kedanie wrote:
Just so that we all understand you position correctly, you are firm in your belief that 75% of the RV's out there are speeding? Apparently this is solely based on those who have passed you.
elsique wrote:
It is time to replace our Travel Trailer tires. GoodYear tires came with the TT but we had one blow out on us coming home from our last trip. Any advice on which brand is best for replacement?
Current tires are GoodYear Marathon Radial ST205/75R15
kedanie wrote:
I never said that you were a liar or mistaken. It is quite possible to believe that those who passed you were speeding. What you fail to take into consideration is those who did not pass you or those traveling the other direction or on a completely different road.
When we travel, we generally run about 62 mph and yes there are those who pass pulling trailers way too fast. Your numbers simply do not take into account all the others who don't pass you and I am confident that number is quite high.
Essentially, you are basing your criticism of the majority of the RVing community on those who have passed you. You have left out all others, and I would bet that community is very large. Your numbers are speculative, based on those few who have actually passed you. I would tend to believe a number more like 25%, but basically accusing 75% of the RVing community of speeding just doesn't work. Your sample size is simply too small.
Keith
Atlee wrote:
I'd say your #2 is not always a given. My trailer has 205/75R14 LR-C Marathons on it presently. They are rated at 1760# each, or 7,040# total. My trailer's GVWR is 4,950#. Why do I need to get a higher load capacity tire? Now, if my trailer's GVWR was 5600#, I would want to upgrade the load capacity.
Heck, the combined axle weight is 5600#.Lowsuv wrote:
All of these pages and still confusion ?
If you want to avoid blowouts and tread separation there are some basic things that can be done .
1. inflate to maximum pressure as shown on the tire sidewall .
2. upgrade to a tire ( any brand ) that has a higher load capacity in pounds than the current tires you have.
3. Check your tires each morning for PSI and road hazards . When towing at high speeds place your hand on the sidewalls to see if one tire is hotter than the others at each rest stop . If a tire shows cracking replace it .
4. the ST tire is the weakest link. you will gain reliability by using a 2520 pound load rated tire even on an 1800 # capacity wheel . you still can only carry 1800 # but the tire itself has more and better cords and construction . Run those higher load range tires at the increased PSI shown on the sidewall.
The advantage is that if you start with 65 psi and your tire deflates to 50 psi during that day's trip you still have the same weight capacity as your original 50 psi tires .
5. tire rack charts are your friend . one can compare different tire sizes , Load Ranges ( C , D, E ) and load ratings in pounds versus tire diameter and width .
6. LT tires are load rated to a tougher standard than ST tires . Because of this an 1820 # load rated LT tire is a tougher tire than an ST tire rated at 1820 # . But if you can only get an ST tire then go up in load capacity to say 2271 # or 2520 # or 2830 # based on what is available in an ST .
7. brand is less important than upgrading to a higher load rated capacity tire . A higher load range such as E or D is your friend .
CKNSLS wrote:kedanie wrote:
I actually find your numbers a little ridiculous. You leave out all the RV's traveling on different roads, it would be impossible to check the ones traveling the opposite direction and what about all who may be traveling at or near the same speed that you are.
Putting out a blanket statement of 75% of RV's were speeding is more than just a little silly.
Keith
I traveled a total of 18,000 miles. Yes, As I stated 8,000 miles of that was towing. The other 10,000 miles was using the tow vehicle to travel to the cities/attractions along the way. As you know, not all campgrounds are located in the city you wish to visit, but outside of the city limits. So I had plenty of time to observe, believe what you want-it was 75% of those towing that were speeding.
A few states had speed limits faster than 65mph-I was in the right hand lane doing 65mph (you know trucks-the faster you drive the lower the mpg) and the TT and 5th wheels were passing me like I was standing still.
I guess it's easier to call me a "liar" or "mistaken" that it is to believe that the root cause of ST failures are due to speeding, under inflation, or other owner error(s).
Lowsuv wrote:
All of these pages and still confusion ?
