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Old 08-22-2005, 04:46 PM   #1
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Lug nuts--tight all the way on/off? & etc.?

Having about 18,000 miles on my GoodYear Marathon tires, I guess I can expect trouble but one question I have is-- is it "normal" for the lug nuts to come off with a LOT of resistance all the way to dropping off the lug bolt?

The nuts don't seem to be cross-threaded.

My trailer is a 2002 and I have about 17-18,000 miles on the tires. I had to replace one about 400 miles ago; I think a large cinder rock cut a slit in the inside side wall at Juniper Ridge RV Park.

I drove about 500 miles without knowing this problem so it put a lot of pressure on the other tire. Last week it got a goose egg on the side and the tread was separating.

Now two more on the other side are doing the same thing--goose eggs at the joining seem and the tread is getting large spaces in places.

Is there a better tire than the GoodYear Marathon?
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Old 08-22-2005, 05:32 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by Kistler
Having about 18,000 miles on my GoodYear Marathon tires, I guess I can expect trouble but one question I have is-- is it "normal" for the lug nuts to come off with a LOT of resistance all the way to dropping off the lug bolt?

The nuts don't seem to be cross-threaded.

My trailer is a 2002 and I have about 17-18,000 miles on the tires. I had to replace one about 400 miles ago; I think a large cinder rock cut a slit in the inside side wall at Juniper Ridge RV Park.

I drove about 500 miles without knowing this problem so it put a lot of pressure on the other tire. Last week it got a goose egg on the side and the tread was separating.

Now two more on the other side are doing the same thing--goose eggs at the joining seem and the tread is getting large spaces in places.

Is there a better tire than the GoodYear Marathon?
First, the lug nuts are probably just stubborn since they haven't been off in a while. It COULD be that the last person to install them got a little overzealous with tightening them, and damaged the threads on the nuts. If they are standard nuts, they are pretty inexpensive, and easy to find replacements, trhey should be 1/2"x 20.
Second, it is possible that the increased stress on the other tires from running at highway speeds on three wheels has overstressed the tires. They have to be replaced, or the belts will catrastrophically separate, probably causing serious damage to your wheelwell areas (but you already knew that).
Third, the Marathons are about as good as it gets, as far as tires for our trailers.
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Old 08-22-2005, 06:01 PM   #3
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Thank you for the reply! Yeah, I understand the phrase-- "about as good as it gets"

I see in Trailer Life an advertisement for Maxxis tires; I wonder what they are like....

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Old 08-22-2005, 06:20 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by overlander63
First, the lug nuts are probably just stubborn since they haven't been off in a while. It COULD be that the last person to install them got a little overzealous with tightening them, and damaged the threads on the nuts. If they are standard nuts, they are pretty inexpensive, and easy to find replacements, trhey should be 1/2"x 20.
Second, it is possible that the increased stress on the other tires from running at highway speeds on three wheels has overstressed the tires. They have to be replaced, or the belts will catrastrophically separate, probably causing serious damage to your wheelwell areas (but you already knew that).
Third, the Marathons are about as good as it gets, as far as tires for our trailers.
I cant improve much on the above answer but maybe add a little.
Lug nuts should never be loose and easy to get off for obvious reasons. Normally there should always be a little resistance. Its a good thing (sorry martha).
As far as tires are concerned, bubbles on them is NOT normal...and MORE THAN ONE TIRE DID THIS?
Trailer tires dont get as much stress as vehicle tires.
As a comparison, I put a brand new set of BF GOODRICH RADIAL T/As on my truck 4 YEARS AGO. They still look almost brand new w/o much wear and this is my daily driver.
When I replace trailer tires I use FIRESTONE 700 R15...$70ea. Never had a problem yet.
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Old 08-22-2005, 06:23 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Kistler
Thank you for the reply! Yeah, I understand the phrase-- "about as good as it gets"

I see in Trailer Life an advertisement for Maxxis tires; I wonder what they are like....

Kistler
If you can find them, they offer an ST225 75D15 8 ply rated tire. That is intriguing, since it means no radial belt separation. I checked, and there are no dealers in Florida. I have seen Maxxis passenger car tires, they don't seem the highest quality, but I will reserve judgement on the trailer tires until I have had a chance to check them over in person.
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