Tire Wear

[SeaSpray]

In 2006 I replaced my trailer tires with the Goodyear Marathon radials. I have only done one long trip of 2k miles with these tires and probably less than 200 additional miles.

The other day as I was getting ready to launch my boat I saw one of my tires was missing a large patch of tread. In the middle of the tread the about a 4in by 4in area missing with the steel cords broken and sticking out. These tires still look like new so I was surprised to see this.

I took it to Americas Tires since they are the local Goodyear dealer. The manager told me that trailer tires are evaluated on age only. I does not matter how little they have been driven. They did determine that it was a ply separation that caused the problem and I did get some compensation but it still cost me $45 for a new tire.

The manager told me that sitting in the sun is the biggest factor. He said that for his trailer he buys the cheapest trailer tires and just replaces them every two years.

I have some concern about the other tires that I bought at the same time. Has anyone else had any problems with the Goodyear Marathon tires?

Steve

[journey on]

Seabran

I own two sets of Goodyear Marathon, the best trailer tyres that Canada can produce. One is on a RV trailer, and is about 9 years old. Towed to Arizona, the desert, etc. for about 10,000 mi. The other set of 4 is under Journey On, and is 3 years old also with ~10,000 miles. I have not had a single problem, even though both sets get full sun every day in So Cal. The only time I've had trouble with trailer tyres is when I used cheap tires and/or didn't check the pressure.

The point here is that dealers try to sell tires, and avoid responsibility. I would imagine that the tire was faulty but the dealer had his story together. Goodyear still has the best trailer tires and replacing them every two years has to be a little odd.

Let's hope that I now get through the summer OK, tyre-wise.

Boris

[SeaSpray]

Thanks Boris,

That does give me a little more confidence in the remaining tires. I know that the news reports about old tires say we should not use tires older than 6 years. I don't know if that applies to trailer tires. I will try to get the expected life out of these tires.

Steve

[Will-C]

Hello,
I bought a new Scout 19' center console in 1997 with a EZ Loader trailer rated for a 3900 pound boat. The boat had a Yamaha 115hp motor and the boat held 55 gallons of gas and probably weighed around 2500 to 3000 pounds. The trailer came with a set of tires named Planet. They wore in flat spots and looked like the were worn out in about three thousand miles. I have never seen tires of such poor quality. I put two new 265 x 15'' Michelin light truck load range E radials and for the next eight years never a problem. They still looked new after an easy ten thousand miles. The radials ride nicer, no cold weather thumping like bias plies, they run quieter, cooler and they wear better. On single axle trailers if you measure from the front center of the trailers hitch or coupler and to the center point at the end of each axle the measurement should be the same. Then move the the drivers side of the axle back just 1/8 of an inch so it will climb out of a ditch. Keep the tires balanced and the sun off the tires when you are not using it. I won't buy any tire other than Michelins. I don't sit on the side of the road changing tires much. Call me crazy I leave the maypops, gonna pops, Planets, and other cheapo tires for the good deal seekers. Putting a boat worth 50k or more on top of some cheap rubber makes no sense to me unless you are not dealing with highway miles and speeds. Geez just a lurker!
D.D.

[thataway]

I have been told that even the Good Year Marathons are made in China (I cannot confirm this). Older tires were certainly excellent. But the general rule of thumb is to replace tires at 7 years of age. (even without sun exposure, there is some tire degridation with ozone and other smog components. I replaced RV tires which were 7 years old last year--still lots of good tread on them...but not worth having a blowout.

Incidently, with the weight distributing hitch and trailer exactly level, there is no wear on my tires this year....of course we have only gone about 1500 miles. It may well be that I will have to replace tires after 2 to three years--and that may be the cost of "doing business"...

[CAVU]

Many people are not aware that the date of manufacture of the tire must be stamped on it. On some brands the code can be a little hard to break. Especially on trailer tires you may be buying tires that are several years old before they are sold! Tires age and deteriorate over time even when stored. Any time you buy new tires ask the dealer to show you the date code.

[journey on]

Bob, you had me panicked. Checked both sets of Goodyears and they're both marked "Made in Canada."

Boris

[SeaSpray]

Today I received a check from Goodyear for damage to my trailer and tire replacement.

After the tread separation mentioned above we had another Marathon separate on the Yellowstone trip. The entire tread came off taking out the fender and bending the u-bolts and brackets. The tread and fender went over a guard rail never to be seen again.

After changing to the spare I had to drive another 60 miles to get replacement spare. The rest of the trip was without a right side fender. When I got home I ordered a replacement fender and emailed Goodyear.

Good thing I kept the bad tire. Goodyear had the local dealer send the tire to them. I also had to take pictures of the damage and provide receipts for the fender and the new tire I bought on the road. Goodyear provided a damage settlement for the whole amount after I signed a release.

They did get a good deal since I did all the work. More trouble to find someone to replace the fender than do it myself.

I have heard that the Marathon tires are being made in Canada, New Zealand, and China and that it is the China ones that are coming apart. I don't know how to tell from the tire where it was made. At least they stood behind their product.

Steve

[rogerbum]

[Sea Wolf]

[captd]

If I toyo once I toyo a thousand times. Thats how I remember what kind of tires to buy. Starting in about 1970 we had a fleet of cars ( over 50) that run 24 hours a day in Washington state, California, Colorado and Georgia. We tried the cheapest tires first. It was quickly proven that was the wrong way to go. After a few other tests we settled on Toyo. We could put an easy 50,000 miles on them, then cold capped the casing and got another 50,000 mile. That is 100,000 mile per tire. Even at the cost of the best it was a money saver in the long run. Since that time, all tires for pickups, cars and motorhomes have been Toyos. Tried Michlens once which I bought from Cosco. Didn't hold a candle to Toyos. I have wondered many times if Cosco was buying their seconds. Michlens are suppose to be top of the line. One set maybe proves nothing.
Just thought I would share this story because this experience is over a long period of time. We also converted these cars to propane. When I sold this business, some of these cars had over 300,000 miles on them. Last I heard , over 500,000. They were meticulously maintained.
captd

[Will-C]

Here is a discussion on trailer tires
D.D.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Dave, thanks for finding this one. I should have done a search before I started the second thread.

Steve

[Chester]

Our Goodyear Marathons are made in Canada and Australia.
Are there any trailer radials made in the USA?

[lloyds]

I may be one of the exceptions, but I have had trouble with the Marathons. I bought a new c-dory in 2006 on an EZloader trailer with Marathons. In July of 2008 the tread separated on the passenger side tire on Hwy 34, east of philomath oregon. In July of 2009 the tire tread came totally off, making a mess of my trailer but no major damage, on Hwy 34, East of philomath oregon. Pretty amazing coincidence. I replaced each tire each time with a Schwab and haven't had any trouble. Neither of those tires had more than 3000 or so miles on them. Proper inflation, checked regularly. I never went after Goodyear, not worth the frustration. But I won't go back to Goodyear.