Trailer Tires

[water hazard]

The sidewalls on my 2002 Goodyear Marathons are cracking and looking unsafe. My Bu sits on a boat lift for most of the summer so I only tow 4-6 times a year now, but I need to replace the tires. I have seen multiple stories about China produced Marathons, Carsile's, etc. What does everyone recommend for my tandem axle trailer and spare?

[coldwater-echelon]

I had the Goodyear Marathons on my tandem SMP trailer for my Echelon and never had any problems until the tread separated last fall after 6 years on the trailer. I replaced them all with Carlisle's this spring and have had no issues or complaints.

[Ndawg12]

Replacing my GY's with Carlisle's next week.

[Lieutenant Dan]

Just replaced my Marathons with Carlisle last week.

[bretski75]

I replaced my Carlisle's with Goodyears 8 years ago after a failure. I have been really happy with that decision.

From what I have heard there seems to be a fairly even split as far as failure stories. Keep the temperature low by keeping the pressure up. And you should be fine either way.

Edited July 29, 2010 by bretski75

[ScooterM]

Tire store manager told me last month that a new import tariff on tires from China has ceased chinese production of GY marathons. In the meantime they fairly hard to find in the states as he has informed me that the molds are being shipped back to the US and it will be a few months probably before they are in production again. That being said, I needed 4 new tires for my boat and all I could find was 2 marathons and 2 carlisles. So now I have a mixed set.

[TrickyNicky]

Tire store manager told me last month that a new import tariff on tires from China has ceased chinese production of GY marathons. In the meantime they fairly hard to find in the states as he has informed me that the molds are being shipped back to the US and it will be a few months probably before they are in production again. That being said, I needed 4 new tires for my boat and all I could find was 2 marathons and 2 carlisles. So now I have a mixed set.

Well just let us know which ones last longer

[Bobby Light]

The carlisle sport radials that came on my extreme are the best trailer tires I've had. They are 8 ply load range D and rated at 2200 lb each, and rated for highway speeds. Pretty hard to beat.

[MalibuNation]

Funny, Carlisle Tires used to get slammed on this site.

Mine are fine on my 2003 trailer ... then again I don't tow alot.

[Bobby Light]

Funny, Carlisle Tires used to get slammed on this site.

Mine are fine on my 2003 trailer ... then again I don't tow alot.

Yeah they have several models though, this particular model I listed are good ones.

[Green_Giant]

I just put four new carlisle's on due to some slight cracking on the sidewalk of one. They were original so that's at least six years old, maybe more depending on when they were manufactured. I tow a short distance 1-2 times a week year round. Happy enough to buy another set.

[Michigan boarder]

I had a buddy check the tires on my trailer, and they are Carlisle ST225/75/D15. He said they look new. I know they are at least 8 years old, and probably have 2000 miles on them. Previous owner trailered to and from the marina once a year, and also did a guy's trip once a year. I am going to replace them, as well as the spare, so at least I know what I have from here going forward. From the feedback so far, I guess I'll go with Carlisle too.

[Ndawg12]

I had GY's and now I'm going with Carlisle just to see if they hold up any longer. Although the Carlisle supporters seem to be hitting this thread, from what I've seen it's about 50/50. Trailer tires seem to be a "use it or lose it" type of thing. I haven't heard to many stories of replacement due to balding from too many miles. Usually the sun gets to them or excessive speed and heat tear them down.

[Pistol Pete]

China has ceased chinese production of GY marathons

That's reason enough for me to stick to my trusty Carlisles.

[dlb]

had GY Marathons on two differnt trailers, no complaints. I replaced them with Carlisle's because there were no GY Marathons to be found late last summer, no complaints so far!

Therefore I have no preference as which to recommend.

[Roland]

Any feedback on low profile tires?

Are there any advantages to a triple axle trailer vs a tandem?

I am considering buying a new 24 LSV.

[glenn]

Goodyear marathons are the only one's I run and I have had absolutely great service. Normally last 6 years with several long trips each year.

[MalibuTime]

My Ryan trailer came with Transmaster trailer radials. 2 steel and 2 polyester plys. So far so good, except for running over an 1-1/4" screw last weekend in the 1/4 mile trip from my campsite to the boat ramp at Banks Lake. Pretty much any trailer tire would have been punctured by that one. I had never heard of Transmaster before, or really seen any mention of them so not really sure who makes them. The screw must have been kicked up by the first tire to puncture straight into the second one.

[h20sportsbum]

To let you know and this is from someone who sells tires for aliving. You shoul always max out your trailer tires, and the construction of a trailer tire is only designed to last for about 3 to 4 years regardless of how often used. To answer your question transmaster is made by greenball which is similar to carlisle as mid level tire and marathons are alittle bit better constructed

[Bobby Light]

To let you know and this is from someone who sells tires for aliving. You shoul always max out your trailer tires, and the construction of a trailer tire is only designed to last for about 3 to 4 years regardless of how often used. To answer your question transmaster is made by greenball which is similar to carlisle as mid level tire and marathons are alittle bit better constructed

HUH?

[bretski75]

Max out the load capacity, like D load, and max your pressure. Thats my 2 cents.

[Koop]

Any feedback on low profile tires?

Are there any advantages to a triple axle trailer vs a tandem?

I am considering buying a new 24 LSV.

I'm not sure about the technical advantages, but I seen a yellow BU leave the boat launch last year with a triple axle trailer and some wheels all done up. It was the coolest trailer I've ever seen! Looked real sharp and definately got a lot of second looks.

[ed obermeier]

HUH?

3 - 4 years is all they're built for? Seriously? If true that's BS.

Wednesday evening towing home from our usual lake I had all the tread on one of my 5 - 6 year old Marathons came off (tandem axle trailer, fortunately). These tires showed no apparent issues (the remaining 3 still don't) and still have tons of tread on them, trailer/boat are 2005. This happened on a stretch of road where there is some rough pavement so I didn't realize what had happened until the next day, thought the momantary roughness I felt was from the pavement. Didn't see anything amiss so I just rolled on, probably drove another 20 miles at 70 mph on just the steel belts. Freaked when I saw the tire in the daylight next morning, nothing but the sidewalls and the steel belts showing but the tire was still inflated and not leaking. FWIW we've been enjoying an average air temp of around 101 - 105 degrees this past week. Good ol' Kansas summertime!

Needless to say I have 4 new Carlisles on order. Think I'll just figure on new tires every 5 years from now on regardless.

Ed

[DAC]

I have a 10 year old trailer with Carlisle tires that have very low miles on them. On my once a year 300 mile trip last week, blew out both of the tires in seperate incidents (replaced with Goodyears). I think the lesson is don't drive on old tires regardless of brand, and carry a spare. I should have listened to the Crew's advice and changed my tires before my trip!