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Chuck Barber · 04-25-2016, 01:55 PM

I know this is a loaded question but I have the original Goodyear Marathon tires on my AS that I bought used. They look like new but I've heard that they should be replaced because of time and poor quality. Now for the loaded question, should I replace them and with what tire? I haven't been able to find a Michelin in the size ST225/75R-15. I have found Towmaster at Costco, Maxiss at Discount Tire and Carlisle at Tirerack. Recommendations?

SeaLevel · 04-25-2016, 02:15 PM

Michelin LTX MS/2 P235/75R15 is a popular choice, as is upgrading to 16" wheels and tires.

Sendel T03-66655T (or 66655BM if you want the black accent versions)

Michelin LTX M/S2 LT225/75-16 (load range E)

grizbear · 04-25-2016, 02:16 PM

This is a hot topic around here if you want to stay with 15" tires I would also stay with goodyear marathons, but if your up to buying new 16" wheels then you could go with the Michelins. I have stayed with goodyear and change every four years and keep close eye on them like at every stop I do a walk around check air pressure before each days travel so far so good 12+ yrs now. Good camping

KJRitchie · 04-25-2016, 02:22 PM

When I bought my 2008 Class 25fb in 2013 I replaced all the GYM with Michelin LTX MS/2 P235/75R15. I've been on two long trips; to Disneyworld and to Zion/Bryce and numerous weekend trips close to home. So far so good.

Kelvin

Mrjkq · 04-25-2016, 03:32 PM

I replaced my GYM with Maxxis E rated 10 ply. All the reviews on these tires were 4 & 5 star. My review is forthcoming after our summer coast to coast trip.

tjdonahoe · 04-25-2016, 04:10 PM

My opinion would to stay away from the Chinese and Taiwanese tires and go with the 235/75/15 Michelin...you don't see any bad reports about them, run from the ones you mentioned.....

Mrjkq · 04-25-2016, 04:35 PM

Remember something, Michelin 235/75 15 R are passenger car tires C rated. All Michelin tires are the best out there for the use they are intended. The 16" tire/rim are LT & E rated great for AS application. Make your own choice just know what you're buying & any liability attached to the consequence of that purchase.

Fatt Ratt · 04-25-2016, 09:39 PM

I too am faced with replacing all 4 of my 11 yr old 55,000 mi, made in Canada GYM tires this coming month. I am not changing from a 15" rim and I'm not sure about a new set of GYM's so I'm thinking about the Carlisle Radial Trail RH. they are 8 ply D rated and seem to be the equal to the GYM and are made in the USA as far as I can tell. So guys/girls tell me what you think about this?

CRH · 04-25-2016, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatt Ratt

so I'm thinking about the Carlisle Radial Trail RH. they are 8 ply D rated and seem to be the equal to the GYM and are made in the USA as far as I can tell. So guys/girls tell me what you think about this?

I read all the good and bad of the usual brands of 15" last summer. I chose the Carlisle Radial Trail RH in D rating. It's too early to tell if I made a wise decision, though.

switz · 04-26-2016, 12:57 AM

So, my 23D weighs 6,068 pounds fully loaded with all the camping gear, all food and fresh water and other supplies. The heaviest loaded tire (street side rear) is carrying 1,360 pounds. Our 15" tire conversion away from the stock 14" tires and wheels include the SenDel T03-56545T wheels and Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires that are sidewall rated 2,183 pounds @ 50 psi but must be derated to 1,985 pounds for trailer use.

That is nearly a 50% reserve load capacity and they are inflated to 44 psi per Andy Thompson at CanAm. I have the Centramatic wheel balancers as well as a Dill 1506-453 TPMS system. The tire temperatures and pressures are all within limits when towing down the road. Every brand of ST tire that has been mentioned over the years in the forum articles have had failure issues (as well as my own tire failure experiences with the GYM ST tires on my motorcycle trailers).

The Michelin 15"and 16" tires have been trouble free for me and many others that have upgraded. I would never consider putting any ST tire on either of my trailers because the damage they cause is totally unnecessary as I now know better. I even have 13" Michelins on my remaining single rail motorcycle trailer.

All of my four wheeled vehicles have had Michelins either come on them or an an immediate swap out after getting the vehicle for nearly 50 years with no failures. While past performance is no guarantee of future reliability, I would rather take a chance on the Michelins.

I consider ST tires to be like playing Russian roulette with an automatic instead of a revolver.

