Getting the trailer ready to leave for a week at the coast,Wrights Beach campground (On the Beach site), while checking lug nuts and tire pressures I found this: Glad I caught it before any damage done.Tire pressures are always 50 psi, I keep it under 65 mph,and I am not overloaded, Tires are about three years old.I will be taking both tires on that side back to the place I bought them! Hopefully Maxxis stands next to there product!

Do you have to 'jack' trailer when parking it?

By looking at these pics, I would have guessed those tires were 10 years old...lol....they look baaaaad!

Not any more than normal, I have a back in spot but its just a normal 45 degree back in.. I did notice when I pulled it out and did my light and system check that tire looked lower than the rest, check pressure about an hour ago and it was at 48, I topped to 50. Did a hands on to check for lumps and saw the cracking.I am bummed, the front tire has slight cracking also, One thing to note though, this side does have more sun exposure.

Steeljag wrote:By looking at these pics, I would have guessed those tires were 10 years old...lol....they look baaaaad!Storage lot is gravel and dirt.

Looks like they are dry rot. I run Maxxis too but I am not sure they are any better or worse than any other ST tire. I do have a few questions1) when you say they are three years old is that based on your purchase date or based on the tire manufacture date which is on the date code on the tire? 2) do your tires sit in the sun uncovered for long periods of time? 3) do your tires sit unused for long periods of time? Thanks!Jeremiah

Finally have a Maxxis issue! | Good Sam Community

107 Replies

gmw_photos
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
The above post speaks to the basics of this situation as we often see it here on the forum. One poster is trying see if he can "get a deal" and another poster is "getting the tire replaced by Les" apparently as needed. For sure, for some folks those are ways of approaching it. Other folks may be willing to spend more up front in the hopes of trying to get the most reliable product they can.
I can understand how each user might see their way as best for their own situation. We all have to make our own choices, and that's the beauty of a forum like this, the sharing of knowledge and experiences gives more food for thought.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
jake2250 wrote:
Ok, after some research the Kumho 857 has some delamination issues also, the first review is from a travel trailer application in JULY of this year. The Hankook reviews are great for a VW van,, Cant find a tire near my size online. I can almost guarantee my 23 foot trailer is a tiny bit heavier than a VW van.. Thanks for the help.. I can see why No one would mount these on my trailer,, Maybe I can get a deal on Carlise or some GreenBalls...

I'm going to try the new Carlisle next, but so far Les is replacing my current Towmax as needed, on warranty. One complete set so far.
Bigbird65
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
ReneeG, thanks for the good link.
ReneeG
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
hohenwald48 wrote:
hohenwald48 wrote:
So, why do trailer tires need to be covered when not in use or they die in 3 years and I have 10 year old tires on my Jeep that have never been covered and they look fine?

Well, does anybody have any input regarding this?

I found this information on this site - http://www.thehorse.com/articles/18084/trailer-tire-anatomy

With trailer tires, the bigger issue tends to be degradation due to sidewall cracking related to inactivity. Most trailers do not incur high mileage, and they're often only used on the weekends or once month, perhaps sitting for half a year at a time.

Explains Soule, "If the tire sits inactive for an extended period of time--six months, for example--some of the natural oil in the rubber seeps out, leading to cracking. The tire cracks and degrades over time. Daily use flexes the sidewall, keeping the rubber molecules moist and fresh and the oils in the tire."
gmw_photos
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
jake2250 wrote:
Ok, after some research the Kumho 857 has some delamination issues also, the first review is from a travel trailer application in JULY of this year. The Hankook reviews are great for a VW van,, Cant find a tire near my size online. I can almost guarantee my 23 foot trailer is a tiny bit heavier than a VW van.. Thanks for the help.. I can see why No one would mount these on my trailer,, Maybe I can get a deal on Carlise or some GreenBalls...

A couple of points here for others who may be considering a tire like the Hankook or Kumho, setting aside how much your trailer weighs compared to a VW van, what is the load rating of these tires compared to the ST tire that is potentially being replaced ? Also what is the overall rolling diameter ?

For instance, in my case, going from a load range C, ST tire in a 205/75-14 to a load range D 185-14C ( Kumho 857 ), my load carrying capacity went UP 110 pounds per tire and the rolling diameter was 2/10" smaller ( 25.5" vs 25.7" ).

So in my case ( tandem axle ) I end up with a large margin of extra carrying capacity with the replacement tires. The measured tread width of the 185 vs the 205 was right at 1/2" narrower.

