Lifespan of Trailer Tires

[megaboz]

I am extremely biased against Goodyear tires of any kind. Bought F350 new, First tire developed a separation at 6 months, took to GY dealer, replacement warranty prorated cost to me was about $100, tire looked superb to me but dealer measured where separation was, thus wear there. Each of the other tires developed separation way too early in their life, including spare. Never went back to GY dealer. Knew their warranty was useless to me.

My recollection, perhaps faulty but I don't think so, is it was Goodyear tires that blew out on SUV's causing rollovers and law suits. Out of that came the TPMS system we all love.

I recall reading at the time that during manufacture GY employees were directed to "pop" air bubbles between layers of cords with an ice pick to maintain manufacturing volume.

Goodyear tires?:thumbdown: Not if you want to have a good year:2cents:

Thought with Ford Exloders that was Firestone that had the issues but that was due to Ford saying to run a lower air pressure, but perhaps you are referring to a different incident.

 

[pjbci]

I have the same feelings about goodyears junk tractor tires. Over the years we have bought 3 combines, 4 dual wheel tractors, and 3 single wheel tractors that had goodyear rear tires on them. Thats 30 tires total. Every single one of them developed splits in the side and had to be replaced long before the lugs wore out. For this reason i will never buy a goodyear tire unless it comes on whatever tractor or auto or trailer that i may buy, but i will know that i will have to replace the tires long before they wear out.

 

[Bird]

My recollection, perhaps faulty but I don't think so, is it was Goodyear tires that blew out on SUV's causing rollovers and law suits. Out of that came the TPMS system we all love.

Yep, I do believe you are thinking of Firestone instead of Goodyear. I had good luck in the past with Goodyear, but haven't had any of their tires now in more than 20 years, so they've undoubtedly changed a bit.:laughing:

And if you go way back in years . . . in 1956 my Dad bought a Texaco service station. Back then Texaco stations usually handled Firestone tires, but Dad would not use, buy, or sell a Firestone. We had a lot of people come in that summer looking for warranty on Firestone tires, and we'd just tell them we didn't handle Firestones.

Later, after we sold that station and bought a Mobil station, I had a guy come in one day with two almost new Firestone tires with big bubbles on them. He bought 2 new tires of another brand from me, and I told him that he needed to go get warranty on those Firestones. He said he wasn't interested; just wanted to be rid of Firestones. They happened to be the right size to fit my car, so I took them to a Firestone dealer, got 2 new ones for almost nothing, and had no problem with them on my own car.:laughing:

 

[texasjohn]

OK, my bad recollection, Firestone tires were the rollover tires.

Anyway, Goodyear is still on my black list.

 

[3v0]

Wondering if anyone has anything to say about michelin trailer tires. I used to their tires and sears tires made by them on my pickups.

 

[texasjohn]

earlier in this thread are numerous testamonials, mine included, with many positive things to say regarding Michelin tires

I just bought 4 for family van. Generally regarded as pricy but top if not the best tire you can buy...USA made

 

[Chef Pa]

Couple of questions on this topic, related to a 10k trailer, date of manufacture 7/2010. Did a quick search on the tire/date code and found info on 4 number date code, and cannot locate this on tires, checked both sides of tire, but did not rotate to get 100% view of inside tire sidewalls - all I can see is 'DOT OULCJF.' For now will assume date of manufacture on the tires at Jan 2010 and replace this winter. Existing tires are Provider ST Radial, ST225/75R15, load range D (2540 lbs/tire), made in china. After reading this info, think I will be replacing at 4 years. Recently towed a 20k 5th wheel rv from Florida to Indiana and had some tire trouble - let's just say it wasn't fun...

Questions:
- Any benefit to going to load range E? Looks like they're available, rated at 2830 lbs each. Trailer doesn't always see 10k total, more like 6-8 most of the time. Won't say it's never overloaded, but it's rare and only done for short rural runs.
- Recommended manufacturers - other than Carlisle or Goodyear? Does Michelin make a trailer tire?
- Are 'Loadstar Provider' and 'Provider' same manufacturer? Tires on this trailer are marked 'Provider' only

Thanks
Greg

 

[texasjohn]

I always get load range E tires when purchasing for a vehicle that will be heavy loaded and traveling at highway speeds and hot weather. Ones I just bought were rated at 3045lbs each.

