I have a 31' Terry that weighs 8.5k at the axles and 11.5k worth of load rating on 15" wheels and tires. In the 8 years I've owned it I have had 2 blowouts and caught 4 tires failing before they blew. The failing tires are Goodyear Marathons, Carlisle, and Towmaster. Axles are aligned, tire pressure always good.
Other 5vrs are speeding past me while I am towing, they don't seem to be having tire problems. My friend, who caravans with me has the same tires (Carlisle) whose trailer weighs more has never had a problem. What am I doing wrong? How often do I need to stop and let my tires cool?
Doing wrong? What tire size do you have? What speed to you travel? Do you jump curbs, drive over pot holes or generally abuse your tires?
All ST tires are speed rated at max 65MPH
Just returned from 350 miles each way trip at 80+ degrees and my BF Goodrich Commercial TAs were cool to the touch each time I stopped. This is on a fifth wheel that generally scales over 13,500 pounds.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
Resident Know It All
In 37 yrs of towing (2 tent trailers and 3 5vrs) have never had a blowout on any of the trailers. Towed at around 60-70 in temps up to 116 - no issues.
If your trailer at or near level when being towed?
Always need to check tire pressure before each days travel to ensure psi is at max per tire rating.
If using rubber valve stems, replace with stainless steel valve stems.
Good idea to install tire pressure monitoring system (I don't have one).
Keep speed 65 or below - excessive speed will heat up tires quickly.
(I used to tow at speed up to 85, but have since dropped to around 60 for max mpg and tire safety.)
Tire pressure, speed, level camper, straight axles.... all play a part, like others have said. I went Virginia to Florida and back in smoking hot temps on china bombs with no issues. I took them off after 4 years when I saw signs of cracking. I now run the Goodyears, G-614... load G like my Loadstars were. My camper is darn near level, I run 110psi and don't fly down the road... hope my luck continues!
Jeff,Julie,Amber,Brandon,and Casey,Dexter(Golden),Bruno(Pug)
Forest River Cardinal 362bhs 2006
2005 Chevy duramax dually 4x4 crew cab,Ultra Goliath wheels with Nitto Dura Grapplers and Banks exhaust.
Yeah, not new to this hobby. Trailer is level. Speeds are 55-60. No curbs, max pressure. Axles straight, and aligned. 225/75/15 load range E 2850 lbs per tire @ 80psi. That's 11,400 rating holding 8,500 lbs. I guess I need to go with 16" wheels but the distance between tire will be minimal. It is definitely an overheating problem. The tires are delaminating. I haven't got the tires to last more that a few hundred miles, we're talking blowouts on the first trip with the new tires. The tire store guys can't help and the rv shops have no idea either.
Fifteen and 16 inch "ST" tires are the problem. Owning several travel trailers and two 5ers, I also had trouble with "ST" tires until I switched to LT tires. Specifically, since putting on Michelin XPS (16 inch) and Michelin XTA (17.5 inch) tires I have never had a tire problem. I simply do not believe the "ST" tires are up to the challenge. There are too many threads about "ST" tire failures to believe that they are quality.
2011 Ford F350 Dually
2011 Mobile Suites 36TKSB3
Reese 25K Hitch
Michelin 17.5 XTA Radials
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