Your Input on Marathon Tires

[sreigle]

Re the thoughts on other E-rated tires, when we had the 2003 Montana 3295RK we had so many Marathon problems we went to BFG Commercial TA with the load range E rating. No problems at all with those tires. They were still on the fifthwheel when we traded it. The new one came with Mission tires. Many, many problems. Those are China-made also. Tireco replaced them with Freestar tires, also China-made although they were physically heavier E-rated tires. Many problems including the referenced costly blowout. No problems at all with the G614's that show to have been built in Topeka, KS. I don't know why the Chinese tires are so bad but they are, in my opinion. Maybe it's something to do with standards or lack thereof in the manufacturing process or maybe in the materials. Maybe it's purely cost cutting issues to be able to bid the large contracts from RV manufacturers. Whatever it is, I'm done with Chinese tires.

[Desert RVer]

Steve,

Were your original rims rated for the 110 psi?

[illapah]

No problems with mine also. Will do a time change on them this next fall though. Blown tires make a mess of the rig. Thinking of going with Michelin rib next from Costco.

[psomers]

quote:Originally posted by Desert RVer

I'm dealing with the same tire issue on our 2006 3400RL. First had Mission tires which started having tread separation in about 10,000 miles. TireCo, Missions US distributor replaced all 5 tires with Freestar which last about 10,00 more miles until one shredded this month on the way to AZ for the winter. Did about $1500 damage to the 5th wheel.

In the process of trying to find replacement LT tires have looked at Firestone Transforce HT's and Michelin ribs which are highly recommended by other 5th wheel owners. However, neither tire comapany will warranty then on a 5th wheel and some of the local tire dealers are reluctant to put on 3040 lb rated tires when the original tires were rated for 3500 lbs. I don't think independant tire dealers will have a similar issue.

Now am looking at Maxxis ST tires. Really wanted to go to LT tires. Goodyear G614's require 110 psi and the rims on our unit are probably not up to handling that. The deluxe aluminum rims we have show only a weight rating of 3,040 but no PSI rating. Apparently these rims were re-rated higher in 2007 but some developed cracks at the higher loads. So am reluctant to gamble on that.

Montana really did us a disservice by installing very low quality Chinese Bombs with weight ratings that are not realistic on our 3400RL. 6000 lb axles/suspension and 3,040 lb rated rims and 3500 lb rated tires are not a good mix for this particular model 5th wheel. In 2007 Montana changed to 7,000 lb axles on the 3400RL.

A Sunnybrook 5th wheel I just got rid of had Maxxis ST tires and I would buy them again. They were 80 profile instead of 85. Made two trips to Michigan and one to Nova Scotia with zero problems. The side walls just looked better than Marathon. They were smooth with no hump like you see in Marathon.

[Desert RVer]

quote:Originally posted by illapah

No problems with mine also. Will do a time change on them this next fall though. Blown tires make a mess of the rig. Thinking of going with Michelin rib next from Costco.

Checked into that for our 2006 Montana 3400RL and Costco will only mount the tires on rims you bring in. Not on the RV, And No warranty from Costco.

[mazboy]

lots of opinions but from my personal experience i would work towards getting G rated tires.....your trailer is pushing 5 years old so i'd start upgrading.

[Desert RVer]

Discount Tire suggested Carlisle Radial Trail RH 235/80R16E Load Range 124 tires for our 2006 Montana 3400RL to me today. I have no experience with them. Anyone ghave experience with these specific tires? Previous Carlisle Tires were not good.

[Desert RVer]

quote:Originally posted by Desert RVer

Steve,

Were your original rims rated for the 110 psi?

Keystone Montan wrote me today that unless the aluminum rims have a weight rating of 3750lbs or higher stamped on the rim they do not support 110psi. The rims on our 2006 Montana 3400 are stamped with a weight rating of 3042 lbs.

[LonnieB]

If you want ST rated tires, the MAXXIS M8008 is the ONLY brand I will recommend, and the only brand I feel confident selling. After several years of trying every brand under the sun, including Goodyear, Carlilse, Towmax, Freestar, Power King, Duramax, and others I have forgotten about, the Maxxis has proven itself to be the best.

I still will not run ST rated tires on my Montana, or any of the several other trailers I own.

[CamillaMichael]

We had the stock Marathons (three years old) on our 3400 until just recently...they had about 14,000 miles on them and looked new. Also until recently I would have discounted all of the reports I have seen about how bad the Marathons are...after all, the tires had served me well, and as I said, looked new with virtually no wear showing on them! Well, on our trip back home from the 2012 season, first one of the tires developed one of the infamous bubbles on its side and another had started "coming apart" at Camping World, where we had our Montana in for other service. I was faithful in checking the tires for air pressure prior to EVERY move and kept the speed under 65mph, usually closer to 55mph. It would seem that I have treated the Marathons much better than they have treated me...Of course, I would not recommend them...in fact, I would have to caution against them, given my very recent experience.

[sreigle]

quote:Originally posted by Desert RVer

Steve,

Were your original rims rated for the 110 psi?

Yes, they are 110 psi and 3750 pound rated per the marking on the rims. They are the OEM rims. Our 3400RL was built on our youngest son's birthday, 8/18/06.

Sorry so long in replying. Your 11/27 post was on the day I last logged into MOC.