Need new tire replacement info

[Lockman]

I am going to replace the tires on my 2018 Scamp13 asap and want to hear from those who have replaced their tires on their Scamp as well. Read too many stories about "China Bombs" that have me worried about any additional traveling with the existing Mastertrack tires on my Scamp.

So let me hear about the "Good Tires" I should be looking for and what to stay away from. Existing tires are ST175/80R13 "C" rating. I put 7,000 miles on these tires and lets say that I just got lucky and did not experience any failures with the single axle set up.


Jack

[sokhapkin]

There is no reason to trust those stories. All radial trailer tires sold in USA are good. Just keep them inflated to maximum pressure and replace after 5-6 years.

[gordon2]

Well you are not the first to ask that question...

My thoughts about cheap tires on a Scamp can be read here:

If you go to post # 72 in that thread you will see my tire choice.

My tire purchase was planned but executed just a little sooner than planned due to a blowout at 65 MPH.

I have not put many miles on them yet but I like them so far. I did not have any issues with clearance. I likely would have had to trim a wheel well edge (on the shell) on the starboard side if I had gone to 14 inch tires and wheels.

My second choice for tires is Maxxis, D rated.

Originally Posted by sokhapkin

There is no reason to trust those stories. All radial trailer tires sold in USA are good. ...

Well there is "good", "better" and "best". My bad experiences with "good" ST tires has led me to buy better or best.

[Lockman]

Sorry Sergey,
But as Gordon says "there are good, better & best". When my life and the people around me depend on the rubber that meets the road, I want the best. Better to be safe than sorry. So far it looks like Carlisle may be my choice, unless there is something better.



Jack

[Byron Kinnaman]

It really doesn't matter which tire you use. The more important thing is tire pressure. Keep the tires at side wall pressure (That's the maximum molded into the side walll)_ and keep your travel speed at 60 mph or below.

[thrifty bill]

China makes great products, good products and lousy products. So do most other countries. I wonder how many people bashing China tires are doing so on their Made in China computers? Buying tires solely on the lowest price is likely a mistake, regardless of country of origin. A lot more cars are sold in China every year than the USA, so its not suprising many tire manufacturers have built plants there.

In 2018, almost 24 million new cars were sold in China, versus about 5 million in the USA. Tire companies have to choose between missing out on a lot of sales, or building tire plants in China.

My Carlisle tires were made in China, so far, I've gotten very good service out of them. I put over 50,000 miles on the first set on my Escape, and replaced them early ahead of a trip to AK last year.

I'm old enough to remember the Firestone 500 tire fiasco, made in USA tires FWIW.

[Raspy]

Originally Posted by thrifty bill

China makes great products, good products and lousy products. So do most other countries. I wonder how many people bashing China tires are doing so on their Made in China computers? Buying tires solely on the lowest price is likely a mistake, regardless of country of origin. A lot more cars are sold in China every year than the USA, so its not suprising many tire manufacturers have built plants there.

In 2018, almost 24 million new cars were sold in China, versus about 5 million in the USA. Tire companies have to choose between missing out on a lot of sales, or building tire plants in China.

My Carlisle tires were made in China, so far, I've gotten very good service out of them. I put over 50,000 miles on the first set on my Escape, and replaced them early ahead of a trip to AK last year.

I'm old enough to remember the Firestone 500 tire fiasco, made in USA tires FWIW.

Bill,

Thanks for that. It's becoming very tiresome to hear folks declare that ANYTHING from China is junk. Just not true. US companies must have their products made there or face going out of business. Consumers want low prices. The products are accurately made as per the specs they receive from US companies. So why blame China?

Of course there are poorly built items. When the specs sent over there were based on price, more than quality. And, of course, there are high quality items, built from specs that were based on quality.

Low priced DOT approved tires are also made in Viet Nam. Where is the outrage about those?

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Raspy

Low priced DOT approved tires are also made in Viet Nam. Where is the outrage about those?

In that case, it was US bombs.

