Don't forget to re-torque the lug nuts on new aluminum rims after 50 miles or so, then after 500 or so. The aluminum will flex with heat/cold and can make the lugnuts loose.
Very important to do! We forgot on our car & about 100km since putting them on we heard a weird noise as we were parking & 4 out of 5 lug nuts were loose.
Not forget to also check your truck lug nuts too. I pulled my trailer 50 miles before I found out the FORD dealer did not tightened any of the 24 lug nuts when they rotated the tires!!
I just hit the road for travel assignment from NM to CA. Taking my 20 foot travel trailer . I took trailer to Discount tire to check air and they said my tires needed to be replaced! I thought they were fine and never would have thought I needed new ones . It’s a 2019 trailer and had tires replaced with 2018 tire ?? So I got new tires on trailer AND my F150 truck as they said needed tires also! It was almost quitting time and I was leaving next morning for CA. They replaced tires right then and there. Awesome store. Got the Tms system because I’ve been watching your for years. Also got truck and trailer weighed while at truck shop - now need to get truck weight so see what trailers weight. Your videos have been a life saver for me. Am alone and nobody really to teach me - so watch your videos regularly!! Thanks for keeping me educated and safe. Your family is awesome
My TST TPMS shows the psi and temperature of all 8 of my tires at the same time. Just in case someone watching doesn’t want to push a button to go between the psi and temp. all the time. It’s nice to have it all on the screen
Marc’s enthusiasm and teaching style always convinces me I can learn anything. I don’t even own an RV, but I’m ready to join in if the subject of tyres ever comes up in conversation
Love discount tire so much. I have been dealing with them for a number of years now. Their prices are hard to beat and their customer service is amazing. Nice to see that you have had a similar experience.
As a woman, I found this fascinating and informative at the same time. I shudder at the thought of the old codger I had to deal with when I needed to replace the tires on my trailer. As soon as he began answering my questions with a condescending attitude, I shut down. Don't treat me like I am some dingbat; my safety and my precious cargo (dogs) are very important factors and if you don't have enough respect to treat me like I have a brain, say goodbye!
Most welcomed topic. Tires. I'm glad you took the time to share this about the cold pressure & when the tires get hot how they expand. I had to learn too. My Father. I just never understood the "A" "B" part of the tire. I used all season, & I did go with a 16" for both '95 Dodge Intrepid & my '82 Chevy Caprice Classic. I went a size larger to have a little more height to straddle some of the dirt roads I had to travel into clients homes to keep from scratching the bottom on a rock. I loved seeing Caleb whizzing by on the skateboard with the American Flag. I so enjoy him. 👍Looking forward to the National Parks in the West. Some really beautiful places out there. Have a good week!😊
Hey Marc, Good stuff! I have preached more times than I can recall that the tires are way more important than all the other features on our trailers! Of course our Goodyear AT tires are way overkill for our Timberleafs. I might look at getting a tire minder too.
Well done and easy to understand. I might add that folks using TPMS should get metal valve stems because the TPMS caps can make the rubber stems flex and ultimately crack.
On our last trip to Colorado, we had two blowouts in two days, very frustrating and nerve racking. Your comment about practicing at home is so good. It took me almost two hours to change the first tire, just running around the truck and camper to gather up tools, thanks goodness I had them all. The next day, blowout on the other side, it to about 45 minutes, better but still so frustrating!! I didn't know how to check the date code that would have been really good to know before I left on this trip. I found out on the road, when the tire shop showed me how to check that. I definitely would have changed them long before this trip. I bought the camper second hand and the owner had said they changed the tires not to long ago, it had actually been six years. Just wanted to share my experience so other don't run into the same mess. Great video! Thanks Marc!
