single axle trailer tires

[natetnc]

Bought my 1997 sport nautique in april of this year and the trailer had a set of carlisle trailer tires (225 17R15) on it. the tread looked ok but i don't know how old they were since the previous owner kept the boat at the lake and didn't tow it. one developed a bulge in the sidewall and the other completely blew out. i have replaced them with goodyear marathon trailer tires, should they do better? i tow my boat a lot, not very far but frequently on hwys. is there anything i could do as far as air pressure to help them hold up? i keep the recommended 50lbs per tire in them. wishing i had a tandem axle but trying to work with what i have.

[east tx skier]

RE: single axle trailer tires

I had tread separation in my older GY Marathons after four years on my last trailer. Bought a larger set for my current trailer. I've heard more and more stories about problems with the Marathons. When I replaced the ones on my old trailer, the owner of a GY store in Texarkana told me that GY changed the layup of the tire some time in 2005 and was recommending that the largest possible tires and load ratings be used on trailers.

I'm two years into my current set with (knock wood) not troubles yet.

[harddock]

RE: single axle trailer tires

Sun hurts tires more than driving on them. Keep them covered they'll last longer.

[AirTool]

RE: single axle trailer tires

The biggest problem is the country of origin.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...148437&z=4

[natetnc]

RE: single axle trailer tires

air pressure? should i use recommended amount?

[jhiestand]

AirTool, I think there may be some truth there. A buddy of mine is paranoid as heck about the Marathons on his single axle and has experienced multiple failures. After quite a bit of research, it appears a big majority of the bad Marathons were made in China.

I have two from New Zealand and three from Canada with no issues (fingers crossed).

[P-hat_in_Cincy]

AirTool, I think there may be some truth there. A buddy of mine is paranoid as heck about the Marathons on his single axle and has experienced multiple failures. After quite a bit of research, it appears a big majority of the bad Marathons were made in China.

I have two from New Zealand and three from Canada with no issues (fingers crossed).

First post. Thanks PN for allowing me over here!

I'm that 'paraniod buddy' with somewhat justifiable reasoning...although I do have a problem! :grin:

3 Marathon failures. 2 for sidewall delamination and 1 for belt break. 1 sidewall delam occurred after less than 100 miles towing on the tire. All tires '03 and before.

After 2 failures in 2008, 2 new '08 China Marathons were put on. They were different in sidewall design. I had my leftover 'good' '03 replaced today with an '09 USA. Sidewall design is identical to '03, not the '08. When my tire place called their Goodyear supplier and asked about the difference, they were told the '08 China version didn't work out well for Goodyear so they discontinued its use/design...which leaves me feeling GREAT about my 2 newer '08 Chinas. :|

I've got an email into Goodyear and will post what they respond.

Be on the safe side of your boat/trailer/tire loading weight.

The '08s look better...IMO.

[SNobsessed]

I recently replaced the tires on my '89. Found out that no company makes Radial Trailer tires in the US. My Goodyear dealer recommended TowMax Radials. They were less $ than Goodyear from tire Rack. So far, so good.

[BrennanK]

No one else noticed... Shocker...

[east tx skier]

Re: RE: single axle trailer tires

The biggest problem is the country of origin.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...148437&z=4

Mine are 225/75/15 Load Range D. Made in the US.

Here's a chart to possibly help people narrow down where their GY Marathons originated.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...um%3D075R5MAR6

[Mikeski]

RE: Re: RE: single axle trailer tires

I dumped my Marathons after 3 failures in 4 seasons, all similar to the failure shown above (mine look like the USA Marathons). The unavoidable potholes on the way to the lake were too much for them. Switched to Greenball Tow Masters last season, not a single issue since.

[jhiestand]

Now to add another twist, at least some Greenball Towmasters are apparently made by Goodyear.

http://www.goodyear.com/media/pr/22921sp.html

There's a blurb about Goodyear being a supplier on the Greenball home page:

"In 1993, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Inc. became a reliable domestic source. After 1994, Greenball has developed a stable of ten (10) supply sources to meet the evolving and growing needs of the company. "

I don't know that all their Towmasters come from Goodyear, but good news is the ones that do look like they might come from the less-suspicious Canada and New Zealand plants. :grin:

[AirTool]

Here's a chart to possibly help people narrow down where their GY Marathons originated.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...um%3D075R5MAR6

There should be a DOT code on all tires sold in the U.S. (stamped on one side near the bead). I remember there are at least two characters indicating the month of mfg and a two character code identifying the manufacturing plant. Then you go to the DOT site with the code and determine where the factory is. For instance, the infamous Firestone Decatur plant's code is "VD". The China plants are listed as well.

I'll check my DOTs this weekend. I have two Marathons on the trailer and two spares.

[2gofaster]

I have tried almost every trailer tire out there on my 36 foot enclosed race car trailer. It came with Goodyear Marathons of the correct size and load range and at the time I was towing the trailer about 20,000 miles a year. Very few of those tires lasted more than 1,000 miles, let alone even 5,000. My average trip was about 2000 miles at the time, and I expected to lose at least 2 tires on each trip. The best luck I had was the Carlysle Radial Trail. Some of those have over 40,000 miles and have now been on the trailer for a couple of years. I did try one of the older Carlysle tires and it developed a bulge and has been my spare for a few years now.

[gunnin4six]

I have had 5 tire failures since purchasing my Ski on a single axle eagle trailer new in '98. 2 original goodyear marathons, 2 Carlisles and a generic that I do not remember the name. All failed the exact same way; bulge in the sidewall. I trailer my boat to the water and put on ~1000 miles a year that includes 1 long haul in the summer of 400miles round trip. Pressure is always checked and within 2-3 psi of the max. 4 of the 5 failures occured during the long haul, and they definately get warm. How hot do your tires get? Can you touch the sidewall when you stop?