Mastercraft TV Tires....

[Rustic Eagle]

Well, was hoping to wait until fall before putting a new set of tires on the TV, but driving along the freeway yesterday an immediate vibration and shimmy surfaced originating from my front suspension. My TT was back at the campground which was good, so I pulled off the highway and a brief inspection showed signs of belt separation on the drivers front tire. I guess I can't complain, the tires are 9 years old and getting close to the wear bar with 52K miles (TV used only for towing). I think the tire age and the 96 degree heat did this tire in. The tire was drivable, just not at freeway speeds.

Anyways, I have been running this particular BFGoodrich "LT" Radial Long Trails on my past three TV's with great reliability, but found out BFG discontinued this particular tire line in the "LT".

So I'm now "testing" a new set of Mastercraft Courser HTR LT245/75R16 10E tires, rated for 60K miles. I found that Mastercraft tires are manufactured by Cooper, and are one of the few remaining tires manufactured in the US.

http://www.mastercrafttires.com/html...ck_courser_HTR

The Mastercraft tire has a highway tread, where my BFG's were a little more aggressive in their tread design. The Mastercraft has a little more tread on the road surface than my BFG's did, so this should be a plus. I only have about 60 miles on the new tires, but they seem to be just a 'tad' quieter than my past BFG's.

The tire dealer knows that I can be there worst nightmare , but they seem confident that I will like the tire for towing my TT.

Will see....................,

Bob

ps: Set of (4) $680 out the door with all the normal bells & whistles, includes $50 rebate.

[Crabman]

That`s a good price for LT tires, Bob. Wonder if my tire dealer will ever let me "test" a set of them!

[David472]

Very good Bob,
You should be set now for many more miles.
I recently got a new set of tires. I went with Firestone Transforce HT in the size LT265-70-17.
http://www.firestonetire.com/Brand/Transforce
A little more pricey, they have good reviews.
Got maybe 100 miles on them, so far, so good.

[Boss Wagon]

I recently went with Uniroyal Laredo HD/H load range E tires. I went with them because I had them previously on my old motorhome and was impressed with their pressure retention during temperature swings. I was also amazed at their lack of sidewall cracking from age.

I have had Michelin tires that seemed to exhibit a lot of sidewall cracking within a few years.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Boss Wagon

snip.....was impressed with their pressure retention during temperature swings.....snip

Boss Wagon,

The local dealer (Belle Tire) where I purchased the new tires inflates all their tires with Nitrogen which I understand helps maintain a constant tire pressure during temp swings. I checked the pressure today and there wasn't any change (we hit 106 degrees today).

Bob

[clutch]

This has been an interesting topic as I am currently shopping for a set of tires. On my old Dodge I had Michelin tires with 70k and 7 years old and no cracks. I took them off and installed Kelly Springfield tires and they didn't do well. I took off two of the Kelly's (seperation) and installed two Coopers on the back. The tread on the Coopers just seemed to go away so I have taken them off my list. My current truck, Dodge, has Michelins with only 37K, All four have deep cracks in the sidewalls and they are only 4 years old. Untill the cracks showed up on these I was going to buy more Michelins but I don't think I want to take a chance on them based on my current experience. Well let the shopping continue.

[David472]

Clutch,
This is where I went to make my buying decision.
http://www.tirerack.com/
There are reviews here for all the different brands, from many different people. I only found a few from RV specific people, but it was helpful anyway.

[Seann45]

Stay away from Mastercraft... junk junk junk... I agree with the other poster that suggested the tirerack.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Seann45

Stay away from Mastercraft... junk junk junk.......snip

Seann45,

Which particular Mastercraft tire did you have problems with, and what type of issue???

Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by clutch

snip.....Well let the shopping continue.

Clutch,

I've been watching "LT" TV tire threads on other forums for the past year, and it seems all brands have had there share of bad reviews, and I couldn't find a brand/type that consistently made the "best of the LT class" either. I know my BFG's treated my very well, but they are not making the "LT" version anymore, only the commercial type....., go-figure.

About the only tire brand that has shown signs of a visible positive following are the Maxxis for the TT's, which I do have.

