Replacement tire for the Chinese OEM rubber
My 35 foot Keystone Bullet bunkhouse is less than 2 months old and has about 500 miles on the 205/75/R14 OEM tires. I've been reading that tires are a second thought with most manufacturers and ultima...
Forum Discussion
If you are new to towing a TT, the first thing to know is - do not drive above 65 mph, keep the tires pumped to the max. indicated on the sidewall (and check regularly) and make sure the tires are not overloaded. Following these will go a long way to preventing a tire failure. Also, avoid speed bumps and potholes and stay off road shoulders. Many ST tire failures are due to failure to observe the above rather than where the tires are made.
ST tires should have at least a 10 percent reserve load capacity and more like 15 or 20 percent is much better. TTs can weigh quite a bit more on one side due to a slide or kitchen and cause overloading of tires on one side.
I looked at a new Keystone Bullet on a showroom floor not long ago, and looking at it's GVWR and deducting an estimated tongue weight, the tires it had on it were loaded to near capacity. Not good, but there is nothing to stop a TT manufacturer from doing that. It also seemed to me that the axles on it were loaded to near max.
I would be willing to bet that your tires have low reserve load capacity. If so I would definitely upgrade them. Depending on who you listen to, GY Marathons are decent (providing you treat them properly). We have them and have 2 years and 10K miles on them and I expect them to last 5 years when I will automatically replace them. We ordered optional LRD Marathons and LRC tires are standard so we have lots of spare load capacity.
I would take the trailer to a scale and weigh it so you know exactly where you are on actual total weight (GVW) and tongue weight (TW). Get side - side weight too, and while at it weigh the TV (loaded for camping incl. passengers).
ST tires should have at least a 10 percent reserve load capacity and more like 15 or 20 percent is much better. TTs can weigh quite a bit more on one side due to a slide or kitchen and cause overloading of tires on one side.
I looked at a new Keystone Bullet on a showroom floor not long ago, and looking at it's GVWR and deducting an estimated tongue weight, the tires it had on it were loaded to near capacity. Not good, but there is nothing to stop a TT manufacturer from doing that. It also seemed to me that the axles on it were loaded to near max.
I would be willing to bet that your tires have low reserve load capacity. If so I would definitely upgrade them. Depending on who you listen to, GY Marathons are decent (providing you treat them properly). We have them and have 2 years and 10K miles on them and I expect them to last 5 years when I will automatically replace them. We ordered optional LRD Marathons and LRC tires are standard so we have lots of spare load capacity.
I would take the trailer to a scale and weigh it so you know exactly where you are on actual total weight (GVW) and tongue weight (TW). Get side - side weight too, and while at it weigh the TV (loaded for camping incl. passengers).
