American made trailer tires

[DDevers]

I have read here that travel tires made in China are no good. I am having difficulty finding American made tires for our travel tire and need to replace ours prior to going to Alaska this summer.



The tire size is 205 75 R14 and I've been told that there isn't an LT equivalent. Does anyone know where or what I should do?



Thanks in advance.

 

[HBarlow]

What I would do is what I did years ago when I owned an Avion travel trailer with 15" wheels. I didn't want more Goodyear Marathons that cracked their sidewalls so I put a set of Michelin SUV tires which were P type tires on it. They held up very well compared to previous GY tires but there is a caution to consider. All P tires have soft sidewalls. If you strike curbs it may damage the tire sidewall. Your choices are limited with crappy little 14" wheels.

Check to see if BF Goodrich makes a Commercial T/A tire in 14" size.

 

[DAN V]

Titan tires

I have read here that travel tires made in China are no good. I am having difficulty finding American made tires for our travel tire and need to replace ours prior to going to Alaska this summer.



The tire size is 205 75 R14 and I've been told that there isn't an LT equivalent. Does anyone know where or what I should do?



Thanks in advance.

Check out TITAN tires. I believe they are made in OHIO. Not 100% sure though.

 

[HBarlow]

Titan?

I googled Titan and found their website. They make farm tractor and riding lawn mower tires. I couldn't find any on road tires.

 

[JMDancoe]

Check out Cooper Tire. Not sure if built here or China or wherever. I had them on my car hauler and they were virtually indestructable. Of course, some people can find a way to destroy even "indestructable things. I got about 70 to 80 thousand miles out of them. However, that was five years ago. My unit (2006 3500 Dodge & 53 ft car hauler was quite often at max load. No promises, just my two cents. Good luck.

 

[GCroyle]

I had sidewall bubbles (not indentations) on new GoodYear Marathons ST (GYM) that were made in USA. Replaced by dealer as defective.



I have a tandem axle 9000+ pound trailer and I have MAXXIS 2nd year, so far ZERO issues.



Consider a TPMS while you are working on this rig. The security will not replace normal inspections, but I have a Dill TPMS and monitors PSI and internal temp. Adds a huge comfort level as you watch the pressures.

 

[WCPoe]

What about Carlisle tires. I had put a set on my pontoon trailer and they seem to be weathering better than the GY Marathons that are on my car trailer.

Any opinions on the Carlisles?

 

[WCPoe]

What about Carlisle tires. I had put a set on my pontoon trailer and they seem to be weathering better than the GY Marathons that are on my car trailer.

Any opinions on the Carlisles?



DDevers said ---> "The tire size is 205 75 R14 and I've been told that there isn't an LT equivalent. "



Don't the ST series Carlisle tires carry enough weight rating for your app?



Carlisle Tire & Wheel Company





To All - Please disregard my above comments - Apparently these are junk buy at your own risk!

 

[Mark31]

Your "complement" to Carlisle tires is the only one I've ever heard. A pretty sharp local tire dealer here looked for new 14 inch tires for our Baptist Disaster Relief trailer as the old (Chinese) ones still looked good, but were 6 or 7 years old. The only thing he could find were Chinese. He recommended we go to a D range over the C tires that were on it. That trailer has been from Buffalo, NY to Port Arthur, TX.

 

[Grizzly]

I constantly read on TDR posts that Carlisle ST tires are about the worst of the Chinese trailer tires. Basically, there junk.



I wouldn't put them on my wheelbarrow.

 

[mwilson]

In my camper hauling infancy I had trailers with both the Carlisle S/T and Mission S/T rubber.



What a complete fiasco, I could not go 200 miles without some kind of issue, broken belts being the predominant failure.



Lost two on a trip to Vermont.



Never again.



Now I will stick my head up out of my foxhole long enough to say that I am currently running USA made Goodyear ST225/75R15 Load Range "D".

I am on my third year with these, so far no weather cracks, broken belts, etc.



Now on my next outing one could blow all to smithereens but so far, so good.



Mike.

 

[WCPoe]

I constantly read on TDR posts that Carlisle ST tires are about the worst of the Chinese trailer tires. Basically, there junk.



I wouldn't them on my wheelbarrow.

Well if you have an opinion, you should express it. :-laf



Ha ha - I'll keep a close eye on those Carlisles which are on my pontoon trailer. Fortunately, I only use it twice a year. Put the boat in in the spring and take it out in the fall. Anyway, thanks for posting, I'll try to do a bit more research next time and won't necessaryly trust my tire dealer.

 

[DDevers]

Thank you for your input. I was told that Carlisle tires are good but have read to the contrary on more than one site. Walmart sells Goodyear Marathon and a local dealer can get them also. I've read that they are made in both China and the USA but the local dealer is checking for me. I will go with them if they're made here.

 

[Wingate]

have you considered changing to a 15" wheel so that you can take advantage of a wider selection of available tires?

 

[crispyboy]

I have ran Carlisle tires on a utility trailer and my 31' travel trailer for several years. So far I am a happy customer and would buy them again. The downside is that they are made of Chinesium but so are most all other ST tires.

It would be worth your while to upgrade to 15" or 16" tires if space allows. 15" ST tires are very common which may be important since your going on a big road trip. 16" tires would allow you into LT line of tires. I am jealous of your big trip!

 

[JMetzger]

What about Maxxis TrailerTires. Do not know where they are made or if they are any good. I do know that they are more expensive then other tires.

 

[JMetzger]

I found out that Maxxis are made in Asia, Europe, North America & South America & one other place that I do not remember.

 

[TLane]

I've had good service from the Maxxis tires in 15". I wanted to go with the 16" Michelin XPS ribs, but that was just too much money (although not as expensive as having your trailer repaired after having a tire throw the tread and beat up your trailer). I think mine were made in Taiwan. They make 14" tires as well. I have the dealer order mine, it usually takes a day or two.



I've had terrible service with Carlisle tires, they didn't make it even one trip from Texas to Colorado (dealer talked me into them for replacements for 9 year Goodyear Marathons, which I considered good service. ) I have a neighbor who had a Carlisle tire that was a spare and had never been on the ground, it blew out while mounted on the side of his horse trailer.



I now carry two spares on my travel trailer, and buy two tires every two years. Oldest tires on the ground are 4 years old; oldest spares are 6 years old. Then they're going to the utility trailer, which is only used locally.

 

[TFucili]

What about Maxxis TrailerTires. Do not know where they are made or if they are any good. I do know that they are more expensive then other tires.

Maxxxis is just a DBA for Cheng Shin Tire. It is a global manufacturer based in Taiwan. They learned the power of a "brand" in North America. Would you consider the same tire if it said Cheng Shin on the sidewall?

 

[HBarlow]

Maxxxis is just a DBA for Cheng Shin Tire. It is a global manufacturer based in Taiwan. They learned the power of a "brand" in North America. Would you consider the same tire if it said Cheng Shin on the sidewall?

Very well said.

Asian tires may be great tires in 20 or 30 years like Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, etc. cars but they are generally inferior to the old well known brands here in America.

Retail salesmen in tire stores tell the buyer whatever he will believe in order to sell a tire with a high markup and commission.