Maxxis ST Tires Test in Trailer Life Sept 2016

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

What, excluding hitches?

Insert smiley face here.

...and tow vehicles...


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

These tire threads are a hoot. So I do a google search for "premium tire brands", and what do you know, I find a listing of what a source considered the top 5 premium brands, and guess what? Goodyear was on the list, and they make an ST tire. But this thread is about Maxxis ST tires, and I will consider them when it's time to replace my current tires. Note: I prefer towing at 65 MPH or less.

Goodyear is a second rate line. Same with Firestone. The "premium" lines are Michelin and Bridgestone.

[GenXair]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

Interesting we are on a trip at the moment and due to a last minute trailer change I am running marathons on a 26U. Another unit in or group is a 2012 19 Flying Cloud running P235/75 x 15 Michelins. When following them both the 19 bounces less than the 26. Which really shouldn't be. As well the 26 is on a smoother tow vehicle.


Andrew T

Hi Andrew,

I'm a bit surprised you're using 15" Michelins when all I've read on these forums were people switching out to 16". Have you tried the 16" as well? I would love to know what your experience has been.

Your insight is always appreciated.

[Airstreamer67]

I bought a new set of Maxxis STs last year after experiencing great performance out of a previous set that had lasted eight years.

[Bob662]

When I got a call from the Factory to ask "...how's it going with your new Airstream?," I grumbled about the lug nuts and the GYM tires. The TechRep suggested I consider Maxxis as replacements for the GYM's, but didn't indicate AS was considering an OEM change away from the GYMs. As for the lug nuts, AS is considering alternatives to the two-piece ones, and I believe will make that change in the not distant future.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, the original lug nuts will last forever if you use a 1/2" drive, 6 point, thin wall, 3/4" / 19mm, deep impact socket.

Short, worn out, sloppy fitting, wrong size, or 12 point sockets will destroy these lug nuts and any other lug nuts made.

The right tool always works better.

[Bob662]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

...the original lug nuts will last forever if you use a 1/2" drive, 6 point, thin wall, 3/4" / 19mm, deep impact socket.

Absolutely right, assuming they weren't mangled at delivery. Two of mine were, and three others were just cracked---all as they came from the Factory. I didn't want to be on the side of the road somewhere, swearing at lug nuts that won't come off. The replacement cost was insignificant compared to the inconvenience of being stranded.

[cole3444]

After reading the post on this subject it seems the Maxxis tires are a descent tire. I have a 1972 31' Sovereign and need to get tires since my rebuild is almost complete and was wondering which load range would be better. I am looking at the ST225/75R15. Airstreamer67 can you add anything on this since you have ran these tires. Thanks

[Ray Eklund]

I do not know any of the previous posters on this thread.

Some could be among those who could navigate around roofing nails on the highway and drive over a roadless mountain without damaging their tires... or trailer.

Some may be like those seen at RV Parks and pulling out of gasoline stations wreaking havoc with sharp turns as their tires squeal in anguish. Others leaving rubber 'kisses' along side curbs and pulling their tires over broken objects in the road. Some drivers having no idea where their tires or trailer are tracking on the road or pavement and hit every pot hole in the process.

Large RV's pulling their vehicles over curbs and thru bushes at parking lots is another... visual to experience!

At Jackson Center, OH, watching trailer owners backing into a spot was a good education in what people say and what they do not know they are doing. Some trailer owner's tires were rippling on the sidewalls, when at right angles to their tow vehicle and backing into a concrete slab. After five days... we saw enough to be skeptical of statements being made and accept them as proof beyond doubt.

MY statements also should be suspicious and incorrect....

Myself... I prefer to do, watch and learn from all sources of information. I take many posts with a 'grain of salt'. Possibly two grains. Take my statements with a grain of salt, although my mistakes are admitted.

FOURTEEN INCH C Rated Marathons are a poor excuse for any use for an Airstream.

Fourteen inch Maxxis and Tow Masters served my 23 foot Airstream well. The only complaint is the amount of tread on these tires... little.

I never had an issue with Marathon FIFTEEN INCH tires during the limited time I had them on my 2014 International. Although from previous experience with the 14 inch C Rated, and both having minimal tire tread compared to any LT Michelin... I paid to be confident while traveling highway speeds.

