Tire Mileage TT

[Siamese]

How many miles should I expect to get out of the tires on my 2017, 26BH with the Goodyears?

[smithmdsmith]

Generally, trailer tires don't wear out--they age out. When my trailer tires hit 4 years old, I replace them. Excluding road hazards, the only trailer tires I've ever had trouble with were all 4+ years old.

For example: I had two 4-year-old Goodyears fail within about a month of each other. Both had lots of tread remaining and no externally visible damage. I had always maintained them at the maximum pressure listed on the tire sidewall (50 psi for those tires). My trailer's gross weight was 5,000 pounds, so I was definitely okay on load rating. One blew as I was creeping over a small speed bump. The other blew about a month later whilst sitting in camp about 100 miles from home.

I could go on with other examples, but no need.

I've only worn out 1 set of trailer tires and that was because my trailer was bent and I had bad tire wear. (Pro-tip: don't jump your trailer like you're Bo Duke)

[stateboy]

Mine are not Goodyear specific. I have the factory original Raniers. I have about 6,500 miles on them since they were put into service in Feb 2018. They're code dated late Nov 2015 (the trailer sat just over two years before I purchased new). I'm putting another 1,100 miles on them next month. I hope to get to end of next year's camping season with them (about 13 months from now). We'll see what five years (with the first two sitting at the dealership) get me. I hope to get about 12,000 miles on them by then.

[dannyabear]

Personally, I think you are pushing your luck with Rainiers

[Murff]

Originally Posted by dannyabear

Personally, I think you are pushing your luck with Rainiers

I may have to agree with this due to the age of the tire. We bought new in 2015 and put about 20,000+ miles on the Rainiers with zero problems.

But, to avoid Murphy's Law, we replaced the China made Rainiers with Goodyear Endurance. Peace of mind is sometimes worth the expense.

Murff

[schrederman]

One of my factory Raniers blew when I'd had the trailer (new) about 2 months. We were about 2500 miles into our first 3000 mile trip. That was 3 years and 20K miles ago. I replaced them with Carlisle HD tires and upgraded to load range D. I had to replace the back 2 last month because I bent the rear axle and it ate the tires... otherwise they would still be going fine on all 4 of those tires. But the 2 rear tires are now new. I have to give a shout out to Discount tire because they replaced the worst one on the road hazard guarantee... and I had to buy one. It was more than fair, in my opinion. I'll probably go with the American-made Goodyear Endurance when these need replacing.

[Dieseldog59]

Maxxis ST Load Range E tires on my 298 BHS. I’m going on my 6th year with these. One more year and I’ll replace them. There are three things I do for them: run them at 80 psi, tow no faster than 65 mph, and keep them covered if they’re not turning!

[rockaw]

Along with what others have said. Trailer tires are usually 3-5 years depending on the manufacturers recommendations from the year of manufacture, not when you put them on, and not by tread wear. From this and other forums, when you get tires, check the date codes, you really don't want them if they're coded over 6 months old.

I wouldn't trust the rainers. I had one go bad in my first 6 months, 2 more on one trip a week apart about tires being 2 years old and 7k miles. I traded out the remaining 2 rainers (one original and the spare that was in use).

[Siamese]

Thank you for your insights.

[skids]

Originally Posted by rockaw

I wouldn't trust the rainers. I had one go bad in my first 6 months, 2 more on one trip a week apart about tires being 2 years old and 7k miles. I traded out the remaining 2 rainers (one original and the spare that was in use).

Were your Rainiers load range D? I have some on my new camper. I am wondering if they are improving...

[RAurand]

Just starting to get thru my 3 1/2 summer with the Rainiers (Load Range D). Got home from a 3 hour trip and noticed a huge flat badly worn spot. Removed the tire the next day and took it to a tire shop...… BROKEN BELT. Said it was about to go any time.
All 4 Rainiers are being replaced with Goodyear Endurance Load Range E.

[Papaw]

We have a company policy that tires over 4 years old be replaced, especially the steering tires. When you purchase tires, look on the sidewall to see when they were made. We've purchased brand new tires that were over 4 years old. They sat in the warehouse that long. Tires aren't rotated like food items to keep them "fresh".