If you want to avoid blowouts and tread separation there are some basic things that can be done .
1. inflate to maximum pressure as shown on the tire sidewall .
2. upgrade to a tire ( any brand ) that has a higher load capacity in pounds than the current tires you have.
3. Check your tires each morning for PSI and road hazards . When towing at high speeds place your hand on the sidewalls to see if one tire is hotter than the others at each rest stop . If a tire shows cracking replace it .
4. the ST tire is the weakest link. you will gain reliability by using a 2520 pound load rated tire even on an 1800 # capacity wheel . you still can only carry 1800 # but the tire itself has more and better cords and construction . Run those higher load range tires at the increased PSI shown on the sidewall.
The advantage is that if you start with 65 psi and your tire deflates to 50 psi during that day's trip you still have the same weight capacity as your original 50 psi tires .
5. tire rack charts are your friend . one can compare different tire sizes , Load Ranges ( C , D, E ) and load ratings in pounds versus tire diameter and width .
6. LT tires are load rated to a tougher standard than ST tires . Because of this an 1820 # load rated LT tire is a tougher tire than an ST tire rated at 1820 # . But if you can only get an ST tire then go up in load capacity to say 2271 # or 2520 # or 2830 # based on what is available in an ST .
7. brand is less important than upgrading to a higher load rated capacity tire . A higher load range such as E or D is your friend .
Huntindog wrote:CKNSLS wrote:Let me get this straight, cause I have been known to misunderstand what someone is saying.Huntindog wrote:CKNSLS wrote:Huntindog wrote:Therefore, LT tires are a unnecessary expense.
That right there is the root of the problem.
Most TT owners don't tow very far or very often.
Given a choice, they will put the cheapest tire possible on.
Which has led to the ridiculous situation we now have....
No choice.
There are more SERIOUS TOWERS on this forum that in the general population by a lot. But since we are in the minority, our views are not being considered.. The manufacturers will not build a more expensive more capable, better tested ST tire for us. It simply is not profitable.
They make a ton more money selling cheap junk to us. Those of us (I was one) that are slow to realize their game contribute greatly to their profits.
Those who buy into their marketing (some of who have less demanding tire needs) also help the tire makers by repeating their propaganda as gospel.
And to JJ,. You are correct. I don't demand good tires be put on before I buy. My reasoning is that I have many other things on the table, and I can do the upgrade better and cheaper than what they would have to charge me.. There is no economies of scale when they do a one off unit. The entire cost upgrade plus labor would need to be paid by me. Many may think that they "forced the dealer to do something their way.... They are wrong. If something costs a dealer too much...They will say no.
Anyways I do drive a very hard bargain price wise, and pay cash. And I am amazed at what can be bought for very reasonable prices when doing so. I guess that's why I don't see spending 1500.00 as the end of the world.
Don't take my post out of context. Let's talk about serious towing. About a month ago I just completed an 8,000 miles trip around the U.S. I replaced the stock tires on my trailer about half-way in Orlando FL. The new Carlisle Radial Trail RH tires went up the East Coast all the way to Maine, then back to Utah. This trip is where I observed 75% of TT and5th wheel owners speeding on the Interstate, EXCEEDING THE SPEED RATING FOR ST TIRES!
Don't call me a non serious tower. The Carlisle tires never saw speeds beyond 60mph, consequently, they performed great.
Did you actually confirm that all the speeders you saw were using ST tires?
You may have seen me...I use LT tires.
And I never called you anything. I was making a general statement.
Your new tires are a month old. A little early to declare victory. Come to AZ next July, in 115 temps and then I may be impressed.:B
When I saw some of the TT and 5th Wheels at rest stops and saw the same ones in the campgrounds, YES, most (not all) were using ST tires. As I said-approximately 75% were speeding, we know 75% do not use LT tires.
You actually made it a point on your trip to get close enough to check out what kind of tires were on TTs that you judged to be speeding when you saw them stopped.... And you did this over a 8000 mile trip? Unbelievable.
