Trailer Tires

[Nancy]

Our 03 Goodyear Marathons still look good after 30,000 miles. We have a light trailer, store inside, drive 60 mpg, and do not live in the heat. Since they looked good to us we took them to our Goodyear dealer to get his opinion since they are 03 and you guys always warn us about old tires.

Fred took the wheels off and took them to our Goodyear guy. He was not at all concerned about the age of the tires because of the condition they are in and the storage conditions. So, we will give them another season.

I asked where the tires are made now. He said, "all trailer tires are currently being made in China". His reason was that there is now a 37% tariff on passenger and truck tires coming from China. So the US wants to make passenger and truck tires here. We do not have the capacity to make all tires so the ones they outsource to China are trailer tires.

I figure I want to keep the ones I know about and I'll change them out with the unknown when necessary. Hope this works for us this summer.

Nancy

[Donna D.]

He also must think all Asians look alike.... Kumho tires are made in Korea. Last I heard, Korea is NOT China. See this website for more info: Buying Union! How to be sure you're buying USW-made tires.

[Nancy]

Good point. But does Kuhmo make 13 inch trailer tires? I went to their site to look and they did not list trailer tires.

I'll go to your link Donna. Looks interesting.

Nancy

[Donna D.]

Good point. But does Kuhmo make 13 inch trailer tires? I went to their site to look and they did not list trailer tires.

I'll go to your link Donna. Looks interesting.

Nancy

THAT I don't know Nancy... the 13" tires I mean. All I know is Kumho are popular tires on the CasitaForum. I have 15" Marathons on my Scamp and they were made in the U.S.A. 'course that was a while ago and we know things change daily.

[Tom Trostel]

Maxxis 8008 are made in Thailand are are available in 13" sizes.

http://www.unsertire.com/detail.aspx?ID=9964

http://www.maxxis.com/Industrial/Trailer/M...-ST-Radial.aspx

[Nancy]

Decided I better see if the tariff part was accurate since the location of tire plants isn't. Article from Sept mentions a 35% tariff this year. Interesting read.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/JustOneThin...3906&page=1

Now I just hope the Goodyear guy is correct in saying our tires are as good as they look. Well, he could have had a sale if he wanted!

Nancy

[Nancy]

Thanks Tom for those links. The tire place we usually use does not have access to any 13 inch trailer tires so this would be a place I could order from and take the wheels to them to mount.

We live in small northern town, not a lot of 13 inch tires around, which was why I was happy the Goodyear place had some in stock.

Nancy