Excellent episode Marc. You’ve settled the discussion going on in my head regarding ST vs LT tires for our 5th wheel unit. A recent blowout even with the use of the Tire Minder i10 had me wondering about installing truck tires and moving up to 16 inch from 15 inch however, the bolt pattern on our unit does not permit an increase to a 16 inch rim. We’ve chosen the GoodYear Endurance and trust with proper maintenance we should expect excellent service where the rubber meets the road’ You sir’ are definitely the best source for RV related issues and upgrades. All the best. Regards,
FYI in thd future, Discount does have 16” in 5 on 4 1/2, and I would assume other 5 lug patterns . I just ordered a set of Vision Soft 8 black for my Casita. I’m switching to LT, and 15” truck tires are getting harder to find .
Thanks for the great information. Dont forget to re-measure the height of your trailer after switching tires and or rims to different brands or a larger size rim. Probably wont change or matter that much especially with a airstream but better to know than to guess at the last second.
This is my thing. I want to share something I saw at the beginning of the video (I believe that was a jack rod) at Discount Tire (saw it later on too). I go there as well.The Airstream has a rubber-based axle as you mention. When you go to the tire store their default is the axle or at the wheel. I forced my Discount Tire guy to jack mine up at the jack points and it worked fine. Even jacking near the wheel point can arch the axle. They can add a lift block on the jack if more height is needed. Also, I went round and round about the PSI and found a chart that shows load for tires (4) It is not max cold PSI as many believe and as you found. Great episode. People NEED this. I use TireTracker (small screen) and it too gives temp/pressure on one screen. I got Crossclimates too. I was told by Airstream years ago when I called that their upgrade to LT tires 16" that they offered on the Eddie Bauer was a great option and, that they found better reliability over the ST tires. My thought is that research on LT is much more and most ST tires are from the "same country".
@@KeepYourDaydream ok, I see. I was concerned. They have some kind of attachment on the jacks too like blocks that add height. I remember they had to wheel two different ones on my new tire purchase when I was going crazy on them to stay away from the axles- LOL. Those CrossClimates have a nice tread, almost rugged.
Yes, this episode is super helpful. I’ve had two blow-outs while towing the travel trailer, once on a rear truck tire, and once on a trailer tire. As an over-the-road trucker, I’ve had blow-outs on trailer tires, and tractor tires. It is never pretty. Thanks for all the solid information and recommendations. Thanks, also, for the link to the TPMS. I gotta get one of those. Let’s Go!
Like previously mentioned, we learned after a blowout that we needed metal valve stems for our tpms sensors. Last trip our system alerted to a slow leaking tire. Found it had a screw in it & Discount Tire fixed it for us.
I switched over to the Michelin 16 LT on my Airstream back in the spring and love them so far. Check that torque several times. I found some of my lug bolts backing off. Been running 70 PSI on my 28ft Signature.
I've wanted to get a scale to weigh each wheel tire individually. I have used truck tires for years but a few years ago I bought a stacker trailer that had the Goodyear Endurance tires and I became a believer !
Great video. My husband and I had a mobile tire business and he would come to the customer to install tires and wheels. He really knew his stuff. You made everything about tires very understandable. Can't wait to see what you have in store for the next couple of months. Sounds like you're coming out west which is very exciting to think you'll be in my neighborhood. Safe travels!
Great video as always... When I bought my new 2019 camper it came with load range c which is a 6 ply tire in 2019. Doing the appropriate math and it should have come with load range E 10 ply tire. I ended up going with load range F, a 12 ply tire. First set lasted 27k miles and I changed them out at year 4 with the exact same set, could have gone further but I do that 4 year rule with trailer tires. Sold the old set to a guy for a horse trailer that he doesn't use for hauling horses but for his carpentry business. I advised him of the miles and the years, after he saw the 1 inch side walls, he bought them. Transeagles on Amazon are outstanding tires. I also put a 14ply on my 18 flat bed trailer. Absolutely LOVE THEM. Definitely do the math on what you are actually supposed to be using on your trailer. Also, Discount tire is amazing. I have taken these Transeagles to them and they mount them for me, even let me buy the road hazard for them. Don't forget to re-torque them.
