We have a 2013 Surveyor Sport 220 that came with Power King 205/75R14 tires on alloy wheels. These tires are load range C and made in China (with all the pursuant paranoia). Before we head out on some month-long trips early next year, I'm seriously considering replacing the tires. Although they are almost new, most of the postings I can find on this and other forums don't have much good to say about tires made in China. My local Goodyear dealer tells me that they are unable to get the Marathons at this time (none of the warehouses have them, he says), but they can get the Goodyear HMG 2020 trailer tire in my size. This is the only load range D tire in this size I have been able to find anywhere. The other alternative is the Carlisle trailer tire - but they're only available in load range C, which is what's on the trailer now.Another "hitch" in the decision (pardon the pun) is that the trips next year are to evaluate our suitability for the full-time RV lifestyle. If the decision is yes, we would be selling the TT and moving up to a 5th wheel. So... do you think replacing the (new) China bombs is warranted at $450 - $550? What would you do?Rob

I don't like tires made in China - but since they came on my TT when it was brand new, I decided to use them for their expected lifetime. However, if it gives you piece of mind and you have the $$$, then go for it.

Most recommend Kumho 857 tires for 14's. If your current tires are like new, my dealer would credit something for them. Worth a try, good luck.

Try TireRack. They carry Goodyear Marathons.

Campfire Time wrote:Try TireRack. They carry Goodyear Marathons.Thanks, Chuck - that's who I called. He cited "all six warehouses."

It is true that China tires get a bad wrap, but it is also true that they have been putting Chinese tires on TT for years. Since there are so many Chinese tires on the road, it is likely that a failed tire will have been made in China.The fact that they are purchased on the basis of price is what makes me nervous, no matter where they are manufactured.

Specific trailer tire question | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

shakyjay
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2014
I had the original "China bombs" on my TT for 6 years before replacing them, the sidewalls were showing signs of cracking from age. Never had an issue with them. I did go from load range C to load range D when I replaced them. Personally I think there are a whole lot of reasons why there are so many issues with tires on trailers. Where they are made is not necessarily the biggest one.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Jun 04, 2014
I agree with Lowsuv on rims. I had zero problems going from 50# C rated tires to 80# E's on alloy rims rated for weight, not PSI.
Lowsuv
Explorer
Jun 04, 2014
Most steel RV wheels are OK for 80 psi .
The wheel manufacturers have a bigger issue with the weight carried by the wheel rather than the psi .
Some folks have been confused by reading a chart that says 1860 # at 50 psi , thinking that this indicates a maximum wheel psi .
Instead what those charts are stating that the tire needs to be inflated to 50 psi in order to achieve the 1860 # rating .
The tire is always the weakest link in the tire / wheel maximum psi rating .
Only if the wheels state " maximum 50 psi " are they limited .
Aluminum wheels are placarded more often for maximum psi .
When aluminum wheels fail they do not explode catastrophically due to too much psi .
More common is some kind of wheel strike against a curb or barrier .
When Aluminum wheels fail they generally just do not hold pressure due to hairline cracks at the junction of the vertical and horizontal surfaces .
Most aluminum wheels are placarded for E rating or 80 psi .
There are exceptions .
The exceptions are placarded on the wheel .
fallsrider
Explorer
Jun 04, 2014
One thing to keep in mind if you're considering upgrading to LR D tires, your wheels may need upgrading, too. I had to buy 4 new wheels, too, at an additional $225, since the old wheels could only handle 50 psi. LR D tires are 65 psi.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
fla-gypsy wrote:
Not many options in a 14" tire. The Kumho 857 205 C rated would give you considerably more load capacity

I bought these for my utility trailer. Mine were made in Vietnam. Note that the "C" is not the load rating, it means commercial. My tires are rated D.

Goodyear Marathons are made in China as are nearly all ST tires. Maxxis is made by Cheng Shin Rubber, most of their ST tires come from Thailand.
MM49
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
Second Chance wrote:
We have a 2013 Surveyor Sport 220 that came with Power King 205/75R14 tires on alloy wheels. These tires are load range C and made in China (with all the pursuant paranoia). Before we head out on some month-long trips early next year, I'm seriously considering replacing the tires. Although they are almost new, most of the postings I can find on this and other forums don't have much good to say about tires made in China.

