Keystone tire campaign

[Flexiheep]

Well I have not seen this info here so I figured I would put it here for all to see. I got the info about the tire issues from RV.net.



Keystone has a campaign to replace many of the Milestar 225 75 R15 St tires it has put into service on 2007 trailers due to poor quality and short tread life (mine are junk after only 5000 miles).



I know that most trailers are delivered with cheap tires but WOW was I suprised at how junky the Milestars on mine were. I was going to have to buy new tires before my next trip, glad I found out now rather than after I had spent my money.



The info number to call is 1-877-886-7783 and have the last 8 from your VIN number to verify if you are one of the lucky ones.



I talked with a very nice gal at Keystone this morning about my tires and found I get a new set. Ok, so really they will pay up to $90 a tire including the spare. I had to replace one on the road and if I can find my receipt they will deal with that too. I have read the tire dealers are good at applying the credit to what you want and you just pay the excess amount if you pick a different tire than what they call out as a replacement.



Hope this helps someone, I'll report back with my experience at the tire shop.

 

[JCasper]

I better check mine. I am leaving for Yellowstone in 3 hours.



I have a 2007 Keystone springdale.

 

[JHofmann]

What about the Mission tires they were using in previous years like my 05 had. They were all garbage too#@$%!... repalced them all!

 

[SBeretz]

I will have to check my hauler as I have a Keystone Raptor 3814SS. . Thanks for the info. Scotty

 

[JCasper]

I have Duros, I hope they are o. k.





I am leaving within a couple hours.

 

[JimBob24]

What about the Mission tires they were using in previous years like my 05 had. They were all garbage too#@$%!... repalced them all!

Me too! Just replaced 4 Missions with less than 2000 miles on them with Michelin XPS Ribs on my new 2007 Montana.

 

[Flexiheep]

My understanding of it is that right now it is only the Milestar 225 75 R15 Bias ply tires. The others may be junk, but I guess not as bad as these, or even the 14" Milestars.



I talked with my local goodyear dealer where the Keystone folks sent me and next week I will take the trailer in and get a set of Goodyear Marathons in 225 75 R15 radial (Keystone spec'ed replacement tire). Not my first choice, but since I was about to spend my own money I will take a set of free tires till I upgrade to 16" LTs one of these days. Since I will be taking the direct replacement it will be a drive in and drive out nothing from my pocket deal.

 

[MMeier]

My understanding of it is that right now it is only the Milestar 225 75 R15 Bias ply tires. The others may be junk, but I guess not as bad as these, or even the 14" Milestars.



I talked with my local goodyear dealer where the Keystone folks sent me and next week I will take the trailer in and get a set of Goodyear Marathons in 225 75 R15 radial (Keystone spec'ed replacement tire). Not my first choice, but since I was about to spend my own money I will take a set of free tires till I upgrade to 16" LTs one of these days. Since I will be taking the direct replacement it will be a drive in and drive out nothing from my pocket deal.

Man, tell them to keep those Marathons also!!! Do a search on them around here, plenty of info to be had, tell them you want something made by Michelin!

 

[Fireman]

Me too! Just replaced 4 Missions with less than 2000 miles on them with Michelin XPS Ribs on my new 2007 Montana.

Same here. Missions (Chineese junk#@$%!) started coming apart. Replaced them all earlier this year with XPS Ribs.

 

[Buffalo]

Flexiheep,



The GY Marathon, 225/75/15's are available in load range "C or D". Go for the D's. They are a heavier-duty tire.



Regarding the Marathons being junk, about 5 to 10 years ago, they definately were. Since then, GY has redesigned the carcass with the idea of greater durability.



The earlier design had tread-ply layers of steel & polyester. When that combination got hot, it expanded & eventually, came apart.



Around '02, GY redesigned the tires adding an outside layer of nylon. When the steel, polyester got hot & expanded, the nylon acted like a girdle holding the other plies in place & not allowing the expansion. Since they have added the nylon, it seems that I don't hear of as many GY failures.



Now, this doesn't mean that GY has "The Answer" but, what they did seems to have helped, a bit.



In my camping group, we all have Nash trailers that came with the GY Marathons. One guy had two tires blow-up on a trip to the East Coast. This was with the "older style" Marathons. Since then (Spring of '02), we all have switched to the "newer" design & not one of us has had a problem.



Personally, I have towed my 25' trailer back East & into Ontario, CAN. twice. Spent the Summer, both times, on the road with the trailer. I have not had one problem (knock on wood!!!!!), so far. I've done numerous other trips around the West, also.



I, actually, have the Towmasters (by Greenball), which, are made on the same assembly line as the GY Marathons, in CAN. These are much cheaper than the Marathons, mostly, because you don't have to pay for all the advertising (Blimp, etc. ).



To be honest, I don't, really, feel comfortable with ANY ST-rated travel trailer tires. However, my friends & I have had pretty decent 'luck' with the Towmasters.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Andersonville]

Gee This wouldn't be happening because of the MASSIVE CHINESE TIRE RECALL would it? Google it

 

[Flexiheep]

My Head Hurts!

I am still wrestling with the decision on what tires to put on the trailer, but I have found out a couple interesting facts.



A nice lady at Greenball cust service told me today that ALL of their tires are now made overseas. She told me Towmasters were made in china, was kind of weirded out when I said I was sorry to hear that. She could be wrong but even if she was why would I want to buy from a company that thinks all their stuff is built overseas?



