My brand new towmasters = Dissapointing

BlewByYou88

BlewByYou88

Member
Jul 24, 2010
963
Arizona
Boat Info
268 Sea Ray Sundancer 1988
Engines
2X 4.3L 4bbl Mercs w/ Alphas
So, I had spent a lot of time researching tires for the trailer this spring. I had my heart set on some Maxxis, but at the last minute I was talked into towmasters by Discount tire and a friend of the family. I already new better than to go with the Goodyear Marathons, or Carlisles. I got the best E-Range towmaster tires I could...4th trip to the lake this year and.......BOOM!

Discount replaced the tire with no questions asked and no charge, but now I'm nervous. Based on the fact that the steelbelt and tread remained intact (Wrapped around the brake drum), disco tire said it was a sidewall rupture. My pressures were good, and the tires have not been abused. Heck, we werent even fully loaded, half tank of fuel, no water, hardly any gear, and doing 65 on the freeway. I'm hoping I had a random deffect, but like I said....nervous!

I'll keep ya"ll posted if they keep letting go.:smt089

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I would suggest that after your next run as soon as you stop, get out your IR temp. gun and check both tire and wheel/hub temps. then recheck all tire pressures. This may or may not lend you some info. as to the root cause. Hey, maybe it was just a bum tire but if you take these readings at least you will be able to rule some things out.
Do us all a favor, please be extra careful until you get to the bottom of this.
 
As a matter of fact, I did have my temp gun with me. Everything was normal. I like to keep an eye on my bearing temps, and have been taking extra care with watching the brakes, since I coverted the trailer from surge to electric when I was reworking everything this spring.

It was kinda erie when it happened, the trailer started to fish tail, and I thought it was a little strange until I looked into the rearview and saw smoke billowing out from trailer.
 
Been there and done that. I blew a carlise just like that the day I bought my 260DA. Since they were all 5-6 years old I replaced them with a set of E-range transmasters (made by Greenball, same as towmaster) and didn't have any issues for the two years I owned that boat. This was when I was living in Vegas, so similar conditions to yours.
 
I have tried just about every brand known to man. All my friends and some family pull trailers too. Tires are a common conversation.

The trailer for my 310 came with Duro bias ply light truck tires. They held up well, so when the time came, that is what I replaced them with. They have been the best. Most trailer tires are simply junk IMO.
 
keokie said:
I have tried just about every brand known to man. All my friends and some family pull trailers too. Tires are a common conversation.

The trailer for my 310 came with Duro bias ply light truck tires. They held up well, so when the time came, that is what I replaced them with. They have been the best. Most trailer tires are simply junk IMO.
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Yep, and I considered light truck tires too, but I let to many yahoos convince me the sidewalls can't handle the "Rubbing" of a tri-axel trailer. Im getting ready to call BS on all this. I wish I could have thrown some michelin light truck tires on there. FOr now I have the warranty certs for these tires, so we'll see if they keep blwoing and let Discount tire deal with the wrath.
 
225/75R15.... Dont have the date code right now, not going to be home for a few days.
 
techmitch said:
Ah, date code. Good call Woody I forgot about that.
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I will order tires in rather than buy tires over 1yr old off the self. I developed this preference after having problems with motorcycle tires and have applied it to anything that goes on the highway. I think it makes a difference.
 
It seems that often when the tire problem threads pop up there is never a definitive answer to why? If you don't mind me asking...what width are your rims, what cold pressure were you running in the tires, are the tires actually labeled ST225/75R15 LRE. I'm hauling my 280DA on a tri axle using Power King D rated tires(people tell me they're junk tires) with no problems, your load rating is 10% higher than mine and a lighter boat to boot, although I'm not running in the heat you are.
 
The topic of using LT tires on trailers comes up every once in awhile - especially with more and more trailer tires appearing to go down in quality. I recently spoke to my Michelin sales team as they had previously told me not to do this so this time I pushed for why. The only reason is the load capacity usually isn't available in the sizes most trailer tires need to be. Otherwise - if you can match up the size and load rating it is a supported option with full warranty support by Michelin/BFG/Uniroyal (same company). I'm out of luck as mine are 225/75R15 E rated so will be going with Maxxis as soon as they become available in E again. Checking the date code is a good suggestion - you'll see something like 0511 as the last 4 digits in the code. The 05 is the week they were manufactured and the 11 is the year. If they are really old (more than a year) you may have to look on the inside sidewall as some dealers will just put it out of sight rather than get you recent tires.
 
I use LT 16" E load range on my trailer. 80psi gets the job done well. I did not purchase them....they were new and on the trailer when I purchased the package. Working well so far, Mike.
90trailertires.jpg
 
yea, mine run 80 PSI as well. And yes, they are ST225 75R15 E
 
I inherited a mismatched set of LT tires on my trailer and was going to replace them, then my trailer guy suggested letting nature run it's course and be prepared for the failure. Just ran 3 hours between 60-80 mph in 90 degree heat with no heat up, while having two brand new tires as spares. Checked tires and hubs twice in route by IR.

I have used Marathons for years on multiple trailers with nary an issue. I think some failures are the tires and some external factors not easily pinpointed. The variables are considerable. I do know that tires often fail when you are least prepared for it, kind of a "karma" thing. Did I just say that? Ooops! MM
 
My 2004 Loadmaster dual axle trailer came with Goodyear ST225/R75-15 load range D tires. I have made two long distance trips with those tires. Each round trip was 2400 miles. On one leg of the trips, I rolled the trailer for 18 hours straight. No problems. My trailer suspension uses Eliminator Torsion Bars. Suspension may have some effect – who knows.

I am carrying a heavier load on fewer axles than BBY, so, I just have to believe that some tires are improperly cured or there is a construction defect in them from the factory. Nobody seems to really have any answers.
 
We see many failures in the RV business. Good year Marathons are among the most blowed out even on new sets with current date codes. Carlisle is right with them. Maxis appears to be holding strong. In 16" and up, nothing touches Michelins LTX RIB's. I was having alot of tire issues until I adjusted the boat on the trailer and found that my trailer tongue actually needs to ride several inches lower than the back of the trailer to equally distribute the weight across the axles (according to wheel scales) I still tore up a practically new Load Star from tight turns. These new Maxxis are showing no signs of wear! We will find out as we head to Ft Lauderdale in a week and a half as its very hot and I don't drive slow...lol sorry to keep going on but this has been an issue for a while for me.
 
I go through a lot of trailer tires owing 30 trailers. I always use bias when it is available. My boat currently has new take off radials from travel trailers, 2 Duro and 4 Power King. All seem to be holding up well.

On 13" travel trailer rims I was using Duro with great success, but they are now nearly impossible to find so I am trying Deestone. I have had good luck with most 15" trailer tires except for the Goodyear Marathon. I recently found out Goodyear makes/owns Carlisle tires.
 
Any more updates? Think I'm going to replace all my tires after having a blowout, Gladiator 225/75/15 LR-E's.
 
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