Goodyear Marathons Made in China?

[Route66Cruisers]

I am planning on replacing the Mission brand ST205/75R14 load range C trailer tires that came on my 2008 Funfinder 189FBS. I understand that Goodyear Marathon steel belted radials in that size and load range are now made in China. I prefer to buy tires made in the USA. I would appreciate feedback from forum members.

Thank you,

Mike

[Route66Cruisers]

Jerem0621 and all,

Thank you for your help. I am having a set of Maxxis installed on my TT on Saturday.

Happy trails,

Mike

[fla-gypsy]

Francesca Knowles wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:

In fact I read the entire NHTSA primer on pneumatic tires (all 707 pages)and the accepted wisdom is that degradation occurs faster after 5 years but the recommendation is still to inspect them regularly, keep them inflated to the proper level, and replace at the first signs of aging issues.

A lot of tire degradation happens inside the tire, and since I don't have X-ray vision I replace my trailer tires on a time basis, and a very conservative one at that. Between three and five years, tops, and never more than thirty thousand miles.

Ah, but there are other recommendations to address that as well and those issues are a result of abuse but I will not suppose I could possibly quote all 707 pages. You can educate yourself or swap tires every 5 years, 3 years, or any interval you choose. I will say tires are way more complex than I ever dreamed and the technology has progressed immensely over the years and there is real science behind them. The breakdown occurs in quality control inspections and routines as many tires have anomalies in them that will not affect their durability and service life. Anomalies that do affect these issues should be viewed as defects and not be sold. I think the Chinese have a quality control issue that Thailand has conquered.

[CKNSLS]

Francesca Knowles wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:

In fact I read the entire NHTSA primer on pneumatic tires (all 707 pages)and the accepted wisdom is that degradation occurs faster after 5 years but the recommendation is still to inspect them regularly, keep them inflated to the proper level, and replace at the first signs of aging issues.

A lot of tire degradation happens inside the tire, and since I don't have X-ray vision I replace my trailer tires on a time basis, and a very conservative one at that. Between three and five years, tops, and never more than thirty thousand miles.

+1 You cannot see inside of the tire. They should be replaced after 5 years...even if they are the SUPER "Mx" brand.

[JIMNLIN]

Time and the elements weaken a trailer tire.
– 3 to 5 years is the average life expectancy of a trailer tire,regardless of mileage.
– It is estimated that in approximately three years, roughly one-third of a tire's strength is gone
– After three years, depending upon storage and conditions of usage, consider replacing trailer tires even if they have tread depth remaining.

– After five years, trailer tires should be replaced in all cases

Per Carlisle Tire and Rubber ST website.

Goodyear as all tire makers change their web add pages on occasion. They also had a 3-5 years for the Marathon but I see that and other info is gone into cyber space from their new web pages adds.

[Francesca_Knowl]

fla-gypsy wrote:

In fact I read the entire NHTSA primer on pneumatic tires (all 707 pages)and the accepted wisdom is that degradation occurs faster after 5 years but the recommendation is still to inspect them regularly, keep them inflated to the proper level, and replace at the first signs of aging issues.

A lot of tire degradation happens inside the tire, and since I don't have X-ray vision I replace my trailer tires on a time basis, and a very conservative one at that. Between three and five years, tops, and never more than thirty thousand miles.

[fla-gypsy]

fla-gypsy wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
I put Maxxis brand M8008D ST tires on my 10k GVWR travel trailer in 2007 after the OE Chinese made Duro-bombs disintegrated in less than two years. The Maxxis ST's are still on there, look great, and are in excellent condition. The logical conclusion is the Thai made Maxxis tires are better than the Chinese made Duro's. Anecdotal evidence?, I think not.

After 5 years those tires need to come off....I don't care who makes them.

Please provide information or evidence from Maxxis tires that indicate they cannot be used beyond 5 years.

It's called best practice-

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTrailerTireFacts.dos

Or, maybe Maxxis tires ARE SO GOOD (made with special compounds NOBODY ELSE USES) that you don't have to follow industry suggestions.

I have read everything Maxxis has published on their ST tires and there is no such recommendation.

In fact I read the entire NHTSA primer on pneumatic tires (all 707 pages)and the accepted wisdom is that degradation occurs faster after 5 years but the recommendation is still to inspect them regularly, keep them inflated to the proper level, and replace at the first signs of aging issues.

[CHD_Dad]

If you dont mind running Bias Ply tires call a local Goodyear store and ask about the HMG 2020 tire. Its a 65psi D rated, 2040# tire made in Canada that was designed and built for U-Haul. Some even have U-Haul on the sidewalls. Most any Goodyear store can get them if you ask for that specific model.