The GY G614 looks like a nice tire, comparable to the XPS Rib, but it appears that the G614 are very hard to get ordered (shop here says they get about 4 every couple months and that is all they receive no matter what they order). Also a 110 psi rated wheel is hard to find in a 16" 6 lug pattern, not impossible, but not easy either.



Personal observation on this but it appears to me that the people who have had good service with Marathons are running at 50-70% of the tires rated load. Those that are having problems with them seem to be like me with a heavy trailer that loads the tires at 90%+ of the tire capacity. This may be true with all the tire options too, but really stuck out when reading about Marathons.



I am leaning to the GY Wrangler HT in a 235/85/16 with some new wheels. It appears that folks have problems with these too, but it may be like the Marathons, those who have problems are running at 90% of capacity on a big 5er. I will be at 65% or so with my TT so I should be ok if I keep a close eye on condition etc.



Now I just have to measure to make sure they will fit, or in reality just get them and then move the axles so that they do.....

 

[SnoKing]

I am still wrestling with the decision on what tires to put on the trailer, but I have found out a couple interesting facts.



A nice lady at Greenball cust service told me today that ALL of their tires are now made overseas. She told me Towmasters were made in china, was kind of weirded out when I said I was sorry to hear that. She could be wrong but even if she was why would I want to buy from a company that thinks all their stuff is built overseas?



The GY G614 looks like a nice tire, comparable to the XPS Rib, but it appears that the G614 are very hard to get ordered (shop here says they get about 4 every couple months and that is all they receive no matter what they order). Also a 110 psi rated wheel is hard to find in a 16" 6 lug pattern, not impossible, but not easy either.



Personal observation on this but it appears to me that the people who have had good service with Marathons are running at 50-70% of the tires rated load. Those that are having problems with them seem to be like me with a heavy trailer that loads the tires at 90%+ of the tire capacity. This may be true with all the tire options too, but really stuck out when reading about Marathons.



I am leaning to the GY Wrangler HT in a 235/85/16 with some new wheels. It appears that folks have problems with these too, but it may be like the Marathons, those who have problems are running at 90% of capacity on a big 5er. I will be at 65% or so with my TT so I should be ok if I keep a close eye on condition etc.



Now I just have to measure to make sure they will fit, or in reality just get them and then move the axles so that they do.....

If you do not want to spend the money for XPS RIBs, then at least get the Uniroyal Laredo HD/H. Seach RV.net about them. SNOKING

 

[JCasper]

How about my Duros? Are they junk also?



I have about 2,500 miles on them on my 2007 Keystone Springdale. I plan on upgrading, but not this soon.

 

[SnoKing]

Here is a link to a site with info on who and where tires are built.

All the D. O. T. Tire Plant Codes

I would say that anything from China is junk including the newer GY Marathon's that are now Chinese made. The Chinese have been making fake products for years.



SNOKING

 

[wgordon]

After I brought my new 32' Summit Ridge 5th wheel home from the dealer, the next pull I made was to Tire Kingdom for Michlin XPS Ribs to replace the Chinese Missions. Yep, the Ribs are pricey. While insurance will repair/replace trailer and truck damage caused by an exploding cheap tire, I just can't let greed endanger the wife, our four legged bady and our feathered friends who ride with me. What is peace of mind worth?

ww

 

[mattk50]

I had the chinese missions on my 04 couger and on the third trip 2 blew out.

Replaced them with 16" goodyears.

 

[Grizzly]

Flexiheep,



In my camping group, we all have Nash trailers that came with the GY Marathons. One guy had two tires blow-up on a trip to the East Coast. This was with the "older style" Marathons. Since then (Spring of '02), we all have switched to the "newer" design & not one of us has had a problem.



To be honest, I don't, really, feel comfortable with ANY ST-rated travel trailer tires. However, my friends & I have had pretty decent 'luck' with the Towmasters.

Joe F. (Buffalo)

Since you and all your camping group have Nash trailers, do you know anyone at the Northwood plant I can call to see if I can get Michelin LT tires installed on the Arctic Fox 5th wheel I have on order? The 5er should be built in mid September. They will be installing Trail Masters ST 235, 80R16. I don't want ST tires, especially made in China.

 

[SnoKing]

Since you and all your camping group have Nash trailers, do you know anyone at the Northwood plant I can call to see if I can get Michelin LT tires installed on the Arctic Fox 5th wheel I have on order? The 5er should be built in mid September. They will be installing Trail Masters ST 235, 80R16. I don't want ST tires, especially made in China.

Finally someone on the right track. Go to the selling dealer, and tell him you are not removing it from his lot until it has the Mich XPS RIBs installed. Let him figure out if he does it or gets AF to do it. Expect to pay almost the same difference as just going and buying them yourself. I think they get these fake Chinese tires for next to nothing. SNOKING

 

[Grizzly]

Finally someone on the right track. Go to the selling dealer, and tell him you are not removing it from his lot until in has the Mich XPS RIBs installed. Let him figure out if he does it or gets AF to do it. Expect to pay almost the same difference as just going and buying them yourself. I think they get these fake Chinese tires for next to nothing. SNOKING

I did call a tire dealer in Spokane, WA, which is 35 miles from the RV dealer, who is willing to trade the new tires on the AF for the Michelin XPS Rib LT. He said he would allow me up $90 per tire and I pay the difference. The Michelins are about $225 each, so I'd be looking at about $135 each plus mounting and balance. I think it's worth it because I don't want a blow out.