which tires to buy?

[sambam]

The Marathon is a gamble. I don't care how closely you monitor your speed, weight, pressure, whatever. Low quality manufacturing with no oversight seems to be the problem. Maybe you got a good set. If you have 12k on them, you probably did. I joined this forum when I bought my Montana and read all about the issues with these tires, too. I also decided that I will do what you're doing, keep a close eye on everything. I wasn't in the position to spend money (lots of) on new tires at the time. I bought a used camper and they put new Marathons on it, so, as long a I'm careful, I should be okay. I even bought a tpms system to help keep an eye on things. Well, in less than 2k I had a bubble appear on one sidewall. That was it for me. I contacted GY and they told me to take my tires to a local dealer for inspection, which I did. The tech told me it was broken belts inside the tire. It wasn't weight or speed or air pressure. We do have one of the heavier Montanas, but we travel light and this was a weekend getaway, not loaded up for a long week of camping. In my opinion, the Marathon is a roll of the dice. You've got 12k on yours. It's up to you how long you want to stay in the game.

[troutbum53]

Well I am back, I have been checking out the Geostar tires.....no dealers in our area at all. They are made in China also, but seem to have a real good track record. They are 31.8" tall so they will raise me up about 2"..the G614's are 30.7"....with our 2nd A/C unit we are 13'4" (what we were told by Montana) so I will be 13'6" which is still legal, but man that is tall!

[8.1al]

If you do any travelling you might want to pick a readily available tire. As a side note if a tire is 2" taller it will only raise your trailer 1". One on the top and one on the bottom

[bigskyjimmy]

That would be the only thing about the Geostars,they are readily available here Out West at Any of the mass Les Schwab dealers here but i don't know about the East coast, they are made by NanKang and Discount Tire sells that brand around the Country

quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

If you do any travelling you might want to pick a readily available tire. As a side note if a tire is 2" taller it will only raise your trailer 1". One on the top and one on the bottom

[troutbum53]

quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

If you do any travelling you might want to pick a readily available tire. As a side note if a tire is 2" taller it will only raise your trailer 1". One on the top and one on the bottom

8.1Al....lol...I wasn't thinking too good was I...my math skills are usually a bit better than that.....I like your end result better...

[Happycamperscolorado]

Just checked my rims and they are 3750 110 psi. So new g614's. Next week. Need to drop spare and check that. Rim is white and now sure if it will handle the new tires. Going with these for the piece of mind. Have had blow outs in past and no fun in that at all

[CalandLinda]

There is something very peculiar about the Goodyear G614 tires. They require fitment to 16 X 6.5” rims.

Cal

[8.1al]

Many, many members have used their 6" wide rims with no problem

[jlb27537]

My '14 3150RL has about 11K lbs on the axles. I went with Bridgestone Duravis R250. A all steel tire, weights 59 lbs (same weight as a G614) speed rated @ 101mph. I am very happy with them. The tires in the pics have about 9K or so miles. The marks on the outer rib is tire dressing, not abnormal wear.





Jim

[fauch]

Goodyear year G614 RSTs are rated to carry their maximum weight up to 75 MPH
LT tires are rated to carry their maximum weight up to usually 106 MPH
I opt to use LT tires rated at 3042 LBS at 106 MPH; which is still well within my average per tire loaded axle weight (at 106MPH) with the pin on the truck.
I had at one time posted a chart that showed the diminishing load rating per speed. I cannot find that chart right now.
What it equates to for me after studying that chart, is that I would much rather the capacity of a 3050 lb. at 106 MPH tire (at my tow-speed of 65-70 MPH) than the capacity of 3750 lb.. at 75 MPH tire (at my tow-spped of 65-70)

[lawrenceb42106]

We went with Bridgestone Durvas R500. Have had them for 5 years and still look good after 2 trips to Alaska. Will replace this year as we are doing Alaska again 2015.

[mazboy]

after all of that, G614s:-)

[troutbum53]

Ordered a set of Duravis R250's for our 2014 3155RL....getting them put on Friday morning....$900 out the door after trade in allowance on my Chinese rubber!

[CalandLinda]

I don't think any of the Bridgestone Duravis R250s will satisfy the minimum requirements for the GAWRs on the 2014 3155RL.

Cal

[troutbum53]

I ran her (3155RL) across the scales.....13060# loaded minus 3180# pin 9880# on my axles....have not been able to weigh individual tires as of yet...but plan to when possible. I think the R250's should be fine, I reckon time and mileage will tell.

[CalandLinda]

A trailer with tires having less load capacity than the units certified GAWRs is a trailer in violation of all safety regulations and industry safety standards.

Cal

[troutbum53]

Cal, they are selling them brand new with load range E tires aren't they?

[CalandLinda]

The LRE LT235/85R16E tires have a maximum of 3042# of load capacity at 80 PSI whereas the LRE ST235/80R16E have at the very least 3420# at 80 psi. The 2014 3155RH must have GAWRs in the 6500# range or greater.

Cal

[JandC]

quote:Originally posted by troutbum53

Well I am back, I have been checking out the Geostar tires.....no dealers in our area at all. They are made in China also, but seem to have a real good track record. They are 31.8" tall so they will raise me up about 2"..the G614's are 30.7"....with our 2nd A/C unit we are 13'4" (what we were told by Montana) so I will be 13'6" which is still legal, but man that is tall!

If you don't do anything else, measure your own height. You could find that you are 13'2" tall or you might be 13'9" tall. I wouldn't take anyone's word for how tall my rig is when I am going down the road.