My Outback has the standard 15 inch tires that came from the factory. Trailer is 35 feet long and weight is suppose to be around 8000 pounds empty. We've had the trailer 3 years now and it's been towed a good 20 thousand (or more) miles. So I feel my tires served well. Returned home last Monday from another mini-trip and when covering the tires (like I always do), I noticed one tire is balding some (really, a little beyond my comfort zone balding). I thought ... oh yuck! It's now MY turn. Talked to the wife and she didn't blink an eye... get new tires... the sooner, the better.Last time I purchased TT tires was about 7 years ago. Got Carliles and they sold with the camper after being on the road 4 years. I never had problems with them. I've never had problems with any tire I've ever owned on 3 different TT,and all 3 TT's were factory installed tires. Normal wear and tear is expected. Reason I changed out those Duro's from my previous camper was because they started dry rotting (side walls cracking) after 5 years. So, I feeling I have good success with tires. But I know some have not. I've kept up with the many threads and posts on RV.net, it seems the strongest contender is Maxxis tires.So, I'm just going to toss it out there. Anyone who purchased TT or 5er tires in the last year or so, what did you get and why? No need to bash any brand, just ... what's good about the one you purchased and why? I'm prone to go with Carliles again, because of price and they are easily obtained. Been reading on these forums that Carliles once had a bad reputation but that's changing. I never had problems with them. So, just wondering what's changed with them. But I don't mind going a little beyond for a better tire either if it can be proven there is such a thing as a "better" tire. So... what's your choice and logic for choosing it? Give me your BEST sales pitch!

I bought Maxxis Load Range E to get some reserve capacity over the previous D rating. They have proven for me (I'm the only one I have to convince) to be about the best ST tire available.

What is the trailer GVWR?Currently running MAXXIS 205/75R15-DI would have gone 15" LT if they were not taller.

fla-gypsy wrote:I bought Maxxis Load Range E to get some reserve capacity over the previous D rating. They have proven for me (I'm the only one I have to convince) to be about the best ST tire available.Exactly what I did...

We just put a set of Carlisle HD on my trailer in prep for a trip out west. I too have been reading all the commentary, and after talking with the guy at Discount Tire I decided that was a good option. I was told the tire was engineered from the ground up, and it was the best trailer tire he's seen in his sixteen years. I guess we'll see.I contacted the wheel mfgr. and was told the wheels are rated for 80psi. I bought 5 as I went up a size and load range so I'm sure I have plenty of tire.

The Carlisle RH tires I purchased have been great so far, although it's only been about 10 months.

Yup, another tire question? - same old... same old..

DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Aug 26, 2016
DutchmenSport wrote:
Trailer is 35 feet long and weight is suppose to be around 8000 pounds empty.

You are an experienced Rver and often provide good, sound advice to other posters. And that is what surprises me about your statement quoted above. Do yourself a favor and actually weigh your trailer before buying tires. You may find you have been loading your tires to a maximum rating and your luck with tire success is about to change.
bstar1952
Explorer
Aug 26, 2016
kcfissel wrote:
We just put a set of Carlisle HD on my trailer in prep for a trip out west. I too have been reading all the commentary, and after talking with the guy at Discount Tire I decided that was a good option. I was told the tire was engineered from the ground up, and it was the best trailer tire he's seen in his sixteen years. I guess we'll see.

I contacted the wheel mfgr. and was told the wheels are rated for 80psi. I bought 5 as I went up a size and load range so I'm sure I have plenty of tire.

I did the exact same several months ago. These new Carisle's seem to be a great tire. With about 500 miles on them, there's no visible sign of wear. Heading out on a 5,000 mile trip next week, I'll post a review on them when we return.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Aug 26, 2016
To answer the question about weight? I've never weighed the camper, so going to the manufacturers figures:

2013 Outback 298RE

Shipping Weight = 7447
Carrying Capacity = 1553
Hitch = 795
Fresh Water = 43 (356.9 pounds if full)
Grey Water = 30 / 30 gallon = (2 tanks) (498 pounds if full)
Black Water = 30 gallon = (249 pounds if full)
(Water at 62 degrees F weighs 8.3 pounds)

If loaded to the max:
7447 + 1553 + 356.9 + 498 + 249
Equals = 10103.9 max pounds for the camper.

