I need to get new tires
Have a 14DB with 13" wheels. Looking at Goodyear Marathon or Carlisle. Both are radial.
What's your experience or thoughts ?
I would recommend either the Carlisle Radial Trail HD or the Maxxis M8008ST in the 175/80-13 size that fits your camper. Both are well-reviewed and readily available either locally or on Amazon. I would skip the Goodyear Marathon because there are too many reports of failures. That may be just because it's so popular, but maybe not. I have the Maxxis tires on my camper (all Maxxis trailer tires are radial) and like them a lot. If you order them on-line, any local tire store can install them. Be sure to get them balanced when installed.
And, BTW, I went up one size in width when I bought the Maxxis tires, so I'm running 185/80-13 (all 5, including the spare).
I think Maxxis is probably your best option. Goodyear marathons are either hit or miss. I do not recommend Carlisle anything. I have had multiple failures. I've had good results with marathons, but they are now made in china I think... As suggested get them balanced. You have to make sure the air pressures are good with every trip. The speed rating is also pretty important. If you haven't done so already it is a good time to service bearings and brakes. They don't necessarily need replaced, but clean them and repack them by hand, get all the grease out of the hub an get fresh grease in there. Wash all the brake parts with brake parts cleaner and make sure the drums are not grooved. A light turning at the local shop will bring them back to life. I also always use a torque wrench to make sure they can be loosened on the side of the road. Finally dig out that spare and make sure all is well.
Quote from: Capt J-rod on September 07, 2017, 06:29:54 PM
I think Maxxis is probably your best option. Goodyear marathons are either hit or miss. I do not recommend Carlisle anything. I have had multiple failures. I've had good results with marathons, but they are now made in china I think... As suggested get them balanced. You have to make sure the air pressures are good with every trip. The speed rating is also pretty important. If you haven't done so already it is a good time to service bearings and brakes. They don't necessarily need replaced, but clean them and repack them by hand, get all the grease out of the hub an get fresh grease in there. Wash all the brake parts with brake parts cleaner and make sure the drums are not grooved. A light turning at the local shop will bring them back to life. I also always use a torque wrench to make sure they can be loosened on the side of the road. Finally dig out that spare and make sure all is well.
Probable good advice. ;) Carlisle makes a huge range of qualities (and prices) in their trailer tires, though other forum members like and have the Radial Trail HD. Maxxis makes only one trailer tire line and it seems to be excellent. The Marathons are Chinese made. The new Goodyear Endurance are US made, but are not available in 13 inch.
Capt. Jrod, sounds like you do most of your own maintenance. With 4 tires to change how do you jack up and stabilize your trailer when doing this type of work?
My trailer is stored in a gravel not paved facility.
Thanks
The Carlisle Radial Trail HD are a new design nad have been getting really good reviews. I have the Radial Trail RH, the previous design, and they've been excellent. May want to look at the new Goodyear Endurance tires, which replace the Marathons. Made in the USA and have been getting really good reviews from people who purchased them.
We use the Duro tires on our 14 DBS.
We change them every two years with about 12 to 15k miles.
No problems.
I prefer bias ply trailer tires because they don't follow grooves in the road surface as much as radials do. They don't ride as smoothly, but nobody rides in the trailer anyway. They are also easier to visually confirm adequate air pressure since any sidewall bulge indicates low pressure.
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Found cracks in our Vail Sport tires this past weekend, replaced them with Westlake radials. What a difference in trailer towing now, no more wagging the dog so to speak.
The tires on my 2016 16TBS (tandem axle) are 175/80 R13. A mechanic at the RV resort we are staying at recommends Sailun tires, so I will check those out.
He also suggested I upgrade the OEM aluminum rims to a bigger diameter, with the same bolt pattern of course. Has anyone done that? I see Merlin expanded the tires to 185's for his existing rims so I will do that at a minimum.
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Well it happened. I was looking on line to replace our "Super Cargo" china bomb tires last week. Waited too long to replace those tires. The passenger tire delaminated on the Garden State Parkway while headed to camping on the Jersey Shore. Solid construction on the Livin Lite held up. The new Goodyear Endurance replacement trailer tires are on order and should be in tomorrow. Anyone have a lead on where and what model number to order to replace the the wheel well cover? TIA.
