Towmax tire question

[calebj06]

So my 2012 Eagle 330bhts has a set of towmax tires on it. The manufacture date is the end of 2014 so these were probably put on in 2015-16 or so.

They are load range E 10 ply rated so they are the better towmax tires although I understand they are not highly thought of by some.


What are the opinions of the higher load rated towmax tires?

Should I actually run them at the 80 PSI that they list as max pressure? I currently have them at 65.

Thanks.

[DaveT]

I have them and run them at 65. Mine have only been on one trip so far. I too heard the bad Towmax stories but I went with them anyway because I wanted to buy from Les Schwab as I was a long time customer. Then Les Schwab really let me down from a customer service perspective so now I have questionable tires from a place I won't do business with any more. I guess if I had a blowout or such I'd go back for free warranty work but nothing else.

I got these because of the higher speed rating. Hoping that since my trailer is relatively lightweight (a 19RD) that I'll get decent service from them.

[1wayhighway]

When you read the sidewall I would expect it to say 80 lbs at Max load. I personally always run my tires at the rated sidewall pressure no matter what as I am under the belief that is what the manufacture expects.

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[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by 1wayhighway

When you read the sidewall I would expect it to say 80 lbs at Max load. I personally always run my tires at the rated sidewall pressure no matter what as I am under the belief that is what the manufacture expects.

I, too, run my TT tires at the sidewall maximum regardless of the load. Why? Because the manufacturer says that is a safe pressure, that pressure virtually always gives the greatest load carrying ability, tires run cooler at the higher pressure due to less sidewall flexing, and the lower sidewall flexing helps reduce sway issues. All wins IMO.

[Marcm157]

I am always careful to run my tires at max inflation when checked cold...

[SouthCo]

Like the three previous posts, I run my camper tires at the max psi listed on the tire sidewall.

[RedHorse1]

I put about 7k mi on the TM’s before 2 of them blew within 70 mi of each other with a 3rd ready to go as well. I replaced them with G614’s and although pricey they’ve delivered almost 13k trouble free miles.
I ran the TM’s at 80# and monitored them with the TPMS. I run the 614’s at 110#.

[ctbailey]

I’m still on my OEM tow max tires. The trailer build date is April 2014. I’ve got well over 15,000 miles on the tires.

I’m planning on replacing them next spring after my winter camp season.

Keep them at max inflation and the bearings greased.


Craig Bailey
New Hampshire
Jayflight 32 BHDS
Chevy 2500HD CC

[Jagiven]

Yep, run max pressure too. The lower the pressure them more the side walls flex, more heat is generated. From everything I read causes premature tire failure.

[Oklahoma Dan]

calebj106 get those things outta there pronto. Bad tires. None of the other advice will save you otherwise.

[ALJO]

Oklahoma Dan thinks Towmax tires are doomsday tires. Seems to me the other members have given good advice. My son has those Towmax Tires now for 5 years without any problem.

[WVDusty]

I have three years on my TM tires. Always at max sidewall pressure.

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[LabMan]

I put 25k on my Towmax at 80PSI. ( 2014 Octane 29T- ~11,000Lb ) Only changed them out due to road hazard damage. Would have replaced with same if they were available.

[Oklahoma Dan]

Experience bad with two blowouts. Country of origin for these not high on my list either. Hope your experience is better then mine. Good luck all.

[norty1]

If you check the MFG sticker on the side if your rig, it will show the mfg recommended tire pressure for the tires they put on. LR-C= 50, LR-D=65, LR-E=80. This corresponds to the max cold sidewall pressure on the tire.

If you upgrade from D to E, use the max tire pressure for the LR of the new tire.

This is for travel trailers. MH's may be different. They can be adjusted to improve handling, ride, etc.

[mjlaupp]

I tried to get 5 years out of my Towmax and it was a mistake. I had a blowout 12 miles from my destination at the end of a 200 mile trip. I don't tow my rig a lot, it is mainly used as in an RV resort where the resort stores and spots the RV for a fee. I do 1 annual trip for a family reunion every year and that is when it got me. The sites and storage at the resort are gravel and the RV had not been moved for 2 years due to health problems.

I had inflated the tires to 80 psi (max on sidewall) before the trip. The 2/3 of the tread separated from the tire at one end, wrapped itself around the axle between the spring and brake housing and stopped the wheel from rotating. This jerked the rig sideways and moved several things around inside the rig. I called for roadside assistance which took an hour to arrive. He spent 2 hours removing the wheel and tread from the RV, retied the electric brake lines to the axle (somehow did not get damaged) and inflated the other tires back to 80 psi. There was no damage to the RV other than some nicks in the aluminum rim while he was removing the tire. He had to call for a sawzall to cut the tread away from the axle.

I continued to my destination and set up with the TV attached. One of the other tires slowly deflated while I was attempting to relax at the campfire with the family. The next morning I inflated the tires back to 80 psi and made a 6 mile run to the closest tire dealer and replaced all five tires. The other 3 tires on the ground had separated tread and were leaking air. New tires are Hercules 10 ply rated, same as the takeoffs.

I looked into replacing the 10 ply (80 aspect ratio) tires with 12 ply (85 aspect ratio) tires but the 1 inch increase in diameter would not have allowed me to use my X-chocks while camping. There would have been just a little more than 1 inch between the tires when on the ground. Gonna replace tires every 4 years from now on.