I'm not loaded that heavy and I always run with empty tanks. Add the battery and propane back in though, it averages out. My guess, somewhere around 9500 pounds.

93Cobra2771 you were pretty close! And to think, they call this camper "Lite!" Makes me cringe thinking what "heavy" would weigh?
93Cobra2771
Explorer
Aug 26, 2016
downtheroad wrote:
fla-gypsy wrote:
I bought Maxxis Load Range E to get some reserve capacity over the previous D rating. They have proven for me (I'm the only one I have to convince) to be about the best ST tire available.

Exactly what I did...

Times 3.

I'm betting OP TT has gvwr of almost 10,000#.
LarryJM
Explorer II
Aug 26, 2016
Well call me the odd man out cause I've been running the GY Marathons (205x14s) since 1996 (that's 20+ years) for well over 100K miles total towing miles with only one flat and not a single blowout/tread separation on two different trailers. I did experiment for about an 18 mo period with the Kumho 857s, but had three of the four fail so back to the dreaded, but dependable China Bomb Marathons. Biggest thing I like is you can get them at almost any WM so availability is not an issue like with many of the other brands.

BTW I'm running my tires at within 100lbs of their max load capacity (actually closer to 50lbs on each tire) at all times so I have basically ZERO reserve capacity in my tires, but I do keep my speed religiously at 60mph and am very cautious about road hazards such as freeway potholes/curbing, etc. Over the years there have been time frames that one could ruin a set of tires from the freeway potholes in the Carolinas if one blindly drives down I-95 in the right hand lane. Several times I've opted for the Rt15/17 option just to avoid the terrible road conditions on I-95 in the Carolinas.

Larry
lenr
Explorer III
Aug 25, 2016
My family has had Maxxis tires on 4 trailers over the last few years with no problem. After 3 years and no particular tire care, not even a hint of dry rot. AS others have suggested I strongly recommend Load Range E tires if you stick with the 15” size. Maxxis makes a 225/75R-15 Load range E that gives 1160 lb. more carrying capacity than the range Ds that might have come on the trailer. Tires lose carrying capacity every year they age and the OP is very close to the rating when new if range D.

Also as pointed out there is a good chance of alignment problems. I’m going to PM the OP about a shop in our area that will align trailer axles. They found 3 out of 4 wheels out of alignment on our first, lightweight, inexpensive, poorly manufactured, trailer.

Len
Cecilt
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
On our second set of Maxxis on 2 different TT's. We have an Outback TT that probably weighs around 9500lbs and last summer at end of June my TPMS went off and alerted me to a tire losing air. Sure enough it was. Got home and put on LR E Maxxis. Original tires were Tow Max LR D. Have put over 10k miles on the Maxxis without issue. Have plenty of reserve and don't worry about them like I always did about the China bombs they replaced.
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2016
Our new TT came with 15" Marathons. Arctic Fox builds this nice trailer and then throws the cheapest tires on the planet on it!!! :R We have not used the TT yet and only have a few short trips planned the rest of this year. This winter it's going to the welding shop for an axle flip and frame mounted rear hitch. Then to the tire shop for 16" wheels with Toyo LTs. The tire shop will not give me anything for trade in on the Marathons as they will not re-sell them. Their reputation is that bad!!
rbpru
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2016
I replaced my seven year old C rated tires with D rated tires because it gives me more leeway on tire pressure.

At 50 psi my tires are C rated like the old tires, at 65 psi they are D rated. So, if I drop a few lbs of tire pressure I am still within the old tire rating.

This may sound strange but last winter we left the 20 degree weather in Indiana for the 80 and 90 degree weather of OK and the TX panhandle, then back to the 30's in the mountains of NM and AZ. Afterwards it was on to Tucson and down near the Mexico border in 90+ heat then up to the 20 degree mountains of Zion and Bryce in UT. We had to skip Arches because the roads were snow closed. In the 5000 miles of towing the tire pressure varied considerably.
allen8106
Explorer
Aug 24, 2016
I bought and installed Maxxis March of last year and have put 11,677 miles on them since and the have performed flawlessly. I also use a TPMS on them. They have rolled from Kansas to South Dakota, to Yellowstone to Mt. Hood, the Oregon coast then home. They have been to the Phoenix area twice, once in July when it's really really hot. I have no complaints.