I've been told by my reputable 'trailer guy' and several retail tire shops have told me that all four come from China and all but the Carlysles come out of the same plant. (IIRC TireCo is the manufacturer for all three) If that's the case, and I'm not saying it is, why is there such a difference in the tire quality? Is it real, or is it a matter of perception?
Here's why I ask: My trailer guy can get Freestars at $75 each installed, and he personally sold 4000 of them last year without an issue, but the forums I frequent don't share the same enthusiasm for them. I've not had any luck with Carlisles in the last few years (on other trailers), and the Goodyears seem to be a love-it or hate-it relationship with their owners. The Maxxises (Maxxi?) seem to be, by and large, the preferred brand, and the ones we have on it now are the originals to the camper, so I wouldn't have an issue replacing them with the like (and Discount Tire seems to be the only place to find them), but if the Freestars are just as good for 35% less, then it would seem they would be the way to go, no?
I guess the question would be, am I getting an extra 35% in either true value/quality and/or peace of mind? (Or am I just over-thinking this one?)
I'm a believer in Maxxis. Try this. Put a Freestar on the scale and weigh it - do the same for a Maxxis. I think you will be surprised.
You also have to wonder why one tire is 35% less expensive than another in the same size and grade???
Your dealer may be "reputable," but Maxxis are not made in China. They are made in Thailand.
Most important is that you get a tire that has a good cushion above the gvwr of your trailer. Don't get a tire that is rated to just handle that weight and nothing more. Our trailer came with D rated tires (which was just enough), when I replaced them, I went to an E rated Maxxis.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."
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Lets see now the tire dealer sells tires and says no problems with a XYZ brand ST tire.
Now you read the forums where folks actually use them and they say ...... well any way you get the picture.
What size tires are you looking at ????
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
There is a distinction between price and quality. If you want to purchase from your tire guy and make him happy then get what he sells. If you want a large spectrum of experience then listen to those here and that supports largely the Maxxis tires. What savings is there if a lesser tire blows and tears up the coach, how much will the 35% savings on the tire be then? It is sort of like saving a dime to spend a dollar. If you use the lesser priced tires and never have a problem then you saved 35 percent. For me it would not be worth it.
* This post was
edited 06/25/12 09:14am by jmtandem *
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed.
'09 299bhs Tango.
I just replaced my badyears with maxxis, they are made in thailand. The badyears were made in china, you might as well just by another cheap chinese tire if your decision is good year.
I will state this, after having 2 blowouts last year, both were good year tires, i will never buy another product that has that name on it ever again!
2011 F250 CC LB, 6.7 urine injection
2007 keystone Outback Sydney 32BHDS
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Have you ever seen the damage a tire does to a TT when it let's go? The $200 you save on those Freestars will be less than 20% of what it takes to repair it. I'm not saying a Maxxis will never go on you, but the chances are a lot lower. Spend money now to save money later....
I have been impressed with Westlake Super ST tires which come on new Puma trailers. I think they are a huge improvement in stability from other Trailer tires. There still made in China but its a much stiffer tire
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