Great video. I love Discount Tire and have been a customer for over 30 years. Another important factor that you mentioned is the speed rating of the tires. Most ST class tires used to have a max speed rating of only 65 mph years ago, and I experienced multiple tread separations on 2 sets of trailer tires because I was always towing them at 70-80 mph. This was with both Goodyear Marathon and the earlier versions of Carlisle tires. A rep from Carlisle believed the constant high speed was what caused them to fail. Carlisle now makes the newer Radial Trail HD, which in my tire size of 235/80 R16 has a speed rating of 75 mph and a max load capacity of 3,520 lbs per tire which x4 is within my trailers GVWR. I am now on my second set of these and have had zero problems with them, but also limit my speeds to 70-75 mph now. The Goodyear Endurance does have a higher speed rating of 87 mph, but has a lower max load rating of 3,420 lbs per tire which is just below my GVWR. Plus the Carlisle is about $35 cheaper per tire!
"Cat", here, you crazy KYD Guys! Been retired 36 years, RVing 41 years, in my 14th rig (an RUV, class C with a class A front)! One very important point I learned early on was to try to take delivery of any new or used RV with my choice of tire replacing whatever is on the rig as it arrives. Always, I mean always, replace those highway treaded tires with mud/terrain tires! Even if the RV is a folding tent trailer or a 45 ft diesel pusher! You will thank me at least ten times over the life of the tires! The current best tires for the buck are Hankook, Dynapro carcass, MTS2. They are even rated for ice with their sipes and mini lug design! Select the size and ratings suitable for your application and you will be happy, happy, happy! Price, construction, longevity and, most importantly, tough, tough, tough sidewalls and treads that run really quietly with traction, traction, traction! Meaning, no sliding around in just about every road condition! Try 'em, you'll like 'em!
We got our new Globetrotter this weekend, after having a Bambi. We noticed the tires on the new trailer were 'wonky' for lack of a better word. Kind of at angles to each other. Freaked us out. Then, at 9 minutes in, you just eased our mind to know that was normal. Thanks!!
Great video. One note, your rims are “stud centric” as the rim is centered on the axle via the studs. They used centering cones when they balanced your tire using the center hole to center the rim on the balancer. The accurate way to mount the tire to the balanced would be to use a special adapter with 6 fingers to center the rim on the balancer. i.e. Haweka. This simulates the rim as it is mounted on your trailer. Just an FYI. Love your videos.
Dude your so right.. I called my local Discount Tire store and they were immensely helpful. The guy on the phone was able to order 2 sets of 6 tires so that when i go in i am able to choose between stock tires size and the tire size on my truck now, not knowing which is right for the rim. I always say the hardest things to learn are the things you don't know you don't know. The thing i didn't know is that if you have tires that are too small or big width wise the do whats called ballooning which compromises the payload integrity. That guy might have just saved me from a blowout.
We had a 2006 Weekend Warrior 40ft Toyhauler that had tri-axles. THE FIRST THING I DID was to swamp out the crappy 15" rims and tires to Eagle Allow wheels and Michelin XPS Ribs (a LT tire). The first set had 12 years before they started cracking on the sidewalls, so I replaced them and after the next 6 years when I sold the coach they still looked brand new. The best part is I never had to worry about them- in fact, there might have been 2 or 3 times over those 18 years I actually had to add some air to them! Last year we bought a 2023 Grand Designs Reflection 320MKS (because we had sold all the toys and wanted to downsize, and it came with Goodyear Endurance ST tires. I really don't think there is any such thing as a good ST tire. I have seen way tooo many blowouts that took half of the trailer walls with them. To me, tires are the biggest thing you can do to add extra insurance to your ride.
