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03-18-2017, 08:29 PM
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#1
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Member
Name: E
Trailer: Aliner
Georgia
Posts: 46
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Absolute Best tires for 16' scamp and help reading date codes
Hi all!
My scamp needs new tires. I would like to get the best available as I think we will be doing longer distances than I have in the past. Any recommendations? It's only 3 tires so Honestly I'm not going to penny pinch this one. I do perhaps like to drive a little faster than I should on the interstate. layout 7 if that helps. Very light.
also...I just had tires put on my old camper which I will be selling. I was in a hurry and just went with what they had which were Tow Master made in china. I can't find a manufacture date on them unless it is 02 and 03!!!!
It's not in the usual place after the DOT label - so I wondered if there was a place online to decode them. If they are really that old I will take them back and demand newer ones before I sell.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
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03-18-2017, 08:49 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 1982 Burro
Minnesota
Posts: 24
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__________________
Mike in MN.
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03-18-2017, 08:53 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2004 13 ft Scamp Custom Deluxe
Posts: 8,520
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03-18-2017, 09:12 PM
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#4
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Member
Name: E
Trailer: Aliner
Georgia
Posts: 46
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Absolute Best tires for 16' scamp and help reading date codes
Quote:
Originally Posted by real550A
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It's weird - they don't seem to conform to the standard labeling. It says DY where I would expect a date.
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03-19-2017, 04:29 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
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I recently went through the exercise of buying new tires. I did a lot of reading. The general concensus is to avoid off brand tires, particularly the ones made in China. Unfortunately, for name brands the reviews are mixed. I found that some love Goodyear while others hate them. Some love Carlisle while others hate them. For years I've run Carlisle radials but the new design didn't impress. Based solely on the recommendation of folks here I bought Maxxis 8008. Are they the absolute best? Time will tell.
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03-19-2017, 07:07 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,925
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Absolute Best tires for 16' scamp and help reading date codes
On my tires the date code is not with the raised letters around the rim. There is an oval depression somewhere on the sidewall with four digits- WWYY- appears to be a stamp that's added to the tire mold and changed weekly. When buying new tires, ask to check the date code before they install. I'd be comfortable up to 6 months old or so.
I recently learned that Scamp now puts D load range tires on new 16'ers. More information here. A D range tire gives you a more comfortable safety margin, since the loaded weight of a 16'er can approach the limits of a C range 13" tire. Might not be necessary on a Layout 7, but as you said, why pinch pennies?
As to the best brand, there are a lot of strong opinions out there, based mostly on anecdotal experience, but little independent testing of ST tires. Raz has identified the big three: Goodyear, Carlisle, and Maxxis. Some argue for LT tires instead of ST (another big debate), but I don't think that's an option for 13" tires.
In the end, you pays your money and takes your chances.
Whatever you get, taking care of them improves the odds in your favor. Inspect for damage and check the pressure daily when traveling, cover when parked, raise off the ground and reduce pressure for extended storage.
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03-19-2017, 07:18 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: Shelby
Trailer: Casita SD
Tennessee
Posts: 1,090
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I'll agree with the Carlisle HD recommendation. Looks like the new MUSA Goodyear is not available in 13".
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03-19-2017, 07:38 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2007 19 ft Escape 5.0 / 2002 GMC (1973 Boler project)
Posts: 4,148
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yarnstormer
Hi all!
My scamp needs new tires. I would like to get the best available as I think we will be doing longer distances than I have in the past. Any recommendations? It's only 3 tires so Honestly I'm not going to penny pinch this one. I do perhaps like to drive a little faster than I should on the interstate. layout 7 if that helps. Very light.
also...I just had tires put on my old camper which I will be selling. I was in a hurry and just went with what they had which were Tow Master made in china. I can't find a manufacture date on them unless it is 02 and 03!!!!
