About ST Tires

[honda03842]

We've towed lots of miles over the last 6 years on Goodyear Marathons and have yet to have a problem. Unlike many trailer's ours is only parked for a couple of months during the summer and than it's in a relatively mild NH climate.

We are also not people who push their tires to their limits, driving at 62 mpg or less, not traveling in the heat of the day and keeping them at max cold pressure.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by honda03842

We've towed lots of miles over the last 6 years on Goodyear Marathons and have yet to have a problem. Unlike many trailer's ours is only parked for a couple of months during the summer and than it's in a relatively mild NH climate.

We are also not people who push their tires to their limits, driving at 62 mpg or less, not traveling in the heat of the day and keeping them at max cold pressure.

WOW I wish I could drive at 62 mpg.

I know you meant 62 mph.

[Roy in TO]

I'm definately at the lower end of 62 mpg

[Cathi]

Originally Posted by MC1

In my earlier days I worked for two major tire companies. By far we had a much higher failure/return rate with the ST tires than P or truck tires.

Wondering if folks followed the tire care guidelines as outlined in the article if the tires would stand up better???

ST tires are probably not primarily used for recreational trailers but for utility trailers for people in business. Those ST tires are no doubt abused greatly and taken to construction sites where they would encounter all kinds of things to cause failure. That's my guess.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Cathy

ST tires are probably not primarily used for recreational trailers but for utility trailers for people in business. Those ST tires are no doubt abused greatly and taken to construction sites where they would encounter all kinds of things to cause failure. That's my guess.

[Jared J]

Originally Posted by Cathy

ST tires are probably not primarily used for recreational trailers but for utility trailers for people in business. Those ST tires are no doubt abused greatly and taken to construction sites where they would encounter all kinds of things to cause failure. That's my guess.

All I've had from the dump and those cases are slow leaks. Almost all of my tire problems are total blowouts in the highway, in some cases with pressure checked less than ten minutes before. I've had no issues on my camper or small trailer. My car trailer eats them like candy. I just assume it'll cost me a tire every trip.

[Raz]

A good article but, like others I've read, it leaves me with questions. It is stated that ST tires have a life expectancy of between 3-5 years but it doesn't specify when the clock starts; the day of manufacture or the day you put the tire into service. If it is the day of manufacture then tires should come with a sell by date. If it's when the tire is put in service then how long between then and the date of manufacture is too long? Raz

[David O.]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Vehicle tires will have the tread worn and will be replaced usually in less than 5 years. Trailer tires will show little if any tread wear in the same length of time. I replaced mine after 5 years and they looked new. Too many people judge the health of a tire by the amount of tread left.

We bought a 2008 Out Back recently. With original GoodYear Marathon tires. They had better than 80% tread left. Both tires were made in 2008. I had both replaced with Carlisle yesterday. The garage said they do usually balance trailer tires. I had them do it any way.

[bpfick]

Originally Posted by Raz

A good article but, like others I've read, it leaves me with questions. It is stated that ST tires have a life expectancy of between 3-5 years but it doesn't specify when the clock starts; the day of manufacture or the day you put the tire into service. If it is the day of manufacture then tires should come with a sell by date. If it's when the tire is put in service then how long between then and the date of manufacture is too long? Raz

The clock starts at the born on date.

This is why it is imperative to discuss this issue at the tire shop when purchasing. Insist on fresh new stock. I would personally not wish to purchase tires, at full price, if the born on date was already a year or so old. That's potentially 20% of the life of the tire. Just something to deal with when you purchase trailer tires.

With a fiberglass body surrounding that tire, I wouldn't wish to have one shred and start slappng the FG and breaking off chunks.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by David O.

We bought a 2008 Out Back recently. With original GoodYear Marathon tires. They had better than 80% tread left. Both tires were made in 2008. I had both replaced with Carlisle yesterday. The garage said they do usually balance trailer tires. I had them do it any way.

Its funny for many years the CY Marathons where consider to be the go to ST tire, seemed to last and few blowouts but in recent years they have greatly fallen out of favour on many different RV forums... lots of not so good stories to be told. Something changed in manufacturing? Hard to say.

