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Old 08-04-2013, 01:01 PM   #1
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X17Z Factory Supplied tires

We are new "travel trailers"- 2nd season with our new X17Z. We live in MN and thus stored our new trailer over the winter. When prepping our trailer for this season; I was SUPRISED to find weather cracking (or worse?) on both tires; and about 40% of tread wear remaining. That was after about 3500-4000 miles. Last season I purchased tire covers AND used them, (I was involved in commercial trucking for some time). Detailed research determined they were sourced in China! Interesting there is no manufacture branding on either side of the tire. Somebody is not proud of their tires. Further the max rating of the little 13 inch tires is within 100 lbs of the max recommended loading. Not much of a safety margin. And to think we paid a premium for the up graded wheels/tires!!!!
From my earlier background I felt I could do a better job of selecting a tire/wheel package. Our safety is not to be in the hands of a Chinese manufacturer. I chose Goodyear 14" (manufactured in the USA) 205/75D16/8 GY HMG 2020 and 14" steel wheels. MY max wheel/tire rating is now 2020 lbs per tire/wheel-a safety rating of almost 900 lbs! Cost of full retail for the package was $394.44. There is no suspension/body interference at all. Recently we had an outing which was on a secondary un-paved road with lots of ruts for about 20 miles. We have also put an additional 600 highway miles to date this year -NO interference of any kind.
Why doesn't Jayco offer a REAL quality tire/package made in the USA as an option?
Is anyone interested in my factory "premium" polished aluminum wheels?
I hope my experience will be helpful and please understand we do like our Jayco-just wished we would have saved the $171 for the premium wheels.
tvett68
Note: My background includes a number of years with Cummins Engines in Columbus, IN ( Can you imagine Cummins using Chinese fuel systems!)
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Old 08-20-2013, 07:59 AM   #2
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I too have the upgraded aluminum 13" rims with the no name tires. I brought my 2013 X17Z home yesterday had was checking the tire weight rating and you are correct they are at almost the max.
I'm going to ditch those no name tires and try sell the rims on craigslist. What year is your X17Z ? How are your new Goodyear tires holding up ? Anymore feed back or updates would be appreciated.
I'm a retired Paramedic and the county that I worked for would never run no name tires on our EMS trucks. SAFETY FIRST.
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Old 08-20-2013, 08:25 AM   #3
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Check your axle rating too. More than likely its close the max also. That's the way trailers are made. That said the tire upgrade is meaningless other than to give you peace of mind. I'm curious, did you take note the date of manufacture of the OEM tires? Also, did the tires say "Towmax" on the side? That is the brand name. http://www.towmaxtires.com/. I'm not defending them or putting them down either way, just saying.
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Old 08-20-2013, 11:56 AM   #4
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I got 4 new GoodYear tires for our Honda Pilot last week and thank goodness they are not made in China!!...Mexico
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Old 08-20-2013, 12:32 PM   #5
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I have always like LT tires when replacing tires on trailers. But sadly today the larger rim sizes used in LT tires have changed that decision for folks that have 14/15 inch rims on a trailer. The best thing to do with tires is take care of them, read the build date and understand the affects of age on a tire more so than miles on a tire.
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Old 08-20-2013, 02:11 PM   #6
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The Dexter Torflex axle is rated @ 3000 lbs. the dry weight of the X17Z on the yellow sticker with full propane tanks is 3050 lbs. DocBrown you are right my axle is already over loaded and I have not put anything in it yet. Going to try and post some pics.Click image for larger version

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Old 08-20-2013, 07:58 PM   #7
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Your axle isn't overloaded, don't forget the tongue weight is carried by the TV. So if you have 450lbs of TW the axle of the trailer is carrying 2600 lbs. With that said, I am surprised Jayco reduced the axle capacity, our 2011 X17Z had a 3300lb capacity.
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Old 08-21-2013, 07:27 AM   #8
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What amabee says is correct about the tongue weight. If you add the fry tongue weight to the total axle capacity you'll find that it is a number close to the published cargo capacity of the trailer. I'm also surprised to see the lower axle rating. My old '03 Kiwi had a 3300# axle too.

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Originally Posted by troutslayer View Post
I got 4 new GoodYear tires for our Honda Pilot last week and thank goodness they are not made in China!!...Mexico
I'm finding that stuff made or assembled in Mexico is often better quality than that stuff made or assembled in the US. I've 2 GM vehicles that were made in Mexico, and several trucks made in the US. The Mexican vehicles had far better fit and finish.
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Old 08-21-2013, 07:36 PM   #9
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ok splitting hair now . . . . The tires don't even support the weight . This X17Z is a disaster waiting to happen on the freeway / interstate. I have a Reese dual cam hitch attached to a 2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 access cab with the factory tow package. This tow profile is way off level. The TV sags on the rear and the X17Z sags in the rear.
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Old 08-21-2013, 08:29 PM   #10
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The 17Z tows very well if properly set up and loaded. We bought our 2010 model new and before we signed on the dotted line the dealer had to replace the Duro tires supplied by Jayco. They were cracked, and looked like 20 year old junkyard specials. Before the dealer got a dime, they installed new Maxxis tires. We have had no problems with them to date and they still appear as new.
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Old 08-21-2013, 08:50 PM   #11
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What size are your wheel tire combo ? What is your GAWR ?
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Old 08-22-2013, 07:30 AM   #12
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Quote:
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ok splitting hair now . . . . The tires don't even support the weight .
I'm not sure I understand this statement. Please explain how the tires, the only thing that actually touches the ground, don't support the weight?

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This X17Z is a disaster waiting to happen on the freeway / interstate. I have a Reese dual cam hitch attached to a 2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 access cab with the factory tow package. This tow profile is way off level. The TV sags on the rear and the X17Z sags in the rear.
Your Tacoma should handle this trailer just fine. I don't think you have the hitch setup right.
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Old 08-22-2013, 07:57 PM   #13
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My 2010 17Z shows: GAWR 3300
Tongue wt. is listed by Jayco as 360 lbs.
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Old 08-23-2013, 04:53 AM   #14
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Im sure jayco got a "good deal" with the tire mfg to carry their line and install on most of their TT at the factory. Sadly most consumers dont check into or care about the type/brand of tires that come new on their TT and just assume since they are new all will be OK. I see Jayco doing this deal to keep prices lower and to move more units at the dealership.
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Old 08-23-2013, 12:17 PM   #15
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If these tires are so bad, why aren't we seeing lots of trailers by the side of the roads while traveling? When we were at the RV show, lots of manufacturers are using the Towmax tires. So by now there are many thousands of these out there.
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Old 09-04-2013, 09:40 PM   #16
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I'm not sure what brand came on our new 2012 197, but they are pretty much done after a couple of short trips around here and a 6000 km run to Whitehorse and back. I will most definitely be putting a better grade of tire on it this time around. El cheapo tires are just that - cheap!
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