flat tire help

flbradjr · 09-02-2013, 06:36 AM

Yesterday my wife and I were travelling with our 2753 when the road started to get bumpy. It got bumpier and bumpier until we decided it was probably us. Right Rear tire kaput.
Trailer came with Mission tires - reviews on internet not so good.
Any suggestions for replacement tires - greatly appreciated.
Also need a new right side tire/trailer liner. Any suggestions??
Are the liners transferable between trailer manufacturers? - since Sunline is Kaput.
Thanks,
Brad

henryj · 09-03-2013, 01:39 PM

Sorry to hear of your tire problems. One reason most of us have been changing tires every 4-5 years is to avoid the collateral damage that a steel belt whipping around at 700 rpm can do. Mission tires have not had a great reputation, but a number of members, including me, have gotten good service from them. An 8 year old trailer should really be ready for its 3rd set of tires by now--regardless of mileage--because rubber dries out, ages, becomes less flexible and eventually blows up.

I don't know your travel style, but am guessing it's not high mileage. They're still Chinese, but I would take my chances with Goodyear Marathon sooner than some of the odd ball names sold by most RV dealers--all still made in China.

I'm not sure whether it's the fender skirt or wheel well that's broken. Icon has already made some fender skirts for other members and if they don't have your mold can make one if you send them enough big pieces/measure the good side... call them to see what they have/need.

If it's the wheel well... Icon does not show any on its web site, but might be able to make one--again, if you can send them the pieces. Do a Google search on "rv wheel well replacement" to see all kinds of links to rv forums where others share your experience and are looking for help. I'm not aware of anyone else on SOC that has replaced a wheel well. If it's not damaged too badly, rebuilding it with a fiberglass body kit could be another option.

Henry

jim44646 · 09-03-2013, 03:16 PM

Another good investment is a tire pressure monitoring system. I'm using TST at present. They warn ahead of time of a pending problem, a tire over heating, a slow leak or under or over inflated tires. It's still good to check your tire pressure daly

flbradjr · 11-17-2013, 10:30 AM

Thanks for your response to my request for flat tire help.
I went to WES Trailer here on Long Island and the wheel well liner they ordered didn't fit but they were able to fit a patch in place. Looks good.
But - I also lost my mud flap. So far I can't find an RV manufacturer that provides a mud flap on their trailer. Guess Sunline stood alone.
Anyone have an idea of the material used for the mud flap? Thinner than a normal rubber mud flap (that I could cut down), somewhat flexible.
Stoltzfus-rec in PA had purchased Sunline items after Sunline's demise but they'll sold out everything.
I don't think it's rubber or metal but I don't have a clue. Any and all suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Foster Bradley
2005 Sunline 2753

jim44646 · 11-17-2013, 01:31 PM

Mine are just painted thin sheet metal, like you would find on a car body

happytocamp · 11-17-2013, 03:00 PM

Sorry to hear about your tire issue.We recently purchased our first Sunline and had to replace the tires.After much research(most of it done right here-thanks to all the great folks who share their vast knowledge!)I went with Maxxis radials in load range D-also had to upgrade the wheels because of the higher psi.I haven't had the tires long enough to have an opinion yet.When we purchased the trailer from the previous owner it had the original tires from the factory-also Maxxis.

I see you live on Long Island-we do as well!

flbradjr · 11-17-2013, 04:40 PM

Thanks again for everyones info.
I had purchased a sheet of 22 ga galvanized steel and a sheet of aluminum at local Home Depot. About $7 a piece - both 12 by 12. My other side measures 10W 12L with a 1 inch 90 degree bend to attach to trailer. Now to cut off 2 inches and bend to an L to use to attach to trailer. Hopefully some flat black paint will do the trick.
Also in the spring I've narrowed it down to Maxxis or Goodyear Marathon.
We live in Northport on Long Island and do a lot of camping at Rollins Pond in Tupper Lake, NY. Water sites to swim off. I saw a few other folks also go there.
We usually go with Dau and S I L and 3 gr children. They have a pop up.
We had a Cox pop up for 30 yrs and my son is still using it. Occasionally.
Foster and Janice Bradley
2005 Sunline 2753
2003 Suburban
Northport, NY

jim44646 · 11-17-2013, 05:55 PM

Give the galvanized metal a good vinegar bath before painting. That will neutralize the acid and help the paint stick better.

hburkholder · 11-17-2013, 06:19 PM

I just put Carlisle tires on my 1950 this summer as recommended by my dealer............

dumplin · 11-18-2013, 01:32 AM

Sorry to here about your problems , I have 2 fender skirts , and 2 step bezels , new never installed for sale for a 2007 # 2753

MOKID · 11-18-2013, 07:19 AM

We put Goodyear Marathons on our T1950 and pulled it 10000 miles with no problems and then bought a T 2499 and put Goodyear Marathons on it and have 6000 miles on them and haven't had any problems.

**Sunline Fan** · 11-18-2013, 11:36 PM

Always had good luck with Goodyear Marathons here.

Not that I'd ever recommend it, but I have a set of '92 vintage Canadian made Marathons in the garage and I wouldn't hesitate to run on a trailer today. Properly loaded and not long distances, but I would still use them in a bind. Even though I'm saving them should I ever get to correctly restore a '97 Sunline.

flbradjr · 10-02-2020, 05:09 AM

Hi All, MY 2005 T 2753 (purchased in 2006) has MAXXIS M8008 tires on for the last 5 years and less than 5K miles. After my bad luck with the original tires these were the best at the time. And I still like them -- any opinions appreciated.
Time to change? Or good for a few more years? I've seen folks that claim to run their tires for 10+ years. thanks to all...

henryj · 10-03-2020, 08:49 AM

As you found last time, running old tires can lead to painful trailer damage and dangerous situations at the side of the road. It's all about age, not mileage. We're long distance travellers and in 4 years will have almost 25,000 mi. on a set of tires. They still look good even at that mileage because trailer tires just don't wear like truck tires. So, tossing tires with 5000 mi. has nothing to do with it because they'll still look just as good next year, or the year after, but they will have past their "best before date" and carcass strength deteriorates every year.

On rv.net, Goodyear Endurance and Carlisle Radial Trail HD are getting good reviews for mid-size trailer tires. The Endurance is US made and gets my nod--actually cancelled my order this spring when I realized we wouldn't camp much--because GY has stores/offices/reps across NA. However, GY has upped the Endurance to LRD and 65 psi which is more tire than you need. Sunline always spec'd tires for the full axle capacity and GVWR even though the tongue weight is never riding on the tires. For your situation the Carlisle, but only the Radial Trail HD model, might be a better match as it's still available in LRC and 50 psi. Carlisle is the go to trailer tire at many stores, including Walmart, so it is widely available and considerably cheaper than GY.

The good news is it's 2020 and most of the trailer tire horror stories are 10-20 years old. GY and Carlisle build good tires with much higher speed ratings, and, in the case of GY, higher load ratings than previous models. Trailer tire problems are caused by overloading, under inflation, high speed, high temperature, curbing and sitting stationary in the sun. Avoid these, especially in combination, and you can safely and confidently ride on trailer tires for 4-5 yr.