As I am having to purchase new tires shortly I have been reading through many many different RV forums on the topic of ST tires and it would seem the Maxxis ST Radial is the brand that has superseded the GY Marathon's as the go to of the ST brands offered.

But still a 4 year life seems to be about what most expect to get out of any ST tire before they feel the increased risk of a blow out and possible damage to the trailer as a result is to high. BUT the 4 year rule really can not be a hard fast rule either as the tires life will be impacted my how much or how little the trailer is left sitting around.

[Glenn Baglo]

I think it matters where you live and how much the tires are exposed to sun and heat.
I finally replaced my tires after almost seven years.

[tractors1]

I went with Hercules brand load range E as I know a few long haul truckers who run the brand. When I looked online for complaints I could hardly find any compared to other brands.

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by tractors1

I went with Hercules brand load range E as I know a few long haul truckers who run the brand. When I looked online for complaints I could hardly find any compared to other brands.

Have to agree with you on the Hercules tires. My long time tire man has sold many and never had a comeback or complaint with them.

[David O.]

I didn't replace my Goodyear Marathons because of anything I had heard about them, but I guess I didn't do all my homework either. I did not know about the Hercules tires. Load range D or E would have been nice.
How ever I did replace them because the trailer had been sitting for much of it's 8 year life and I believe that may have caused some flat places on the tires also when you feel the texture of the new tires compared to the old, the old rubber felt hard and dry.
If some one has a trailer and it is being used on a regular basis and tread is still good then 8 years maybe would not be an issue. I my case I felt new skin may be a small price to pay considering the circumstances.
New tires fail also, I put brand new Firestone LE's on our Jeep GC and at 3,400 miles got a bubble on one of the sidewalls the size of my fist. They called it sidewall separation.
So one never knows

[Jim Bennett]

I just replaced 21 year old Goodyear Marathons on a stick built fifth wheel I just bought to tide me over for this year, until I can get my 2017 Excape 50. TA later this fall.

This trailer sat under a roof (open on 3 sides) from the day it was bought. I pulled the sun worn tire covers off, and the tires themselves looked brand new. You would not think they were more than a few months old.

Even though I knew it best, it saddened me to have to change out these tires, but I did, as I plan on a lot of road mileage this year. I put ST Carlisle tires on it.

Now, before I head to the Escape rally in Osoyoos next weekend, I guess I better repack the 21 year old bearings with about 400 kms on them.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by tractors1

I went with Hercules brand load range E as I know a few long haul truckers who run the brand. When I looked online for complaints I could hardly find any compared to other brands.

What size wheels do you have? Suspect few of us have trailers 17' or under have a large enough wheels to be able to us a the load range E? not to mention the rims/wheels on the trailer are probable not rated anywhere near high enough for the tire pressure a load range E would take - but it would be nice if they were!

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Carol H

What size wheels do you have? Suspect few of us have trailers 17' or under have a large enough wheels to be able to us a the load range E? not to mention the rims/wheels on the trailer are probable not rated anywhere near high enough for the tire pressure a load range E would take - but it would be nice if they were!

Casita 17LD with 15 inch tires and the high lift axle. I ran them at 60 psi, same as the old 14s.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Its funny for many years the CY Marathons where consider to be the go to ST tire, seemed to last and few blowouts but in recent years they have greatly fallen out of favour on many different RV forums... lots of not so good stories to be told. Something changed in manufacturing? Hard to say.

As I am having to purchase new tires shortly I have been reading through many many different RV forums on the topic of ST tires and it would seem the Maxxis ST Radial is the brand that has superseded the GY Marathon's as the go to of the ST brands offered.

But still a 4 year life seems to be about what most expect to get out of any ST tire before they feel the increased risk of a blow out and possible damage to the trailer as a result is to high. BUT the 4 year rule really can not be a hard fast rule either as the tires life will be impacted my how much or how little the trailer is left sitting around.

So who came up with the "4 year rule"?
The tire dealers will mount them up until they are 10 years old. Even a "1 year rule" would not relieve you of the responsibility to maintain and inspect your tires. I have seen some "authorities" recommend 6 years but I would surely become skeptical of someone trying to sell me a set of tires based solely on 48 months from build date.
Low pressure is a much greater concern, at least for the first 6 years or so.
As for brands...
The application is an important factor when choosing brand, size, and load range.