Absolutely love your content and this video. We have a 27ft Winnebago TT and went with 16 inch rims right away to be able to get into our driveway. The trailer is 5.5 years old and we went with Cooper LT 225 75R 16 Endurance HT3's and love them. American made great ride, and track nicely. Since we just traveled 2,200 miles, I had the tires changed out for the same before the trip, and no problems. Since you recommended it, we had the exact same TPMS but we just got a 2021 F250 Platinum and bought the Ford rear camera and TPMS system so it is now integrated into the truck's system on the dash. It does not do the temperature which we didn't use anyway but it is nice not having another monitor bouncing around on the dash. ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO!!!
Literally had a very stressful discussion with my wife on what we need to inflate to since our wheels looked low. Googling the tires didn’t offer much help, just added confusion. This video could not have been more perfectly timed!! Thanks KYD!
excellent video , in a tire inspection, there is the (TWI) tread wear indicator on every tire. It is a raised tread bar within the tread. When the tread wear reaches the TWI, it could indicate an inflation problem, over or under. if majority of the TWI bars are close to the worn tread, then the tire is ready for replacement. The TWI is found on all manufactured tires. The TWI is located in several locations around the tire, you could have a broken belt in the tire that would cause the tire to wear quicker in that area of tire.
TPMS systems are fantastic with one caveat. We used to ride a sport touring motorcycle across the country about fifteen years ago. TPMS was popular then for the bikes and a significant issue quickly became apparent. If you are going to put the valve stem sensors on, it is important that you replace your rubber valve stems with metal valve stems. The stress from the centrifugal force of the tires during travel puts undesired flex on the rubber valve stem that can cause premature failure. Usually as a leak close to the wheel. Sometimes there is enough movement so that the sensor can damage or scratch the wheel.
Great video here with excellent info. Took my trailer(fully loaded for travel) on a CAT scale and have 6800 lbs on the trailer axles, so brought my pressure down from the sticker suggestion of 80psi to 55. This still allows for a greater than 20% buffer in case the 6800 pounds is not distributed equally. Gives a much better ride and tosses stuff around way less. (225 75 15 E rated ST tires) Now I have to decide if I should replace them with a set of Goodyear ST tires of the same size, or perhaps move to a Michelin XL tire in the 235 75 15 size which will easily handle my load. I am fine with the 15" wheels so in my case, I don't see any need to go a size bigger there when I have four perfectly good wheels. Thus very keen to hear your follow up on performance with the new tires. As always safe travels,
I really enjoyed your video. I worked in a tire shop and went through training with Goodyear,Michelin,and Continental and we put both types of tires on pull trailers but we made sure what the Load range was and made sure we used the right rating . Tires rate from C which is on most cars up to G which is a good heavy stiff sidewall tire. Great info
Thanks for sharing, my wife and I are getting ready to go to the Keys. We currently live in NJ so I know tires are so important to check. Thanks for the reminder!
Have these very same tires on our b van, they are awesome, gives excellent coverage in a rain storm, in curves and in loose gravel. Have 27,000 miles on them since 2021, got them with a dot date of 2022.
Kevin most folks don’t think about that, as an x truck driver I always noticed that the lugs where to tight. To tight can be as deadly as it stretches the lugs and could break them. Best way check them after install for right torque, meaning also if too tight.
I went from "Rainier" "China-bombs" on our new Keystone trailer. I changed over to Goodyear Endurance ST trailer tires, (same diameter, 15 inch,) and I can't believe the difference! The Goodyear's roll better, and I don't have the sway, especially toward the crown of the road that I did with the OEM tires. The Endurance's are run at 65 psi, the Rainier's ran at 50. The Goodyear is SO much better tire -- I'm so glad I changed!!
After seeing Long Long Honeymoon's video for doing this on their YT channel in early 2021, we upgraded to 16" wheels and tires (same as yours) on our TT. Best peace of mind I had for our travels and no regrets. Great to see more folks "preaching" this truth out there and making the move to it. Keep up the great work and videos!
