thoughts advice on these tires... ? thx

[nickclifford]

my trailer has Bluestar ST627 Load range D max load for dual axle 1800LBS @ 60PSI
other coding: ST7.00-15 ST 205/90 D15

my trailer weighs in dry at 5,000lbs / dual axle 31' Sov..
tires new in 2014 and only rolled on about 2 x per year since.

any advice on these much appreciated ..
correct inflation ? I've been running at 50psi
never drive much over 55mph
life expectancy?

thanks , nick

[nickclifford]

here's a good explanation on tires
http://www.boatus.com/magazine/trail...iler-tires.asp

[overlander63]

6 years from date of manufacture, no matter when purchased.

[nickclifford]

anyone use these? seems like a good investment considering what it could save from happening ..!

https://tsttruck.com/product/507-starter-system-kit/

[nickclifford]

Originally Posted by overlander63

6 years from date of manufacture, no matter when purchased.

thanks, I'm seeing two sets of numbers:
1210
2912

gotta be Dec of 2010? looks like I was sold new "old" tires in '14 .. lesson learned ..

[m.hony]

12th week of 2010- so March 2010 or so- 7 year old tires- due for replacement
29th week of 2012- so July 2012 or so- 5 year old tires- I would replace them...

[nickclifford]

local tire shop says, "official line" is to replace after 6-7 yrs , but if tire sat in a warehouse with no sun exposure, that wouldn't necessarily apply ... implying it's more about time on the trailer exposed to the elements than an absolute from date of production.

[nickclifford]

Originally Posted by m.hony

12th week of 2010- so March 2010 or so- 7 year old tires- due for replacement
29th week of 2012- so July 2012 or so- 5 year old tires- I would replace them...

thanks, are you running classic trailer tires? or I see a lot of chatter here about truck tires ? Micheline .?

[crispyboy]

If your moving that trailer it should be high on your priority list to swap in some new tires. The tires have simply aged out.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by nickclifford

local tire shop says, "official line" is to replace after 6-7 yrs , but if tire sat in a warehouse with no sun exposure, that wouldn't necessarily apply ... implying it's more about time on the trailer exposed to the elements than an absolute from date of production.

I am suspicious that is a line to cover selling tires sitting around too long, Tires deteriorate from the inside out, dry rot. From what I understand UV causes surface cracking. I live in the southwest have not covered my tires for the most part and see no cracking at 5+ years. That is not to say covering your tires is not a good idea.

[Jacob D]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

I am suspicious that is a line to cover selling tires sitting around too long, Tires deteriorate from the inside out, dry rot. From what I understand UV causes surface cracking. I live in the southwest have not covered my tires for the most part and see no cracking at 5+ years. That is not to say covering your tires is not a good idea.

I am not familiar with your brand of tire. I have run GoodYear Marathons going on 15 or 16 years now with zero problems. The GoodYear website has good information on trailer tires including a chart that shows load vs pressure. Also, GoodYear has a new trailer tire out that has higher load ratings and speed limits in case you are interested. The new ones are said to be made in the USA. If true they are the only trailer tires made here. My early Marathons were made in Canada and the ones on my '67 now were made in China.

Your speed limit sounds a lot like mine and I think you are wise to keep speeds down, not because of tires but because of the length and weight of the rig. It is a lot harder to dodge a dangerous situation while towing than when not.

[nickclifford]

it would interesting to see a thread dedicated to any incidents and see how in reality tires fail. Why, when, age, road conditions, speed, storage conditions etc etc.
We live in a highly litigious society with the most bizarre warning labels on everything "don't hold this iron to your face, it could result in a serious burn" type silliness. My curious mind wonders how much of a safety overkill "sell by" factor is built into the 6yr swap out recommendation.

In all my 35+ yrs of driving, never ever had a blow out or even a flat ... but you see someone every week on the roadside, so it happens! Better to be safe than sorry ...

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by nickclifford

thanks, are you running classic trailer tires? or I see a lot of chatter here about truck tires ? Micheline .?

