tire replacement due to age

[tinlizzie23]

Sometime last November, I started a thread about tire pressures, and ended up getting some very valuable tire advice from a lot of folks out there. One in particular, I think it may have been edatlanta, said he wouldn't run these apparently original '04 vintate GY marathon tires much farther than the local tire store.

Based on JOF comments and advice, I decided to put new Maxxis tires on our 5er in the spring (2012). That time is approaching rapidly, and I planned to follow edaltanta's and others' advice and take the Designer to the tire store before the first outing of the season.

Well, my first observation of the trailer today was a blown out GY marathon, just sitting there all this past mild winter. That sure was an eye opener. I now understand fully the apparent rule-of-thumb not to run tires over 5 years old, even if they haven't been run much on the road. These tires look to be in great shape on the outside, but obviously are blowouts waiting for a place to happen.

Bottom line - advice to anyone who is unsure about whether to run older tires - LISTEN to those on this forum who have been there, done that. Their advice might just save your camper, or even your life. Thanks again to everyone who sent their valuable advice to me.

[Diesel Donnie]

When you replace the bombs, be aware of where the replacement tires are made- U.S or Canadian made tires are far superior to chinese made tires- They are more costly up front but pay off in the future- A plus is we are supporting our own workers- JHMO- Don

[Seann45]

We are all just glad it blew while parked rather than while going down the highway...

[Crabman]

One other thing to add, your tires may be considerably older then the date your unit was made. My trailer was made in late Sept. 09, but the date codes on the tires were from mid O8, so the tires were already well over one year old.

[SecretCoveDave]

Yikes! Thanks, glad it happened off-road.

[norty1]

Another thing is the more you use the tires the better they look and last.

Seems that the rubber lasts longer when rolling down the road than sitting in your driveway. Still a good idea to replace them every 5 years due to dry rot and cracks.

[allen8106]

It's not just old tires that have problems. I bought a 2007 Puma, new in January 2007. I towed it home approximately 500 miles and parked it in a temporary parking spot. Two days later when I went out to move it to the semi-permanent parking spot I found a bubble the size of two silver dollars on the outside side wall of one of the tires. I called the manufacturer and they immediatley sent me a whole new tire and rim with the tire already mounted. Six months later at the lake I had to crawl under the camper for some reason, can't remember why, but found another tire with a bubble on the inside of the side wall. Again the camper manufacturer immediately sent me a a whole new tire and rim assembly. The moral of this story!! Check your tires every time you move the TT/5ver/MH regardless of the age.

[drfife]

Originally Posted by Diesel Donnie

When you replace the bombs, be aware of where the replacement tires are made- U.S or Canadian made tires are far superior to chinese made tires- They are more costly up front but pay off in the future- A plus is we are supporting our own workers- JHMO- Don

What ST trailer tires are currently manufactured in the US or Canada?

[Diesel Donnie]

Originally Posted by drfife

What ST trailer tires are currently manufactured in the US or Canada?

In my opinion, LT tires are the way to go- They are built to carry more weight and at higher speeds- ST tires have less extra capacity then LT tires- ST tires are not to be used on anything but a trailer per the manufacturer of the tire- We have used LT tires on all our 6 units for the last 20+ years- We have been down the road on ST tires- Had 6 failures on Marathon ST tires in 1990 before we switched to LT tires- Goodyear ponied up and "adjusted" the last failure and paid for the structual damage- An American or Canadian made LT tire is my requirement for all our equipment- Examine whatever tire you choose for the "Made in U.S.A." stamped on the sidewall and you will have peace of mind on your travels- JHMO- Don END OF SERMON

[drfife]

Originally Posted by Diesel Donnie

In my opinion, LT tires are the way to go- They are built to carry more weight and at higher speeds- ST tires have less extra capacity then LT tires- ST tires are not to be used on anything but a trailer per the manufacturer of the tire- We have used LT tires on all our 6 units for the last 20+ years- We have been down the road on ST tires- Had 6 failures on Marathon ST tires in 1990 before we switched to LT tires- Goodyear ponied up and "adjusted" the last failure and paid for the structual damage- An American or Canadian made LT tire is my requirement for all our equipment- Examine whatever tire you choose for the "Made in U.S.A." stamped on the sidewall and you will have peace of mind on your travels- JHMO- Don END OF SERMON

Can you name an LT tire to fit the 15" rims on my trailer? Currently it has 225 75R 15 tires.

I have not found an LT to fit, unless I replace the rims with 16".

[Diesel Donnie]

Originally Posted by drfife

Can you name an LT tire to fit the 15" rims on my trailer? Currently it has 225 75R 15 tires.

