I need first hand experience from you all...please

[Rainier]

Hi everyone, just recovering from an unexpected tire blowout this past weekend. The tires on my TT are Freestar. I want to replace all with new tires that are quality. My choices in brands in my area are TowMax and Carlisle. Does anyone have any first hand experience with these two brands? Yes, I am meticulous- my trailer is always covered when not in use for long periods and I always keep the air pressure checked,etc, etc ,etc. Based on your personal experience, can I expect these two brand to last 5 years if I maintain them properly? Thanks everyone for any first hand experience you can give me to help make a better choice.

[allen8106]

When it came time to change my tires I put Maxxis on. I had no issues with the previous Goodyear's but they were made in the U.S. Usually your local new car dealer an order Maxxis for you from the tire warehouse. Likely your local tire dealer can too.

[westend]

I chose Carlisle Radial Trail RH in Load Range D. They are in-stock at most Discount Tire dealerships. Maxxis is typically a "special order" tire. That means, should you have a blowout on the road, you may have a wait if you wish to replace the bad tire immediately.

Carlisle sponsors the Bassmaster's tour and supplies tires for the boat trailers. If those guys can use them and make them last, it should be a good tire for the rest of us that don't put the hammer down.

[RavensFan24]

You can get the Maxxis you need on Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/MAXXIS-TL12460000-Tire-Trailer-Radial/dp/B001P2GX7G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464278065&sr=8-1&keywords=maxxis+ST205+75+R14

[4X4Dodger]

azdryheat wrote:
Use Maxxis tires. All the other trailer tires are made in China and are blow-outs just waiting to happen. If your trailer has 16" tires then I would go with an LT truck tire.

This is patently untrue. Blowouts are not waiting to happen.

Maxxis are made in Thailand and Indonesia where there is virtually no difference in the technology in the factories between there and China.

What is different is that the Chinese worker is better paid, better educated and has a much higher literacy rate.

All tires sold in the US are Made to DOT Federal and International Specifications , the same ones used for Maxxis.

[rbpru]

I upgraded my 7 year old, 15,000 mile, OEM ST 205's because of age. I have over 8,000 miles on the new Towmax which were available in a D rating.

I would have clearance problems with a bigger tire.

A nail does not care what kind of tire it flattens.

[gmw_photos]

In 14", the Kumho 857 is a "commercial light truck" tire. 99 mph rated
Also in 14 is the Hankook RA08. Same specs essentially as the Kumho.

In 15" is the Good Year G26 Cargo, also a commercial light truck tire, as well as the Wrangler HT, which is a LT.

To the OP, it's of course up to you to do your own research to determine if you want to use ST or LT tires on your trailer.

[Need-A-Vacation]

Bionic Man wrote:

netaq wrote:
In my opinion trailer tires are all similar unless you're using LT truck tires.

Installing the next load size if possible i.e. D to E and a TPMS is the way to go.

I agree with this, except for the TPMS comment - I've had more than one tread separation where I never lost tire pressure.

In regard to your specific question, I have a 16' Lund with the TowMax and a 23' Malibu (boats) with the Carlisle. I expect both to be replaced at 5 years old.

I think one of the biggest weaknesses of tires on trailers is that so often they are very near their max load rating, then people drive near or above their speed rating in high summer temps. That is a troubling combination.

And for the speed rating reason alone I would go with the Carlisle or possible the Maxxis. The Carlisle's if I recall correctly are speed rated for about 80mph (or so) for the 14" RH tires. I was told the 15" were originally rated for 87moh, but due to a stupid government tariff Carlisle changed the speed rating to 81mph. I just don't recall exactly what the 14" are rated for.

Do you have enough room for a 15" tire? Otherwise the only option besides the Kuhmo that would increase the weight rating is going with a 215/75/14, but you only gain about 100lbs additional per tire. Otherwise a 205 or 225/15" LR D would be a good choice if they will fit.

As for the LT tires, they may be a good choice for this who have 16" wheels, but those of us with 15" or 14" tires do not have that option if 16" wheels/tires won't fit!!!

I had a set of the Carlisle Radial Trail Duro, then a set of the RH's, each for about two years before getting a new tt. Never had any issues. Held pressure between trips and over the winter very well!

Good luck!!!

[davidx2000]

midnightsadie wrote:
maxxis seems to be the best, but I,have two big boats and run tow max with no problems.

I agree! Our TT we bought used in 2014. It came with Maxxis tires that had 03 and 04 year date stamps on it! I of course don't know how many miles they had on them - but they were pretty cracked all over.

I drove it home about 50 miles with them and had no issues.

Unfortunately, I could not get access to Maxxis tires easily - so I went with Power King Towmax STR. One season and about 2500 miles they have performed flawlessly. I check pressures every morning when towing and will rotate front to rear this spring.

[Rotzilla]

Replaced 5 tires over the weekend with Maxxis, 4 where received in
1 day, the 5th came from California at day 5. Discount tire.

[Boondok]

dodge guy wrote:
I have used Carlisle`s the last 7 years. the first set went 5 years and around 15k miles. I replaced them at 5 years old when I noticed one had a shifted belt. I again went with Carlisles. I have had good luck with them. The first set replaced the OE China bombs after a year and 400 miles when 3 of them had a shifted belt!

Carlisle`s have become a very respected brand in the last 10 years.

I agree.
I run the carlisle dura trail.
I have 22 of these tires on various trailers carrying different weights,some are work trailers some are recreation,including my tt.
In 5 yrs i have never had a blowout.
I would recommend carlisle.

Bf goodrich on the tv and carlisle on all trailers.

[ol__yeller]

I bought my Maxx is from Discount Tire in Redmond and they were great! 4 seasons later I had to sell the TT but they still looked and performed perfectly.

[B-n-B]

nomad.297 wrote:

B-n-B wrote:
If it matters to you, not all Carlisle tires are made in China, some are made in the USA.

See here in the first FAQ from the Carlisle website:

http://www.carlstargroup.com/about-us/faq

It would take some homework to find out if their trailer tires are USA made or not since they don't seem to spell it out.

All I can add is another vote for Maxxis in an ST.

I spoke with Carlisle the other day and the only ST tires they make in the USA are the USA Trail bias ply which come with a max load range of D and a max speed rating of 65 mph.

Bruce

Good info, thanks for that! Too bad they aren't radials.

[nomad_297]

B-n-B wrote:
If it matters to you, not all Carlisle tires are made in China, some are made in the USA.

See here in the first FAQ from the Carlisle website:

http://www.carlstargroup.com/about-us/faq

It would take some homework to find out if their trailer tires are USA made or not since they don't seem to spell it out.

All I can add is another vote for Maxxis in an ST.

I spoke with Carlisle the other day and the only ST tires they make in the USA are the USA Trail bias ply which come with a max load range of D and a max speed rating of 65 mph.

Bruce

[Mark_and_Linda]

Rainier wrote:
Also, for fun, I thought I'd share the pics of the trashed tire, wheel and underbelly. Sucks to be me right now:)



Link to Pics

Great pics...tire looks like it had some deterioation, dry rot. Think of it like this...you are able to take photos of it. My truck tire looked the same way, with only 16K miles when it blew. It looks like it didn't harm your rim that much by what I can tell. The reason I mentioned in an earlier post...I just put four new Freestar Radials on my TT. I had the dealer balance them before I installed them. Hope everything works out...