[Mrjkq]

Cole3444, I use the Maxxis E rated 8008 tires on my 25 ft AS. We just completed a 10,000 + mile trip. The tires are inflated to 75 psi using nitrogen in lieu of air, they preformed without a flaw in temps ranging from 60 to 110 degrees.

[Tom_T]

Originally Posted by cole3444

After reading the post on this subject it seems the Maxxis tires are a descent tire. I have a 1972 31' Sovereign and need to get tires since my rebuild is almost complete and was wondering which load range would be better. I am looking at the ST225/75R15. Airstreamer67 can you add anything on this since you have ran these tires. Thanks

Cole,

I would think that the E rated (10PR on some charts) would be needed on a 31 footer AS, but what you'll really need to do is take the total gross trailer wt. of your rig, divided by the number of tires on it, & then get the tire load rating higher than that per tire/wheel load.

It's a matter of the max. weight a particular tire size & PR/LR is rated for, cuz they all vary, as you can see in the Maxxis load chart in the article, & at the one on their website, both at the links which I provided above.

This is true no matter which brand, tire model, ST, LT or for your cars/trucks.

Sounds like a nice Resto! Maybe we'll see it featured in a future "Vintage Camper Trailers" magazine!

Cheers!
Tom
///////

[Tom_T]

FYI - I inspected my 1960 Avion T20's & 1988 VW Vanagon CamperGL "Westfalia" Maxxis tires, & these are the specs & place of manufacture for them below:

1960 Avion T20:

Maxxis M8008 ST225/75R15-D 8PR speed rated for 65 mph, load rated for 2540#@ max. 65 psi, DOT date coded for late 2011 (installed July 2012) & Made in Thailand - No sidewall nor tread cracks, No Bubbles nor visible defects, nominal tread wear (with gauge still at nearly new depth) - after 4 years & under 16,000 miles.

The Avion is single axle & was rated dry/empty/without options at 2680 lbs & 285 lbs. HW, but as currently set-up/restored/wet/loaded has a 542 lb. HW & is about 3000-3500 lbs (no max. GTWR was listed back then, but I'd assume 4500 lbs, but have no idea where you'd put all that to get to 4500!)
.

1988 VW Vanagon CamperGL "Westfalia":

Maxxis UE-168 LT 205/70R14C 8PR 100/102Q (load index 100 = 1764 lbs & 102 = 1874 lbs., speed rating Q = 99 mph), rated for 1874 lbs @ max. 54 psi (IIRC the 100 = 1764 is for 35 psi), DOT date coded for Dec 2013 (installed March 2015) & Made in Taiwan - No sidewall nor tread cracks, No Bubbles nor visible defects, nominal tread wear (with gauge still at nearly new depth) - after 1.5 years & under 8,000 miles.

Our non-synchro VW Vanagon CamperGL Westfalia (full camper version) was rated at 5160 lbs GVWR, & oddly enough rated to tow 2200 lbs & 220 lbs. HW out of a wheezy 4-banger which can barely do 0-60 in 20 minutes!

Note that 14" tire sizes for classic cars are getting harder to find, & especially so for an LT rated for the needs of our VW Vanagon based full camper, & this exceeds the 98 load index from the factory Michelins which are NLA.

And before you newer AS folks get your noses out of joint about why info about an old VW Van is being posted here -

1.) It is a Class B Van based RV with California HCD certification, which makes it & all trailers/RVs eligible for 10 year "RV/Mobile Home financing" - just as are the AS MBZ based units today;

2.) With the very low production numbers of the full camper pop-top Westfalias, they are now very collectable - as are vintage AS's etc. - & the Splitty era earliest Westy's are getting in the $150-200,000+ range, while the middle Bay Window era Westy's are in the $100,000s range, & the later Vanagon era are in the high 5-figure range now, with some of the 4WD Synchro's passing $100k (ours is 2WD);

3.) Therefore, in it's fully restored state I expect it to be valued/appraised at $50,000 -$75,000+, which you can see at the GoWesty.com website under their recent sales for restored Westfalia full campers.

So our little one owner restored Westy is certainly in the same league by value & collectablilty, as are any of your vintage or newer AS's, & certainly deserves mention here on the stock size LT tires available for them, since there are other members out there with Westies!

Cheers!
Tom
///////

[Rocinante]

Oooh, ow, ow, facts and figures! Yikes!

Nice details, thanks.