Tread Seperation

[ranchdog]

My 2015 303 is less than a year old with 1300 miles on it. Had tread separation on two of the Westlake tires this weekend. First no warning, lost tire, ruined rim. Will fix damage myself without waiting weeks for dealer repair. Second tire lost air overnight after first tire gone and wouldn't hold air afterwards. All five Westlakes replaced with Goodyear Marathons, ST225/75R15. You can tell by the ride the Marathons are a much more robust tire than the Westlakes no matter what load range the Chinese stamp on them. No TPMS but I check the tires before each trip. Am going to put the TPMS on that I previously had on my diesel pusher and I have been RV'ing most of my life, over 70, so no preaching or advise is desired. Just telling you of my experience so you will have the information making your own decisions. Can't understand why Grand Design would want to claim to make a quality product and not put the very best tires on it, nor why they use the Furion stuff. When they get it free and very cheap it should tell them that it is crap. I will never again trust anyone or anything that has Chinese tires on it.

 

[JCR GD]

Hate to tell you, but those G Ys are made in China also. Hope they work out for you!

 

[ranchdog]

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32899266/ns/business-autos/t/chinese-tires-its-buyer-beware/

 

[JCR GD]

Good info... I was mostly responding to the general statement below.

I will never again trust anyone or anything that has Chinese tires on it.

I truly hope the GYs work out cuz I'm gunna need some new tires someday.

 

[Cate&Rob]

So, you have replaced the Westlake 10 ply LRE rated at 2830 lbs capacity @ 80 psi, with Marathon 8 ply LRD rated at 2540 lbs capacity @ 65 psi ? . . . or is there a new Marathon E rated tire ?

Rob

 

[ranchdog]

Yes Rob, that is exactly what I did. There are no new Marathons but after my experience, I wouldn't have Westlakes on my trailer for any reason and I don't care what they rate them at I don't trust their rating. I will never hit the max GVWR so I'm not worried about the 175 lbs. I am under them max GVWR. The main factor is that I trust the Goodyear tires as I have used them for years with no problems, certainly not tread separation at 1300 miles. If I do have a problem I'll be happy to let everyone know and have egg on my face but I'm ready to bet that will never happen.

 

[Cate&Rob]

Hi Frank,

I appreciate your experience with GY Marathons . . . this is good to know. I don't have your depth of experience.
I was kind of looking at Maxxis ST tires. They have an E rated 15" tire. Made in Thailand . . . which their sales guy tells me is better than China. Do you have any experience or thoughts on Maxxis ?

Thanks
Rob

 

[ranchdog]

I have no experience with Maxxis and for some reason none of the Discount Tire Stores in my area have them in stock but I read good things about them and probably would use them next, but I am curious as to why such a large tire change does not have them in stock when they are a recommended dealer. Probably because they can make a couple of more dollars on another brand. I am reading lots of horror stories about GY Marathons even though GY says they are made to their standards. If the GY's have problems I will post on here and will be deciding whether I going to Maxxis E's or upgrading to 16" with all of its extra expense or going to a 337. Don't have time nor temperament for tire problems.

 

[redram]

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32899266/ns/business-autos/t/chinese-tires-its-buyer-beware/

The date of the article is 2009. Just sayin. Don

 

[Bamaman]

I hate to say it, but the Goodyear Marathons are one of the tires most reported online to blow out. I believe that it's because Goodyear sold their souls to the Chinese's low prices and because there are so many of them on the road.

I compared the Westlakes to my Bridgestone Duravis R250s, and they were simply not in the same class. My R250's were twice as thick and 20 lbs. each heavier. The Michelin LT/E ribbed tire and the Goodyear G614's are the other tires to buy.

The Maxxis M8008's are the best 15" and 16" ST tires you can buy.

 

[ranchdog]

I know the article is 2009 but I'm relying on Goodyear protecting their reputation and my local dealer recommending the Marathons. We are country boys and deal with lots of trailers and I'm trusting his recommendation and my previous experience. I promise that if I have any trouble with these tires I'll shout it from the roof tops. I will be using a TireTracker TPMS that I previously used on my 40' diesel pusher and obviously should have installed on the Reflection the day I brought it home. As I said I have read lots of recent horror stories about the Marathons but my dealer who sells tons of tires says he has not had any problems with them. Time will tell and so will I.

 

[dihtn1]

I know the Maxxis tires get rave reviews on the Open Roads forum.

 

[ranchdog]

Glad to see more tire recommendations showing up, however all the tires you mention except Maxxis seem to be 16" and therein lies the problem, Reflection 303's have 15" tires. Wish moderators would create a Tire thread for each model. I will submit that the reason the Goodyear Marathons are one the tires most reported online to blow out is because there are so many trailers running them and so many people abusing them. I would suspect that reports are directly proportional to the number of tires in use.

 

[minnow101]

On my old Cougar, I ran Maxxis tires, E rated. Hindsight being what it is, I should of had the dealer take those off and put them on my Reflection. They were fairly new and have a great reliabilty reputation. No issues with the Westlakes yet but at the first hint of a problem, off they come.

 

[tobymaxx]

Same story with us. We had Maxxis 8008 tires on the old Montana for years and really felt comfortable pulling around the country, with absolutely no issues. Time will tell with the new Westlakes with us also but will go right back to Maxxis tires if any problems, or probably will in a year or two anyway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Racerx]

I run maxxis tires on my boat trailer and really like them and will most likely be putting them on the fifth in the future. Many tire shops are low in stock because trailer tires are not a normal purchase. I only use my local tire shop to get my tires and insist that the tire manufacturing date is less than 6 months. Guys buying tires on the internet, beware of your tire dates of manufacturing. Tires do have a shelf life.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[gr8daggett]

Had Maxxis tires on my last TT and just put them on my 337 last week.
Feel better at least mentally.

 

[Bamaman]

You can get Maxxis M8008 tires in all tire diameters for trailers--up to 16". They're relatively expensive but the best tires specially built for a trailer.

The tire business is truly international, and the North American tire companies have completely abandoned building a Special Trailer tire (ST) where most are sold. I also question the lack of U.S. Government concern about the safety of the public by not having more stringent tires on all trailer tires. Note that all trailer manufacturers, both recreational vehicle and marine manufacturers, have sold their souls to the low price of cheap Chinese tires. And Goodyear with their Marathons are guilty of putting out an inferior Marathon tire. (Sorry, but it's the truth.) Goodyear's been known to pay for some repairs their shredding tires have caused, however.

I monitor a number of RV and boating websites and read every day about shredding tires doing substantial damage to trailers. Wake up people. It's not worth the risk of tearing up the second biggest purchase you'll ever make. Change your OEM tires to a high quality tire so you can have a peace of mind. And monitor your tire pressures the start of every day you're on the road.

And don't think the TPMS sensors will help you one bit. All they'll do is get you to the side of the road quicker after a tire shreds--and possibly minimizing damage to your trailer.

 

[JCR GD]

I've been hearing a lot about Sailun tires. Definitely gunna check them out if/when I need them.

 

[rspradling]

best thing i ever did was switch from ST to LT tires. (experience- about 5 blowouts st china made tires)
Not one since going to LT tires. rather be vacationing than changing a tire.

you can talk about side wall, load rating, etc. just my experience.