Find the Right Tire Width with Michelin's Mobile Tire Finder

Their site does not list trailer tires as a category. I'd just buy properly sized load range E light truck tires... the comments/experiences on this thread argue for using the best tires you can find to avoid tire problems while on the road, which are inconvient, expensive and time consuming.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Never seen a Michelin Trailer tire in my 20 pkus years servicing trailers.

Our favorite brand is Green Ball. Thow Towmasters are by far the best trailer tires on the market.

Maxxis is second best. Radial ST or something like that. Gladiator radials are just as good.

Radials only. I will not touch a Bias tire.

Chris

 

[rockshaft]

Never seen a Michelin Trailer tire in my 20 pkus years servicing trailers.

Our favorite brand is Green Ball. Thow Towmasters are by far the best trailer tires on the market.

Maxxis is second best. Radial ST or something like that. Gladiator radials are just as good.

Radials only. I will not touch a Bias tire.

Chris

In my search for reviews I haven't found much on Maxxis, but what I did find was all positive. Green Ball reviews were much more plentiful, and mixed, just like GY and others.

 

[Diamondpilot]

In my search for reviews I haven't found much on Maxxis, but what I did find was all positive. Green Ball reviews were much more plentiful, and mixed, just like GY and others.

I have put on about 100 sets of Green Balls since 2004, tandem and tri axles, and not a single failure. That about 600 tires.

Chris

 

[pjbci]

I had never heard of a green ball tire before this thread. They sound like what i need to put on my camper before we start taking our summer trips. Every year we blow out atleast one tire on the 4 hr trip to the coast, sometimes two. Ive been trying to decide what to do because im sick of changing camper tires on the side of the highway. Although me and my 12 year old son are getting pretty darn quick from all the practice.

 

[wny770]

I have put on about 100 sets of Green Balls since 2004, tandem and tri axles, and not a single failure. That about 600 tires.

Chris

I seen a brand of trailer tire up here called "commodore". Ever hear of these? The guy said he's been runnug for 2 years no problems, but I never heard of them.....

 

[Diamondpilot]

I seen a brand of trailer tire up here called "commodore". Ever hear of these? The guy said he's been runnug for 2 years no problems, but I never heard of them.....

Never seen or heard of them.

Chris

 

[JIGBUILDER]

I had never heard of a green ball tire before this thread. They sound like what i need to put on my camper before we start taking our summer trips. Every year we blow out atleast one tire on the 4 hr trip to the coast, sometimes two. Ive been trying to decide what to do because im sick of changing camper tires on the side of the highway. Although me and my 12 year old son are getting pretty darn quick from all the practice.

Before wasting your hard earned money on greenball or just and ST tire drop on over to a RV web like rv.net or IRv2.com and ask aout greenball or your favorite ST tire. Your in for a ear full and a good learning experience on which tires works and which ones the salesman pushes.

Michelin doen't make a ST tire but they do advertise/recommend the XPS Ribs for commercial trailer service.

 

[pjbci]

The micheline xps is what i have on my 20k GN. I have way overloaded repeatedly with no complaints. Its labeled LRE XPS RIB RADIAL I'll have to ask my dealer if available in my campers size and also get his opinion on the greenball.

 

[ultrarunner]

Know several GN trailers with Michelin Rib Radials in the 16" size and zero issues

 

[jwbush53]

I bought my dual tandem gooseneck trailer new in 2006. That makes my tires 8 years old this summer. On the way home from a tractor show this weekend. Ka-Boom!! Right rear outside dual blew out. There is no sign of any sidewall cracking, dry rot, or anything else with these tires. If I am successful posting the photo, you can see this wasn't a sidewall blow-out. It split right across the casing on the tread side. I've never seen anything like it. I am considering this a "warning shot" that my 8 year old tires should be replaced. What do the rest of you think??

 

[ultrarunner]

Did you happen to notice the date code and where the tire was made?

I've seen new trailers with 5 year old tires.

No arguement from me on replacing all of them.

Have you priced Greenball?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I bought my dual tandem gooseneck trailer new in 2006. That makes my tires 8 years old this summer. On the way home from a tractor show this weekend. Ka-Boom!! Right rear outside dual blew out. There is no sign of any sidewall cracking, dry rot, or anything else with these tires. If I am successful posting the photo, you can see this wasn't a sidewall blow-out. It split right across the casing on the tread side. I've never seen anything like it. I am considering this a "warning shot" that my 8 year old tires should be replaced. What do the rest of you think??<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=382840"/>

8 years old is 2 times too long for a tire.

Chris