[floyd]

Here's your best choice for that application....





https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tir...adial-trail-hd

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by Lockman

I am going to replace the tires on my 2018 Scamp13 asap and want to hear from those who have replaced their tires on their Scamp as well. Read too many stories about "China Bombs" that have me worried about any additional traveling with the existing Mastertrack tires on my Scamp.

So let me hear about the "Good Tires" I should be looking for and what to stay away from. Existing tires are ST175/80R13 "C" rating. I put 7,000 miles on these tires and lets say that I just got lucky and did not experience any failures with the single axle set up.


Jack

Hi: Lockman... Check out Goodyear Endurance trailer tires. Made in the USA!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Defenestrator]

Escape uses Carlisle tires on their new trailers, and they seem to be excellent quality.

Goodyear Endurance also have excellent reputations, though I'm a bit warier of Goodyear after the terrible Marathon tires plus the G159 fiasco.

[Jon Vermilye]

I don't believe Goodyear makes a 13" Endurance tire. I had good luck with 3 sets of 15" Maxxis tires on my Escape 17...

[Jon in AZ]

Correct. No 13” Goodyear Endurance. 14” is the smallest they make.

I currently have 13” Carlisles on my Scamp 13. Since then my dealer recently switched to Maxxis as their premium small ST tire. Not sure why.

[ehoepner]

Unlike car tires, our trailer tire are working at maximum load all the time. Tire pressure is critical, use the maximum tire pressure as printed on the side of the tire.

The other important topic concerning trailer tires is the date the tire was manufactured.

Example of a tire manufactured since 2000 with the current Tire Identification Number format:

In the example below:
DOT U2LL LMLR 5107
51
Manufactured during the 51st week of the year
07
Manufactured during 2007

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Correct. No 13” Goodyear Endurance. 14” is the smallest they make.

I currently have 13” Carlisles on my Scamp 13. Since then my dealer recently switched to Maxxis as their premium small ST tire. Not sure why.

Because they are a very good ST tire choose. Lots of folks in my part of the world running them for a number of years with no issues. I switched from Goodyear to Maxxis 3 years ago when it became the only ST tire my local shop would carry. No complaints re ride or wear from me.

[Lockman]

Hey people,


Thanks for all your input, that's what I like about this forum, lots of good information gets tossed about. As for the tires, I believe it all boils down to one thing. You get what you pay for. My thoughts in life have always been "always buy the best you can afford".


Thanks,


Jack

[Gattopuin64]

I upgraded my Scamp OEM tires from ST175/80 13 to Goodyear Endurance ST205/75R 14. Have 18,885 miles on these Goodyear tires and no sign of tread ware.

The attached Trailer Tire Log show Scamp tire selection covering a 9 year period and 90,000 miles of RV travel from the Texas boarder to Canada and from coast to coast.

[WizWid]

Originally Posted by ehoepner

Unlike car tires, our trailer tire are working at maximum load all the time. ......

Say what?
That is simply untrue.

[redbarron55]

When I rebuilt my Scamp I had to replace the axle and since no brakes were available for the 4 lug wheels I had that meant a choice.
My choice was to put 14" 5 lug wheels on which in my case meant new wheel wells for clearance.
I checked all of the options and carefully chose wheels and tires from Pep Boys whit genuine Chinese tires, hoping that the much higher ratings for the tires and wheels I bought would not only support the added weight from all of my modifications, but provide greater margins of safety as well.
So far with over 20,000 miles that has proven to work out OK.
We are about to leave on a long trip from Navarre to the Great South West.
With plenty of tread left I assume they will make this trip as well.
Of course the main worry would be a blow out or separation.
When I replace these tires I will probably go with Maxxis but so far....

[Siepierski]

Weight is also a very important issue. If you are carrying more than the rated weight on your axle and have torsion suspension. Your tires will wear out on the inboard sides very quickly.
Don't go by manufacturers specs on the nameplate. My trailer was overweight with just fluids and a few items in it. Have it weighed. If you carry a lot consider upgrading the axle. About 400 dollars and a few hours work.