Factory tires

[2012FB]

The factory tires supplied are just junk as far as I am concerned and I have replaced three brand new sets as soon as delivered. Our new 2022 FB 25' tires had deformities in the side walls on all the tires but the spare was really bad. The shiny spot captured in the picture was at least an 1/8" bulge off the surface. Very noticeable. I assume they mount the worst ones on the spare, at least this was the obvious case with mine. I normally just replace them with Michelin or on the 2015 30' I went with Nokians. On the 2022 I upgraded to 16" and went with Michelin XPS RIBs running at about 50psi. What a super quality tire that is towing very nicely.

In the attached picture you can see the prominent bulge and sidewall deformity at the tread. The picture really does not show it as bad as it was. They are just $25 each tires on a $100,000 trailer. Ok, maybe $35 at the most.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by 2012FB

The factory tires supplied are just junk as far as I am concerned and I have replaced three brand new sets as soon as delivered. Our new 2022 FB 25' tires had deformities in the side walls on all the tires but the spare was really bad. The shiny spot captured in the picture was at least an 1/8" bulge off the surface. Very noticeable. I assume they mount the worst ones on the spare, at least this was the obvious case with mine. I normally just replace them with Michelin or on the 2015 30' I went with Nokians. On the 2022 I upgraded to 16" and went with Michelin XPS RIBs running at about 50psi. What a super quality tire that is towing very nicely.

In the attached picture you can see the prominent bulge and sidewall deformity at the tread. The picture really does not show it as bad as it was. They are just $25 each tires on a $100,000 trailer. Ok, maybe $35 at the most.

POI...That sir is not a defect...it is the result of overlapping plys during construction.

You can find it on brands.

Bob
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[2012FB]

The only tires I have seen with obvious sidewall deformities are on original equipment tires delivered on my Airstreams. The Michelin XPS RIBs have no such deformities at all. I checked the Goodyears on my truck and the Continentals on my wife's Q5, perfectly formed smooth sidewalls. Here are pictures of my XPS RIBs. No lumps, protrusions, dips, or apparent belt seams from my inspection. THOR buys tens of thousands of trailer tires every year for probably close to $25 each. OEM trailer tires are very cheap tires period. I chose to replace them with high-quality tires. The potential of a belt separation causing significant damage to the trailer is not worth the risk to me. Not to mention the hassle and risk of changing a blown-out tire on the side of the road. I have only done this once many years ago and have not had it happen again with high-quality replacement tires.

[Dennis C]

I think the Goodyear Endurance tires that are now supplied from the factory on many Airstreams are pretty good tires. I believe they are 10 ply tires. I don’t have experience with the other brands on my trailer, but I agree that Michelin makes a good product.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by 2012FB

The only tires I have seen with obvious sidewall deformities are on original equipment tires delivered on my Airstreams. The Michelin XPS RIBs have no such deformities at all. I checked the Goodyears on my truck and the Continentals on my wife's Q5, perfectly formed smooth sidewalls. Here are pictures of my XPS RIBs. No lumps, protrusions, dips, or apparent belt seams from my inspection. THOR buys tens of thousands of trailer tires every year for probably close to $25 each. OEM trailer tires are very cheap tires period. I chose to replace them with high-quality tires. The potential of a belt separation causing significant damage to the trailer is not worth the risk to me. Not to mention the hassle and risk of changing a blown-out tire on the side of the road. I have only done this once many years ago and have not had it happen again with high-quality replacement tires.

Very common.... Good thread here.

Bob
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[Rich Jenkins]

I may have missed it, but what were the brand / type / size of your ‘Factory Tires’?

[richard5933]

Agree - these things are common. My new Goodyear Endurance have the same thing.

[uraljohn]

2 new Airstreams. 2017 International 23D and a 2019 FC 25 RBT. Both came with Goodyear Endurance tires. Over 20k miles on the 23D with zero problems and now over 25k miles on the 25FC with zero problems. All of the tires on both trailers had very minor sidewall indents. Very minor. So far I think the Endurance tires have had an excellent track record.

Now the old Goodyear Marathons seem to have been problematic.

On a brand new Airstream I think spending a bunch of $$$$ on replacement tires right away is needless. But if you have a bunch of $$$$ to get rid of have at it. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Rich Jenkins]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Very common.... Good thread here.

Bob
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Very informative. I’ve been driving 40 years and had not come across this before. I must say in general I replace OEM tires with Michelin’s (typically Pilot Sports on the um higher performance cars, or Defenders on the 2016 Airstream or the truck) and haven’t ever seen this feature. Thanks!

[2012FB]

Originally Posted by Rich Jenkins

I may have missed it, but what were the brand / type / size of your ‘Factory Tires’?

Goodyear Endurance ST225/75R15 removed and replaced.

[civeng99]

Michelin tires are a cult. 85-90% of the market is other than Michelin. We’ve ran every big brand on the fleet side. Amazingly we all haven’t expired in firey tire related cataclysms.

Hands down we have had the best results and excellent cost results with Firestone. Transforces on the truck side. Far and away the best combo for us. Just burning money on Michelin.

[Rich Jenkins]

Originally Posted by uraljohn

2 new Airstreams. 2017 International 23D and a 2019 FC 25 RBT. Both came with Goodyear Endurance tires. Over 20k miles on the 23D with zero problems and now over 25k miles on the 25FC with zero problems. All of the tires on both trailers had very minor sidewall indents. Very minor. So far I think the Endurance tires have had an excellent track record.

