Hercules tires

[Pop#1]

I know that tires have been discussed ad nauseum and that Goodyear Endurance tires are the gold standard.
I recently bought a second hand 28 ft trailer with 4 nearly new Hercules tires. Before I swap them out for Goodyears, has anyone got experience with these tires, a subset of Cooper tires but made in China. Would I be safe in trying to get a couple of years of mostly highway travel out of them? Or should I override my Scottish ancestry and upgrade?

[DocBrown]

It's more than likely safe. One or two brands, and more specifically, a few sizes and models of tire have had issues. These became highly publicized on the Internet and in the minds of people all off brand (i.e. Chinese) tires are bad.

We had the original Towmax PowerKing tires for just over 6 seasons. I wanted Carlisle or Maxxis as replacements, but back in spring, everyone was back ordered for months. I didn't want to run old tires so I ended up with the same tires the trailer came with.

My dad has run off brand tires on his trailer for over 25 years and had never had an issue.

However, if you asking the question, then it bothers you so maybe you are best off replacing them just for your peace of mind.

[Pop#1]

Thanks Chuck. I have little experience with trailer tires and am only aware that some folks are seriously against tires made in China. I am probably inclined to use them for a while. I was unable to find our much about them, positive or negative, online, which was probably a good thing!
Anyway, thanks for your thoughts.
Pete

[Midnightmoon]

When you say nearly new, is that by tread wear or manufacture date?

[Pop#1]

They were new 2 years ago. Have not checked the date on them but they should be fairly current.

[Midnightmoon]

If they are that new, I wouldn't be afraid to run them for a while as is then.

[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by Pop#1

Thanks Chuck. I have little experience with trailer tires and am only aware that some folks are seriously against tires made in China. I am probably inclined to use them for a while. I was unable to find our much about them, positive or negative, online, which was probably a good thing!
Anyway, thanks for your thoughts.
Pete

To be safe check the date on the sidewall. When I was replacing tires a few years back Discount tire had two brands in stock in the size I needed. The Maxxis was already 18 months old and the Endurance was four weeks old, I left the Maxxis on the shelf and the Endurance tires have been great.

[JFlightRisk]

I put Hercules tires on my car years ago, and they were fine. The TT got new Endurance last spring, and Carlisle Trail HDs were my second choice. We don't have any distribution for Maxxis here, but would buy them too if we did.

[Timber]

I had them on one axle after re-re the bend axle, they worn faster then the towmax on the front axle so I guess softer rubber. I have replaced all of them with Maxxis and they have been great. Just check your tires for air pressure

[RogerR]

We had China bombs that were only a few months old when delivered and ran them for 2 years before I got my Endurance tires. Important for me was the higher speed ratings and higher load ratings. Chinese cheepos were rated 65 and exactly my total weight.

On my trailer the kitchen and water tanks, plus furnace, ac all on the same time so I suspected that the Chinese tire was overloaded anyway. We got the next load rating up to guard against overloading. I rarely go over 65 but it is nice to know in bad traffic that I safely can!

[TaftCoach]

I'd check the manufacturing dates and unless there is a surprise I'd run them for a year or three.

[Parcany]

I had Hercules on my 2nd travel trailer. They held up super. Put a lot of mileage on them then sold the trailer. Tire wear was not a problem and as of now [know the people that bought the trailer] and looked at them in the past week and they still look brand new. They are getting old now about 5 years now. When the tires get to the point of replacement on our new trailer I would replace them with another set of Hercules tires.

[Evman]

I guess I am different because I would not use any tires that are not new just because stuff happens and you know nothing about yours. chevman

[Pop#1]

Thanks. That's reassuring.

[Pop#1]

Thanks for the opinions everyone. Much appreciated.
I think I will use them for at least a year then put on something robust for my planned trip to Alaska and the NWT in 2022.

[Evman]

We bought a used but never used 22 ft Prowler for our trip to Alaska. Added an extra spare tire. This was in 2004 had no issues of any kind but I was prepared. Sold it in one week after we came back home. Did not want to tow our 2001 35 ft alpenlite and was really happy we made that choice. My wife had a grandfather that was a stream boat captain on the Yukon and she loved the trip. chevman

[Pop#1]

Originally Posted by chevman

We bought a used but never used 22 ft Prowler for our trip to Alaska. Added an extra spare tire. This was in 2004 had no issues of any kind but I was prepared. Sold it in one week after we came back home. Did not want to tow our 2001 35 ft alpenlite and was really happy we made that choice. My wife had a grandfather that was a stream boat captain on the Yukon and she loved the trip. chevman

My plan is to include a diversion down the Dempster Highway to Tuk. That's about 900 kms of gravel. Will want robust tires on truck and trailer for that.

[Evman]

Good deal to have brakes looked and the wheel bearings greased. I think you know this but might make others think of that. chevman

[Pop#1]

Agreed! Thanks.

[Jay2504]

Pop#1, why not save all the “old” tires that you replace for the Alaska trip and carry them as spares. You could possibly get a couple of cheap steel rims from Craigslist in your size and bolt pattern to pre mount them. If you have no tire trouble during the trip, then just sell them on Craigslist when you get home. You already own the tires and you would save on any “tire disposal fee”. Jay