Tire brands - which are best?

[Bill]

In the new issue of RV Travel Newsletter, there is a story by Roger Marble, a tire expert, saying that there are three tiers of tire companies. His point is that not only are there three tiers, but that within a tier, quality is basically the same. Interesting story, since we have long and involved discussions on this very topic. If WMTire, our resident tire expert, is still with us, I would like to hear his thoughts on this.

http://www.rvtiresafety.com/2015/06/...eed-tires.html

Bill

[Padgett]

Interesting but while Michelin-Goodrich-Uniroyal are the same company, the comparison is more like Cadillac-Buick-Chevrolet. I buy Michelins for street cars because it rains quite a bit here (just coming back from south Florida yesterday I hit two frog stranglers where many people had their blinkers on & moving at 30-40 in a 70) and I discovered a long time ago that a 2/3 worn Michelin has better wet traction than a 1/2 worn anything else.

So given that the rest of the story is in question.

I have also seen a lot of variation depending on what country the tire was made in (and majors like Goodyear are often in several places depending on size).

So for me what is important is who made the tire, when, and where (all of which is in the DOT label) and how it was constructed (load rating, number of belts, is there a nylon overlay or cap on a trailer tire). This is more important than the name on the sidewall.

OTOH the failure rate seems lower for Michelin and Maxxis so what more do you need to know ?

[tentcamper]

I wish Michelin-Goodrich-Uniroyal were available for my trailer. I use Michelin's for my cars and SUV. Always seem to get better ware.

For the camper, I have been using goodyears for years with good success. But I did seem to miss the 3-4 black plague years.

[dab1950]

I ordered 2 Maxxis ST205-75R-15 Load range D at my local Discount Tire store in July 2015.
When the tires arrived at the store from the warehouse, I immediately asked them to check
the date codes. They had codes of 1214, which means the tires are 14 months old already
so I asked to re-order in hopes of getting a set not so old. Now it's August and I still don't
have a new set of Maxxis! They have been backordered. I finally got a call and they found a
set which will have to come from the Maxxis warehouse in California with date codes 4214( 9 months old).
I've asked to ship them to the store and I'll take them even if they are older than I'd like.
Maybe I should have just purchased Carlisle's new RH Trail line of tires?
They are made in the USA. Less expensive and with new design features, likely just as good as,
if not better than Maxxis brand.
From the Carlisle web site;
" NEW. Carlisle's newest and best performing radial trailer tire.
A best-in-class trailer tire, radial construction and variable pitch design promotes tire stability
and reduces excessive heat build-up, increasing tire life. Tire profile and tread compound
formulation create lower rolling resistance and increased fuel mileage. Equipped with the
DuraTrail high strength belt package and HeatShield heat resistant compounding technologies.
A proven leader both in field tests and by independent laboratory testing. "
Makes more sense to buy American and be assured, if you need to replace a tire unexpectedly,
you can get a replacement easily through any Discount Tire store in the nation.
Maybe that's what I should have done?
I hope you guys are right about how great the Maxxis tires are. I'll be rolling on Maxxis for 4-6 years.

[Padgett]

Only thing I really look for in a trailer tire is a name brand ST (Special Trailer) with a nylon cap or overlay. It can be seen on the sidewall as a single ply in the tread area.

I put on a lift kit in order to take tires with more load capacity and speed.

The Kenda Karrier's I bought are 205x75x15 LRD with new white steel rims, mounted and balanced from Trailer Tires and Wheels.
Delivery was fast and included in the $242.00 price.

Some of the things I liked about these tires are:

Warranty 2 years
Max speed 75 (my old tires rated 65)
Weight cap. 2150 x 2
Type Radial trailer tire

Kenda is a Taiwanese company and I have used there bicycle tires for years with no problems. These tires were only a few weeks old when received.

I am looking forward to our fall trip to Denver and the mountains, about 3,000 miles. I was very worried about our old 14s that were well out of date. I had blown tires before and assume that it was speed, heat and overload. One blowout was in Washington, DC 10 lane expressway traffic.

[Padgett]

Just a note but if the tire size starts with ST (ST205x75R15...) that has a 65 mph limit by definition. Also the first letters after the DOT on the sidewall tell you exactly where the tire was made.

[dab1950]

Ok Padgett, you gave me an incentive for in-depth investigation on my own.
With your hypothesis of "Tread 5 plies; 2 polyester + 2 steel + 1 nylon",
I went to my local Camping World( just a couple miles north in Woodstock, GA.
That was an eye opening experience. I was able to inspect the labeling
on no less than 6 different brands of ST tires. Although, I didn't see any
Maxxis brand tires on any of the trailers, I did find Carlisle Radial Trail RH
ST225/75R15 LRE with the new DuraTrail logo. These had the tread labeling
"2 polyester + 2 steel". No nylon overlay! Another brand that was missing
the nylon overlay was Power Towing Sport ST.
Brands I saw with the extra nylon cap include; Karrier Loadstar, Trailer King,
Goodyear Marathon, Westlake Super ST.
Right or wrong, I'm glad I've got Maxxis on order and no Carlisle in my future.
P.S. I checked the current tires on the TM and on the boat trailer,
both trailers have a brand name "Duro" and no nylon overlay. The tires on the TM
are 6 years old. PO must have had a blow out on the street side. I can see
the frame support gusset(right behind the tire) is bent . Plus the tires are
15"s even though the DOT sticker from the factory says 14".
We do not have any lift kit but have not noticed any clearance issues in the
wheel wells.
Thanks for all the helpful advice.

[Padgett]

No lift kit and 205x75R15s ? How is your street side clearance at the top ? One finger or two ?

ps some brands only have the overlay on 15s and 16s.

[dab1950]

Originally Posted by Padgett

No lift kit and 205x75R15s ? How is your street side clearance at the top ? One finger or two ?

ps some brands only have the overlay on 15s and 16s.

Sorry Padgett,

The TM is closed and has it's ADCO cover over it. I'll get the clearances
next week. We're planning a short trip here in Georgia. Unless Discount Tire
calls with my Maxxis tires ready to be installed.

Doug B.