Time for tires?

I'm still happy with the tires on my boat trailer. Probably around 10,000 miles on them now.

For those who went with the Goodyear Endurance how do you like them so far. I just replace my china bombs with the Goodyears and would like some reviews about them

Iraqvet05 wrote:
Thank you all for the feedback. My TT has an early 2013 manufacturing date but all of the tires have late 2011 date codes on them. Looks like I will be replacing the tires.

Remove and replace!

Besides the age as per the date code, life will also depend on how the tires have been treated - how much they were used over their max speed rating (typically 65 mph), if you towed under-inflated (should run at max sidewall psi) or overloaded and exposure to UV rays. I would go to a scale and get the total TT wt. and also side-side weights as a TT can be heavier on one side. Having as much reserve load capacity as possible helps as it reduces internal heat buildup which is a killer for ST type tires. Go up one load range if you can like LRC to LRD. Or if you go to Endurance tires in the same size, you'll get a higher load range & psi rating anyway.

A recommended replacement interval can be highly variable due to a range of factors. Five years for ST tires is a common number. For some good reading on RV tire age and other RV tire info., visit the RVtiresafety.net blog (run by a retired tire engineer). Replacing tires that still look almost like new is enough to make a grown person cry but is necessary. Install a new spare too.

Absolutely replace those tires! I to have a 2013Jayco that had Towmax tires... in my opinion Jayco was negligent in placing those tires on my trailer - they were borderline overloaded from the factory ( load range D). My first issue was a flat on the way home from the purchase. Luckily I stopped at a rest area and my walk-around revealed a slack tire. No big deal, any tire can pick up a nail... I had the correct tools, so I was on my way in 15 minutes.

1 year later... riding along at 60 mph (I never exceed 60) my first blowout. $2000 total damage to fender and sidewall, Insurance covered the damages minus $500 deductible. Original tire had been patched and was placed back in service.

360 days later another blowout... major damage to other side of trailer. Different tire! Put the spare on (Maxxis load range E) and on we went.

10 days later - 3rd tire blew! On the same side as thee previous one... insurance treated the damage as one incident $2200 damage covered except for $500 deductible.

This time I had no spare - limped home on a used P tire from a local gas station!

Three blow-outs in within 3 years of tire mfg. caused $4200 damage. I wrote a letter to tow max requesting reimbursement... got an offer for $25 discount for each tire toward purchase of new-haha!
Wrote to my insurance co - they decided to pursue Towmax and seek recovery of their costs... 18 months later... I got a check for $1000 refunding my deductible from my insurance co!

Sorry for the long post, but, this is my experience with Towmax - I purchased Maxxis Load range E’s to replace the originals. No problems yet.

Lack of regular use is a big killer of tires. I learned the easy way. After 5 years since I bought the truck, I decided to use the spare and buy another identical tire for the other side of the truck. The tire had been under the bed of the truck. It looked good. Still had pressure. I put the tire on the truck as planned. Over the next couple of weeks it took a couple of short drives and prepared for a long trip. Then I noticed the previously good looking tire was cracked all over. The local tire dealer told me that tires need to be used regularly. The use and heat has something to do with internal chemicals that come to the surface and protect the tire. Sounds strange. But then again a tire in use for 5 years might have had wear but should not have had cracks appear everywhere.

I have been told 303 protectant will help but you need to spray all surfaces of the tires before putting the RV away for the season.

How long do tires last,....about like asking how long do batteries last,....the big important factor being how they were used, (treated)
If tires were NEVER run in hot weather, NEVER run underinflated, and NEVER stored in direct sun, the 5-7 year limit thing doesn't mean anything.
Heat kills a tire, even when brand new,.....they will get you in the end !

I still cannot believe what i did when I had my china bombs switched to Transforce.

It went right over my head and I forgot to tell the stealer to throw the take offs in the back of the truck.

I hear there is a market for those things in the farm community, for whatever they do with them. Craigslist woulda surely got me 100 bucks for them.

Iraqvet05 wrote:
My TT has an early 2013 manufacturing date but all of the tires have late 2011 date codes on them. Looks like I will be replacing the tires.

So in fact they're actually 6.5 yrs old so it's certainly time to replace them. After one of my original China bombs split last fall for no apparent reason I'm one of those who is giving a new set of Goodyear Endurance a try ... the difference in how much better the trailer handles is easily noticeable so next is to see how they stand the test of time, but so far so good. :B

You might also consider a TPMS for your trailer tires.
If so, get steel valve stems when you change the tires.

Thank you all for the feedback. My TT has an early 2013 manufacturing date but all of the tires have late 2011 date codes on them. Looks like I will be replacing the tires.