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bigdlh
02-13-2012, 03:00 PM
I have load range D tires on my new cougar trailer. I am just wondering what tire failures anybody has had with the factory tires on their traillers, and does any tire manufacture make trailer tires in the USA?

f6bits
02-13-2012, 03:14 PM
Get the DOT code from your sidewalls. That will tell you a bunch. And there are several tire manufacturers who make tires in the US.
http://www.harriger.com/tires.htm

hankpage
02-13-2012, 05:48 PM
Last time I checked all ST tires where made offshore. Goodyear was supposed bring the Marathon back to the states but I haven't seen any US made. There have been many threads on trailer tires. If you do a forum search you may find some answers to your questions. You will find that most folks agree that monitoring inflation and tire condition will minimize failure.

reubenray
02-14-2012, 03:05 AM
Every Cougar HC that I looked at had the "TowMax" brand on them. I could not find the info on the model that I bought due to not wanting to get down on the wet ground.

f6bits
02-14-2012, 06:38 AM
I have Towmax, and they’re made in China. They look to be in very good shape, and are less than two years old. As soon as I can, I’ll be replacing them with something American made.

Jim W
02-14-2012, 07:52 AM
This is what I posted in another thread on tires for a 318SAB Cougar.

I have a Cougar 318SAB, that was purchased new in Feb 2010. Last year on our way to Yellowstone WY, I had a tire failure on the LH front side of the trailer. I think I ran over some road debris and caused the tire failure. We had just left Windmill State Recreation area in NB just outside of Kearney NB. I had check tire pressure that morning and 15 min's late the tire failed. I did not have any other issue with the tires for the rest of the trip, but did have to buy a new spare tire.

So with all that being said I am replacing my tires this year with Goodyear LT235/85R/16 G rated tires or Michelin Ribs LT245/75R16 LRE XPS RIB's. I will also be ordering new steel wheels and have them mounted and balance.

To me this is cheaper than having the camper repaired after every tire failure. My last failure cost was $2,500, insurance paid for most of this, but how many times will they?
Jim W.

ktmracer
02-14-2012, 08:05 AM
Every Cougar HC that I looked at had the "TowMax" brand on them. I could not find the info on the model that I bought due to not wanting to get down on the wet ground.

Our outback came with towmax also. First thing I did was go to the local tire store and have them balanced. Did take more weight than the Maxxis on my cargo trailer. Had the trailer about 1 1/2 years, and almost 12K miles. So far tires are doing ok, I suspect one more summer and I'll need to replace them due to just plain wearing out. When I do so unless something radically changes in the tire game, it will be with Maxxis.

chuck&gail
02-14-2012, 05:39 PM
You didn't say what SIZE tires you needed. IMO if they are 15", your only choice is Maxxis. All others I've seen are Chinese maypops.

In 16" there are quite a few choices, but again it depends on size.

Outbackmel
02-14-2012, 07:24 PM
Our 2011 Outback 5er; 36 ft'er came with these. 2 trips from Atlanta to Florida and so far Atlanta to Arizona, no issues. Just check the inflation and balance and go from there. I saw a quaraplegic at Bike Week, Daytona who had been in an accident with what he reported as a bad US made tire. My friend lost his wife's life on a US tire due to rapid deflation on I-95 at 65 mph. TIRES ARE IMPORTANT. However, for most of us, we tend to use what we have until we make another decision. Tires are a personal choice which should not be taken for granted. Common sense tells us; inspect, check pressure and go from there.

I am sure there are plenty of foreign tires that have failed and prematurely for poor workmanship.

The point here is "there are no guaranty's" for safety. Do whatever gives you a clear conscience to protect yourself and others the best you can. I replaced the tires on my old 2005, 31ft Hornet TT just because of age. You can do research on the internet and find out more about your tires. The "code" will provide key data. Foreign tires are made not only in China but Indonesia and other places as well. Make a call to the tire distributor and they can provide basic info, however, I would not expect them to tell you some potential "failure" percentage. One only has to reflect back on Ford/Firestone to figure that good, reliable information is going to be non existant from a distributor or manufacturer.

Be smart, inspect/check and be safe out there! Enjoy your RV...:thumbsup:

SAABDOCTOR
02-15-2012, 05:58 AM
I KNOW THIS IS NOT RELATED TO OURCAMPERS BUT WE ALL DRIVE SOMETHING EALSE SO I JUST WANTED TO POST IT FOR THE SAFTEY OF ALL. Hey good moring all while we are all bashing tires made in the orient. I just got a recall notice fromt toyo if any of you have toyo extensa a/s p225/60/r16 some suvs and lexus types use this size. They have a problem withthe bead wire sad news is it is only the tire made in the us of a tire id number 73a6h2n3809 thru 73a6h2n4410 toyo will replace them it is only us made tires. Hope you all check if you have them barney::(

jj67133
02-15-2012, 06:46 PM
I had D tires on my 2011 Alpine 3500RE and after putting 7000 miles on them the were shot. I took it in to my local service center to ask them to check the alignment. After they took all of their measurements they and Keystone decided I had bent my axles! No way! I was just getting ready for another trip so I then took it to an axle specialist for a second opinion. They said the axles were out of alignment and also bent. But they also said with the way they were bent if I had done it there would have been a lot more damage to the trailer...and there wasn't. The tech there said it had to have come from the factory like that. I had them straighten and re-align them at a cost of $450. With the weight of the 5th wheel I replaced the tires and wheels with G range Goodyears. They have been wearing great and even since then. After a few phone calls with Keystone they did re-imburse me for the repair and also helped with the expense of the new tires and wheels. Keystone had decided they didn't think I could have bent the axles.

BoosTT
02-19-2012, 12:13 PM
Carlisle tires are made in the USA again. There was a time when Carlisle made them in china, but that was discontinued due to increase in shipping costs.

I have Carlisle tires on my trailer. They are fine.