Tire replacement question - Montana Owners Club

drjjj · 05-09-2010, 11:00 AM

We have a 2009 3400RL we bought new in July of 2008. We lived in it while we built our current (and hopefully last) stick house and have used it rarely since October of 2009. I know the factory Mission tires are going to be shot from age before use. While I would like to use the rig more than I am, I will probably be doing good to use it once a quarter for the next couple of years. I know I need new tires, and don't mind spending the $$$ for good ones, but don't want overkill. I know that there are "premium" tires out there but would like the forum's advice on what tires are an intelligent "buy" for my situation. I anticipate the next set of tires going bad from age before use, and then possibly the next set being "used" more frequently (I hope). Any and all opinions are appreciated. TIA.

exav8tr · 05-09-2010, 12:12 PM

I think in your situation, I would look for the USA made Goodyear Marathons or a tire called a Maxxis, LonnieB has info on these. I would think these are lower priced tires and may fill the bill while you are a shortimer. Once you become a long or full timer you might want to upgrade to a better quality tire. Of course, some get as much at 12,000 miles out of their Missions. I just don't know if I would take the chance of a damage causing blowout....Just make sure they are rated for your weight........

ARJ · 05-09-2010, 01:06 PM

Goodyear Marathon 235/80/16R load E will cost you about the same as Goodyear Commercial TA 245/75/16R load E. I personally would not choose the Marathon over the Commercial TA.

There has been a lot of discussion about tires on the forum and it appears that the Commercial TA is favored by a lot of folks. I am changing the 15" tires & wheels on my TT to 16" and will get the Commercial TA's.

PapaBeav · 05-09-2010, 02:54 PM

We replaced our Missions with BF Goodrich Commercial T/A's after a lot of research and are very pleased with them.

DarMar · 05-09-2010, 02:59 PM

We replaced ours last month with BF Goodrich Commercial TA's and have now towed 1300 miles with them and are also very pleased. Ours is a 2007 model 3400, we are running at 13,914 lbs loaded with a pin weight of 3,058 lbs leaving a weight of 10,856 lbs running on the trailer tires.

ARJ · 05-09-2010, 05:00 PM

Damn senior moment. I meant to say Goodrich Commercial TA.

Ohwell-wasn't the first time!

ols1932 · 05-10-2010, 02:07 AM

Take a look at the Bridgestone Duravis tires.

Orv

1Happycamper · 05-10-2010, 11:06 AM

I have had the BF Goodrich Commercial TA's on for about 3000 miles and they are performing great.

Bill

rames14 · 05-10-2010, 02:32 PM

We were stuck on a trip last summer with bad tires on our new Big Sky. We were recommended Kumho tires. They seem to be doing very well. Their LT and Passenger car tires are highly rated.

TLightning · 05-10-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by ols1932

Take a look at the Bridgestone Duravis tires.

Orv

I replaced my Missions with these (Duravis 500s)...LT 235/85R16. Very pleased so far, they are in the mid price range and NOT made in China.

LonnieB · 05-11-2010, 04:29 AM

Given the useage you describe, just about any name brand commercial LT would serve you well. I personally prefer the Bridgestone Duravis R500 Commercial LT and have installed them on many trailers of all kinds. As far as I know, none that I have sold have ever had a problem.

The BFG Commercial T/A is also an excellent tire, as others have stated, and costs about the same as the Firestone Transforce H/T, another good choice.

The Kumho is a good tire but availability is somewhat "iffy". If you have a problem with one on the road, finding a replacement could prove to be difficult, if not impossible.

camper4 · 05-11-2010, 06:23 AM

I just put the Goodrich Commercial T/A's on. I've listened to people on the site and made a choice. The dealer also had Michelin Ribs but they were $110 more each. Reviews have been good for both tires. I'm sure the Michelin is built somewhat better but I would have gone to the Goodyear 612's for that kind of money. The T/A's replaced Marathon's made in China. Well, three of them were anyway.
I don't have any data on the Marathons made in the USA yet. They just moved them back here.
I'm going on a cross country trip next month and will see how the T/A's work.

MIMF · 05-11-2010, 02:25 PM

Well gang, just had the Goodyear Marathons put on the Challenger and dog-gone-it.....they were made in CHINA!! ARG!!!!

Well, you can bet that if anything happens I will be talking to the tire dealer in Middlebury where I got 'em.

mtpocket2 · 05-12-2010, 03:59 PM

So are the BF Goodrich Commercial T/A's made in the USA? I just refused a set of Marathons today. Made in China. They also has the same exact tread pattern as the missions. If you couldn't see the name you couldn't tell them apart.

ARJ · 05-12-2010, 04:38 PM

Check the DOT codes to determine where the tire is manufactured.

http://www.harriger.com/tires.htm

bigmurf · 05-12-2010, 06:24 PM

My BF Goodrich Commercial T/A's have made in the USA right on the sidewall.

Jdrobone · 05-13-2010, 03:00 AM

Lonnie,
I notice fellow members exhibit great respect for your opinions on tires. I was just wondering why you would recommend foreign-owned tire companies like Bridgestone and Firestone(owned by Bridgestone) when American made and often superior or at least comparable tires like the Goodyear 614 and Goodrich Commercials are available. I realize (without getting into the complexities of protectionism, etc) a few bucks are a few bucks but . . . Goodyear's debacle with the Chinese manufactured tires speaks for itself.
Much Regards,
Jerry

camper4 · 05-13-2010, 05:32 AM

My Goodrich T/A's were made in the USA.

LonnieB · 05-13-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

quote:By Jdrobone

Lonnie,
I notice fellow members exhibit great respect for your opinions on tires. I was just wondering why you would recommend foreign-owned tire companies like Bridgestone and Firestone(owned by Bridgestone) when American made and often superior or at least comparable tires like the Goodyear 614 and Goodrich Commercials are available. I realize (without getting into the complexities of protectionism, etc) a few bucks are a few bucks but . . . Goodyear's debacle with the Chinese manufactured tires speaks for itself.
Much Regards,
Jerry

Jerry,

First of all, BF Goodrich is owned by Michelin, a foreign company. Second, I usually recommend Bridgestone/Firestone because I am a Bridgestone/Firestone dealer and I know from experience how well they hold up. Third, if you look back at any post I have made regarding the Goodyear G614 or the BFG Commercial T/A I don't think you will find one negative comment from me.

On Edit - Even though I am a Bridgestone/Firestone dealer, I do stock and sell a few sizes of several other brands including Michelin, BF Goodrich, Goodyear, Continental, Toyo, Dayton, Maxxis, and Cooper, along with some private label brands.

If I have given the impression to you, or anyone else, that Bridgestone is the only tire I would recommend, it wasn't my intention. Bridgestone is simply my personal "best bang for the buck" choice, and I have enough of them running around the country to know they are dependable.

Jdrobone · 05-13-2010, 11:42 AM

Appreciate u letting me know Goodrich is foreign owned. I'll drop them as well

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