Forum Discussion

Horseman120247's avatar
Oct 03, 2013

Goodyear Marathon Tires

I know this has been beat before, but I purchased a 2011 40 foot Jayco Pinnacle. It came with 235-80-16 load range E Goodtear Marathon tires (dated 2010).
I recently took a cross county trip from Syracuse, NY to Vancouver Island BC. I blew the first tire in Minnesota, second tire in Victoria, BC, and then on return trip blew the third and fourth tire both in Des Moines Iowa.

These tires started the trip with approximately 6000 miles and the last tire blew with approximately 13,000 miles.

When these tires blow the whole tread and center section atre coming off and the only thing left on the rim is the two side wall discs.

The first failure in Minnesota damaged the wheel fender flare and dented the lower aluminum skirting on the passenger side slide-out.

I am pursuing this through Goodyear and would appreciate knowing of tire failures of the same size and approximate age and mileage.
  • hmknightnc wrote:
    ...your tires are only rated at 3200# apiece meaning 12.8k# on the axles. I think a 40' Pinnacle loaded would wiegh considerable more than that. Just guessing but I think your tires are likely overloaded. ...

    .

    If you look at this link, those exact tires have a weight rating of 3420lbs at 80psi ... so all 4 would be 13,680

    Goodyear Marathon ST235/80R16 Load E specs

    If you look at this link, it shows the current 40' pinnacle at a GVWR of 15,950 ... so if tongue weight is 10%, then (0.9) x 15,950 = 14,355 is on the axles, and your tires are overloaded by 5%

    Pinnacle 40' specs

    .
  • They will only pay for tires and damage if you keep the tires to be sent in by a Goodyear dealer.


    With a trailer that size you need LRG tires, which might require new wheels rated to 110 LBS inflation. Or upgrade to 215/75R17.5 LRH tires and rims. Same diameter.

    Your story is repeated often with show and delivery ST tires.

    Chris
  • SWD wrote:
    Cant really help you re: your tire question. All I know is that I have a set of these on my 05 Jayco Eagle and by next spring they will be gone. My trailer is in storage right now but I plan to dump them and get what I can for them and then buy a new set from my local tire shop.


    Are those the original tires on your'05? If so, they should have been replaced about 2 years ago! You really have no right to complain about them; most of us would love to get 8 years out of a set, but won't push them that long. Hope your new ones give you service that good.
  • Goodyear Marathons are not very good tires. Especially if made in China. If more than two years old, get rid of them quick.

    Goodyear has a good reputation for paying for trailer damage. But I would much rather have reliable tires that do NOT damage the trailer in the first place.
  • Sorry for your troubles but you have a couple of things to consider
    - your tires are only rated at 3200# apiece meaning 12.8k# on the axles. I think a 40' Pinnacle loaded would wiegh considerable more than that. Just guessing but I think your tires are likely overloaded. Have you ever wieghed your rig and made sure it is towing level to ensure balanced load on the tires?
    - 3 year old ST tires are getting past my personal comfort zone (independant of milage) I change ST tires (doesn't matter the brand) at 2 years.

    Good luck
  • IMO you will get more input from the 5th wheel forum for your large 5th wheel trailer with tire issues. Ask a mod to move you to the 5th wheel forum.

    Also check in with other of the many RV forums. Some are RV brand specific but still have experiences with the Marathons.
  • Cant really help you re: your tire question. All I know is that I have a set of these on my 05 Jayco Eagle and by next spring they will be gone. My trailer is in storage right now but I plan to dump them and get what I can for them and then buy a new set from my local tire shop.
  • you'll find enough marathon failures to know it's a never ending story with them. They do compensate from what I have seen though so thats a plus.

    A couple things to keep in mind for the future.
    When a tire blows both tires on that side should be replaced. The one that didnt blow saw the full weight of the trailer slammed onto it when the other one went.
    Always run max air pressure in a trailer tire. The cooler the tire runs the better, heat is their worst enemy.