I need new tires in that same size and am debating between those and the Maxxis. The Kuhmo's are not available around me quickly and the costs were much much higher.

[jerem0621]

I have a set of Maxxis tires on my TT right now. I assure you, they are just tires. They are well made but they are not magical. I had one of them pick up a screw and had to have it repaired.

No worries though, the are very good tires. I prefer them over China Bombs any day of the week. I wish they were made in the USA but the QC seems to be there in the Taiwan factory.

I will run them until they show signs of separation or bands breaking in the tires. 5 years or 8.. I am not sure. However long they last.

Thanks!

[fla-gypsy]

CKNSLS wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
I put Maxxis brand M8008D ST tires on my 10k GVWR travel trailer in 2007 after the OE Chinese made Duro-bombs disintegrated in less than two years. The Maxxis ST's are still on there, look great, and are in excellent condition. The logical conclusion is the Thai made Maxxis tires are better than the Chinese made Duro's. Anecdotal evidence?, I think not.

After 5 years those tires need to come off....I don't care who makes them.

Please provide information or evidence from Maxxis tires that indicate they cannot be used beyond 5 years.

It's called best practice-

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTrailerTireFacts.dos

Or, maybe Maxxis tires ARE SO GOOD (made with special compounds NOBODY ELSE USES) that you don't have to follow industry suggestions.

I have read everything Maxxis has published on their ST tires and there is no such recommendation.

[goducks10]

robsouth wrote:
Maxxis are, I'm sure, fine tires. I had them on a boat trailer (boat and trailer weight about 3500 lbs) and had a problem with both of them with tread separation. I have read so much about the "China bombs" being made by many different manufacturers. My experience: On the last 3 campers I have owned, ( 2 TT's and one Fifth wheel) I had Goodyear Marathons on each of them for about 4 years before trading trailers. My current trailer is the 3rd of them with Goodyear Marathons (entering the 5th year now) and I have had absolutely zero problems with any of them. Explain that to me please.

x2. Just traded our TT in on a 5'er. TT had USA GY Marathons with 10,000 miles on them and were good for another year (3-4,000). New 5'er came with China GY Marathons. Same exact tire and size. I'm running them till they wear out. Another thing is on neither unit was I close to the max load for the tires. I always ran them at 65 psi and never ran over 65mph. We'll okay sometimes:). It also doesn't reach 90-100deg for extended periods here in the PNW, so they run cooler IMO.

[Airstreamer67]

I've had great luck with my ST20575R14 Maxxis tires. They are approaching eight years of service (Dot codes show the 4005 time zone birth).

Now, after about eight years, I found one of the Maxxis beginning to show signs of separation in the tread (it has begun rounding a bit in the center). I found the rounding after a 2500 mile trip to Key West last week. But they always got me home and never left me on the side of the road.

Of course, I don't push the limits of either speed or weights on my tires.

I'll be getting new ones before my next trip.

[CKNSLS]

fla-gypsy wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
I put Maxxis brand M8008D ST tires on my 10k GVWR travel trailer in 2007 after the OE Chinese made Duro-bombs disintegrated in less than two years. The Maxxis ST's are still on there, look great, and are in excellent condition. The logical conclusion is the Thai made Maxxis tires are better than the Chinese made Duro's. Anecdotal evidence?, I think not.

After 5 years those tires need to come off....I don't care who makes them.

Please provide information or evidence from Maxxis tires that indicate they cannot be used beyond 5 years.

It's called best practice-

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTrailerTireFacts.dos

Or, maybe Maxxis tires ARE SO GOOD (made with special compounds NOBODY ELSE USES) that you don't have to follow industry suggestions.

[Lowsuv]

after considerable search i have come to the conclusion that :
for a 14 inch diameter tire :
the kumho 857 205 R 14 offers the best specifications.
it Q speed rated for 99 mph performance.
an ST tire is graded for 65 mph performance .
the kumho 857 radial has a load rating of 2271 pounds .

go here :
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Radial+857&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=0R4857&tab=Specs

the highest load rating from other brands seems to be 1870 pounds .

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Marathon+Radial&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=175R4MARV2&tab=Specs

so with a 2271 rating you will increase your load capacity to 121% of the goodyear marathon .

[NWKomfort350]

There is an article about st tires in current issue of trailer life magazine....
IMHO, new marathons will be fine as long as you dont overload them and drive the speed limit an ST is rated for 65 mph... how often do you see TTs being pulled in the 70s I see it all the time down I-5