I have LT tires on my trailer.
Never could get more than three years out of ST tires.
Never got more than 7 years out of P-rated or LT tires.
We do use our trailer 20-something times per year.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by nickclifford

it would interesting to see a thread dedicated to any incidents and see how in reality tires fail. Why, when, age, road conditions, speed, storage conditions etc etc.
We live in a highly litigious society with the most bizarre warning labels on everything "don't hold this iron to your face, it could result in a serious burn" type silliness. My curious mind wonders how much of a safety overkill "sell by" factor is built into the 6yr swap out recommendation.

In all my 35+ yrs of driving, never ever had a blow out or even a flat ... but you see someone every week on the roadside, so it happens! Better to be safe than sorry ...

Here's the closet thing we have that covers a broad amount of time. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...oll-76867.html

It's not a perfect poll since it doesn't cover those of us who have had more than one failure. For example I have had Marathon Failures and Maxxis ST Tire failures. No failures with the current set of Michelin 16" LT's.

Jack

[Tom_T]

Hi Nick,

Will we see you & your AS rig at Pismo next week? If so, will you be in the vintage rally at PCV, or at the AS rally next door at the state park? Either way - look us up at PCV!

Yes your tires need changed by age along - at least the 2 older ones. Carefully inspect the newer ones for cracking at the sidewalls & in the tread, & change them if any showing up "while you're in there" before a long trip. And if you carry them - don't forget to do the same with your spare(s), for which you could move the newer 2 to spares & put new ones on the running wheels, as typically done on cars/trucks (since they'll typical be short use to the tire shop).

It's about 180-200 mi each way for you from Felton to Pismo according to giggle maps (no typo, just a commentary on their routing errors which I've encountered), so you should think seriously about a tire change-out before that trip, & have them check/adjust the brakes & check/repack the wheel bearings too if not done in the past 1000 miles or so, or do them yourself if so inclined (leave plenty of time for any needed parts.

On the advice of a noted AS restorer who did the PPI for us, we run Maxxis M8008 ST225/75R15D on our single axle 1960 Avion T20, which weighs in at +/-3000# wet & loaded with no problems since we got them on the TT when we bought it in Albuquerque in July 2012. So that's about the same load per wheel, as on your tandem axle, but they also have E load 10PR in that & other sizes too. Trailer Life magazine also did an ST trailer tire test article a few months back, & rated the M8008 at the top of the pack - & higher than anything that their sister company Camping World sells!

http://shop.maxxis.com/c/m8008-st-ra...irected_post=1

The are also devotees on here of changing to LT tires & you'll here both sides I'm sure, but Maxxis also makes an excellent UE-168(n) LT tire in many sizes which we've been running for a couple of years in the LT205/70R14 size on our 1988 VW Westfalia Vanagon CamperGL, which are far better tires for it, than were the OE Michelins made for Vanagons! The last set of the Michelins which I had for our van all had tread separations on all 4, with one blowing out on the freeway at 65, & they were only date coded at less than a year old, with less than 6 months wear - so I was NOT impressed by their tires on the Vanagon!! So Maxxis is an option for LT which the Michi devotees won't talk about.

http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-2...eries-ue-168-n

We also know a few vintage Trailerites who still run the bias ply classic tires per the original trailer makers' specs for their particular trailer, & they either get them from Coker, Lucas Tires in Long Beach CA, Universal Tires (PA or OH), or their local hot rod/classic car tire specialist. Our buddy Dennis K. has them on his single axle 62? 22' AS & likes them & tows from Long Beach to Pismo, & all over CA & points out-of-state.

It's more of a full-on classic look thing, or preferring the better/smoother running radials on your trailers. IMHO, the choice is yours.

Good Luck!
Tom
///////

[wvstreamer]

Just installed the NEW USA Goodyear trailer tires. E rated 225x75-15. So far so good. 6000 miles west last month. Balanced well too. Have 03 Classic 31...
Dave in WV

[nickclifford]

Originally Posted by Tom_T

Hi Nick,

Will we see you & your AS rig at Pismo next week? If so, will you be in the vintage rally at PCV, or at the AS rally next door at the state park? Either way - look us up at PCV!

Yes your tires need changed by age along - at least the 2 older ones. Carefully inspect the newer ones for cracking at the sidewalls & in the tread, & change them if any showing up "while you're in there" before a long trip. And if you carry them - don't forget to do the same with your spare(s), for which you could move the newer 2 to spares & put new ones on the running wheels, as typically done on cars/trucks (since they'll typical be short use to the tire shop).

