What is being done about Towmax Tires
- Thread starter hankster
- Start date
Rollin_Free
Well-known member
Well I just purchased a 2010 Sundance with 6 year old factory delivered TowMax tires (holly crap). The trailer is currently at a storage area and it's not moving until I get them off the 5er. As much bad as I've read about these tires I cannot take a chance on taking the trailer even 20 miles down the road to my house. I'll be making 3 trips to get it done but that's a cheap price to pay compaired to other potential repairs after a blow out happens.
I'm not complaining because the price I paid captured the replacement cost of the tires. I don't think I have ever heard of tires this old still being on any trailer. What's really scary is there are many new RV'ers starting every day that are not aware of this potential rolling nightmare.
I'm not complaining because the price I paid captured the replacement cost of the tires. I don't think I have ever heard of tires this old still being on any trailer. What's really scary is there are many new RV'ers starting every day that are not aware of this potential rolling nightmare.
Rollin_Free
Well-known member
That's good to know, I am really getting a good feeling about my Sailun tires.
I'm in the process of searching for Sailun tires but apparently don't have some needed information. I have 225/75R15 tires on my Sundance. Which ones did you purchase for your 5th wheel? Are Sailun tires LT or ST tires? Thanks
Doublegranch
Mountain Region Director-Retired
I could be wrong, but I think the Sailun tires are for 16 inch wheels and 110 PSI.
Sundance XLT wheels are 15 inch and not rated for 110 psi.
Sundance XLT wheels are 15 inch and not rated for 110 psi.
JohnD
Moved on to the next thing...
Yes . . . Sailun's don't come in a 15-inch size.
Not sure about the wheels . . . but I think you are right on that as well!
Rollin_Free
Well-known member
I was aware that they are 16 in wheels and was preparing to convert to them. I went to Discount Tire to see if I could change from 15 to 16 wheels and they thought so but will need the trailer in the lot to do some measuring and actually test wheels and tires to make sure. I want to change to LT tires but seem to be getting a lot of obstacles to overcome.
I have also been looking at Maxxis 8008 load range "E" tires but since they are ST tires I've kinda stopped looking at them. If I can't change to LT 16's I may need to revisit them.
I have also been looking at Maxxis 8008 load range "E" tires but since they are ST tires I've kinda stopped looking at them. If I can't change to LT 16's I may need to revisit them.
Rollin_Free
Well-known member
I was searching, tires of course, and read on the Sailun site that they are manufactured in Qingdao China. I also checked Goodyear G614 and they are $437 each. Kinda getting mixed messages the more I read.
I also checked Goodyear G614 and they are $437 each. Kinda getting mixed messages the more I read.
danemayer
Well-known member
I was searching, tires of course, and read on the Sailun site that they are manufactured in Qingdao China.
$437 is pretty high for G614 tires unless it includes the wheel. A lot of people have shopped them in the low $300s.
Yes, I believe Sailun may be manufactured in China.
What are the mixed messages?
danemayer
Well-known member
You should find a different tire place.
Bones
Well-known member
That is why I choose to buy them. Just didn't have the cash to pony up the cost for GoodYear.
Rollin_Free
Well-known member
You're correct, I did find them for $315 but I only see them in LT235/85R16 which definitely won't fit my Sundance.
The Sailun's are actual manufactured in China so that was an unknown until now. After thinking about these for awhile what concerns me about them is the 125psi. To me that translates to a stiffer, harder ride that transmits more road imperfections into the frame and causes more suspension wear. It is only my opinion however since these won't fit my Sundance either maybe I'm just using this for reasoning to pass on them.
I actually want to gain 10-20 or even 30% increase in trailer max weight safety margins and improve reliability with this upgrade. Like another member mentioned it is very possible the correct choice is right in front of me and Maxxis 8008 tires are really the best choice for the rig I currently own.
danemayer
Well-known member
I think you're looking at the PSI spec for the 17.5" Sailun, not the 16". I believe the 16" tires have a max cold inflation of 110 psi.