Ridgerunner3 · 04-26-2016, 04:52 AM

I am running Michelin LTX P235 75 15 XL on my Safari 25. I have about 20,000 miles on them now. They are trouble free. The only way I will ever use ST tires again is if Michelin starts making ST tires.

m.hony · 04-26-2016, 10:37 AM

I did the 16" wheel and LT tire upgrade to my 2013 Classic in August 2015.
1 of the Goodyear Marathons had failed and 3 others were on the verge of failure.
It happened so suddenly.
One weekend I traveled to Louisianan and back. Tires appeared fine. Then, I travel to a campground just over an hour away and discover a pooched out, tread separated tire.
I put the spare on, came home, and ordered wheels and tires.
After I mounted the new tires on the new wheels and removed the OE wheels I discovered that the remaining 3 Goodyear Marathons had tread separations, too.

m.hony · 04-26-2016, 10:40 AM

It is almost unanimous.
16" wheels and LT tires is the way to go.
I've heard complaints on every brand and load range of ST tire, but never a complaint on LT tires.
In my personal experience I have had way more ST tire failures than even P-rated tire failures.
ST tires are short life tires anyway. They are really designed for 3 years' use. P-rated and LT tires will last 5-7 years.
ST tires will fail even if properly inflated, balanced, rotated, and never driven over 65 mph or never hit a curb.
My conclusion:
I will never buy another ST tire.

franklyfrank · 04-26-2016, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

When I bought my 2008 Class 25fb in 2013 I replaced all the GYM with Michelin LTX MS/2 P235/75R15. I've been on two long trips; to Disneyworld and to Zion/Bryce and numerous weekend trips close to home. So far so good.

Kelvin

I have installed the same tires on our 30' International and they work great.
The best move ever. I rarely need to add air to the tires and the ride is much improved.

Tomhenritze · 04-26-2016, 10:58 AM

Quick question: I am in the process of buying a new trailer. in theory the tire life on the stock trailers is 2 to 3 years, seems consistent with the thread here. right off the show room floor, would you swap out the unused 15" tires and wheels for 16"? would it help with towing? is it worth $1,500? is there a resale market for never used 15" tires and wheels? or would you wait a season or two?

Starlight Mike · 04-26-2016, 11:00 AM

I have done a lot of research lately and Maxxus keeps coming up as the best for 15" rims

DR M · 04-26-2016, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.hony

It is almost unanimous.
16" wheels and LT tires is the way to go.
I've heard complaints on every brand and load range of ST tire, but never a complaint on LT tires.
In my personal experience I have had way more ST tire failures than even P-rated tire failures.
ST tires are short life tires anyway. They are really designed for 3 years' use. P-rated and LT tires will last 5-7 years.
ST tires will fail even if properly inflated, balanced, rotated, and never driven over 65 mph or never hit a curb.
My conclusion:
I will never buy another ST tire.

I am the opposite, I still run GYM on our 31' AS. The only michelin tires I have ever had were LT tires on an S10 Chevy and I had 2 blow outs on the interstate and the first one blew with 60% tread life left and the other with 50%. IMO I will never own another set of michelins. I just don't trust them.

Jacob D · 04-26-2016, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Barber

I know this is a loaded question but I have the original Goodyear Marathon tires on my AS that I bought used. They look like new but I've heard that they should be replaced because of time and poor quality. Now for the loaded question, should I replace them and with what tire? I haven't been able to find a Michelin in the size ST225/75R-15. I have found Towmaster at Costco, Maxiss at Discount Tire and Carlisle at Tirerack. Recommendations?

You will read a complete range of opinions about every tire make on this forum. I have run GYM's on my '67 for 15 years. one set longer than is safe, but with no problems whatsoever. My current set was made in China and the set I ran the longest was made in Canada. I run pressure as indicated on the GoodYear chart for my load, check pressure before every launch and almost never have to add air from day to day....except sometimes when there are large overnight changes in ambient temperature. I keep them covered when stored and outer walls sprayed monthly with Armor All Tire Foam. I also run Good Year Wrangler Lt's on my TV, with no problems to date. Some folks criticize ST tires for their 65 mph speed limit. I have absolutely no intention of driving that fast pulling a trailer.

m.hony · 04-26-2016, 12:23 PM

I ran the OE Marathons until I had trouble.
If I had more money I would have done the upgrade sooner.
If I was aware when I bought the trailer new I would have had the 16" wheels and tires from the beginning.
I'm sure you will find more happy Michelin customers than happy Marathon customers or Maxxis customers.
I've had Michelins blow out, as well as other brands, but I have gotten 130,000 miles out of a set of Michelins. No other tire brand has ever lasted that long for me.

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

rbs · 04-26-2016, 01:14 PM

we were sure happy with our Michelin 15" tires on our 25' Classic. They improved the ride 100%, always maintained their pressure, checked for excessive heat and was always cooler than the Goodyear Marathons, and they weren't made in CHINA. As you travel you start to notice how many trailers are sitting on the side of the road with blown tires, and I'd be willing to wager most, if not all, are built in China. My previous experience with Chinese tires made the decision very easy.