Tire replacement time.

[Boondocker]

This winters dry docking marks tire replacement time. Has Goodyear gotten the blow out issue solved or should I be looking to other brands?

[perryg114]

I am experimenting with 235/75-15 XL truck tires and others have had good results with them. The Greenball Towmasters seem to have a pretty good following on here. The Goodyear Marathons are still having issues as far as I know and they are at the high end of the price range.

Perry

[TBRich]

Rodney...

We had a blow out on a relatively new Marathon on our way to Fool Hollow Lake State Park a couple of weeks ago...it was only 2.5 years old and had only 14k miles. I watch tire pressure like a hawk and am very careful with tire care...it didn't seem to matter. It was a complete tread separation and explosion blowout...not a slow leak... We have PressurePros but because it was a catastrophic blowout we had no warning. No fun. The whole tread came off. We replaced both tires in Show Low with Towmasters. When we took the other tire off, we discovered it was about to blow as well. The tread separation had begun...another 50 miles and we'd have another blowout. Just sayin'....

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, my trailer was actually built in 2004 and came with Canadian Marathons. After about three years of use, I noticed two of my Marathons had a small sidewall bubble each. I replaced both of them with Chinese Marathons. [left side / street side] On my recent trip to Alaska, I noticed my right rear tire had a bulge in the tread area. [seven year old Canadian Marathon] This is the beginning of tread separation. I replaced this tire with another Chinese Marathon. And finally about one week later, my right front [original] Canadian Marathon, began to separate. It had a tread bulge almost all the way around it. This tire was replaced with a Carlisle made in ?????. Why did I replace the last tire with a Carlisle? Well when you are in Alaska or the Yukon Territory, you buy what they have. My spare is the last of my original Canadian Marathons and it has never been used.

(1.) (2.) My right rear tire bulging.

(3.) (4.) My right front tire starting to separate.

(5.) New Carlisle tire.

(6.) My Trailer Aide Plus amazed the tire shops.

[rideair]

I'd go back to the original 7.00x15 Bias Ply tires on you rig. Get a good "LT" like the "Power King". I've been running them for many years, no problem.

Hope thing are going well,

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by rideair

I'd go back to the original 7.00x15 Bias Ply tires on you rig. Get a good "LT" like the "Power King". I've been running them for many years, no problem.

Hope thing are going well,

rideair,

I also have been considering the bias LT option when it's time to replace the second set of OEM GYM's. The new bias tires are not your Fathers tires, they also benefit from up-to-date materials and procedures, and when applied properly have an excellent safety record.

Bob

[Boondocker]

Why bias as opposed to radial?

[perryg114]

My theory is that ALL trailer rated tires are junk and it does not matter if your bias is bias or radial. TIme will tell if I made the right decision buying 235/75-15 XL truck tires.

Perry

[Frank's Trailer Works]

just my $.02...
Carlisle. Bias Carlisle.
I have never had issue one with them. Three years ago I dropped the PSI from 60 to 45 to get a softer ride. Since then the tire pressure has never fluctuated once. Even after 40K + on them they still look like brand new. I doubt I will replace them for next season as it having been 5 years since they were mounted. They just look so good, I cannot see doing it.
Unless a client buys specifies a brand, I always mount Carlisle bias tires on their rims.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Perry,

Can't speak for Frank, but rideair and I speaking of "LT" bias not the trailer version.
The only real difference radial/bias is more sidewall flex in the radial.

Bob

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I can speakI am talking about Carlisle, load range E, bias ply trailer tires. I LOVE EM.

I have heard very good things about the LT also. I just like the old school tires.

[ROBERT CROSS]

[QUOTE=62overlander; I LOVE EM.

I have heard very good things about the LT also. I just like the old school tires.[/QUOTE]

I love "old school" too Frank.

Bob

[dznf0g]

As a trained automotive professional, I stewed over this for a year. My training told me that ST tires belong on a trailer and nothing else. Enter China. The tales of ST failures are too numerous and consistent to ignore, regardless of brand. I finally pulled the trigger and spent $1200 on 16" wheels and Michelin LTX MS tires. I have all of 200 miles on them on my first trip today. First impression is good in constant 25MPH cross winds with gusts to 45MPH. I'll need a couple of years to decide if they are all that....but...they really look cool.

[Boondocker]

So am I correct in thinking that the trend is toward light truck tires?

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I love "old school" too Frank.

Bob

I am very familiar with wide whites. These are custom Yokohama LTs sent to me for installation.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Frank,

Do I see "baby moons" in it's future?

That looks so on that trailer!!!

Bob

[Frank's Trailer Works]

in transit....

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Boondocker

So am I correct in thinking that the trend is toward light truck tires?

Yes, there's a trend. I'm not sure it's statistically significant yet, but I cannot find ANY negative feedback at all. It goes against my conventional wisdom, but I put my money there.

[Skatiero]

So LT may be better.... I am trying to learn about this. I have heard that bias PKU tires get flat spots when they sit, is this true? What is the cheapest good choice I can make?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Skatiero

So LT may be better.... I am trying to learn about this. I have heard that bias PKU tires get flat spots when they sit, is this true? What is the cheapest good choice I can make?

Cheapest or best value? Not at all the same thing.