Forum Discussion

md_procouple's avatar
md_procouple
Explorer
Jul 02, 2014

Tire Repalcements

Two years ago we replaced 2 tires on our TT, and just had one Blowout on the way home from Va. Then I noticed on the sidewall lip that they were made in Bejing China.

Does any one know of any Trailer tires made in the US? Or at least decent ones made elsewhere? Thanks for the input and help !!
  • You don't need US made tires. The best you can get are Maxis which are mostly made in Thailand. It's the ONLY brand I'll run on my trailer because when it's used it's on long trips. Lots of brands can hold up for a few years of local travel but if your seriously using them you can't beat Maxis.
  • Huntindog has it right about LT tires .
    The OP did not state but if he has 15 inch tires he can go to a Goodyear G26 Cargo tire which is made in Germany and France .
    225/70R15 load range D rated for 2470 # on the tougher T scale .
    all of the ST tires are made in Asia as far as I can research .
    Maxxis passenger car tires have never rated above the lowest 25 % of the scale in the Consumer Reports tire tests .
    It is a leap of faith to think that maxxis makes lower grade passenger car tires but somehow magically makes excellent trailer tires .
    Since Jan 2014 there has been about one reported Maxxis failure per month on this forum .
    Considering that Goodyear and Carlisle are the OEM ST tires for the longest time the reports of maxxis failures are probably in line with the imited volume of maxxis on the road .
    As Huntindog suggests the best plan is to upgrade to a larger LT tire rather than replace with the OEM ST size and load rating .
    Tire Rack has all of the specifications including diameter , section width , weight rating , tire weight , and the necessary info to see what tire fits under your trailer .
    Mine came with ST205/75R15 load range C and it was no issue switching to the LT 215/70R15 load range D Continentals .
    225/70 would have fit also .
  • Your tire size makes a difference. Different sizes equal different brands and options.
  • Maxxis. I had a set on previous trailer and likely the best 14" or 15" ST on the market. They aren't made in the US but I don't think any are.
    If you have 16" wheels, then American made LTs are an option. I have a set of Firestone Transforce LTs on my fiver and wouldn't go any other way.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    md_procouple wrote:
    Two years ago we replaced 2 tires on our TT, and just had one Blowout on the way home from Va. Then I noticed on the sidewall lip that they were made in Bejing China.

    Does any one know of any Trailer tires made in the US? Or at least decent ones made elsewhere? Thanks for the input and help !!


    Those are know as "China Bombs" and are the most common trailer tire on the road.
  • If LT's don't work on your trailer, I recommend Maxxis ST. Keep psi maxxed, stainless steel valve stems, and speed around 65 mph.

    Hey, this just me. BTW I have never had of blowout or issue with my ST's.
  • procouple wrote:
    Two years ago we replaced 2 tires on our TT, and just had one Blowout on the way home from Va. Then I noticed on the sidewall lip that they were made in Bejing China.

    Does any one know of any Trailer tires made in the US? Or at least decent ones made elsewhere? Thanks for the input and help !!


    Although Chinese stuff gets a bad rap.. The main problem is the low standards that ST tires have to meet.
    LT tires will solve the problem for sure. Some TTs are easier than others to make the swap on.
    Do you have 5 or 6 lug rims? 3500# axles?

    I have owned more sets of ST tires for short periods than I can remember. Many brands and load ranges. None made it to the second anniversary.
    I am on my second set of LTs. The first set was retired due to AGE!! About 5 years and many rough roads and towing at 75MPH, sometimes a little more.
    Read here on this forum many threads about all the precautions that one is supposed to take with ST tires. Slow speeds, no curbing. perfect inflation.. etc. They are to be treated like fine China. LTs can be treated like tires.