towmaster trailer radial tires- keep same brand or trade up?

[tjj's63]

hey all- I'm going to pick up my 63 ambassador in MO and tow it out to CA. i found out that there are currently Towmaster trailer radial tires ST 225/75 R 15 with a max load of 2150# on her. these need to be replaced before my trip. do i stick with this brand, or switch to something entirely different. i need to get this info to MO soon, so any help would be appreciated. i've been reading all the stuff about blow outs and what not and would like to avoid that issue... thanks!

[ArtStream]

Hi!
I've used Towmaster 225 75R15 ST on my 1995 28 Excella.
I like them. I now have Marathons, but plan to switch back to Towmasters at the next tire change.

Michael

[HowieE]

Towmasters are no longer made on this side of the pond. The molds were shipped to China last spring.

There is not a manufacutre of that size trailer tire other than in China now.

A bit costly but what I did was convert to 16 in wheels and Michelin LT 225 75 16. The Lts are rated for highway speeds while most trailer tires are limited to 65 mph.

[tjj's63]

and i also need a "d" rated tire, right? it looks like the ones i have are currently "c" rated.

[Melody Ranch]

Ozark Traveler RV in St. James still has Canadian Towmasters. I use 'em and trust 'em. Don't forget the wheel bearings too for that long a trip.

[HowieE]

If you can get Canadian Towmaster it may be worth the side trip on your way to Mo. Or better yet see if they would ship them to Mo.

I used Towmasters for years but will not but up with them coming out of China with thier standards.

[tjj's63]

i'll have to check out a map and see if they are on the way, i'll be on hwy 40 for most of the trip, then hook up with 44 all the way in to st louis. i plan on having the bearings packed, new seals and have them look at the brakes and all that good stuff, too. i was waiting on my friend to get me the info so i could set up a time to have it done.

[Safari-Rick]

That's all great in all to get a pair of Towmasters but, don't expect warranty service on them if there are no dealers out in the US of A. Even though you hear the stories of Marathons, at least if you run into problems on the way back to Cali you'll be able to get them fix/exchanged under the warrantee.

That's my 2 cents worth.

[HowieE]

You don't see posts on warranty work on Towmasters the way you see problems posted on Marithons so why would you consider buying a tire that may cost you your trailer or siginificant sheet metal work just for the protection of having warranty work on a know bad tire.

[Safari-Rick]

that's true what you're saying HowieE but, in either case if he's on the road he'll have to purchase what's available and in most cases it will be GY or Maxxs's.
Don't get me wrong, short of going to a larger rim size there ain't much of selections out in the real world.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by tjj's63

i'll have to check out a map and see if they are on the way, i'll be on hwy 40 for most of the trip, then hook up with 44 all the way in to st louis. i plan on having the bearings packed, new seals and have them look at the brakes and all that good stuff, too. i was waiting on my friend to get me the info so i could set up a time to have it done.

Welcome, neighbor, and goo dluck with your trip. I've had Marathons on both my trailers, and have never had a problem. When it is time to change the tires, I will have to look for an alternative, because the Marathons are getting such a bad rap lately. The more I hear about them, the scarier it gets. I will go the route of 16in wheels and truck tires, more than likely. You might consider this as well, from the get go. Save yourself the entire taxing tire discussion. Trailer tires apparelty just plain stink.
For what it's worth, I mount and balance my own tires,and I can not confirm sidewall stiff ness being a factor in trailer tire design. I found the sidewall on the Marathons rather soft and pliable. I found the overall quality of the casting of the tire rather poor, actually.
Go with the 16's if you're going to keep the trailer.
Here's whee youc an get wheels:
www.trailertiresandwheels.net
Here's their page with the 16" wheels:
16" ALUMINUM TRAILER WHEELS FOR FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS, TOWABLE RV'S, CARGO TRAILERS, HORSE TRAILERS, LIVESTOCK TRAILERS AND MORE
Then you can run a LR d or E truck tire, and forget about the debate once and for all. Thisis what they use on heavy 5th wheels, btw.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by HowieE

...There is not a manufacutre of that size trailer tire other than in China now...

well, not exactly....

there are still plants in other parts of the world making them...

even in the USA!

Denman Tire Corporation

http://www.denmantire.com/catalog/Trailer.pdf

i've never seen or used these but someone found this domestic maker and posted it recently...

ohio is still part of the union right?

no uwe's got the goods on a proper wheel/tire swap..

and the important thing for the o.p. is....

IF the current wheels on the 63 amb' are original don't break them with higher rated tires overly inflated

cheers
2air'

[Safari-Rick]

Ok guys, I'll be the first to admit that I'll have to eat my words in my previous post. Where Marathons are made in China, I just got a pair of TowMasters from Costco and were made this year 3/2012 in "Indonesia". Looked at all the reviews on the "net" about them vs GY and went with the TowMasters as they had a greater plus review then the Marathons made in China. And the fact that Costco has a good rep on most of it's products. We'll see how the story plays out.

[teddyspicnic]

If you go on www.ebay.com there is a guy selling them at $88 a throw new. However he only ships to the US. So if there is someone out there willing to let me ship one to him the he can forward it to me over in England please give me a call either here or teddyspicnics@googlemail.com Many thanks for any help anyone can offer me

[Bill M.]

You might think about the wheels before you buy D rated tires. My trailer came with steel wheels and C tires from the factory. I think the wheels are only rated to 50 psi. If you have Aluminum wheels and they are rated to 65 psi then you need the D tires. 65 psi tires at 50 psi seems like a recipe for faliure to me. A tire that most likely will work on the trailer is a 235-15 like the Michlen LTX. Or the Goodyear. These come in a extra load tire that is rated at about 2000 lbs and for 50 psi inflation. And not subject to a high failure rate like the ST tires. I have over 4 years and a whole lota miles including Alaska on mine with no problemsIf you just have to have the ST tires or do not want to deal with making a radical change I would go with the GYM. Load range C if you have steel wheels and a suggested inflation 50 lbs or under. Load range D for Al wheels and inflation over 50. My neighbor lost 2 Towmasters on his 5th wheel late this summer. Lot of colateral damage too. His second major tire failure in 4 years.