6000 mile Marathon bomb!

[Emmel]

So today I lost one more Marathon, only this time it blew taking part of the side with it. These tires have less than 6000 miles on them. I'm very adament about checking psi every time I move the Montana.
While sitting along a busy interstate highway, I called my friend at his business and ordered Goodyear G614s. When we returned to our stick home, I removed and replaced and balanced the 4 new tires. We are sending all 5 tires to Goodyear for evaluation since 3 out of 5 have tread seperation.
When I find out what Goodyear says about my Marathon bombs, I'll pass that along in case someone else has that same problem.

[cdaniels]

When we had all ours changed out at the tire shop. Someone walked in complaining that thier tire blowed out on the interstate. It was totally shredded. I looked at the name and you guess it! Marathon Goodyear.

[snfexpress]

We ditched the OEM tires on our 2006 3400RL and when we traded for our 340RLQ Big Sky, we told the dealer to keep the tires and put our old ones on...Why? Because we run 14 ply tires (G-rated) at 105 psi on Alcoa aluminum rims. Yes, a bit costly, but to date we have never had a blow out. The reason for the 105 psi is that I calculated our weight and determined that 105 is on the high side of the right number. With 7000 pound axles, the math in my opinion is 7000 divided by 3750 times two (max rated weight for each tire at 110 psi) times 110 psi equals approximately 103 psi. At 100 to 105 psi we have had no problems.

To recap:

7000/7500 x 110 = 102.7

I'm hoping that Lonnie will chime in on this post.

[HOOK]

Goodyear treated us very well after we had 4 Mbombs fail in 1 year. Gave full credit for all 5 Ms and sent us check for all out of pocket expense. So we upgraded to G614s. The rep. we talked to was named Steve Booth, very helpful. Good luck!

[Lambchop]

Goodyear G 614's....the only way to go!

Roy

[Ozz]

I can't tell you how happy I am with mine, we felt safe on our trip across Kansas.
Emmel, sorry to hear about the damage, that is a shame. Good luck to you on the repairs.

[bw2]

Sorry to hear of your blow out. We are glad you both are ok. Hopefully Goodyear will be as good to you as others have stated on their problems.

[Waynem]

Blow outs are always dangerous. I have also had one in the SOB. Not a fun thing in any situation.

Suggestion:
Always weigh your RV to determine what the correct tire pressure is for your tires. Yes, you can run at the Max pressure stamped on the tire but you will get one harsh bumpy ride. Here is some information I posted on another site regarding tire pressures. I have front and rear axle's so it is appropriate for my rig. Just use it as an example.

=========
Weights and tire pressures from Michelin web site: (For my tires)
Front Axle: (10180 lbs Gross Axxle Weight)
PSI-------Per tire----2 tires-----Total Tire Cap----Gross Difference
80 -------4915-------x2--------9830 (Underinflated)
85 -------5175-------X2--------10350 ------------170 lbs
90 -------5435-------X2--------10870 ------------690 lbs
95--------5690-------X2--------11380------------1200 lbs

Rear axle (19100 lbs Gross Axle weight)

PSI-------Per tire----2 tires-----Total Tire Cap----Gross Difference
80 -------9560-------X2--------19120-------------20 lbs (Not much of a margin)
85 -------10030------X2--------20060-------------960 lbs
90 -------10500------X2--------21000-------------1900 lbs
95--------10970------X2--------21940------------2840 lbs

For every 1000 feet of altitude, tires will see a .48 psi change for every 1000 feet of altitude.

For temperature changes there will be a 2 percent increase or decrease, as appropriate. Considering these factors, consider what pressure you want to run at that will leave you a margin where you don't have to adjust tire pressure for hot/cold/hot or cold/hot/cold weather, and altitude.

Example: at 85 psi, changing temperature -30 degrees would be 6 percent loss of air
or about 5.1 pounds. This will cause your front tires to be under-inflated. At 90 psi, a 30 degree drop in temperature will be 5.4 pounds and will still leave you at 85 psi, still within range of tire loads.

Now consider DW gains some weight (I didn't say that). At 85 psi you can add an addition 170 pounds of weight (lay off the donuts). Whereas, at 90 pounds you can add 690 pounds of weigh eating as many donuts as you want.

You have to be the judge of where your comfort weight is and put in the PSI right for you and within tire manufacturers specifications.

