Long Trips

[RoadRunners2]

Does anyone here do long trips pulling a travel trailer? Or, does anyone regularly pull their travel trailer 4000 miles a year?

I ask this question as I pulled a fifth wheel for 20 on these long trips. I found the only tire that would support such trips was the Michelin XPS rib tire.

We sold the fifth wheel thinking we were finished RVing. We bought a vacation home in the midwest. Then we got to thinking we would rather not use motels to travel to the vacation home so we purchased a small trailer - 23 ft long with dual axles and ST205/75R14C installed. They were a brand I never heard of.

We like to drive at highway speeds and don't think these tires will cut it. Can anyone here with long distance driving in the hot summer tell what tires they use.

I am not a fan of Goodyear Marathons. Had lots of trouble with them years ago.

[djsamuel]

Had over 7,000 miles on the cheap no name tires that came with my 24' TT (also 205-75-14) traveling from Florida to Arizona/Utah and return, as well as Florida to Townsend, TN. Replaced them with the Carlisle RH Radials. So far so good. Time will tell.

[4X4Dodger]

RoadRunners2 wrote:
Good tips everyone. Thanks

Perhaps a few more could tell what they do.

I have pulled my 31 foot TT in the last year more than 12,000 miles. I spent the winter in the Baja arriving there form Minot ND, I am now in Newport Oregon on my way to Alaska.

My Goodyear Marathons which were manufactured in the 48th week of 2005 and were on the trailer when I bought it are still going strong.

I think any major brand of trailer tire will serve you well if taken care of and kept inflated properly. (road hazards excepted).

I wouldn't be too quick to take seriously those who praise one tire over another so evangelically or that derogate another brand as if they were the spawn of Satan. They have axes to grind.

[Jayco-noslide]

We have frequently covered thousands of miles in various trailers for over 30 years and now a 30 ft. motor home. Very few tire issues, really just 2 or 3 in all those years. Most important is to not let your tires get old (over 4 or 5 yrs) even if the tread is good. Make sure they are rated for your load, don't trust the original tires and don't overload. The road service programs available don't cost too much and I do not plan on changing a tire my self.

[DavidP]

We travel to Florida once a year (1600 Miles RT) as well as many neighboring states. We put between 4-6k on the tt each year. Current trailer has GY Marathons that I replace after 3 seasons of use. Third set on this trailer.

[Atlee]

I will average at least 4k miles per year, the bulk of it in the fall during college football season.

Also, in 2014, we put over 7800 miles on the trailer during one cross country trip.

My trailer only weights 4950# loaded and has ST205/75R14 tires. I put 4 new Maxxis on it in July 2013. Knock on wood, I haven't had any trouble with them, and they still do not show much if any tread wear.

At this point, I'd put 4 more on the trailer. But I wouldn't be afraid of the new Carlisle tire.

[time2roll]

Had DURO bias they all slipped belts just before 3 years. Then went Denman "D" rated and they lasted about 3 more years, two slipped belts, one lost the entire tread. Then put on MAXXIS 205/75R15-D and they seem to be holding up well. Yes I run mine through the desert periodically at 115°+.

Only 14" I know with more capacity is Kumho 857 at 2271 pounds 65 psi.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Radial+857

Otherwise you might need to go 15"+ wheels.

With new tires (check the date code) I would run them as is one season and get tires upgraded next year.
When you upgrade make sure the tires are rated for the full trailer GVWR. JMHO.

[rbpru]

I just finished an 8500 mile trip from IN to CA. We spent two months on the road mostly in AZ. I had a set of Towmax "D" rated 205 STs installed before I left.

I tow a Dutchman Lite at 6200 lbs across the scales loaded for the road. I put 12,000 + miles on the original "C" rated tires which were used when I bought the unit.

I replaced the OEM tired because they were 7 years old.

The point is there is no rhyme or reason to TT tires. It seens to be the luck of the draw.

[owenssailor]

We have been towing 500 to 10000 per year with our trailer. It is in the winter in the Southwest. Tires are Goodyear same size as yours. No issues. Speed for is is around 62 MPH.

[colliehauler]

Any room to upgrade to 15 inch wheels and tires?

[MitchF150]

Increase the LR on the stock size tire and that's about all you can do... My OEM tires that came with my trailer was LR B.. Yes, B... Found the same size tires in a LR D and have never looked back..

Never had any issues with the B tires, but I don't have that heavy of a trailer and don't drive thousands of miles on a single trip..

Get whatever brand of tire that you can find... As long as they at least double the OEM LR, you are going to be ahead of the game..

Good luck!

Mitch

[RoadRunners2]

Good tips everyone. Thanks

Perhaps a few more could tell what they do.

[jmtandem]

Many RVers here use Maxxis tires. Their satisfaction with the tires holding up well is pretty good.

[Tachdriver]

I travel once a year to Florida which is a 2000 mile round trip for me.

I have same size tire, being a new to TT I bought a brand from Discount Tire chain called Goodride, I only assume they are Chinese as well. I am in my fifth year and will use them and get new ones this year.

Not sure how you qualify whether they will last for you, you can use them and keep an eye on them or replace them, a lot of folks here have a liking towards Maxxis.

I also replaced my bearings with Timken....yes you have to be careful where they are made.

[3oaks]

We average 4 to 6,000 miles per year pulling our TT. Our Sunline TT came with Mission ST tires LR C. Ran them for 5 years without a problem. Replaced them with Maxxis ST tires LR D and ran them for another 5 years before trading in the trailer for a 2016 Arctic Fox which came with Good Year Marathons. I'll run with them for a few years unless I have a problem with them. Then it's back to Maxxis.

Bearings? Not all Timken brand bearings are manufactured in the U.S. Timken has manufacturing facilities in CHINA as well as other foreign countries and some of those bearings are shipped back for sale in the U.S.