I want some tires to last more than 2 years. Our 2000 Coleman Timberlake came with 13" "C" rated tires (1360 lbs). I "upgraded" to GY 1480 lb rated tires and have gone through two sets in 5 years. My last set of tires: I found "D" rated tires (1610 lbs) at eTrailer.com and thought I was all set for a while. Less than 2 years later, boom, another blowout. Before you ask: 1. no, I have not actually weighed the trailer, however I took the dry weight, added the weight of the A/C etc, and weighed the storage boxes etc we store inside, added it all up and calculated that I was still 250 lbs under the GVWR of 3000 lbs. 3. Always had GYs at 60psi (GY rec) and "D"s at 65psi - checked prior to leaving on every trip.eTrailer had the same "D" rated tires at something like $220/pair (including new wheels). Anyone know of a better deal out there, or better tires out there? I'd be happy to pay more, if they would last 5 years so I could finally be one of those "my popup tires are 5 years old - should I replace them even though they look ok?" folks, I keep reading about :).

Any chance of going to 14" wheels? If you can fit 14" wheels, you have a somewhat better selection of manufacturers to choose from. The guys here at work that have small trailers swear by the Kuhmo Radial 857's ...

You've nailed the typical reason for tire failure: under inflation.Another aspect of tire performance and longevity is how fast are you driving?Have you noticed if the tires blow on your way out, or on the return trip?Do you also check tire pressure at the destination and has it changed (after returning to ambient air temperature)? Maybe there is a hole somewhere in the rim/valve stem/etc thatlets out sir and at some point, you reach the critical flexing of the side wall that causes a blow out.Ultimately for me, it was speed that killed my tires. Once I slowed down to 60-ish MPH, I quit blowing tires.

One of the reasons I quit "pullen" leaving my Pup in storage at the campground were I spend the Summer. I blew all 3 originals within 2 years plus a new one running around the West.

bondebond wrote:Ultimately for me, it was speed that killed my tires. Once I slowed down to 60-ish MPH, I quit blowing tires.Speed = Heat I make sure to drive a bit slower when the ambient temps are high. I'm going on 4th season (approximately 15,000 miles) on my tires.And the other benefit of driving 65mph instead of 75mph is better fuel economy!

One of the reasons I went with the GY tires 3 sets ago was GY, at the time, rated the tires at 75 mph if you increased the pressure from 50psi to 60psi. However, I saw at that as a safety cushion, and still did not pull the trailer faster than 65 mph. The most recent blowout, on the "D" rated tires, was at less than 65mph (but probably close to 65), the ambient temp was at most 80 degrees, and we had left home less than 45 minutes earlier, where I had verified the pressure at 65 psi.

13" Tire Rec for Popup | Good Sam Community

davpratt
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Costco has (or can order) Greenball Towmaster ST175/80R13C tires @ 2 for $172 mounted on my rims. I had a set of Towmaster tires back in mid 2003 to early 2007 and they actually lasted longer than any of the GYs or eTrailers even though they were "C" load range (1360 lbs) tires. Anyone have more current experience with Towmaster brand? Thanks! -Dave
bondebond
Explorer
May 08, 2013
I have them on my utility trailer and have had no issue with Greenballs but I also don't consistently put as much weight on them (15" wheels) as I do on what's on the PUP wheels (which are 14"). I do run full out at highway speeds with the utility trailer though and they haven't had a problem. I would buy them again as needed.
RoyB
Explorer II
May 08, 2013
My 2008 Starcraft 14RT OFF-ROAD POPUP came with HERCULES TERRA TRAC M/T tires LT235/75R15 M+S Load Range C...

I got around 40K out of these and then started wearing the inside of one side out big time. I tracked that down to losing the tire weights (out of balance) going down I59 in northern AZ..

I replaced them with BFG ALL TERRAIN M+S LT235/75R15 Load Range C..

My trailer weighs in around 4200lbs loaded down...

No problems so far with blowout or bad tire wear for past two years... I think my tire pressure is around 60lbs. I am a 55-60MPH guy when towing...

I would love to redo my shocks on this trailer they are mounted at about a 45 degree angle - you know that ain't good.... They look pretty small in diameters too. Never did look at them for model number...

Roy Ken
wbwood
Explorer
May 09, 2013
davpratt wrote:
One of the reasons I went with the GY tires 3 sets ago was GY, at the time, rated the tires at 75 mph if you increased the pressure from 50psi to 60psi. However, I saw at that as a safety cushion, and still did not pull the trailer faster than 65 mph. The most recent blowout, on the "D" rated tires, was at less than 65mph (but probably close to 65), the ambient temp was at most 80 degrees, and we had left home less than 45 minutes earlier, where I had verified the pressure at 65 psi.

You inflated the tire 15psi over the recommended tire pressure (50psi) and 5 more psi over what was said you could go up to (60psi). Heat and speed will expand the pressure in the tires. No wonder they will blow. Try going with the recommended (sidewall) psi and keep the speed down.
davpratt
Explorer
May 10, 2013
wbwood wrote:
davpratt wrote:
One of the reasons I went with the GY tires 3 sets ago was GY, at the time, rated the tires at 75 mph if you increased the pressure from 50psi to 60psi. However, I saw at that as a safety cushion, and still did not pull the trailer faster than 65 mph. The most recent blowout, on the "D" rated tires, was at less than 65mph (but probably close to 65), the ambient temp was at most 80 degrees, and we had left home less than 45 minutes earlier, where I had verified the pressure at 65 psi.

You inflated the tire 15psi over the recommended tire pressure (50psi) and 5 more psi over what was said you could go up to (60psi). Heat and speed will expand the pressure in the tires. No wonder they will blow. Try going with the recommended (sidewall) psi and keep the speed down.

No! You mis-read my post. The "D" rated tires were rated at 65 psi, and that is what they were inflated to. And our speed was less than 65 ... are you saying that even though the tires are rated at 65 mph, they should be driven at no more than what?? 55?? 60???
Camper_Napper
Explorer
Aug 03, 2013
Hi Folks,
New poster not new to pop-up camping. Lots of great info on this forum and my question today is does any one get their pop-up tires balanced? No problems pulling it even at high speeds but usually find screws and things on the floor when I open it up and am thinking unbalanced wheels are shaking thing loose. A 12 inch tire spins pretty fast on the interstate.

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