MARC This was great. I thought I knew all about tires but I learned more. and Tires are very very important. Also Discount Tires in Tucson SAVED us b/c they really knew what our problem was. they also sent us to the motor weighing place. You are right on. Thanks again. Charley from Ocala
Couldn't have been better timing as I'm new to owning an RV (bought it used) and was thinking about replacing the tires as they are approaching 5 years old. This was a very helpful discussion and answered some questions I had. Thanks so much.
Oh my! We just did the same thing, almost. I replaced and upgraded from 15" to 16" wheels on our 5th wheel 7 years ago so I could easily get LT tires for it. I just replaced those Michelins with the exact ones you got. We were getting ready for a big trip. First leg of that trip had a tire issue with the truck. Had to get all new tires on the truck too. I got 51k out of mine on a Ram 2500. Safe travels.
We moved from California to Florida recently and our 5 o'clock routine has turned into an 8 o'clock routine. It could be worse but it's still just a enjoyable.
One thing to note about max cold temp is that climate can affect the cold pressure significantly. So if you put your tires at nominal pressure in phoenix then drive to say Montana mountains, you will have a lower pressure due to ambient temp difference and need to add air.
Aluminum wheels are notorious for expansion and contraction . Three words to keep in mind torque, torque, torque. In the rodeo and roping world I have witnessed many sheared lug bolts ,lost wheels,and damaged axles do to loose lugs on aluminum wheels.
Excellent vlog. Perfect timing for me as by coincidence I ordered 4 new tires for my 28’ travel trailer thru Discount Tire. Getting ready for a 6 week 7k road trip from FL to CA with special emphasis in UT. Thank you for such clear and valuable information.
We have been very happy with our TireMinder TPMS-TRAILER model. The best thing about it is that you see psi and temperature on all 4 tires all the time; not sure I’ve ever seen another model do that? Some caveats - only 4 tires, only up to 65psi. But if that works for you I recommend you start with it. Also the stem covers are very lightweight, no problem with our rubber valve stems and over 10K miles.
So many videos and even “experts” say to inflate ST trailer tires to the max cold PSI shown on the tire. I have Goodyear Endurance tires, and Goodyear publishes a chart for PSI / LOAD. I contacted Goodyear directly; they said to use their PSI / LOAD chart. For my dual axle TT fully loaded and weighed at a CAT scale, 35-40 PSI is the recommended cold pressure. 65 PSI is the max cold pressure shown on the tire. Big difference!! When I confronted an “expert” he responded by saying that Goodyear was the exception. Why not say that upfront? People will inflate Goodyear Endurance tires to max cold PSI based on watching an “expert” video.
Well Marc we made the plunge to the LT with 16” wheels as you did….the tires and wheels look great on our 25 ft FlyingCloud! Thank you so much for giving us good details to make our decision.😀❤️
I don't tow but found the discussion very informative. Thank you Professor Air Pressure! When it comes to cost, do you really want to skimp? Pay up for the proper tire for your rig, and purchase a TPMS. Your whole world is riding on those tires!
We had load range f tires on our 10k lb camper and I immediately changed them to a load range g before we used them,drove from pa to disney and back with no issues
Marc, It is also a good idea to have the tires & rims balanced before mounting on RV......note many RV's do NOT come from the factory with balanced tires. Balancing the tires will help with overall ride and provide uniform wear. Additionally, you should torque the lug nuts in multiple levels (eg: 40 psi, then 75 psi, then 100 psig) when mounting the wheels to provide uniform "stretch" on lugnuts/wheel studs. Thanks for providing important tire information.....Be well & travel safely!
Just a correction. Airstream installs truck tires on only the 30' and 33' Classic. All other trailers (International, Flying Cloud, Globetrotter, Bambi, and Caravel) are equipped with Goodyear Endurance ST.
Our TPM System has saved us a couple of times now from having major blowout! Highly recommend keeping a close eye on your tire pressure and temperature. Especially on long drive days.
