Tow Max tires

[etex211]

Originally Posted by DocBrown

That's my point. People complain and say they've had problems. But no one wants to be bothered to report it. So from where I sit, there isn't enough hard evidence to tell me I should be worried.



You are the first one I've seen to state a truly logical reason for swapping the tires out. Usually people say they do it because of what "people on the Internet" said about "Blowmax" tires. Which in my opinion is a very poor reason for swapping them out.

Like I said earlier in the thread, I'm dumping my Tow Max tires because two of them failed two weeks ago, and they are not yet three years old and have minimal miles on them. My trailer will be completely void of Tow Max tires when I begin my next trip.

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by etex211

Like I said earlier in the thread, I'm dumping my Tow Max tires because two of them failed two weeks ago, and they are not yet three years old and have minimal miles on them. My trailer will be completely void of Tow Max tires when I begin my next trip.

I'm not questioning your reasons for swapping them out. You aren't doing it because someone on the 'Net told you to, you are because you had problems.

What I don't understand is why not report it? Adding to the complaint list will give the NHTSA a reason to investigate. If there's truly a problem, maybe you can help contribute to a possible recall.

For my part, I'm just not seeing a good reason to change out my tires.

[WVDusty]

FWIW this is my thought on this.
I think the reason we here about so many problems with the Towmax tire is because "just a guess here" but about 90% of all new TT leave the factory with them. So to me it stands to reason that with so many of these tires on the road that we would here about more people having problems with them v/s the "better" tires that fewer people are using.
I have had towmax tires on my past two TT with no problems as of yet.

[Jmooney]

I have searched but cant find data on the # of tires produced for US consumption by Good Year and Tow MAX (Power King)

a ratio of # produced to failures reported will certainly give us a better picture

[eldermike]

Originally Posted by WVDusty

FWIW this is my thought on this.
I think the reason we here about so many problems with the Towmax tire is because "just a guess here" but about 90% of all new TT leave the factory with them. So to me it stands to reason that with so many of these tires on the road that we would here about more people having problems with them v/s the "better" tires that fewer people are using.
I have had towmax tires on my past two TT with no problems as of yet.

That's good logic. However, I don't think this is a tire brand problem. I think it's a specification issue. Most TT leave the factory at or close to max load range of running gear. Axle and tire issues are always at the top of issues with TT. I believe many people upgrade load range when they replace tires and this could also be a factor in why other brands don't yield the same results.

[Dagwood]

I've got them on my 2013 X20E. No problems to date. I watch them diligently and have TPMS system on them to hopefully help indicate if I am about to have a problem. That said, I have researched and read so much about what not to like about the TOW MAX tires but I've yet to find anything that states my smaller 13" (I think) wheel sizes have any issues. Most of the complaints I've read online all seem to be about 15" or larger tires that have the majority of failures IMO.

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by eldermike

Most TT leave the factory at or close to max load range of running gear.

I have to wonder too how many folks are overloaded and don't even know it. How many people exceed the 65 mph speed limitation of the tires? We have no way to know the answers to either of these questions. And few people would admit to either when complaining online.

I run just over 60 mph. Judging from the number of trailers that fly by me on the Interstate, I have to believe a fair number of blowouts occur from overheating.

[Crabman]

IMO the tires and axles should be rated at the very least to carry the ENTIRE GVWR of the trailer, and not assume X amount of LBS. will be on the tongue. This may lead to better tire and axle results...

[eldermike]

Originally Posted by Crabman

IMO the tires and axles should be rated at the very least to carry the ENTIRE GVWR of the trailer, and not assume X amount of LBS. will be on the tongue. This may lead to better tire and axle results...

Yep, if the world was flat then the tongue weight takeaway might make sense. But since its round and hilly static tongue weight is a myth.

[ALJO]

So far I have approx. 4500 miles on the Towmax Tires 205/75R15 and do every month a round trip of 500 mi/800 km. Speed is max 63 mi/100 km an hour. Check at every stop the temp of the tires and bearing hubs. So far this has been in mild outside temperatures and will see how this is in hotter summer temps. My running gear is approx. 75% from the max. and I am not maxed out in GVWR.
Isn't there a saying; "Speed Kills"? So it will a tire if not operated within its specifications.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by DocBrown

I have to wonder too how many folks are overloaded and don't even know it. How many people exceed the 65 mph speed limitation of the tires? We have no way to know the answers to either of these questions. And few people would admit to either when complaining online.

I run just over 60 mph. Judging from the number of trailers that fly by me on the Interstate, I have to believe a fair number of blowouts occur from overheating.

Where are you coming up with that speed rating? My F250 takes 235x85x16LT E tires same as the trailer. That's an 80psi 10 ply tire and I'm sure rated over 65 mph. I run 63-65 as it's where I get the best fuel mileage not due to speed rating.

So here a theoretical question. If the truck rims fit the 5th wheel why couldn't a guy carry one spare - one tire fits all.