Also folks do make sure you have the correct equipment if you plan on changing your own tires. A bottle jack that can lift your trailer enough to get the tire off. We use 4X4 lumber under the bottle jack to be able to get enough lift. The proper sized wrench to remove the lug nuts. A torque wrench to proper tighten down the lug nuts when you put them back on. Know where to properly lift your trailer too. If you put the jack in the wrong location you can damage the aluminum in your trailer. The equipment needed to change your tire does not come with the camper like your tow vehicle does. Stay safe.
Whew, glad you are ok. Bummer on the timing just before new tires, though! Here's thread with a promising site for replacement fender skirt. KZ may still know the size for your trailer. And, yes, too many folks lift with the axle and bend it.
https://aluminumcamperforum.com/index.php?topic=788.msg7161#msg7161
Also, those are big tires! Do you have the off road package?
Yes the off road package.
Happy to report I'm finally joining the Maxxis 175/80/13 crowd. For Canadaland consumers, got them from https://pmctire.com/en/ for $79.39CAD each, free shipping and only GST charged. That's $59USD. What's not to like? GK
Better safe for the little bit of cost of these......mine are coming .
These tires look new, but may have been in the sun too long. Also, this spindle running warmer than the others. looking for parts numbers for bearings, brake shoes and rest of this 2012 Camplite 16 DBS.
Quote from: regnaDkciN on August 03, 2020, 11:24:47 AM
These tires look new, but may have been in the sun too long. Also, this spindle running warmer than the others. looking for parts numbers for bearings, brake shoes and rest of this 2012 Camplite 16 DBS.
Wow, quite the blow up! You can get the correct axle parts by finding the Dexter Axle number on the axle label and then calling etrailer.com. They will know what you need.
Quote from: regnaDkciN on August 03, 2020, 11:24:47 AM
These tires look new, but may have been in the sun too long. Also, this spindle running warmer than the others. looking for parts numbers for bearings, brake shoes and rest of this 2012 Camplite 16 DBS.
I use tire covers while I have the trailer stored. Wonder if that might help lessen the UV deterioration.
I use tire covers too because my camper is stored in the sun. That being said, the Goodyear Marathon that blew out on regnadkcin is known (to the NHTSA) for failures like that.
Thanks y'all. Replaced all four tires with Karriers. Then installed 4 new brakes and 4 new drum/bearing assemblies. Should be road ready now. (the old drum assemblies and brakes are in good enough shape to sell used)
I had to replace tires on our 14 DB this past year. We bought it with the off road package when it was new and it had the 14 inch wheels. At that time they made the BF Goodrich AT for 14 inch wheels. Here is a picture for those that aren't familiar with that tire. We have taken the trailer from Florida out West 4 times, each time over 10k miles per trip. I can't tell you how much I loved those tires. This last year we decided to replace the tires because they were starting to show signs of cracking. The tread was still very good. I really didnt't want to change them.
I couldn't find any off road tire for a 14 inch wheel. I ultimately went with the Endurance, not the Marathon. Too many bad reviews on the Marathon. My first impression of the Endurance is disappointment. Even though I did look at it prior to purchase, it is shocking how little new tread life was built into the tire. I don't remember the specs, but it is not impressive. I haven't had the trailer on the road this year (bc of pandemic) but frankly don't expect to get more than a couple of years out of the tires. If I can't find a 14 inch off road in two years, I will probably change rims (go with 15inch--if I can) just so I can go back to the Goodrich AT. I can't seem to find a picture of the Endurance tires, but if someone wants to see them give me shout. Another deal point for me was to have a load range D tire. I would not even look at a load range C.
Anyone have experience with these tires ? I have two new ones now so I am hoping they are decent. Had to make a decision on tires on the side of the highway, so not a lot of research done.
Power King TOWMAX VANGUARD - SIZE: ST225/75R15 , LR E (not 'D' as originally equipped).