If you run the palm of your hand across the face of the tire in one direction and then in the other you should feel the same in both directions. If one direction feels sharp then you have an indication that something is wrong in the alignment of your wheels. I did this for many years as a truck driver and do it all the time with my RV trailer and have never gotten in a situation on the side of the road that was related to misalignment. Thanks for the great video.
Funny that Caleb commented on the smell. My 7yo daughter told us the other day that she likes the smell of new tires. Apparently she picked it up by walking past the “Big C” warehouse club store tire center every time we shop there.
Thank you Marc for all the great information. I will be passing this along to my hubby. Can't wait to see the new season. Hope you guys have an awesome season !!! We are in Moab right now enjoying the national parks. It is our first time here and it is beautiful!
Good one Marc. I've had arguments with people that think you should always inflate tires to max pressure indicated on the sidewall. I've always used the RV manufacturers sticker for it's recommendations. Your explanation is clear + sensible. Thanks! Don't feel too bad about buying 8 new tires. We used to have a triple-axle toy hauler, pulled by a dually. That's 12 tires! Not to mention the 5 axles they charge for on a toll highway!
In the hot south (Texas, etc.), we run our trailer tires about 10% under max cold during the summer months. On my last trip, I ran my 128psi load range H tires on 8k axles at 112psi cold. Running down the highway at 100 to105 degrees, I was at 129psi when I got to my destination. Ask the guys in west Texas at the tire stores along I-20 and they will tell you they make a decent living replacing RV tires during the summer months. They say run 80psi tires at 72psi and you wont have any issues. In the winter time, back to cold pressure. Of course, you need to watch the profile of the tire and make sure it isn't squatting but if it is, you are probably overloaded and nothing much can help with that.
Really good rundown and timely! My son and I both own Keystone TTS. He has had two blowouts. I’m trying to avoid the same problem and have been considering switching the OEM Carlisle’s out for the Endura. And then you’ve got the ST/LT debate !
I would suggest going up a load range next time if you are experiencing multiple blow outs. Trailers used to be sold with bare minimum rated tires. The additional buffer of a higher load range will make a difference in that case. While not required, do you really wanna be driving down the road with 7 to 20 tons running on the minimum with no margin of error?
Understanding the "load index" is crucial in making the decision to run at a pressure less than max psi cold for the rating of the tire and still carry the load.
Hey bud, while you guys are up here in Washington, you really should swing by Leavenworth, wa. It is a great Bavarian little town set in between the mountains great places to camp. We will be at lake Wenatchee campground for most of the week from the 28th of August and at icicle creek rv resort September 2 to the 4th.look it up its awesome 👌 👏
Hi Marc…thanks for all the information in this episode. I followed your lead and got the 16” Agils Tires and rims from Discount Tire. Great service and great tires. One less thing to worry about. Again, thanks!
I noticed that you have shocks on your airstream I have shocks on my outdoors RV which is made by arctic fox you might want to replace those with KYBs you should check them
The only tire issue we had was a valve stem failed from our Tpms causing vibration. At the tire shop we found the other 3 were close to failure. We replaced all with metal stems.
Great video. Lots of important information that is well-presented! Many thanks! We're fixing to replace our tires before hitting the road. They are 5 years old now and sat nearly 2 years during the 'Rona outbreak (all our planned destinations had draconian and absurd mask and Vax "mandates" so we passed on the silliness). +100 on Discount Tire. That's where we get all of our trailer, truck and car tires. We park our trailer on pads made from recycled tires and they have helped prevent flat spots and tire decay. Keeps the tires out of the water when it rains, too. They weren't cheap but we're glad we have them! Bob and Dottie
I have a class A motorhome but the information you gave was also useful in everyway. Thanks so much for you and your channel. I have been watching for a long time and get so much out of watching.