I upgraded our Goodyear G614 tires to the 17.5" Goodyear G114 tires (with new wheels). But even though the max cold inflation is 125 psi, I inflate them to 110 psi. That provides 4340 lbs of load capacity, compared to the G614 capacity of 3750 at the same inflation to 110 psi.
Does the higher load capacity automatically equal harder ride and more suspension wear? I don't know. But since there's a well known relationship between load and flex, and excess flex causes damage to the tire, I'll go for the additional load margin, minimizing flex.
The Sailun S637 (and newer designations like S637T) and the Goodyear G614 are both marketed as commercial truck tires, for Regional Short Haul trucking applications, as well as RV use. I'm not aware of anyone making commercial truck tires for rims < 16". That's why many owners recommend Maxxis or LT tires. If considering LT tires, make sure you check the load capacity (not just load range) to make sure it matches the trailer.
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mlpeloquin
Well-known member
Nitrogen is dry so it is better, but you can get dry air as well. To have it delivered may cost about the same so nitrogen has the edge for the thermal expansion and leaking out over time. But when the air pressure needs to be adjusted, we all add air from pumps that induce a small amount of water as well.
Bones
Well-known member
I was thinking about that but they deal with trailers and all they are doing is taking the old tires off the rims and putting the new ones one. He didn't even realize I had already purchased them and then he bite his tongue. The down side is I'll have to jack the trailer up without the truck so I can get the tires off and down to him. He is just down the road from storage and know's the guy I rent from.
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mlpeloquin
Well-known member
You do not run tires at maximum psi unless the load dictates. Every manufacture has a load pressure chart. Even our car and truck tires are based on the manufactures load pressure chart. I got my truck's tire chart from the manufacture. The pressure specified for the rear tires on the door sticker is for the maximum load it can carry in the bed. I know because I have the load pressure chart. I have Goodyear 614's and was weighted at the Goshen rally last year. 90 psi was the required pressure so for margin they told me to put 95 psi. I knew I did not need the 110 and had 100 psi in them. i continue to use 100 psi so I don't have to add air while on a trip. Going from a warmer area where I live to cooler Quartzite then Sedona the air pressure went down, but was higher than 95 psi. Went to 100 psi when we got home. At 110 psi the 5er would most likely bounce a lot.
Rollin_Free
Well-known member
I typically am always in overkill when I want to do just about anything. When I look at the responders I see a lot of them have triple axle trailers, hence more weight and needs for a stronger tire.
Since I am well below 10k I think I just got sucked in to the Goodyear/Sailun discussions when I really have lesser requirements. It all sounds great and makes sense for those with higher weights. I have to realize that I'm not one of the bigger guys and I need to buy tires that work for my weight requirements which aren't necessarily the same as another RV'er.
I'm going back down to 15" tires but which ones?? I think I'm gonna just throw darts or flip a coin to decide which one to select. Thanks for all the insight. It has really opened my eyes to options and requirements to get the job done and done right.
Since I am well below 10k I think I just got sucked in to the Goodyear/Sailun discussions when I really have lesser requirements. It all sounds great and makes sense for those with higher weights. I have to realize that I'm not one of the bigger guys and I need to buy tires that work for my weight requirements which aren't necessarily the same as another RV'er.
I'm going back down to 15" tires but which ones?? I think I'm gonna just throw darts or flip a coin to decide which one to select.
Thanks for all the insight. It has really opened my eyes to options and requirements to get the job done and done right.
JohnD
Moved on to the next thing...
I'm going back down to 15" tires but which ones?? I think I'm gonna just throw darts or flip a coin to decide which one to select.
I don't think you can go wrong with the Maxxis tires . . . and I've read a lot of good things about the Carlisyle tires as well.
I have one of the lighter 5th-wheelers as well and have so far had good luck with the Hi Run tires!
Don't get the Goodyear Marathons . . . *********
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