in design is the problem. I am not aware of an STS tire made in the US, could be, not aware, which is why we went to 16" Michelin LT tires.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by Jacob D

I agree, 14 yrs is a stretch. I am 73 now and hope the tires outlast me but won't bet on it.

I'm betting on you.

[MikeAir]

To Antique Pedaler: If you had 15" Michelins installed at the Michelin dealer, but later when someone said he didn't know Michelin made 15" STS, you replied "They don't". So, I'm as curious as Skater, what Michelin 15" tire did you get?

[Antique Pedaler]

Michelin LTX MS2 235-75/R15 Load Range XL. Last I heard from Airstream Life Publisher, he had 60,000 miles on his.