We went on a month long trip last year … had two blow outs in Virginia when it was over 100 degrees out … there were at least a half dozen rigs we passed before ours blew … I always travel with two spares now
After much due diligence we replaced the tires on our 2011 classic (9000 lb) with nearly the exact same tire wheel combo. - we got the commercial version which has a little higher weight rating and is directional. We run 65 psi as per the AS factory recommendation - after 12000 miles tread wear looks perfect. Great minds think alike. Btw. You are most likely to have a failure on the passenger side because that’s where the road debris - and curbs - are. So our directional spare is mounted for curb side use. In the event it needed to replace a driver side blowout word is it would make immeasurably small difference. So not to worry.
Great information on tires. The only thing that I think you should have mentioned is about having your tires balanced when they're mounted. I noticed that you were having this done on the video, but balancing trailer tires is not something everyone does. They should, but they don't because most trailer manufacturers do not balance them prior to putting them on their units. I don't understand why. After buying my first trailer, one of the first things I've done on the two I have purchased since is take it in to have the tires balanced. Tires last longer, and I think the toughing is just a hair smoother. Just my opinion. Love your guys' channel!
Helpful video with some good information. Something worth considering, I tend to get closer to max cold pressure and I also go up a load range from oem. Last blowout I had resulted in replacement of 2 tires because the other cracked as it took all the weight while I pulled to the side. It means rougher ride (tires are not great shocks) but more security to allow a short run on 1 tire while I pull over rather than 2 blowouts at once dropping the whole side of the trailer. Neither is necessary but piece of mind for me. I do use the tpms to check temps and pressures as you said however without it I NEVER would have known I picked up a nail mid trip until the tire blew or I stopped hours later...there is a benefit other than lazyness to them😉. What TPMS don't do is tell you if one comes off. Sometimes they won't update for 30min and still display the last known pressure sadly. I wish you could find a tpms that had a shorter stale timer or alerted when they didn't update in X attempts. None I have found show last update timeframe. While they beep for blow outs so far I have heard them and been slowing and pulling over before they beep.
When using the metal x chocks, a good tip is to have an orange nylon strip from an old tie down tchd to the handles running out on the ground. This is so you can see that they are still on and not tear up your tires when pulling out of a campground. We have seen way to many people try to drive off with chocks and or x chocks still on the trailer.
Just had this mistake on our last trip for the first time. We were moving sites and cleaning up stuff quickly and forgot to take them off. Fortunately no damage to the tire as they apparently slipped out the side.
Don't forget to re-torque the lug nuts on new aluminum rims after 50 miles or so, then after 500 or so. The aluminum will flex with heat/cold and can make the lugnuts loose.
Very important to do! We forgot on our car & about 100km since putting them on we heard a weird noise as we were parking & 4 out of 5 lug nuts were loose.
Let’s give Marky Mark a little credit… he’s not gonna forget about that.
Yes retorque!!! very important on the wear pattern you set in the first 1,000 miles!!
Not forget to also check your truck lug nuts too. I pulled my trailer 50 miles before I found out the FORD dealer did not tightened any of the 24 lug nuts when they rotated the tires!!
We all should be checking lug nuts often if not every trip
I just hit the road for travel assignment from NM to CA. Taking my 20 foot travel trailer . I took trailer to Discount tire to check air and they said my tires needed to be replaced! I thought they were fine and never would have thought I needed new ones . It’s a 2019 trailer and had tires replaced with 2018 tire ?? So I got new tires on trailer AND my F150 truck as they said needed tires also!
It was almost quitting time and I was leaving next morning for CA. They replaced tires right then and there. Awesome store. Got the Tms system because I’ve been watching your for years.
Also got truck and trailer weighed while at truck shop - now need to get truck weight so see what trailers weight. Your videos have been a life saver for me. Am alone and nobody really to teach me - so watch your videos regularly!!