I have not found an LT to fit, unless I replace the rims with 16".

I have been retired for some time so my knowledge is limited- You might try finding 700x15 6 or 8 ply radial tires from one of the smaller manufacturers that specializes in this market- Upgrading to 16 inch wheels could be done if you have sufficient clearance- LT215R16 tires will be approximately 1 inch taller- Sorry I can't be of more assistance- Don

[drfife]

Originally Posted by Diesel Donnie

I have been retired for some time so my knowledge is limited- You might try finding 700x15 6 or 8 ply radial tires from one of the smaller manufacturers that specializes in this market- Upgrading to 16 inch wheels could be done if you have sufficient clearance- LT215R16 tires will be approximately 1 inch taller- Sorry I can't be of more assistance- Don

Don, I was not trying to be a jerk, but I have had extensive tire problems and have done a bit of research.

There are no LT tires that are 15" that are load rated to tow my trailer.

My trailer does not have the axle spacing to allow for 16" rims.

Goodyear was making Marathons in Canada, but they switched overseas. Then they brought them back to the USA. But, I understand they will return to China.

If they leave, I'm not aware of any US or Canadian made ST tire.

[SecretCoveDave]

I appreciate the info from everyone. I think I am in the same boat. 2010

buily in 2009/2010? Bought new at the end of 2011.

Tires are how old? Is there a way to read manufacture date off the sidewall?

Dave

[drfife]

Originally Posted by SecretCoveDave

I appreciate the info from everyone. I think I am in the same boat. 2010

buily in 2009/2010? Bought new at the end of 2011.

Tires are how old? Is there a way to read manufacture date off the sidewall?

Dave

This website explains the DOT tire age code:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by SecretCoveDave

I appreciate the info from everyone. I think I am in the same boat. 2010

buily in 2009/2010? Bought new at the end of 2011.

Tires are how old? Is there a way to read manufacture date off the sidewall?

Dave

The date code on mine for example say "3008", which means they were made in the 30th week of 2008.

[tinlizzie23]

Have just removed the 5er wheel and tire that blew out just sitting over the winter, mentioned in the initial thread. The GY marathon that blew was load range D, and I would like my new set of Maxxis replacements to be load range E. Looked on the back of the aluminum rim, but it only listed a max load of 3,042 lbs. There is no mention of max pressure capacity, which would have to be 80 psi for the load range E. It is a TTW aluminum modular rim, with markings of 16X6J, TR4 ZNL, DOT-T, and ET-O, in addition to the max load of 3042 lbs. Does anyone out there know how to determine the max pressure for this rim ? Perhaps there is a site that would have this info, if no one knows ? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[norty1]

Originally Posted by tinlizzie23

Have just removed the 5er wheel and tire that blew out just sitting over the winter, mentioned in the initial thread. The GY marathon that blew was load range D, and I would like my new set of Maxxis replacements to be load range E. Looked on the back of the aluminum rim, but it only listed a max load of 3,042 lbs. There is no mention of max pressure capacity, which would have to be 80 psi for the load range E. It is a TTW aluminum modular rim, with markings of 16X6J, TR4 ZNL, DOT-T, and ET-O, in addition to the max load of 3042 lbs. Does anyone out there know how to determine the max pressure for this rim ? Perhaps there is a site that would have this info, if no one knows ? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Look inside the rim for a sticker or stamping. The max pressure will be on it. If not look for manafac, numbers and google it.

[SecretCoveDave]

Thanks Crabman, and all. I used to think boats were complicated, pointy end, flat end,etc. -but trying to become a good trailerer is a task.
Dave

[Diesel Donnie]

Originally Posted by drfife

Don, I was not trying to be a jerk, but I have had extensive tire problems and have done a bit of research.

There are no LT tires that are 15" that are load rated to tow my trailer.

My trailer does not have the axle spacing to allow for 16" rims.

Goodyear was making Marathons in Canada, but they switched overseas. Then they brought them back to the USA. But, I understand they will return to China.

If they leave, I'm not aware of any US or Canadian made ST tire.

No offense taken- Do an internet search for Seiberling or Dayton manufacturers for a light truck tire in 700x15 size- I believe the factories are in Ohio- At least they were in the "good old days" when American business were competitive before nafta or whatever regulations covered imports- JMHO- Don

[SecretCoveDave]

Just got a flyer from local tire store and they have "Nokian Rotiiva AT" tires.
They are legal snow tires and can be left on all year. Note: tread life guarantee is 65,000 kms (40,755 miles) in LT. Goes up to 80,000 kms (50,160 miles) in P metric.

Think I'll throw a set on just before the snow flies.
Any tire people comments welcome.