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Old 09-26-2017, 08:59 PM   #1
innermusic
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Not a good start

Traded in my travel trailer for a 2012 35 foot Cougar. It's my first fifth wheel and we loved it when we bought it. We were still pretty excited when we took it out on its maiden voyage, having purchased the unit less than a week ago. Driving home we blew a tire. It just exploded, causing extensive damage underneath. The unit was equipped with Tow Max ST tires, and they looked pretty good with lots of tread. It was a hot day and we were traveling with a full load, but hey I've driven my travel trailer in the southern US and scorching weather and I've never blown a tire in my life. So now we're pretty bummed out. Anyway, what do you suggest for a bulletproof set of tires? I just never want to go through that again.
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Old 09-26-2017, 09:31 PM   #2
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Not a nice start. I think Goodyear G614 is as bulletproof as you get for towable RVs. Lots like Sailun tires as well. But every RV tire needs regular monitoring for air pressure and separation, as well as staying within speed and load ratings. Sorry for your trouble.
I never paid much attention to my tt tires either, but with the new 5er I watch them like a hawk.

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Old 09-26-2017, 10:07 PM   #3
busterbrown
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Your tires, if the original set on that trailer, were probably in their 6th year of service, without any record of use, abuse, or maintenance. Towmax, Trailer Kings, and many other OEM ST tire brands have very poor ratings, especially when age exceeds the service life of 5 years. Many recommend replacement tires within 3-5 years of the DOT date stamped on the side wall of the tire.

Respected brands going forward include Carlisle (Radial Trail HD), Goodyear (Endurance), Sailun, and the forementioned Goodyear G614.

A good rule of thumb is to have adequate load reserve capacity with your new tire selection. If degradation of a tire annually is accepted at 10%, do the arithmetic to see where you need to be for safe towing in 3 to 5 years. Your total trailer axle weight (when loaded) divided by the number of tires will give you a load reserve capacity of 0. Use that number to work backwards in order to determine what load rating is acceptable for your coach.

Good luck.
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Old 09-26-2017, 10:19 PM   #4
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Carlisle Radial Trail HD or Maxxis M8008 in load range E should be more than sufficient for your Cougar.

Search the forum for tires. Lots of info.
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Old 09-27-2017, 07:13 AM   #5
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X2 on the Maxxis tires, see a lot of them on campers.
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Old 09-27-2017, 07:33 AM   #6
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X3 on the Maxxis 8008 Load Range E tires. They have an excellent reputation. On most RV forums the Tow Max tires are known as "Blow Max." One other thing to remember is that "standard" ST tires have a max speed rating of 65 mph. Some newer versions have a higher speed rating but you have to check for a specific indication.
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Old 09-27-2017, 08:23 AM   #7
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We have a 2015 Cougar High Country 333MKS. We store our unit in a closed in shed. Just had our first Trailer King tire blow out! Yep, damages! Brought the unit home yesterday from RV dealer after all repairs done, backed into our shed and pow...another tire blew. Fortunate for us we were parked. Factory tires are worthless! Trailer Kings are China Bombs and Tow Max are Blow Max. We are replacing all with good quality RV tires. I sure wish I had read the blog on tires prior to mishap. Lesson learned...check month/year on all tires and change after 5 years even when tread looks great.
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Old 09-27-2017, 08:29 AM   #8
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The tires rot from within and limited use or having deep tread not a factor. Age is unless your full time traveling .Then you may wear out the tread before the rot.
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Old 09-27-2017, 04:40 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MerlinB View Post
X3 on the Maxxis 8008 Load Range E tires. They have an excellent reputation. On most RV forums the Tow Max tires are known as "Blow Max." One other thing to remember is that "standard" ST tires have a max speed rating of 65 mph. Some newer versions have a higher speed rating but you have to check for a specific indication.
Everyone of the Carlisle Radial Trail HD tires have a speed rating of least 75 mph, with most being 81 mph.