It's about 180-200 mi each way for you from Felton to Pismo according to giggle maps (no typo, just a commentary on their routing errors which I've encountered), so you should think seriously about a tire change-out before that trip, & have them check/adjust the brakes & check/repack the wheel bearings too if not done in the past 1000 miles or so, or do them yourself if so inclined (leave plenty of time for any needed parts.

On the advice of a noted AS restorer who did the PPI for us, we run Maxxis M8008 ST225/75R15D on our single axle 1960 Avion T20, which weighs in at +/-3000# wet & loaded with no problems since we got them on the TT when we bought it in Albuquerque in July 2012. So that's about the same load per wheel, as on your tandem axle, but they also have E load 10PR in that & other sizes too. Trailer Life magazine also did an ST trailer tire test article a few months back, & rated the M8008 at the top of the pack - & higher than anything that their sister company Camping World sells!

http://shop.maxxis.com/c/m8008-st-ra...irected_post=1

The are also devotees on here of changing to LT tires & you'll here both sides I'm sure, but Maxxis also makes an excellent UE-168(n) LT tire in many sizes which we've been running for a couple of years in the LT205/70R14 size on our 1988 VW Westfalia Vanagon CamperGL, which are far better tires for it, than were the OE Michelins made for Vanagons! The last set of the Michelins which I had for our van all had tread separations on all 4, with one blowing out on the freeway at 65, & they were only date coded at less than a year old, with less than 6 months wear - so I was NOT impressed by their tires on the Vanagon!! So Maxxis is an option for LT which the Michi devotees won't talk about.

http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-2...eries-ue-168-n

We also know a few vintage Trailerites who still run the bias ply classic tires per the original trailer makers' specs for their particular trailer, & they either get them from Coker, Lucas Tires in Long Beach CA, Universal Tires (PA or OH), or their local hot rod/classic car tire specialist. Our buddy Dennis K. has them on his single axle 62? 22' AS & likes them & tows from Long Beach to Pismo, & all over CA & points out-of-state.

It's more of a full-on classic look thing, or preferring the better/smoother running radials on your trailers. IMHO, the choice is yours.

Good Luck!
Tom
///////

Hi Tom, thanks for the update, wow, lots to digest. You know what, I totally spaced on cancelling my site at Pismo Beach campground, I'm sure someone would like that >? can't be transferred ? It's such a beautiful campground, was so impressed last year, but I was on a stand by list for the actual show and they called me ! even though packed in like sardines, figured it would be fun for once to do that. Still looking for advice on projects , so hoping to meet some vintage AS nuts
Nick

[Gneiss Guy]

Nick,

Whether you ascribe to the ST side of the argument, or the "Get new wheels and buy Michelin or you will die!" group, you are due to replace your tires. I'm running Maxxis on my FC 30 and they have done well so far, but I will probably replace them after five years of use, even though the trailer is stor d inside.

[nickclifford]

Originally Posted by Gneiss Guy

Nick,

Whether you ascribe to the ST side of the argument, or the "Get new wheels and buy Michelin or you will die!" group, you are due to replace your tires. I'm running Maxxis on my FC 30 and they have done well so far, but I will probably replace them after five years of use, even though the trailer is stor d inside.

thanks, gotta be honest, I'm kinda confused, so many opinions but regardless of tire manufacturer, sounds like most are suggesting trailer tires deteriorate regardless of storage, exposure or time used. I'll get some new ones but not enough time now really to think about new wheels / tires v keep original wheels and stick with trailer tires. No expert on tires, but car tires seem to last for as long as the tread is left ? could be a decade or so ..

which tires would be considered "best bang for the buck" bearing in mind this will be a low mileage trailer for now ... why buy high milage expensive tires if trailer only being pulled less than 2k per yr..? may as well buy good but inexpensive and change them every 5-6 yrs or so...? head spinning ! Gonna do some bedtime reading on tires like i got nothing better to do ! really appreciate everyones input

[nickclifford]

Interesting article for newbies http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-h...-a-tire-guide/