My local Goodyear dealer tells me that they are unable to get the Marathons at this time (none of the warehouses have them, he says), but they can get the Goodyear HMG 2020 trailer tire in my size. This is the only load range D tire in this size I have been able to find anywhere. The other alternative is the Carlisle trailer tire - but they're only available in load range C, which is what's on the trailer now.

Another "hitch" in the decision (pardon the pun) is that the trips next year are to evaluate our suitability for the full-time RV lifestyle. If the decision is yes, we would be selling the TT and moving up to a 5th wheel. So... do you think replacing the (new) China bombs is warranted at $450 - $550? What would you do?

Rob

This is a very simple decision. Look at the construction note on the sidewall of the tire. If the tire is made to the new construction ( 2ply polyester, 2 ply steel, with a nylon cap) I would run them. They would have to be very old tires not to be the new construction. I ran Ameritech "power towing" for two years without an issue. These tires were the Chinese tire made by Acorn tire. I made two cross country trips, Michigan to California on them. Just look for the Nylon Cap.
MM49
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2014
I was able to get a couple of years of use on our stock China bomb tires before upgrading to Maxxis tires, just keep them aired up to max pressure stated on sidewall as ST tires perform better at max psi, keep speed to 65mph or below and you should be able to get a season or two out of them.

As for tire dealers saying they can't get certain tires that's just a bunch of bologna, you can get tires delivered to your front door via UPS anywhere in the country. I used DiscountTiresDirect.com and they had the tires at my front door 3 days later, had them balanced and installed the next day, after 4 years and over 20K miles the Maxxis ST tires are holding up very well and will go at least another season, maybe two.
Nvr2loud
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2014
Second Chance wrote:
Nvr2loud wrote:
What is the loaded weight of your trailer? I would keep the C rated tire if it is rated high enough. My 30 foot, 6000 lb trailer came with B rated tires. I recently replaced with C rated for two reasons....

1) No B rated tires available here

2) Even if B rated tires were available, the maximum of all four tires was reached at 5800 lbs, so the trailer is using the tongue to offload some of that weight... and I don't like the idea of being that close to the maximum all the time. C rated put me at 7000 lbs of maximum tire loading and some load is still off-loaded to the tongue, therefore a nice safety margin.

I've had it on the scales but don't have the info with me at the moment. The specs say 7,753 combining empty weight and NCC, but we weren't anywhere near that coming back from a trip (well below 6,000 if I recall - with 500+ going on the tongue). The current tires are rated at 1,745 each "single" and 1,570 "dual" - whatever that means (I don't know if they mean two axles or dual wheels). Anyway, the lower of those two ratings would total 6,280 for four (6,980 for the higher rating).

If you replace.. I would jump to a D, but if you are replacing the trailer soon anyway... just leave the C rated ones on for now.
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2014
Nvr2loud wrote:
What is the loaded weight of your trailer? I would keep the C rated tire if it is rated high enough. My 30 foot, 6000 lb trailer came with B rated tires. I recently replaced with C rated for two reasons....

1) No B rated tires available here

2) Even if B rated tires were available, the maximum of all four tires was reached at 5800 lbs, so the trailer is using the tongue to offload some of that weight... and I don't like the idea of being that close to the maximum all the time. C rated put me at 7000 lbs of maximum tire loading and some load is still off-loaded to the tongue, therefore a nice safety margin.

I've had it on the scales but don't have the info with me at the moment. The specs say 7,753 combining empty weight and NCC, but we weren't anywhere near that coming back from a trip (well below 6,000 if I recall - with 500+ going on the tongue). The current tires are rated at 1,745 each "single" and 1,570 "dual" - whatever that means (I don't know if they mean two axles or dual wheels). Anyway, the lower of those two ratings would total 6,280 for four (6,980 for the higher rating).
Nvr2loud
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2014
What is the loaded weight of your trailer? I would keep the C rated tire if it is rated high enough. My 30 foot, 6000 lb trailer came with B rated tires. I recently replaced with C rated for two reasons....

1) No B rated tires available here

2) Even if B rated tires were available, the maximum of all four tires was reached at 5800 lbs, so the trailer is using the tongue to offload some of that weight... and I don't like the idea of being that close to the maximum all the time. C rated put me at 7000 lbs of maximum tire loading and some load is still off-loaded to the tongue, therefore a nice safety margin.