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Old 08-20-2016, 09:55 AM   #1
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Are Towmax tires any good?

I just bought a slightly used 2013 Eagle 266RKS travel trailer and it has Power King Towmax STR tires on it. I wonder if anyone has any experience with this tire. I'd like to know if it's reliable to use as is or if I should replace them with a top grade tire. Thanks!
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Old 08-20-2016, 10:00 AM   #2
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Most people will say they are junk. I know of a lot of people, including myself that never had an issue.

If they are original tires, they are due to be replaced due to their age. A lot of people like Marathons and Maxis. I installed Carlisle's this spring and lime them. I would recommend going up at least one load rating, if your rims cam handle them.
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Old 08-20-2016, 10:26 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by Gtoglenn View Post
I just bought a slightly used 2013 Eagle 266RKS travel trailer and it has Power King Towmax STR tires on it. I wonder if anyone has any experience with this tire. I'd like to know if it's reliable to use as is or if I should replace them with a top grade tire. Thanks!
Towmax are considered "China bombs" by many. OEM Jayco cheapies, I have Westlakes and nothing but trouble. Many threads on tires here and elsewhere, I went with Saiulins.
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Old 08-20-2016, 10:40 AM   #4
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Had over 25,000 miles on my 16" Towmax without any problems on a 12,000# Octane Toyhauler. Only replaced them because I hit a sharp hole and physically damaged one, it did not leak or blowout. Would have replaced with Towmax if they had been available. If you keep the pressure correct and remain under the max 65 MPH, they are no worst than any other ST tire. Now I'm sure the horror stories will start.
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Old 08-20-2016, 01:18 PM   #5
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I had them on the WH and had no problems whatsoever. That said, given the horror stories, I went with the Maxxis upgrade on the Eagle. As Jagiven said, your current tires are due to be replaced, and if it was me I'd go with a better quality tire.
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Old 08-20-2016, 01:54 PM   #6
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Posted just 2 days ago

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f7...tml#post440428
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Old 08-20-2016, 01:57 PM   #7
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The biggest problem with all OEM tires is they are all under the proper load range for the camper. The best advise is to increase your next tires in load range.

Google towmax tire issues and then google Maxxis tire issues and you can then make up your own mind about which is your best bet for replacement tires.
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Old 08-20-2016, 02:14 PM   #8
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The biggest problem with all OEM tires is they are all under the proper load range for the camper. The best advise is to increase your next tires in load range.

Google towmax tire issues and then google Maxxis tire issues and you can then make up your own mind about which is your best bet for replacement tires.
And sadly it would cost the RV manufacturer just a few bucks more to go up a load range on the tires. Many trailers have a combined tire weight rating and combined axle weight rating less then the GVWR of the unit. They of course assume X amount of lbs will be on the tongue or pin. Too close for comfort IMO.
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Old 08-20-2016, 03:07 PM   #9
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Two of the Towmax tires failed on one trip only 18 months and less than 2000 miles after I purchased my fifth wheel. I replaced all four with Maxxis tires. Those are now 18 months old and show no signs of trouble.

I'd really like to use LT tires the next time I have to buy, but I'm a little nervous giving up the tow rating of about 400-500 pounds per tire.
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Old 08-20-2016, 03:19 PM   #10
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Cool Tires

I would check them real well for tread depth, sidewall bubbles or blisters, cuts, and dry rot cracking. If all those are good put a few more miles on them. I use the Maxxis tires and have not had any issues, but my tires usually go bad from age and not miles.

Tires can be a expensive but cost way less than the damage from a blowout. I've never had a blowout on my camper, but I had one on a utility trailer that ripped the steel fender off like peeling a potato!
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Old 08-20-2016, 03:47 PM   #11
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I understand from my dealer that in 2017, Jayco is going to Goodyear tires! I had towmax on my 2014 Eagle and caught two of them with blisters before they burst. They were replaced under warranty. I replaced all 5 of mine with Gladiators and have two slightly used Towmax 235 80 R16s and one brand new for sale if anyone is interested!
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Old 08-21-2016, 08:46 AM   #12
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I would check them real well for tread depth, sidewall bubbles or blisters, cuts, and dry rot cracking. If all those are good put a few more miles on them. I use the Maxxis tires and have not had any issues, but my tires usually go bad from age and not miles.

Tires can be a expensive but cost way less than the damage from a blowout. I've never had a blowout on my camper, but I had one on a utility trailer that ripped the steel fender off like peeling a potato!
Thanks to all of you for your input on these Towmax tires. My wife and I are about to take our new (to us) Eagle on our first trip, it will be about 950 miles. I took Doboy Dawg's advice and checked my tires carefully and they look really good. After we return from our trip I will purchase a new set of either Goodyear, Maxxis or Carlisle tires. My Towmax tires are dated May 2012 manufacture date so I guess they are close to being due for replacement.
Thanks to all and happy camping!
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Old 08-21-2016, 12:01 PM   #13
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Glenn,

Safe travels!!!

There was a recall on Towmax tires, 225/75/15 due to the wrong info on the sidewall of the tire. Check your tires to make sure you don't have the set and overinflated them per per this website.
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Old 08-21-2016, 03:31 PM   #14
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Hey need-a-vacation. Thanks for the heads up and the link to the Towmax recall. I just checked my tires and luckily they are not in the recalled batch. The info on the tire states 65psi max inflation. I have them at 58psi right now.
Thanks again!
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Old 08-21-2016, 09:50 PM   #15
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Have them on my X213, I cover them during storage and they are still in great shape.
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Old 08-22-2016, 04:26 AM   #16
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Glenn,

YW!

I run the tt tires at the max cold sidewall pressure. It seems most do as well. And I also try to keep them at max while stored.

Enjoy the new rig!!!
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Old 08-22-2016, 06:19 AM   #17
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Always run trailer tires at max pressure.
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Old 08-22-2016, 07:48 AM   #18
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Have them on my X213, I cover them during storage and they are still in great shape.
X2!! My experience has been the same on my current 2014 and my previous 05 TT's. Replaced the tires on the 05 after 5 or 6 years because of visible dry rot cracks on the sidewalls. Pretty sure almost all TT tires fail because of age related rot rather than wear. With that said, I don't follow any 3 or 4 years and replace rule. Just keep an eye on your tires, look for issues, and air up to max rated psi before every trip. I cover them at home but not while traveling.
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Old 08-22-2016, 08:46 AM   #19
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2 of our TM's failed in a pretty dramatic fashion in a 75 mile stretch and a 3rd was on its way. They were about 3 yrs old. I always had them at proper pressure and monitored them with a TPMS which was the reason I had no collateral damage from the failures. Some folks have gotten good/great service from their TM's, I'm just not one of them.
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Old 08-22-2016, 09:33 AM   #20
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I had TowMax on my Surveyor trailer. Careful inspections that I do before trips caught one with about 5K miles on it... with tread separating. I replaced that with a Maxxis tire. I took a 2K mile round trip and decided to replace the others when I got back. I had 2 more separating so I dodged a bullet. My new White Hawk has some off-brand China bombs that will be inspected and definitely inflated to max pressure before each trip. When I find one starting to show anything wrong, they'll all be replaced. I'll probably go with Maxxis again. I had a really bad experience with Marathons on a boat trailer... never again...
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