What brand of tires are on your 5'er??

[TrekChick]

We have a triple-axle Weekend Warrior that's in need of new tires. We had some problems with the wiring for the brake controller last month, and as a result severely flat-spotted two tires. Two others are worn on the outside from dragging the back end around tight corners. My truck needs new tires right now, too, so I figured I might as well replace the trailer tires at the same time (maybe I can finagle a 10-tire discount if I'm lucky!). So, what brand of tire do you guys run on your 5'ers?? I don't even know what's on our trailer right now; I'm going to go pull it out of storage tonight so I can take it in sometime this week, and I'll see what's currently on it.

[TrekChick]

Dang it! I can't go get the trailer tonight because I remembered we took the hitch out last weekend to haul some stuff in the back, and Hubby is outta town 'till tomorrow. Sigh.............. At least I noticed it before I left the driveway!

[TrekChick]

I talked to the tire store today and they are recommending Green Ball Transmasters. Anyone got 'em??? Anyone??? Comments???

[bpounds]

What brand is on it now? Do you like them? Greenball was a new one on me, but there is a lot of Google hits on the name.

Unless you have some reason to not trust the OEM tire, why not just get the same thing? I just don't think there is a lot of difference in trailer rated tires.

[X_Hemi_Guy]

Do a search on here and over on RV.net and you will likely find that the preferred choice in trailer tires is Maxxis...

I have Goodyear Marathons on my Jayco and have had good luck in the 14,000+ miles I have towed it but when it is time to replace the trailer tires...Maxxis tires are going on based on all the great reviews I have read on them...

Good luck.

Joe.

[TrekChick]

The original tires are Ameritrailer General - I get no hits on Google for them being in business still. I am familar with Maxxis from mountain biking! Looks like they cost about $35/tire more than the Green Ball brand, and they are available at the tire store I'm going to use. I'll have to give those some more thought, though because of the price. (My truck tires are consting me $1500 and that but a big dent into the trailer tire budget!) Thanks for the input!

[X_Hemi_Guy]

You do have two more trailer tires than I do...but to be honest...I have read too many reports of trailer tire failures that I am convinced that my next purchase of trailer tires will be the Maxxis...some of these reports are scary (go over to RV.net and search on tires and you may change your mind...)

good luck and I totally understand the $$$ factor...but in tires...I think you may want to err on the side of caution...and if you search over on RV.net...I think you may agree.

Let us know how you make out...

BTW...do you rotate the trailer tires to slow the wear on the high scrub tires?

Joe.

[TrekChick]

Yea, Hubby has been rotating the bad ones to better locations. But, with the problems we've been having with the brake controller (http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/86...s-on-f350.html ) we have now flat-spotted at least 3 of the tires on the ground right now - and the spare is flat-spotted, too, from a long time ago w/ a different truck and a crappy after-market brake controller. So pretty much, all seven tires are worthless now. We haven't replaced them since buying the trailer 5 years ago, and they are starting to get hairline cracks I noticed yesterday. I need new tires, but not before I get the &%$*$%! brake problem fixed first! (If anyone has any input on that, please oh please help!)

[Dogwood36322]

My 5ver came from the factory with 235/85/16 e range truck tires. That is kind of nice since they are the same size as the truck. I have not paid attention to the brand name but the trailer pulss nice and they seem to be wearing good. I have about 7000 mile on them now. I put Uniroyal Laredo's on the front of my truck. 2 tires mounted, balanced, road hazard and lifetime rotation/balance out the door for $321. Bought them from my Ford dealer. Couildn't beleive they beat the tire dealer's prices.

[bpounds]

I don't believe there is a lot of difference in trailer tire brands. If you stick with a popular brand like Goodyear, Carlisle, Maxxis, you will be okay IF you get a properly rated tire.

The biggest problem people have is with tires that are marginally rated, or even underrated, for the load. Trailer manufacturers will often spec a tire that is barely capable of handling the load, just to save a buck. People often overload their trailers, never weigh them, and don't even know it.

I don't put much faith in online complaints because I know how many clueless people are pulling RV's.

Instead of sweating over which brand is best, consider going up a size or load range to get a higher rated tire. If you use a generously rated tire, they will all give good service and usually last until age and stress cracks get them.

[TrekChick]

We settled on the Green Ball brand, and are going with the E load rating. The tires on the trailer now are D. Hope to get them installed tomorrow morning! And it's not a minute too soon.... one of the flat-spotted tires is no longer holding air. The truck is back at Ford getting the integrated trailer brake controller replaced this morning. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this solves the locking-up problems! Luckily they had a brake specialist engineer on site yesterday, so he test drove the truck with the trailer hooked up, and he is convinced the problem is in the brake controller. (Why couldn't they figure this out 6 weeks & $300 ago the first time I brought it in???) My service rep said he would credit me what I previously paid on the plug replacement work towards the controller replacement. Mine is only the second truck that has had to have the controller replaced on his shift. I just want to be able to use the trailer again and not be an 17,000-lb unstoppable lethal weapon rolling down the highway!

[Kep4]

I replaced the 15" wheel/tire combo on my 28' WW with 16" wheels and 4 E-rated Greenball Transmaster tires about 2 years ago. These tires are rated at 3,500 pounds so they'll definitely take the 12,500 pound weight.

I know that anything made in China is supposed to be crud but, these tires have been good so far. fingers crossed, knock on wood

I firmly believe most trailer tire failures are from one or a combo of the following:

• underinflation
• pulling at high speeds on hot days (65+)
• trailers stored with uncovered tires in direct sunlight
• doing tight turns and backing manuevers on a regular basis which tears at the tire carcass

Having said all of that, when it's time to replace those tires I'll be looking at Michelin XPS LT rib tires. Many of the guys on RV.net use them on their toyhaulers with great success.

BTW, Maxxis tires are made in Southeast Asia. They seem to have a good reputation though.

[TrekChick]

Good info, Kep! Thanks for your input!

[97squarebody]

The above list of reasons for tire problems is incomplete. Steel shrapnel in the road is another one. I found this out last weekend. Stopped me with a driverside flat on the trailer on a 4 lane freeway, no off ramp in site......

Oh well, just part of the fun.

[fifthwheel01]

Just a note- weather cracks run deep! Once you spot them the next problem will be tread separation and blowout. Noticed mine then 77 miles later had 3 tires w separation bubbles. Had to buy a whole set "on the road".