Like I inferred about the particular Mastercraft's I purchased, I don't have a history with them and Belle Tire knows I will return them if I'm not satisfied.

Bob

[rolling condo]

I purchased Cooper Discoverer tires (70k warranty) in June this year. I use them for everyday driving and towing. Agree they are a quieter tire and softer ride. Before these tires I had Firestone Destination. Comparing these two tires IMO I prefer the Firestone for towing the TT. The firestone gave a stiffer ride and less bouncing over rough roads. Both set of tires load range E. Time will tell as far as durability with Coopers.

[Boss Wagon]

When buying tires, always check the stamped code for date of manufacture. They will tell you the week and year in which they were made. This is really important on motorhomes, campers and tow vehicles were age will get you before the treadwear does.

I once saw some tires at a well known club type store that were 4 years old on the floor for the next unsuspecting buyer to pick up.

When I bought my Uniroyals for my tow vehicle I told the dealer I wanted ones made in 2011. I checked them and he did as I asked. My tow vehicle isn't used as a daily driver so they will age out before they wear out.

[rolling condo]

Originally Posted by Boss Wagon

When buying tires, always check the stamped code for date of manufacture. They will tell you the week and year in which they were made. This is really important on motorhomes, campers and tow vehicles were age will get you before the treadwear does.

Excellent point - another idea is to replace the rubber valve stems with chrome valve stems.

[clutch]

Thanks for the link David.

[dg1971]

After my 1970 SS396 that came with Firestone Wide Oval's, I have never even considered another Firestone tire for any vehicle I have owned. Today, I have Firestone Transforce AT's on my TV and love them. I did a lot of research and ended up going with Firestone. Concerned about past problems with Firestone light truck tires, my salesman put it this way, Firestone will not run the risk of having another costly episode of truck tire tread separation, so they built a good tire that will stay together....they were a little pricey but overall I think they will be worth it. No problems so far, but I am still wondering why the old wide oval tires only wore out on the rear and not the front of the '70 SS.

[clutch]

Well after reading the provided link it seems that the tires I was most unhappy with seem to have the most positive reports. Now I have to rethink everything.

DG, in the 70's I couldn't keep tires on the rear of anything. I have modified my driving habits however. I guess that 32 years of teaching Driver Education must have modified me.

[BlueBrick]

Originally Posted by dg1971

After my 1970 SS396 that came with Firestone Wide Oval's, I have never even considered another Firestone tire for any vehicle I have owned. Today, I have Firestone Transforce AT's on my TV and love them. I did a lot of research and ended up going with Firestone. Concerned about past problems with Firestone light truck tires, my salesman put it this way, Firestone will not run the risk of having another costly episode of truck tire tread separation, so they built a good tire that will stay together....they were a little pricey but overall I think they will be worth it. No problems so far, but I am still wondering why the old wide oval tires only wore out on the rear and not the front of the '70 SS.

I don't think it was defective tires. Maybe something to do with the #s 396 and youthful exuberance

[Rustic Eagle]

Walking around the campground yesterday I glanced at a lot of TV tires and found that most brands were represented (not surprised).

Later in the day I thought that a campground would be a great place to take a "tire survey", being representative of conditions associated to towing. I'm here for a couple of more days, I just might grab a pad of paper and ask a few campers how they like their TV tires. Could be interesting.

I'll skip the guy next to me, I already got into his case about someone tossing his dog's fresh crap under my TT. The paper towel that is was wrapped in had the same floral pattern as the roll on his picnic table...., and yes, I tossed it back into his campsite during our little "chat".

Sorry, back on topic.............., I'll report back if I get around to my little tire survey.

Bob

[David472]

Several weeks ago, in a CG in Port Huron Mich, I did some looking at what tires people had on their trucks. Did not write anything down or ask anyone their opinions, but found the most common was Goodyear Wrangler which are stock from the factory. Next in line was Michelin LTX, followed by Firestone Transforce. There were a few other one-offs which I can't remember. I will be curious what you find with your more detailed survey.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by David472

Several weeks ago, in a CG in Port Huron Mich.......snip

Lakeport State Park?

Bob