It's not in the usual place after the DOT label - so I wondered if there was a place online to decode them. If they are really that old I will take them back and demand newer ones before I sell.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
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Hi: Yarnstormer... All tires are dated. The code will be usually found in an oval spot on the inside sidewall of the tire. (Not to convenient) It will appear as a 4 number code. First 2 are the week... second 2 are the year. ie: (1117) for tires made last week.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie
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03-19-2017, 09:47 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Henry
Trailer: BigFoot
Tennessee
Posts: 1,311
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Date codes are on one side only. Sometimes the tires are mounted with the date inside and you have to take the tires off or crawl under the trailer and look at the backside. When buying tire check to see that the tires were manufactured within the last 6 months, at least the last year. don't buy old "new" tires.
I had a blowout on the road. (these tires were only 3 years old, and yes I always check my air pressure). Changed my own tire on the side of the road. Then went to the nearest town (we were traveling) and bought 2 new tires. Don't need three because the 3rd tire is only to get me to the nearest town to get new tires. I would always buy two of the same brand.
Note when changing tire: Scissor jacks don't work when the rim is on the ground, can't get it to move up. Someone stopped by and let me use their small hydraulic jack to raise the frame up high enough for the scissor jack to take over.
Moral of the story: I bought a small hydraulic jack, a medium size Hydraulic jack and a Lug wrench with long arms (easier to unscrew the lug nuts). Also have a couple of wide board to put the jacks on.
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03-19-2017, 11:29 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: BARNEY
Trailer: CASITA
Georgia
Posts: 125
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Cooper tires are the greatest and maked here for us by us!
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03-19-2017, 01:18 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: Henry
Trailer: BigFoot
Tennessee
Posts: 1,311
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From "Modern Tire Dealer" website:
Michelin (HQ in France) has more consumer tire production capacity in the U.S. than any other company, and Bridgestone is fourth, behind Goodyear and Cooper. Also many other companies manufacture tires in the US.
Just FYI, Cooper makes tires in China and Mexico, as well as in the US.
The U.S. DOT requires that all tires be marked with a code that provides information about the tire, called the Tire Identification Number. The Tire Identification Number begins with the letters "DOT." The following two numbers or letters indicate where the tires were manufactured. The last four numbers show the week and year the tire was manufactured.
A list of the tire codes associated with American production facilities can be found at the following link:
All the D.O.T. Tire Plant Codes
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03-19-2017, 01:45 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp 16 ft Side Dinette
Posts: 1,279
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We replaced the factory ST175/80R13's with ST185/80R13's. I think with Goodyear Marathons. That increased the max load capacity at 50psi from 1360 to 1480 lb/tire. But I ran then at 35 - 40 psi. for a softer ride.
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03-19-2017, 04:04 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 1,704
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MAXXIS hands down. Dont settle for anything less.
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03-19-2017, 04:19 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Darral T.
MAXXIS hands down. Dont settle for anything less.
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Or some other brand.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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03-19-2017, 10:19 PM
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#15
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Member
Name: E
Trailer: Aliner
Georgia
Posts: 46
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I can't believe I did not think to check the inner side - I will look tomorrow.
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03-21-2017, 02:20 PM
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#16
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Member
Name: E
Trailer: Aliner
Georgia
Posts: 46
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December 2016 - think that is good enough!
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03-21-2017, 05:06 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Gordon
Trailer: 2015 Scamp (16 Std Layout 4) with '15 Toyota Sienna LE Tug
North Carolina
Posts: 5,155
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yarnstormer
December 2016 - think that is good enough!
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LOL.. if you do go to the tire dealer and get "new" tires, they might very well be older!
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03-22-2017, 06:30 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19 (was 2005 16 ft Scamp Side Dinette and 2005 Fleetwood (Coleman) Taos pop-up)
Posts: 1,227
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We converted to 14" tires on our 16' Scamp. Wanted more capacity in each tire, and wanted tires that are easier to find when needed than the 13" tires.
We currently have Carlisle Radial Trail HD "D" rated tires. They are made in China, but hopefully the Carlisle oversight and the 81 MPH rating will ensure it serves us well at 65 MPH and below.
I recently read that Goodyear now makes their Endurance tire in the USA, so that might be a good idea too, although 14" is the smallest available.
__________________
Dave (and Marilyn who is now watching from above)
Sharpsburg, GA
04 Dodge Dakota V-8, 17 Dodge Durango V-6, 19 Ford Ranger 2.3 Ecoboost
radar1-scamping.blogspot.com
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