EDIT: also to the point that "no one would mount these on my trailer". That is simply not a factual statement. It may be fair to say that no one you have talked to will mount them.

Getting them mounted is no problem if a person goes to the right tire store. As I stated earlier, I have LT tires mounted at both a GoodYear store and a Ford dealer.

It sounds like the OP has made up his mind that ST tires are going to be his tire of choice, and that's certainly fine if that's his choice, but for others considering a swap, "there is another alternative".
Huntindog
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
jake2250 wrote:
So, upon further review of the issue, I will call to see if I can get a D rated tire, If not I will bite the bullet and pay for 5 more Maxxis 8008 ST tires, I WILL not cover or rub baby oil on them or pay for an extended warranty, I will continue to do what I do and hopefully get out more because Sitting seems to hurt the tires more than the sun!! Good luck to the LT folks as this is not an option for all of us. Some of the input on this has been interesting but allot is useless banter.. Cheers!!
There are almost always options to move up into an LT tire.. It just depends how badly one wants to do it. The TT I had when I finally made the jump started out from the factory with the same size tires that you now have. After moving up in sizes and load ranges while staying with ST tires (I was a believer then) I ended up with 225/15 LREs and new rims to boot. This was as big as I could go without doing some mods to the TT. I had my worst blowout within 6 months.

At the end of my rope, I finally decided to see what it would take to make the jump to LTs.

I found that going to Michelin XPS RIBS In size 225/16 (IIRCC) would require a 1.5" suspension lift. This required new rims (again) and 6 lug drums, and some custom steel lift block which can be purchased on the net and new longer u bolts. Those tires never failed me in spite of being severely abused. I even swapped them out to my new larger TT when I got it.. The cheap chinese brand new tires on my old TT really impressed the guy who bought my old one.:B I was happy to see them go. When those tire hit the 5 year mark I replaced them with 235/16 Michelins as the new TT is a lot heavier than the old one.

I realize that many will be reluctant to take the route I did. It is more involved than what should be needed. ( heck I didn't want to do it, and I'm a mechanical guy) But it flat out works. That was in 2006. I have never had a tire problem since.

So if when you finally get to the end of your rope with STs, there probably are options.

I wish I had bit the bullet and made the jump a lot earlier.

As the saying goes, You can pay now, or pay more later.
jake2250
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
So, upon further review of the issue, I will call to see if I can get a D rated tire, If not I will bite the bullet and pay for 5 more Maxxis 8008 ST tires, I WILL not cover or rub baby oil on them or pay for an extended warranty, I will continue to do what I do and hopefully get out more because Sitting seems to hurt the tires more than the sun!! Good luck to the LT folks as this is not an option for all of us. Some of the input on this has been interesting but allot is useless banter.. Cheers!!
jake2250
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
Ok, after some research the Kumho 857 has some delamination issues also, the first review is from a travel trailer application in JULY of this year. The Hankook reviews are great for a VW van,, Cant find a tire near my size online. I can almost guarantee my 23 foot trailer is a tiny bit heavier than a VW van.. Thanks for the help.. I can see why No one would mount these on my trailer,, Maybe I can get a deal on Carlise or some GreenBalls...
jake2250
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
gmw photos wrote:
jake2250 wrote:
gmw photos wrote:
colliehauler wrote:
I think 3.5 years is totally unacceptable. If they have a 5 year warranty they should honor it.

I would e-mail TRAILER LIFE action line and ask them to assist you in a resolution.

The trouble is, the resolution will be another set of cheap tires.

I'd throw them away, chalk it up to experience, then go buy some good tires. But .... I guess that's probably just me being me ! :)
I don't know,, I thought Maxxis were good tires. seems the ones all other gravitated to. What do you define a good tire, I run 205 75 14. It appears as this will be an experience issue, But I gotta spend money on something,, I still haven't fully paid for the tires I ordered, If I knew of a for sure better tire I wouldn't hesitate to go that way,,, But all I am getting is lip service!!

I'm one of the proponents of LT tires, so expect my post to be rabidly attacked here shortly !!! :)

As a replacement on my camper from a 205/75-14, load range C tire, I went to a 185 (82 series ) load range D tire, Kumho 857. I have almost 25,000 miles on these Kumho's now, and they are doing well.

Another choice might be the Hankook RA08.

185---
westend
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
If you can find an LT tire to fit and the guy willing to install them, that would be the best. I didn't have that option so chose Carlisle Radial Trail RH in a load range D tire. They are holding up well.

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Finally have a Maxxis issue!

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