GY Tire Bulletin - Montana Owners Club

mach111 · 03-13-2013, 02:31 AM

Have anyone seen a bulletin dated May 2011 from GY concerning increasing PSI of GY Marathons to 90? I know these tires need to be scrapped but I am running discarded Marathons on various equipment trailers in my business since we only drive on city streets. Hey, getting tires for $10-25 apiece is a good price to scrub off in parking lots.

1retired06 · 03-13-2013, 03:46 AM

No, but interesting that a tire reflecting a designed manimum psi of 80 is suddenly ok for 90 which will likely be 95 when hot. Both under and overinflation will cause tires to blow.

Glenn the fifth · 03-13-2013, 04:05 AM

I guess it would make for a little better "bang" for your buck.

**DQDick** · 03-13-2013, 05:31 AM

Sounds like even Goodyear is trying to find a way to fix the problem. Sounds more desperate than sense able.

grayghost03 · 03-13-2013, 07:46 AM

Yep it was PSB#2011-13, does not change load rating, increases speed rating. Sure it does.

Art-n-Marge · 03-13-2013, 08:29 AM

Why would they want to increase a speed rating for a tire that can fail? Increasing psi typically increases a load rating but only if the tire is designed to handle the increased weight and pressure. Why would increasing the psi help keep the tire from failing especially at lower speeds, since in California the speed limit for towables is 55mph? I drive 62-65 because the MPGs for my truck are improved greatly at those speeds and it's not faster than everyone that blows by me as they drive even faster. No issues at all even from the CHP as they drive behind or by me as I'm towing.

I gotta read this thing if I can find it.

On edit: FOUND IT.... here are both pages:

In summary, this allows for owners who desire to drive up to 75mph. Since that does not include me, this doesn't help. I doubt this does anything for the infamous tire problems, which I doubt they will or can ever admit. I'm still switching to Maxxis at my next tire change.

grayghost03 · 03-13-2013, 09:11 AM

Art, it does answer the OPs original question.

bncinwv · 03-13-2013, 10:08 AM

This looks like fun!! Next question: If I inflate my 614's an additional 10 psi to 120 psi, can I run at 85 mph??

Bingo

grayghost03 · 03-13-2013, 10:58 AM

Bingo, I pulled 1400 miles last week, and judging by the speeds that some people passed me with, I'd say many are already doing it :-)

mach111 · 03-13-2013, 12:52 PM

Thanks to Art for locating and posting the article.

Art-n-Marge · 03-13-2013, 05:32 PM

Thanks mach111. It was a team effort. I would never have thought to look for it unless you had mentioned it. If and when I swap the Marathons out, I'll save them for you

. Getting them to you is a different story.

LOL Bingo. Everyone, Bingo is such the kidder. This bulletin ONLY applies to the specific Marathon trailer tires.

seahunter · 03-14-2013, 01:36 AM

I guess the thing to remember though, is if the wheels are rated for 80 psi, you still wouldn't want to go to 90 on the tires I should think.

mach111 · 03-14-2013, 02:16 AM

Hey Art- I will just run out to Ca on the weekend.

I have some tire guys locally who are keeping me supplied with these bombs. Who ever thought I could find a good use for these tires.

Art-n-Marge · 03-14-2013, 06:24 AM

Seahunter. Normally, I agree with you, but if that bulletin is real, then it would override the stamped rating. This wouldn't be produced if the Goodyear engineers didn't think the tires could support it.

This is an example of when things are designed and ratings are created, the ratings state what a company is ready to stand behind to satisfy safety. There is probably some amount of undocumented margin. The purpose of the ratings is to try to get us customers to keep at or under them. I believe in that rare instance when the ratings are exceeded for any product, there's a chance things will still be good, but as a matter of practice since I wouldn't know when that's appropriate I just stick to the ratings and would adjust to this new inflation with that document in hand. I've seen enough failures when things are maintained much less want to try to exceed them.

This memo is an example of THAT tire being able to go to a new inflation and still be considered safe. I wouldn't go any further than that (tire long term storage, tire maintenance, tire separation causes, tire usage and other tendencies not considered could affect a tire failure for other reasons).

**DQDick** · 03-14-2013, 10:53 AM

Art, it's not the tire he's talking about it's the wheel. Goodyear engineers may be a good source of advice on what pressure to run in their tires, but they don't know you've got it on an 80# rim and like everything else I doubt Keystone over specced the wheels.

Art-n-Marge · 03-14-2013, 01:00 PM

Oops, yes, missed that - he was talking about the wheels and is therefore unconditional correct. In that regard, there's been confusion on the wheels for our Montana's too - sometimes rated higher, sometimes the rating on the wheel being overridden by a sticker, then the wheel manufacturing renegging on the new rating. The inflation increase would only work for those wheels that are rating beyond 80# and only if you can unequivocally guarantee that the correct rating is applied.

No wonder I'll be sticking to 80psi, on whatever wheels I have and avoid driving 65 mph in the first place and not worry about it. I'll need to stick to the patience of driving those speeds and live with the distance it covers.

Stay safe out there, everyone.

seahunter · 03-14-2013, 03:51 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Art-n-Marge

No wonder I'll be sticking to 80psi, on whatever wheels I have and avoid driving 65 mph in the first place and not worry about it. I'll need to stick to the patience of driving those speeds and live with the distance it covers.

Stay safe out there, everyone.

Patience is a good thing anyway Art

I have the G614's and I still only go 60-65. With all the crazies out there cutting us off and somehow not seeing 60 FEET of truck and trailer, I don't feel comfortable going 65-70 with all that weight. Also, I would hate to have a trailer blowout at 70+ mph.

Biggjb · 03-14-2013, 05:09 PM

Seahunter and Art, last year I had a blowout with my marathons at 60mph. I just heard a bang and when I looked in my mirrors I just saw a cloud of dust. It cost me just over $300 to replace the tire. I have read the Goodyear site and they state the psi should match the load and the RV should be weighed. I cannot weigh it each trip and therefore go with the worse case scenario. Goodyear states problems could occur it over-inflated and also when under-inflated. I just can't win. I am heading way down south in a week and pray I have smooth sailing. Perhaps I will change out my marathons for G614.

seahunter · 03-14-2013, 05:20 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Biggjb

Seahunter and Art, last year I had a blowout with my marathons at 60mph. I just heard a bang and when I looked in my mirrors I just saw a cloud of dust. It cost me just over $300 to replace the tire. I have read the Goodyear site and they state the psi should match the load and the RV should be weighed. I cannot weigh it each trip and therefore go with the worse case scenario. Goodyear states problems could occur it over-inflated and also when under-inflated. I just can't win. I am heading way down south in a week and pray I have smooth sailing. Perhaps I will change out my marathons for G614.

Greg, I hope your trip goes well and you have no issues with the tires!

woodtic · 03-15-2013, 03:39 AM

After reading the bulletin, I'm considering raising the pressure to 85-90 psi. Seems like it would offer a few benefits like reduced sidewall flex for reduced running temps, and lower rolling resistance for improved fuel economy. I still would only tow at 60-65 mph anyway. Now it sounds like I need a better air compressor. Oh boy, I get to go shopping again.:-)

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