I have had my 2008 DC for a few months and plan to start towing a 28' Hornet TT. The trailer was manufactured in 1998 and was only on the road the first year. Since then, it has been stationary on my farm, so I removed the wheels for storage in the basement. Question is even though the tread is very good, should tires this old definitely be replaced? They are Goodyear Marathon tires, C rating, manufactured in the USA. I have seen many opinions on the RV forums, so I thought maybe the Tundra people would be more informed.
Thanks,
The rule of thumb is 5 years old, but I would just put them on and see how they work. Keep an eye out for scalloping of the tread and cracking of the sidewalls.
I had goodyear marathon C rated tires on my 4k lb 1999 boat, and they started weather cracking last year. Puts the tires at 9 years old, according to boat manufacturer date ONLY. Not the date the tires were made, which could be up to a year older. The boat was stored in our heated garage virtually the whole time as well.
If i was in your situation, i would get rid of them and go with a D rated tire if you can find one. I wouldn't even chance it if i were you. A blown tire can cause thousands of dollars in damage.
Them marathons don't have a good track record either.
Make sure that whatever you do you don't put Carisle tires on there. I would go with the Maxxis. I'm getting mine on this week when they finally get here.
I've towed for years. Trailer tires should be changed every 3-4 years no matter how good the tread looks. Unlike car tires, trailers take a big beating on the side walls as they drag across the road every time you turn. If you want to risk changing a flat tire on the side of the road & trying to jack up a heavy trailer than use old tires. Be my guest. Do not use Carlisle tires, they are no good. Coal miner in Florida
I've towed for years. Trailer tires should be changed every 3-4 years no matter how good the tread looks. Unlike car tires, trailers take a big beating on the side walls as they drag across the road every time you turn. If you want to risk changing a flat tire on the side of the road & trying to jack up a heavy trailer than use old tires. Be my guest. Do not use Carlisle tires, they are no good. Coal miner in Florida
As cheap as good Road Side Assistance coverage is with Good Sams, Foremost and other companies that specialize in travel trailer coverage I will never change my own Motor home or travel trailer tire.
Well after all the warning, I bought 4 carlisle tires. These are 10 ply 15 inch tires, and no one else makes 10 ply in the 15 inch size. I guess I could have gone and bought 16 inch wheels, and gotten other tires. . . well I hope I don't regret it.
__________________ [Tundra Bay]
Proud Member CBTMA
Radiant Red 2007 Double Cab Limited w/Graphite Leather Interior
Factory Nav, Sonar, and 10 spkr 440W JBL stereo with Sirius (sweet) Cold Weather Pkg and Block Heater. Brushed SS Stepboards,
Tires: BFG All Terrain T/A KO LT265 65 R 18, Diamondback Tonneau Cover.
Curt Front Receiver, custom 8" extension, & Warn 8000lb winch back/front mountable,
Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Controller DSP 16,000 lb 5th wheel hitch Firestone Ride Rite 2445 Air Bags
Well after all the warning, I bought 4 carlisle tires. These are 10 ply 15 inch tires, and no one else makes 10 ply in the 15 inch size. I guess I could have gone and bought 16 inch wheels, and gotten other tires. . . well I hope I don't regret it.
Well, we are in the same boat. I have the Carlisle LR E tires on mine, it was their idea of a comp for the one tire blowing out and damaging the trailer. I had planned to trade them in on a set of Maxxis, but when I saw the price of the Maxxis out the door versus the tires that I had, I changed my mind. Hopefully, with the heavier load range the tires will be less likely to give me problems.
Well after all the warning, I bought 4 carlisle tires. These are 10 ply 15 inch tires, and no one else makes 10 ply in the 15 inch size. I guess I could have gone and bought 16 inch wheels, and gotten other tires. . . well I hope I don't regret it.
I was also highly skeptical of Carlisle tires. I keep reading stuff all over the internet about how unsafe they are and dozens of horror stories about blowouts and failures. I related my worries to the dealer where I bought my new trailer last week, as it arrived equipped with Carlisle's. The owner of the dealership assured me (repeatedly) that Carlisle tires are now safe and quality is at an all time high. He said there was a run of bad tires a few years back and the US Department Of Transportation "jumped all over it" and a few thousand tires were pulled from the dealers because of it. The ones that made it on to the trailers (and subsequently had failures) are the subject of all the bad experiences you read about.
He also told me that Carlisle presently monitors their tires better than everyone else these days, as they have a long road back to rebuilding their reputation. At this point, I have no reason not to trust his word. I explained to him that I'm towing my new 27 foot bunkhouse from Chicago to Seattle (and back) in July, and was concerned about the safety of my family, especially travelling through the Rocky Mountains. He was confident that the Carlisle's on my trailer are just as good and safe as Maxxiis, Goodyear's, Duro, or any other trailer tire out there, as they are all made in China now anyway.
I'm going to do a couple of short-run trips with my trailer before the big trip. If I have any qualms about the Carlisle's, I will certainly pull them and get new tires. But for now, I'll give 'em a chance, based on my dealer's re-assurance.
Well after all the warning, I bought 4 carlisle tires. These are 10 ply 15 inch tires, and no one else makes 10 ply in the 15 inch size. I guess I could have gone and bought 16 inch wheels, and gotten other tires. . . well I hope I don't regret it.
I hope you have good luck with them.
We've decided when we need new tires, the wheels are going to be swapped out for 16" (even though we just bought new wheels a couple years ago ). There is a LOT more options with 16" than there is with a 15" tire. Plus you can get an LT, instead of a damn tire made in china.
It's nice to know there's a 10-ply available though.
I keep hearing different things about LT tires on trailer service. Good or bad? Anyway, there is only one choice according to my tire guy for E rated 15" tires, and that's the Carlisle.
I'll certainly post if I have problems.
__________________ [Tundra Bay]
Proud Member CBTMA
Radiant Red 2007 Double Cab Limited w/Graphite Leather Interior
Factory Nav, Sonar, and 10 spkr 440W JBL stereo with Sirius (sweet) Cold Weather Pkg and Block Heater. Brushed SS Stepboards,
Tires: BFG All Terrain T/A KO LT265 65 R 18, Diamondback Tonneau Cover.
Curt Front Receiver, custom 8" extension, & Warn 8000lb winch back/front mountable,
Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Controller DSP 16,000 lb 5th wheel hitch Firestone Ride Rite 2445 Air Bags
Tires for Travel Trailer
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