https://www.carlislebrandtires.com/o...adial-trail-hd
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Old 09-27-2017, 06:34 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bit'n'Goldie View Post
We have a 2015 Cougar High Country 333MKS. We store our unit in a closed in shed. Just had our first Trailer King tire blow out! Yep, damages! Brought the unit home yesterday from RV dealer after all repairs done, backed into our shed and pow...another tire blew. Fortunate for us we were parked. Factory tires are worthless! Trailer Kings are China Bombs and Tow Max are Blow Max. We are replacing all with good quality RV tires. I sure wish I had read the blog on tires prior to mishap. Lesson learned...check month/year on all tires and change after 5 years even when tread looks great.
Just a thought, look a the capacity weight wise for your tires. Subtract 10% each year from that weight. Your carrying capacity shrinks each year until your unit out weighs the carrying capacity. At that point, it's time to replace. How much reserve you have depends on the tires you buy and the weight of your rig. The difference between the two is your reserve capacity.
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Old 09-27-2017, 07:15 PM   #11
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I got rid of tow max tires on my previous avalanche and installed Yokohama LT. Load range E tires. Handled very well
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Old 09-27-2017, 07:39 PM   #12
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I got rid of tow max tires on my previous avalanche and installed Yokohama LT. Load range E tires. Handled very well
That is what we are runninon our Copper Canyon 12,360# GVWR.
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Old 09-27-2017, 09:03 PM   #13
innermusic
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Thanks for the input everyone. Meanwhile...guess what? The dealer picked up the Cougar to tow back to their shop to make repairs....and they blew another tire on route!

Opinions on Goodyear Endurance?
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Old 09-27-2017, 09:18 PM   #14
innermusic
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Originally Posted by ctbruce View Post
Just a thought, look a the capacity weight wise for your tires. Subtract 10% each year from that weight. Your carrying capacity shrinks each year until your unit out weighs the carrying capacity. At that point, it's time to replace. How much reserve you have depends on the tires you buy and the weight of your rig. The difference between the two is your reserve capacity.
If the max capacity is 3500lbs, does that mean total trailer max load is 14,000lbs? If so, a reduction of 10pct brings it down to 12,600 in only one year. The GVWR for my Cougar is around 12,000lbs.
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Old 09-28-2017, 01:52 AM   #15
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http://www.bobbystuff.com/rv/192/ano...loding-st-tire
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Old 09-28-2017, 02:04 AM   #16
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As stated previously the Goodyear Endurance has only been out a few months, not years. And if you listen to the Goodyear dealers spiel bear in mind they also touted the old Goodyear "maypops." Just because it says Goodyear doesn't make it good. I'd let the Endurance brand make a few years first.
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Old 09-28-2017, 02:46 AM   #17
ctbruce
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Originally Posted by innermusic View Post
If the max capacity is 3500lbs, does that mean total trailer max load is 14,000lbs? If so, a reduction of 10pct brings it down to 12,600 in only one year. The GVWR for my Cougar is around 12,000lbs.
Yes. That's what that means. You want to buy with enough reserve to last several years. Not the posted numbers on your trailer, although that is fine. Take it to a scale to see how much it weighs loaded for you. Then you'll know how much your reserve is and can knock off 10% each year and know when you may start to see problems again.


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Old 09-28-2017, 05:10 AM   #18
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This is a great way to go same tires you run on the TV. They need to meet stricter standards than the ST China Bombs!
While not the stated capacity of the ST they are most likely stronger then the overrated China Bombs!
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Old 09-28-2017, 11:03 AM   #19
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Replaced all 4 towmax at less than 3500miles. One had lost a piece of tread about 4"x 10" and the other 3 had large bubbled up tread areas. Replaced with Firestone Transforce AT Lt tires as that was all our small town dealer had in stock.. Very pleased with them after about 2 years and about 15,000 miles. Some mfgs are now installing LT tires on new units.
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Old 09-28-2017, 12:41 PM   #20
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forget other tires, get G614s. this is after my many problems with other tires.
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