Have you had problems with your tires

[Halibutman214]

In an effort to know all I can know I do frequent other RV sites and while it's not too bad on here I am REALLY tired of the tire posts that pretty much all say the same thing. It does get a guy to thinking though. What I'm looking for here is some first hand info about the tires they put on OUR Keystones. If you want to simply bash Chinese tires please don't bother.
I'm going to Alaska this year and the last thing (though I'm prepared) I want to deal with is multiple tire failures. The tires on my Keystone are Power King Towmax STR. I would assume if you have a newer Keystone you probably have the same brand of tire. What I'm wanting from you all is to simply know if you've had any issues with these tires? To make this simple maybe approx miles driven and yes or no on failures. When I say failures I'm not talking the occasional flat. Hopefully this will be beneficial to all. Thanks everyone

[f6bits]

No problems with my TowMaxes in the thousand or so miles I’ve put on them. I keep them above 49 psi and feel them for heat at every stop.

[Englishman]

My bullet has road rider st and just over 3,000 miles and so far they have been fine. I check the pressure's before each journey. This chart may help.
In my case it looks like they installed the minim rated tire that will support the weight of the trailer at max pressure with little room for error.

http://www.carlisletire.com/product_...vice_guide.pdf

[johnnyrose]

Thanks for that pamphlet Englishman! That is a super helpful tool to have handy. I am gonna print that and keep it with all of my other paperwork on the 5er. Great post!

[2011 keystone]

I also have the towmax tires and have about 1500 miles on them with no problems so far.

[heatkits]

I have the dreaded Tow Max tires on my HC 321RES with 10K on them and they look brand new. My buddy, Ken has a new Bullet 26' with the wide spread axels and TM tires, at first I thought what a great idea; as it spreads the weight out further on the frame and would ride better. Then I read Dexter's write-up that said they wear much faster. They went on to say, the wider stance was needed to support frames on some of new light weight trailers, so it's a trade off.

On our last trip Ken noticed his front trailer tires were wearing badly. The curb side tire blew out and by the time he got to exit to change it the other side had scuff so bad it was gone too. He had to replace all four tires to get back home. Ken is like me; checks the tire temps at every stop and air pressure each day. Mine have 2K more on them than his and appear to be in like new condition, but I'm skeptical how long they will last.

[therink]

I have 2 years and 5k on my towmax and no problems yet. I keep them at 65 always, covered when not in use and watch them like a hawk. Yes, all the write ups make me constantly worry and look in my mirrors. My trailer really should have load range E's as Keystone changed to E's after my model year. Next year I plan on replacing with Maxxis or something made here.

[sandy43]

I've had bad experiences with tires made in China and I believe (?) Towmax is made there. My last and previous fiver, I had them change tires to Michelin XPS tires before I drove off the lot.

[hoffbrew]

http://www.carlisletire.com/product_...vice_guide.pdf[/QUOTE]


Fantastic!!! Next week there will be a test on this, LOL!!!

[chuck&gail]

Sorry I can't help on that brand of tire. I also had tires changed to be non-Chinese as part of the sales negotiation.

In fact I've towed over 200,000 miles with various non-Chinese ST tires. Only problems have been a few repairable nail punctures.

[smiller]

I used Power King Towmax's for about 2 years/10k miles, no problems except for an odd wear pattern on one of them, possibly a balance problem. But no blowouts or failures.

That said, I did recently replace them with a set of Maxxis M8008 in the exact same size (235/80-16) and have to note that the Maxxis were much more substantially built, especially in the sidewall area, and I mean a significant and immediately noticeable difference. I have to say that I was quite surprised at the magnitude.

I do not mean to bash the Towmax's because I don't know what the difference would really translate to in terms of reliability, and as I said I had no problems with the Towmax thus far, but just thought I had to mention it since I was pretty much in the same boat as you in that I'm heading out for a long trip and spent a while trying to decide whether to replace them or not. I guess I'll never know for sure but due to the above I'm pretty happy with my decision.

[Johnnyfry]

I have 16 inch Towmax tires in my 318SAB and have had no problems for 13K miles plus or minus. They still have good tread on all four and the wear is even.

I did have them balanced soon after leaving the dealer and use tire pressure/temp monitors. I run them at 80 PSI and try not to exceed 60 MPH.

I run at 58 - 60. I see drivers running 70 plus and have to wonder if they are the ones complaining about cheap tires. If I need to get there that fast I'll call United Air Lines and fly.

I too, am planning an Alaska trip beginning in early June and hope I can do it on my present tires without buying 4 new ones until late in the trip, if at all.

John

[kenn209]

I have those on my 2010 318SAB, I have about 6k miles on them. Wearing normally, I keep them around 55psi. I did notice after my last flat, which was caused by a cracked rim due to a pothole, that the right rear was almost bald on the inside of the tire. Took to a trailer repair shop and they are putting all new running gear on. Dexter has decided to warranty the repair.

[CWtheMan]

Having a ten year old Everest - got it in 2002 as a 2003 - I’ve used numerous name brand ST tires. In 2006 I put on a new set of TowMax STRs rated at 3520# and have been using them ever since. I’m on a second set without any problems. Keep it under 65 MPH and use maximum air pressure.

http://www.towmaxtires.com/tires/Landing.aspx?application=about-us


CW

[KanTC]

We have Power King Tow Max STR's on our Laredo. 2010 date code, 10,000+ miles, no uneven wear or problems.

As others have said... we also keep them covered when parked and watch tire temps very closely while traveling.
15" tires at 65 psi, and keep it under 65 mph.

Terri, the co-pilot

[Halibutman214]

I sincerely appreciate eveyone's responses and while I'll be prepared for the worst on my Alaska trip I'm feeling a little better about just keeping the Tow Max tires. By the time I get back I'll have less than 6000 miles on them and can dang sure use the money for more fun stuff on the trip. Again I thank you.

[LittleJoe]

I have the 235/80/16 towmax's and after a 3000 mile return trip they are performing well, showing very even and almost undetectable wear.

I run them at 80psi and not over 65mph. I checked casing temp regularly and never exceeded 120 deg.

I suggest you weigh your trailer and see how much cushion you have built into tire weight rating.

The tires far exceed the actual axle weight rating on my SRX.

[outbackmac]

Nice to see a post stick to its original purpose.

I to have these tires 235-80-r16, mounted on a 321 frl outback 5ver, my question is where are you finding speed rating and temps?

[smiller]

Originally Posted by LittleJoe

I suggest you weigh your trailer and see how much cushion you have built into tire weight rating.

The tires far exceed the actual axle weight rating on my SRX.

That is a nice thing about the SRX and other lighter models using 16" E-rated tires that actually have a proper safety margin relative to their max. gross weight, vs. running on the very edge as so many units do. This probably has more to do with tire reliability than any other single factor (assuming proper inflation and maintenance.)

I think one thing that will affect anyone's view of acceptable risk vs. early/precautionary tire replacement is whether or not they have experienced a blowout that caused costly collateral damage to their unit. Believe me, once that happens you look at things a little differently.

[CWtheMan]

I forgot to post this. It should apply to OE tires. Anyway, it's nice to know info for TowXax tire owners.

http://www.towmaxtires.com/catalogs/...assistance.pdf

CW