Tire headache

us71na

us71na

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2013
Posts
1,100
Location
McKean, PA
Three years ago I purchased 3 new Goodyear Marathon tires for our Skylark 21FKV trailer. A year ago on a trip the new tire on the passenger side failed by a blowout. We went camping 2 weeks ago and the Marathon on the drivers side failed almost identically to the first one.

Our trailer is not overloaded and I rarely exceed 62 mph. Both of these failures occurred on nice 4 lane highways. I check the tires in the morning before every trip and keep them at the max pressure as printed on the side wall.

Is there a dependable brand of tire out there?
 
Years ago had had trouble free Goodyear Marathon tires on my trailer, Made in the USA. When I replaced them with identical Marathon tires they were nothing but trouble, Made in China!


I now have been running Goodyear Endurance tires for the past 2 years, have about 3000 miles on them and they still look new. Very satisfied with my purchase, and they are Made in the USA! The speed rating on the tires is 87 mph and I will never even get close to that. Right now I have heard they are hard too find because of the all the delays blamed on Covid.
 
us71na said:
Three years ago I purchased 3 new Goodyear Marathon tires for our Skylark 21FKV trailer. A year ago on a trip the new tire on the passenger side failed by a blowout. We went camping 2 weeks ago and the Marathon on the drivers side failed almost identically to the first one.

Our trailer is not overloaded and I rarely exceed 62 mph. Both of these failures occurred on nice 4 lane highways. I check the tires in the morning before every trip and keep them at the max pressure as printed on the side wall.

Is there a dependable brand of tire out there?
Click to expand...

Are they balanced? Unusual tire ware, old?
I don’t know the speed rating of the GY Marthons, but a lot of ST tires are rather low speed rated. Visual tire inspection isn't enough, you need to run your hand around them to feel for abnormalities.
Other than that stuff just happens.
I've had real good luck going to truck tires. With great reluctance I'm trying the newish Goodyear Endurance, so far so good.

PaulB12
 
Yes, all were spin balanced. None show any unusual wear and the trailer runs smoother than when it had the factory (Made in China) tires.
I run less than full pressure because my loaded scale weights are not even close to the maximum shown on the Goodyear inflation chart. No sway, no bounce, just a very smooth ride.
 
us71na said:
Three years ago I purchased 3 new Goodyear Marathon tires for our Skylark 21FKV trailer. A year ago on a trip the new tire on the passenger side failed by a blowout. We went camping 2 weeks ago and the Marathon on the drivers side failed almost identically to the first one.

Our trailer is not overloaded and I rarely exceed 62 mph. Both of these failures occurred on nice 4 lane highways. I check the tires in the morning before every trip and keep them at the max pressure as printed on the side wall.

Is there a dependable brand of tire out there?
Click to expand...


The guys at Discount Tire, where I buy all of my tires tell me that with trailers three years is max for mid range tires and four years for top of the line.



Tires on trailers are subjected to sitting for long times in the weather, extreme flexing when turning and backing which puts strain on the sidewalls. My guess is you are at the max time for china bombs and just about any mid range tire will give you the same results if you push your length of service.


The tread left on the tires means nothing.
 
Get TPMS. I have an inexpensive set that works ok (1st season, cost $40) Nice to know temp and pressure and has alarms but not sure if they work because all ok with my Endurance tires.

Slightly oversized (c to d) and run at recommended by Goodyear pressure for my load. 55 pounds and not sidewall of 65. Easier ride for the contents and ok after 10 K of towing, sometimes at 70 or so MPH.
 
Midnightmoon said:
What size tire is on your Skylark?
Click to expand...

Tire size is 205/75 R14. Trailer weight is 3500 pounds.

PaulB12 said:
Are they balanced? Unusual tire ware, old?
I don’t know the speed rating of the GY Marthons, but a lot of ST tires are rather low speed rated.

PaulB12
Click to expand...

Tires were balanced from new, show no signs of wear and were purchased slightly less than 3 years ago. Tires are covered with white vinyl covers when the trailer is not being used. I don't like towing at speeds above 60 mph, because I don't use cruise I might creep up to 62-63 going down grade.

Both blow outs were in the middle of nowhere in PA so the replacements were Trailer King RST tires which were also made in China. You don't get much choice when you still need to get to camp and then have the home trip in front of you and you don't wish to tow without a spare. I did note that maximum load pressure for them is 65 psi and they are only inflated to 50 at this time. I don't know where to find a pressure chart per load for these tires.
 
Interesting thread. My tires are two years old; I have the stock Goodyear ST205/75R14D tires.

Costco carries the "Greenball Towmaster ST" line of tires, know anything about that brand? Sounds sketchy to me, but I could be wrong. Google says they ARE made in China, but I see lots of 4 or 5 star reviews.

Potential China bomb?
 
Last edited:
Absolute

MrKABC said:
Interesting thread. My tires are two years old; I have the stock Goodyear ST205/75R14D tires.

Costco carries the "Greenball Towmaster ST" line of tires, know anything about that brand? Sounds sketchy to me, but I could be wrong. Google says they ARE made in China, but I see lots of 4 or 5 star reviews.

Potential China bomb?
Click to expand...


Impending China bomb....not only potential...give it time.
 
We still had the original Goodyear Marathon tires on our 2011 Skylark when we we purchased last year. Tires had 2009 manufacturing date! Tread was great and no dry-rot cracks visible.

I mail ordered Goodyear Endurance tires and installed, then sold the old tires on Craigslist.

Also repacked wheel bearings, replaced seals, and adjusted the brakes while I had the wheels off.

Still have the original spare, need to think about replacing it also due to age.
 
Made in the USA Endurance on mine as well. I'm certain that Goodyear has the same great manufacturing processes that Jayco used to build my trailer. Which is why I find it odd that people complain about Jayco's MADE IN THE USA quality!
 
Go Go Goodyear

No words needed.
 

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