Personally, I'd run tires at the above weights at 90 psi. It will give a good comfort zone. You will not have to change pressures going from climate to climate, elevation to elevation, and DW does not have to loose weight, and she can add those trinkets.

Good luck.

p.s., I'm not a tireman - I just looked at the chart. I hope my figures are correct. The above is/are my humble opinion.

Edited: The above is based on Michelin 275/80R22.5 XZE tires if you want to look at their charts.

[exav8tr]

Waynem said: "Now consider DW gains some weight (I didn't say that). At 85 psi you can add an addition 170 pounds of weight (lay off the donuts). Whereas, at 90 pounds you can add 690 pounds of weigh eating as many donuts as you want."

Wayne, Can I exchange "Apple Fritters" for donuts??????? Just wondering????? BTW: You're in trouble big guy!!!!! I sent this email to Earlene's reader!!!!!!!

Phil

[Jdrobone]

Steve,
I drove to Goshen last year with my - then new - 614's on the rig. Sold the Marathon's at about 10,000 miles. Hadn't had any trouble but was getting nervous with all the explosions going on. Sold the Marathons on Craig's list for $200.00.
I know you'll like the 614's. See you in the fall.
Jery

[Waynem]

Phil,
You need to be careful what you eat, being that you are staying in "one place" now. Next time I see you I don't want to have to ask you to hold out your arms so I can see if you are waddling or rolling.

[NCFischers]

Steve,
After our blowout, I got rid of the road bombs and went with BF Goodrich Commercial TA's and have been very happy with them.

[paphog]

Just changed my marathons on my 2010 3400 to the G614 after reading all the reviews called goodyear and was told since I have not had a blow out they would not do anything could never get to Steve Booth or could never get him to call back called 3 times I guess you have to tear your RV up first when I told the lady at good year about all the complants she said anyone can put anyhing on line so I guess none of the reveiws are true per goodyear

[mail2us]

When Goodyear starts to "stonewall" it bothers me as a consumer. I would call Goodyear and get the next level of their Consumer line. An attitude is not the result we look for as a consumer.

[Phil P]

I will post this one last time.

When I went to the local Goodyear “commercial tire” dealer and there is a difference between a “commercial tire” dealer and your local corner Goodyear dealer.

They showed me a letter but would not let me copy it from Goodyear that refused warranty for these tires installed on tandem axel fifth wheel type trailers manufactured by a list of about 8 manufacturers.

The letter went on to say Goodyear had informed the manufacturers the tire was not intended for that type of application.

Goodyear recommends the G614 as a replacement.

I put G614’s on 25,000 miles ago.

Phil P

[HOOK]

Again, GY treated us well after we persisted and spoke to a supervisor named Steve Booth. Gave us full credit for all 5 Ms and refunded money spent on tire and roadside ser. Toward the purchase of G614s. And the first woman I spoke to was curt, loud, and unfriendly. But persistance finally paid. Only cost us $300 and some change to upgrade after applying refund for r/s ser.

[PatnRich]

I've been following the tire threads for sometime since I want to replace our Marathons and was leaning to the Goodyear G614's.

Two days ago as I was merging onto the interstate I noticed a lot of shredded tire and in the breakdown lane was a sob (Cameo). Since I was able to stop, I did to offer assistance.

The right rear tire blew and caused considerable damage to the underside of the rv. I was expecting to see China bombs, Marathons or Duros etc. I wasn't expecting to see made in the USA Goodyear G614's. The man stated this was his second blowout with the 614's and he was going to replacement them with H rated tires.

Many positive posts here on this tire, but I just thought I'd post what I saw.

Oh, they had just called Good Sam ERS so I went on my way.

[Krusher]

Same story on the 614 with my previous 2008 Carri-Lite. Has to do with total loaded weight on a very heavy 5th. Mine weighed in at over 16,500 lbs loaded. Was going to replace with 17.5 wheels and H rated tires before I traded. I believe the GY 614 would be adequate on any Montana.

[mazboy]

question on G614s.
do you have to get different wheels for these or can you use factory wheels?

[Drifty1]

We are changing to the G614's when we get home on Tuesday. I called Sears in Lacy WA. today and got a price of $205 plus $12.50 mounting fee. As we are sitting in Astoria Or. and had a problem with a valve stem on on one of my existing tires I checked with Les Schawb's local shop and they could get them for $473.00 mounted! Ouch!! I think $217.00 on Tuesday sounds just fine as they were on sale until today.