Atlee wrote:
Since I'm not a "car guy", and presumably one of the sheeple, please define for me what a Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 tire manufacturer is. Then I'll be more educated.
Lowsuv wrote:
one of the maxxis faithful went to great lengths to get an email from someone at Continental tires saying that the Vanco 2 tires were not rated for trailer use . this particular maxxis supporter is unending in his support for maxxis tires to the exclusion of other brands .
i will assume that his email from a continental employee was truthful .
As a lifetime car guy I have observed that Continental Tires have been top tier tires for the 50 years I have been driving .
Continental Tire is a Tier One tire producer . Maxxis is a tier Three tire producer .
Vanco 2 tires are only manufactured in Germany and Slovokia in the 225/70 R 15 size and are a load range D tire with an LT weight rating of 2470 pounds . They are speed rated for 106 mph , a minor bonus in tire quality / design .
Maxxis ST tires are made somewhere in asia. They are rated for 65 mph .
The Vanco 2 size 225/70R15 will fit most RV steel wheels without having to upgrade the wheels .
In practice you can inflate them to the 65 psi shown on the sidewall and seriously upgrade your tire capacity . This means that if you start the day at 65 psi and you pick up a nail that you still have the same capacity as that size if the pressure drops to 50 psi as a load range C tire at max psi.
I check my tires at each rest/gas stop so I have the opportunity to see or feel the mishap before it becomes more serious .
Many German cars such as Porsche , Audi , Mercedes and others only approve about five brands of tires for their cars . Those brands include Michelin , Continental , Bridgestone , Dunlop , and ?
Maxxis tires are not approved by Porsche . In the November issue of Consumer Reports 60 tires were purchased and tested . Continental had the top rated tire in a performance tire with the usual mix of Michelin and Bridgestone very close .
The maxxis tire was in the lowest 25 % of the ratings .
My life's experience is hanging out with bench racers in my porsche club. these old guys ( my age ) go to tech sessions about everything car related including tire tech sessions and demos put on by the tire makers at the national and regional meets .
the maxxis faithful do not have the same background . if they choose to ignore that tire makers that have to deal with autobahn speeds and tire quality to be an OEM supplier to the best handling cars available worldwide then that is their choice .
Michelin ,Continental and Bridgestone charge more for their tires . Consumers willingly pay extra because of quality.
the bottom line for me is an Continental LT rated tire with 2470 pound capacity is a safer tire than the same size tire with an ST rating .
It goes to market share/sales volume and general overall quality of product line. See the following-
http://www.moderntiredealer.com/files/stats/mtd-28-30-32.pdf
It's dated 2011 but I don't think things have changed that much.