[rockaw]

Originally Posted by skids

Were your Rainiers load range D? I have some on my new camper. I am wondering if they are improving...

Yes mine were load range D and manufactured/installed in 2016 when we got the new TT, one bad went bad in 2016 and the other 2 in 2018 at 1.5 years old.

[jbrnigan]

I replaced the Rainiers on my 29RKS, after 2 years and about 8500 miles. I replaced them with Maxxis M8008's - load range E. The Rainiers wore well and I checked tire pressures frequently. After two flats (both repairable) and another tire that started showing "ripples" in the sidewall, I replaced them. The Maxxis tires have been great, now have 6000 trouble free miles on them.

[schrederman]

One thing I am concerned about... I went up a load range and from 50 psi to 65 psi. I had no problems for 2 years and probably close to 15K miles. But on my last trip I hit a bad spot in I-70 up in Indiana... and bent both axles. The front wasn't too bad but the back axle was bent badly enough that it ate the tires. I am wondering if the bent axle was exaggerated by the extra tire pressure... Thanks in advance for your thoughts.


Jack

[Murff]

Originally Posted by schrederman

One thing I am concerned about... I went up a load range and from 50 psi to 65 psi. I had no problems for 2 years and probably close to 15K miles. But on my last trip I hit a bad spot in I-70 up in Indiana... and bent both axles. The front wasn't too bad but the back axle was bent badly enough that it ate the tires. I am wondering if the bent axle was exaggerated by the extra tire pressure... Thanks in advance for your thoughts.


Jack

I do not have an answer for your question, Jack. However, your question does raise my curiosity again as to why owners over inflate their tires?

Many here just "put the maximum air pressure" that is stamped on the tire sidewall as opposed to inflating their tires to the load charts that are provided by the tire manufacturers. If you need only 45 psi (Goodyear Endurance ST225/75R15 for example) for 2000 pounds of load, why would one over inflate to the 65 psi on the sidewall?

Murff

[schrederman]

Sidewall flex occurs every revolution of the tire and that's where heat comes from.... At max inflation you'll get minimum sidewall flex. I think that's the reason most folks use the max pressure. But at that higher pressure, and the reason for my concern, you get more bounce from the tire. That's what has me wondering if the harder tires made the damage worse when my axles bent. Again just wondering if anyone has real world experience or knowledge... I'm probably going down to about 55 psi before my next trip. I'm probably at 3100# on each of my 3500# axles.

[jbrnigan]

Originally Posted by Murff

Many here just "put the maximum air pressure" that is stamped on the tire sidewall as opposed to inflating their tires to the load charts that are provided by the tire manufacturers. If you need only 45 psi (Goodyear Endurance ST225/75R15 for example) for 2000 pounds of load, why would one over inflate to the 65 psi on the sidewall? Murff

That's a good question......I only run 65 psi in my load range E Maxxis tires, which are rated to carry 2830 lbs at 80 psi. At 65 psi, each tire is rated at 2540 lbs (10,160 lbs) which is about the rated axle(s) capacity at 10,400 lbs.
(trailer Cat scales loaded, at 8500 lbs)

[robert9999]

I still have the original tires & they look good, Purchased new in July 2016 8669150390

[TnHiker]

Originally Posted by stateboy

Mine are not Goodyear specific. I have the factory original Raniers. I have about 6,500 miles on them since they were put into service in Feb 2018. They're code dated late Nov 2015 (the trailer sat just over two years before I purchased new). I'm putting another 1,100 miles on them next month. I hope to get to end of next year's camping season with them (about 13 months from now). We'll see what five years (with the first two sitting at the dealership) get me. I hope to get about 12,000 miles on them by then.

With the code date being 2015 they are already 4 years old. I pulled a set of Goodyear Marathon's that were 5 years old off my old trailer in 2016. Anticipating a long trip out west in 2017. They looked great no cracks and plenty of tread. When the tire shop took them off the tech showed me the inside of two of the tires and there was a bubble at least 3" in dia. they were ready to go anytime time the tire tech said. I believe what destroys trailer tires is sitting parked so much creating a flat spot on the tire that has to work itself out every time we tow. If we jacked the trailer up off the tires every time we parked it I believe the tires would last much longer. Just my theory with no scientific basis.

I would change those tires if I were you.