Now the old Goodyear Marathons seem to have been problematic.

That mirrors my experience with the GYM’s on our 2016FC; they worked but I was never happy and replaced them with Michelin’s.

On the car side, the difference in wet performance with Michelin’s vs. OEM on my Porsche’s was night and day.

Our 2018FC and now our new 2022GT both have GY Endurance, so far no issues, and they hold air consistently (my GYM’s lost 1-2 psi every couple weeks).

[2012FB]

Originally Posted by uraljohn

On a brand new Airstream I think spending a bunch of $$$$ on replacement tires right away is needless. But if you have a bunch of $$$$ to get rid of have at it. Just my 2 cents worth.

So true. Same reason some tow their Airstreams with a 3/4 ton diesel, using a Hensley or ProPride. We each have our own experiences and tolerances with risk. I see upgraded tires as worth it to me but I tow a 25' with a 1/2 ton using a BlueOx. To each his own preferences.

[Rich Jenkins]

Originally Posted by 2012FB

So true. Same reason some tow their Airstreams with a 3/4 ton diesel, using a Hensley or ProPride. We each have our own experiences and tolerances with risk. I see upgraded tires as worth it to me but I tow a 25' with a 1/2 ton using a BlueOx. To each his own preferences.

I get it. I got a screw in a set of Goodyear Eagles once and parlayed that into a reason to buy a set of Pilot Sport 2’s.

[DCPAS]

OP: Please don't be offended, but I can tell you have not been towing very long. Prior to the Endurance, trailer tires were mostly very poorly designed and built. They had a 65 mph limit. People drove them underinflated and over their speed limit. Very numerous failures. Drove people to ditch ST tires for LT tires, which is not ideal. The Michelins LT's do seem to work, but you are not going to find Michelin recommending its LT tires for trailer use. Not designed for that use.

The Endurance was a revelation. Better design, higher speed, and durable. Happily, other manufacturers followed Goodyear's lead and came out with better trailer tires.

I agree, they are not pretty. Don't care. I do not miss the days of driving on tires wondering when they would fail.

[2012FB]

Originally Posted by DCPAS

OP: Please don't be offended, but I can tell you have not been towing very long. I agree, they are not pretty. Don't care. I do not miss the days of driving on tires wondering when they would fail.

No offense taken. First was a 1979 25' RBT, 2012 25' FBT, 2015 30' Bunk, 2022 25' RBT, and a couple of RVision box trailers (kid haulers) in between. I have not kept very good track of miles but guessing in excess of 150,000 of actual towing. I get that some are happy with the new Goodyear Endurance, but as you point out "they are not pretty". Sidewall construction deformities or what looks like sidewall construction deformities are not something I am comfortable with. I don't think you should see that type of obvious issue on a tire and don't on my other tires. I am very glad that you are happy with your factory-delivered tires. After selling the original set of 15' Goodyears the difference in money was well spent for my peace of mind. I never have a problem selling them as someone is always looking for cheap tires to go on their utility trailers.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by DCPAS

OP: Please don't be offended, but I can tell you have not been towing very long. Prior to the Endurance, trailer tires were mostly very poorly designed and built. They had a 65 mph limit. People drove them underinflated and over their speed limit. Very numerous failures. Drove people to ditch ST tires for LT tires, which is not ideal. The Michelins LT's do seem to work, but you are not going to find Michelin recommending its LT tires for trailer use. Not designed for that use.

The Endurance was a revelation. Better design, higher speed, and durable. Happily, other manufacturers followed Goodyear's lead and came out with better trailer tires.

I agree, they are not pretty. Don't care. I do not miss the days of driving on tires wondering when they would fail.

Well said...
A big plus with the GYE ST tires is the substantial increase in sidewall build quality, which is very important on dual axle trailers to resist sidewall shear when turning.
A light truck tire is not comparable at all, most likely why Michelin doesn't cover them for trailer use.
Disclaimer... I have used Michelin on all our TV's.

Bob
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[uraljohn]

Originally Posted by 2012FB

So true. Same reason some tow their Airstreams with a 3/4 ton diesel, using a Hensley or ProPride. We each have our own experiences and tolerances with risk. I see upgraded tires as worth it to me but I tow a 25' with a 1/2 ton using a BlueOx. To each his own preferences.

I'm with you on the towing. We tow our 2019 FC 25' RBT with a 2013 Ford E150 XLT Premium van using a Equalizer WD hitch. Great combo. Tows like a champ. This is kind of a rare van because even though it is an E150 it has a 8600 LB GVWR with a Payload capacity of 2530 LBS. That is clearly aligned with a bunch of the 3/4 ton rated pick up trucks.

Note: The van came with E Rated Michelin Defenders and that is what I replaced them with at 70k miles. second set has 50k miles on them and still have a bunch of tread left.

[Turkeybaster]

I purchased new GY Endurance tires in 2021. After having them mounted and inflated I too noticed dimples in the side wall. Thinking it a defect, I initiated a warranty claim with GY. They made an appointment for me at a nearby authorized GY service center where a certified GY service tech inspected the tires. He confirmed the dimples are normal and occur often in many different tires, has no effect on the integrity or safety of the tires. I went home and searched on-line and found numerous sources that stated the same thing the GY tech had said. So I believe concerns about dimpled tires are unwarranted.
TB

[Boxite]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Very common.... Good thread here.

Bob
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Yep… agreed.