Tires

tedontario · 04-10-2011, 11:07 AM

Hello Everyone:

We are preparing our 04 2499 for a long drive and do not want any troubles. While doing work to repair cracks under the right side wheel well I took the tires off and see cracks in the tread area of the tires. Last year I scratched the wall when my ladder slipped out from under me and I broke my left heel. I do not want a tire blowing and doing even more damage! It has the original Maxxis tires and they have done us well. Would anyone like to offer up an opinion of what to buy to replace them. I am in Canada and have not seen Maxxis tires here. Years ago I had trouble with Uniroyals on a car so I rule them out. Gee are they even around anymore?? I like Michelins but would like to hear from the pros who have been at this longer and harder than I have.
Thank you for the input!
Ted

**JohnB** · 04-10-2011, 04:25 PM

Ted

If those tires are the original.... you are long over due. 5 years from the DOT date on the side of the tire is about it.

Now to the brand quagmire... I'm assuming you are staying in the Radial ST trailer tire. They for sure need to be ST in the size you are talking. I do not know of an LT tire in your size.

There are not many, close to any, ST radial trailer tries left made in North America. HenryJ has the same TT as yours and he is in Canada as well I thought he just went thru this.

The 2 brands left on my list. At least as of today. 3 years from now when I have to buy new ones that might change.

Brand. Goodyear Marathon, IF you can find them made in North America. If they are from China, I would stray away. You have to ask and tell them it is no deal if from China, unless you want them and have no choice.

Maxxis: While these are offshore as well, they have the better reviews to them on the quality. Some are made in Thailand and some may even be China made.

When I went thru this 2 years ago Denman was still in business. A very good tire made in their Mexico plant. They are no longer...

A heads up, when you buy them, request/demand that the DOT date code is ideally less then 6 months old and no more then 1 year. They have zero issues selling your 2 or 3 year old tires. You might have to wait a few days for them to find 5 new tires (yes the spare is no good either) but it still beats having 1/2 the tire life gone before your take ownership.

Good luck, this is always an issue on what brand....

John

henryj · 04-10-2011, 07:52 PM

These 2-yr. old Maxxis ST205/75R15 replaced a set of perfect 5-yr. old Missions. Everybody's experience is personal and every tire model and even size can be very different and made in different factories on different lines.

I now have Yokohama G051 LT215/75R15 LRC on 6" rims, but they have zero miles on them. I will post experiences later this summer after blowing through western winds and climbing mountain passes in Jasper, Banff and Yellowstone.

Henry

**JohnB** · 04-10-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryj

These 2-yr. old Maxxis ST205/75R15 replaced a set of perfect 5-yr. old Missions. Everybody's experience is personal and every tire model and even size can be very different and made in different factories on different lines.

I now have Yokohama G051 LT215/75R15 LRC on 6" rims, but they have zero miles on them. I will post experiences later this summer after blowing through western winds and climbing mountain passes in Jasper, Banff and Yellowstone.

Henry

Henry

Holy cow.... I feel for your frustration. Sort of like mine and the Michelin LTX.... as a towing tire

I agree that is not good. Did you take them in under warranty?

This entire trailer tire ordeal just got even that much more complex...

For sure I'm looking forward to your report on the Yoko.

John

**Sunline Fan** · 04-10-2011, 10:20 PM

Geez Henry, the 11 year old tires that were on my 270SR looked didn't have as many cracks as those, and they were never covered!

henryj · 04-11-2011, 07:30 AM

Two tires were like this and two were just getting started. Interestingly the sidewalls were perfect. The cracks were about 1/16", all the way around and I could stand a small screwdriver up in them. I didn't go back to that dealer as I felt 4 bad tires wasn't something I wanted replaced with more of the same and they didn't sell Yokohama either.

I think they recycle these tires into pavement--hope they don't ruin the batch

Henry

tedontario · 04-11-2011, 04:16 PM

Well here is how it all worked out. This morning i made several calls, sorry too many to remember! One was to a local shop where I know the people and like to at least give them first try. They offered up Carlisle tires but made in China and not sure of DOT date. I called Leisure trailer sales a local RV dealer and they said they had Goodyear Marathon from the USA. I said are you sure they said Yes! I called Cottingham tire in Tilbury about 1/2 hour drive they said they could get Goodyear or Titan made in China. They said "no one" makes ST tires in North America! The newest they would have would be 09. I called Leisure back and they said they had 4 Load range C yes made in USA

We said we will be there at two. Arrived there at 2:15 and they said take you tires over there. I went in and looked at the tires they were selling they are made in ----China!! I look for the DOT # and it is 4810. They mounted them for me and I paid 658.97 with all taxes etc. They look real nice and are now on the trailer. I will drive to Florida with at least that "one thing" out of the worry file.

Thanks for all the help. John and Henry
Ted

rebellious78 · 04-15-2011, 10:14 AM

Have a good trip. I sure you should not have any trouble with those tires. I have the American Good Years too. Its the second year and they still look brand new. It's hard to believe we ran those Missions for 5 years.