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by Edd505

Where are you coming up with that speed rating? My F250 takes 235x85x16LT E tires same as the trailer. That's an 80psi 10 ply tire and I'm sure rated over 65 mph. I run 63-65 as it's where I get the best fuel mileage not due to speed rating.

So here a theoretical question. If the truck rims fit the 5th wheel why couldn't a guy carry one spare - one tire fits all.

Please read the entire thread. We're talking about Tow Max brand ST trailer tires. Not LT truck tires. Most (not all) ST tires are limited to 65 mph.

[Dirkdaddy]

Wheels have offset from center and various bolt configurations, so that's doubtful, but possible. Perhaps someone like military they'd spec them to have the same setup probably just for that reason interchangeability.

Back OT, I have goodyear tires on my TT and its new to me, I have no idea of speed rating but I keep to below 75 and check tire pressure. I'll have to check the tires to see if they say a speed rating. I was glad to see goodyear on the TT when I got it, I had heard bad things about the OEM tires on TT's and how you probably should replace them.

[Murff]

Regarding Goodyear:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f7...ires-6535.html

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by DocBrown

Please read the entire thread. We're talking about Tow Max brand ST trailer tires. Not LT truck tires. Most (not all) ST tires are limited to 65 mph.

First mention of ST is this post, sorry - I'm done with this one

[Jmooney]

35 responses now from members who had or have Tow Max, with 9 reporting a problem. That's now a 25% reported failure rate.

[Jmooney]

If you chase the internet info far enough you can find that the Tow Max tires, are a product of Dynamic Tire Company in Canada, who has it’s tires manufactured in Shandong China ( apparently Shandong is a popular place for tire manufacturing as there are almost 50 separate plants)

It should be noted that several of big US tire brands are also using Shandong to produce their products.

I also found it interesting that neither of the companies websites ( Dynamic Tire Co or Changeng Tyers co) listed Power King or Tow Max as a product of theirs, although clearly from various US Gvt agencies, they are the companies of record.

Power King and TowMax tires are also found as a separately imported tire by TBC brands, whose primary business appears to be importing and distributing foreign made tires in the US. They also operate several retail companies, including “Merchants Tire and Big-O”. From this, I’m making the assumption that many popular brands are actualy made in the same place, just with different logos.

Still, in several hours of research, I found an overwhelming volume of forum complaints, but I only found 1 actual recall of a Tow Max product (Towmax STR tires, size ST225/75 R15 manufactured June 15, 2014, to October 14, 2014)

I also found where the RV manufacturing industry lobbied the US trade and regulatory commission to exclude Chinese made tires from pending regulatory changes to limit the financial impact on the cost of importing tires for the RV industry

I don’t know that all this rambling changes anything – lots of opinions, little actual data.

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by Jmooney

lots of opinions, little actual data.

And there-in lies the problem.

This whole thing reminds me of a little saying I hear every time the economy takes a dump, "A recession is when my neighbor loses his job. A depression is when I lose my job".

It's all a matter of perspective.

[ALJO]

I agree with DocBrown. Some people have problems with Tow Max ST Tires and most of them do not. And we not always hear the data truth either.
Just take care of your tires and they should serve well. There always can be a Tire failure no matter what make.


Towmax - maintenance

[Camper_bob]

I'm one of the ones who has Towmax tires without a problem.

I think the idea that much of the problem has to do with loading needs further examination. I checked my tires and discovered that they were spec'd almost exactly for GVWR minus assumed tongue weight. I didn't punch the numbers into a calculator, but it was pretty close to that. I have to wonder if people who load up their rig close to GVWR are having more problems. Couple that with those who drive over the 65 mph rating and don't check inflation pressures regularly, and are using old or somewhat rotted tires, or that have curb damage, or etc. and you could have a perceived problem.

And so then I wonder if other owners out there are like me. If I'm going to replace a tire, I'm going to over-spec it as much as I can within reason; I'm not going to take a calculator to the weights and buy the tire that just squeaks in over the assumed axle load number. So if other owners replace their factory installed Tow Max tires, they will automatically be installing a higher load-rating (like I would/will) and thus have fewer problems.

I also have to wonder if the factory operates a bit like my dealership. When I purchased my trailer, I believe they specified the WDH based on empty tongue weight instead of maximum possible tongue weight (as I would have done if I had known better at the time).

Personally, I'm about 2K under GVWR on my heaviest towing days, I check tire pressures (on the truck and TT) religiously, and I take temp readings from the tires, hubs and brakes each time we stop. This last trip out, my street-side rear tire was 119*F, and it was the hottest reading I've taken on any of my tires (and now that I think about it, this may be the very same tire I clipped a curb with a while back). So I will watch that tire closely.

When it comes time to replace the tires, I will likely replace with Maxxis, but I will go up in load range, and I'm thinking that might be the real difference.