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Power+King&tireModel=Towmax+Vanguard&partnum=275NR5TMVG
Relating to tire replacements (certainly when one blows up on you....) how about a source for replacement plastic fender wells and the black plastic fender trim piece that mounts to the side of the trailer ? Both of mine were beat up pretty badly by a shredded (right side) tire. Trailer is a 2017 LivinLite 16TBS.
BTW in researching a new wheel for mine which is bent as well, it appears we have these (correct me if I am wrong) 15" Bobcat Aluminum trailer Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 similar to
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Tires-and-Wheels/Lionshead/LHSO311G.html
BTW on those who post about 'treadwear' on TT tires. My OEM ones while 5 years old per date code, had zero sidewall cracks, looked perfect, and tons of tread left. One just disintegrated on us on the highway. Pressure was perfect, rig was not overloaded, and speed was 65mph. They are both now gone (as in replaced).
Tire blow outs are always traumatic. I'm glad you're ok. The Tire Rack sells good stuff, so the Towmax E are a good choice. Likewise, Etrailer knows everything trailer, so wheels from them are fine.
Check the rvupgradestore.com for fenders and plastic parts. Maybe Camping World too?
I appreciate the reminder about tire age. The Maxxis tires on my camper are now 7, so I'll replace those before next camping season. Choices for good radials are extremely limited in the 13" size. It'll have to be either Maxxis or Carlisle.
Hey Merlin, I will say the staic fatiguing of tires 'just sitting' is what I suspect killed mine. The storage arrangement for my RV is such that the tire on the opposite side is unloaded some due to the leveling jacks. This tire was not, its always under a full static load. And Its the one that failed- cause ? Not sure. I did replace the other OEM one at the tire shop as well- although it looked great. Also bears noting the spare tire stored under the RV with no load on it (same age) provided 900 miles of trouble free service to get us home. Again points to static load fatiguing is my guess. I gotta figure a way to unload the tires in storedif more than a month (tire shop recommendation, also).
The tire that failed did so after 300 miles on the road, BTW. Lastly, its of course possible it picked up a nail/screw and slowly leaked down to where it failed- I didn't have my aftermarket TPMS sensors on it at the time (I think they are too prone to leaking).
Do you remember the brand and model tire that failed?
My camper came with cheap bias ply tires that I did unload over the winter with jack stands on the frame. Bias ply tires flat spot terribly when sitting. I have not kept the camper on jack stands ever since I bought good radials. Maybe I should.
You don't have leveling jacks. Those jacks are stabilizer jacks.
You level the trailer by putting pads or blocks under the tires, not by using the jacks.
Just trying to help prevent your next big problem.
Quote from: gzelna on October 18, 2021, 06:16:10 PM
Anyone have experience with these tires ? I have two new ones now so I am hoping they are decent. Had to make a decision on tires on the side of the highway, so not a lot of research done.
Power King TOWMAX VANGUARD - SIZE: ST225/75R15 , LR E (not 'D' as originally equipped).
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Power+King&tireModel=Towmax+Vanguard&partnum=275NR5TMVG
Relating to tire replacements (certainly when one blows up on you....) how about a source for replacement plastic fender wells and the black plastic fender trim piece that mounts to the side of the trailer ? Both of mine were beat up pretty badly by a shredded (right side) tire. Trailer is a 2017 LivinLite 16TBS.
BTW in researching a new wheel for mine which is bent as well, it appears we have these (correct me if I am wrong) 15" Bobcat Aluminum trailer Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 similar to
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Tires-and-Wheels/Lionshead/LHSO311G.html
BTW on those who post about 'treadwear' on TT tires. My OEM ones while 5 years old per date code, had zero sidewall cracks, looked perfect, and tons of tread left. One just disintegrated on us on the highway. Pressure was perfect, rig was not overloaded, and speed was 65mph. They are both now gone (as in replaced).
Some people have been able to easily adapt these fender trim kits for the Camplites:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YTPF5P2/?coliid=I2XX23FKRLOO5Y&colid=2OLYQJ33YTU72&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it