tcamper
Houston, Texas
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Joined: 08/24/2004
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I Need New Tires...I Need advice from the pros
After a very close call during our family vacation, I have decided it is time for new tires.
While traveling I noticed in the mirror a wobble on my front passenger side tire on my Cruiser. As soon as I could, I pulled over and changed to my spare. The guy at the tire store told me the tire had experienced total belt separation and I was only minutes away from a catastrophic blow out.
After getting up off my knees from praying to the man upstairs and thanking him for sparing me this horrible event, I purchased a new spare and was on my way.
I am a radical about tire and wheel maintenance. I constantly check the tire pressure, I constantly check the lug torque, I keep them clean, I use the 303 protectant on them, they are out of the sun when in storage, I have had the high pressure steel valves installed, they have all been balanced and I check them at least once an hour in the mirror while driving, and I inspect them every time I stop.
I have 3 years and probably 10,000 miles on these “Power King, Tow Max ST” tires, and although they have been incident free until now.....I certainly want to make the right decision on replacement tires.
My first choice for new tires was the Michelins, but Michelin does not make a 15” tire. I have read all the reviews on the forums, and I see where the Maxxis, Good Year Wranglers and Good Year Marathons get a lot of good comments...although the verdict is still out on whether they are American made.
Doing the “Tire” search yields 2000 post, and after reading for several days I am still unclear what the overwhelming choice is for replacement tires.
As mentioned I have a Crossroads Cruiser and feel I need to stay with the 15” tire due to the space in the well.
My question is simply what tires did you all choose as your replacement tires?
Please guys...point me in the right direction.
Let's go camping.......
Terry, Eileen, & the twins
2006 Crossroads Cruiser - CF29BT
2005 Ford Super Duty / PSD
Houston, Texas
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dbbls
Missouri
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Joined: 09/29/2005
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It would be best up upgrade to 16 inch wheels and get LT tires. This seems to be the best. There are many choices for LT tires. Michelins, Goodrich Commercials, Maxxis, Goodyear Wrangler HT, Firestone Transforce, and the list goes on and on. If you stay with 15 inch wheels Goodyear Marathons are good but they have a 65 mph speed limit on them. I feel that many problems with this tire is due to excessive speed.
1999 F250 Superduty, V10 with Banks Power Pack
2004 Colorado 29RL 5th wheel with 3600 watt Onan
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Wadcutter
IL
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Joined: 05/25/2004
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I use to have a 5er with 15" wheels. Didn't have fender clearance to go 16". I put on 4 E range Denman Express ST Radial tires. I only pulled it about 7500 miles with those tires but when I got rid of that 5er those Denmans still looked like new. You can tell they're a stiffer tire than D range. If I was needing 15" tires again I'd definitely go Denman. Some people aren't familiar with the Denman name. They mostly make tires for the heavy construction equipment. I just did try to get some 16" Denmans but they no longer make 16". They said they didn't have the call for 16" so they no longer make those. 15" are still available tho.
Denman tires
Camped in every state but Alaska
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lhenry8113
Cypress or Lake Arrowhead, Ca.
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Joined: 12/03/2004
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I have had Good Year Wranglers on my last 2 5'vrs---which are made in the U.S.of A.--and had no problems. I have seen and heard quite a few stories good and bad on Good Year Marathons--don't think they are made in the U.S. And, the Wranglers I use are LT's--not a trailer tire--but they sure seem to work well. I don't know the options in your size--we have 16". Good Luck, Lars
2004 Ford F250,Crew Cab, 4x4, Diesel, LgBd, XLT, SuperDuty, Camper Pkg, Off Road Pkg.
1955 Packard Caribbean
2007 Arctic Fox 29 5T
A Positive Attitude May Not Solve All Your Problems But It Will Annoy Enough People To Make It Worth The Effort.
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M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
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Joined: 01/29/2001
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Due yourself a favor and upgrade to a 16" LT tire...best thing I ever did on our old fifth wheel...
ERIC & BEV
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually CC/LB Duramax/Allison
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS fith wheel
Built-In Onan 5500W generator
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Texas Flash
Arlington, TX
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Joined: 01/22/2006
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First, I agree with moving to 16" rims and LT tires if you can. However, I did not have the money to get new tires, plus buy new wheels. I got 10-ply, E rated Maxxis tires. Those tires get good reviews on this site, so that is how I landed there. Denmans also get good reviews.
Mike and Marian
06 Wildcat 30LSWB
05 Dodge 2500 QuadCab CTD
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tcamper
Houston, Texas
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Joined: 08/24/2004
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Guys, I do not believe I have the fender clearance to go to a 16" tire. I believe 15" is my only option without modifying the fender.
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coachman05
Minnesota
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Joined: 08/07/2005
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I had Maxxis on the TT we had and never had a problem with them. On our current 5er it has Carlilse on it. Not sure if they are good or not. So far so good.
2008 8244 Rockwood
2003 1500 5.3 liter Silverado
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gorjo01
Eastern Ontario
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Joined: 08/23/2006
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I have a Crossroads Cruiser. I had 15" Power King Towmax tires load range D, I replaced them with 15" Maxxis load range E tires. The Maxxis are much heavier and sturdier than the Power Kings. 16" tires would be nice but do not have the clearance. I am very happy with my Maxxis tires. I have just returned from a 1200 mile trip, no problems whatsoever with the Maxxis. Just make sure your rims are rated 80psi. I have aluminum wheels and they were clearly marked 80psi.
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Kodiak5er
Alex Bay NY Summer; Sanford FL Winter
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Joined: 07/11/2004
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I think there are two reasons some people have tire problems.
One is that most of the ST tires are speed rated at 62 MPH and the other is that some people will not weigh their set ups and wind up overloading the tires.
Most people want to keep up with traffic when towing and will drive between 65 and 70 or even faster, and do so for hours at a time. Most ST tires are only speed rated for 62 MPH max. and could blow from excessive heat when driving at 65-75.
Others will load their trailers with all the "stuff" they want to take and because they don't weigh their set ups, wind up overloading the tires, this could also happen if you are using LT tires.
I also think you should switch from the ST tire to the LT tire IF you can find one in your size.
The LT tire is rated at 75 MPH and gives a greater safety margin when driving at higher speeds.
Most of the heavier trailers will come from the manufacturer with LT tires that are speed rated at 75 MPH.
I still keep the speed at 62 or below but the extra safety margin of the LT tire is nice to have.
Both my last two Newmars came from the factory with LT Goodyear tires and we have had no tire issues at all.
If you want to find out the who, what, when & where about your tires, go to this site and follow the directions, you can find out where your tires were made.
The last four numbers in the DOT code (only on one side of the tire) is the week and year the tires were made, (2207 would be the 22nd week of 2007) If you have a three digit code the tires were made before 2000.
1990 6500 Chevy Kodiak, 8.3L Cummins 450 HP
6sp Allison 3060, 3.70 R/A Home Made Air Ride
2006 Newmar Cypress
Picture of '93 Mountain Aire Story of it's death by fire and explosion
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