Thanks for keeping me educated and safe. Your family is awesome
My TST TPMS shows the psi and temperature of all 8 of my tires at the same time. Just in case someone watching doesn’t want to push a button to go between the psi and temp. all the time. It’s nice to have it all on the screen
Marc’s enthusiasm and teaching style always convinces me I can learn anything. I don’t even own an RV, but I’m ready to join in if the subject of tyres ever comes up in conversation
Love discount tire so much. I have been dealing with them for a number of years now. Their prices are hard to beat and their customer service is amazing. Nice to see that you have had a similar experience.
I like to support the local yokel tire shop. You may get a better price at the big boxers but I’d rather help the small business man.
As a woman, I found this fascinating and informative at the same time. I shudder at the thought of the old codger I had to deal with when I needed to replace the tires on my trailer. As soon as he began answering my questions with a condescending attitude, I shut down. Don't treat me like I am some dingbat; my safety and my precious cargo (dogs) are very important factors and if you don't have enough respect to treat me like I have a brain, say goodbye!
I went with 16" wheels and Michelin LT tires a few years ago, I really like them!
Most welcomed topic. Tires. I'm glad you took the time to share this about the cold pressure & when the tires get hot how they expand. I had to learn too. My Father. I just never understood the "A" "B" part of the tire. I used all season, & I did go with a 16" for both '95 Dodge Intrepid & my '82 Chevy Caprice Classic. I went a size larger to have a little more height to straddle some of the dirt roads I had to travel into clients homes to keep from scratching the bottom on a rock. I loved seeing Caleb whizzing by on the skateboard with the American Flag. I so enjoy him. 👍Looking forward to the National Parks in the West. Some really beautiful places out there. Have a good week!😊
Hey Marc, Good stuff! I have preached more times than I can recall that the tires are way more important than all the other features on our trailers! Of course our Goodyear AT tires are way overkill for our Timberleafs. I might look at getting a tire minder too.
Well done and easy to understand. I might add that folks using TPMS should get metal valve stems because the TPMS caps can make the rubber stems flex and ultimately crack.
On our last trip to Colorado, we had two blowouts in two days, very frustrating and nerve racking. Your comment about practicing at home is so good. It took me almost two hours to change the first tire, just running around the truck and camper to gather up tools, thanks goodness I had them all. The next day, blowout on the other side, it to about 45 minutes, better but still so frustrating!!
I didn't know how to check the date code that would have been really good to know before I left on this trip. I found out on the road, when the tire shop showed me how to check that. I definitely would have changed them long before this trip.
I bought the camper second hand and the owner had said they changed the tires not to long ago, it had actually been six years. Just wanted to share my experience so other don't run into the same mess.
Great video! Thanks Marc!
Excellent episode Marc. You’ve settled the discussion going on in my head regarding ST vs LT tires for our 5th wheel unit.
A recent blowout even with the use of the Tire Minder i10 had me wondering about installing truck tires and moving up to 16 inch from 15 inch however, the bolt pattern on our unit does not permit an increase to a 16 inch rim.
We’ve chosen the GoodYear Endurance and trust with proper maintenance we should expect excellent service where the rubber meets the road’
You sir’ are definitely the best source for RV related issues and upgrades.
All the best.
Regards,
FYI in thd future, Discount does have 16” in 5 on 4 1/2, and I would assume other 5 lug patterns . I just ordered a set of Vision Soft 8 black for my Casita. I’m switching to LT, and 15” truck tires are getting harder to find .
Thanks for the great information. Dont forget to re-measure the height of your trailer after switching tires and or rims to different brands or a larger size rim. Probably wont change or matter that much especially with a airstream but better to know than to guess at the last second.
This is my thing. I want to share something I saw at the beginning of the video (I believe that was a jack rod) at Discount Tire (saw it later on too). I go there as well.The Airstream has a rubber-based axle as you mention. When you go to the tire store their default is the axle or at the wheel. I forced my Discount Tire guy to jack mine up at the jack points and it worked fine. Even jacking near the wheel point can arch the axle. They can add a lift block on the jack if more height is needed. Also, I went round and round about the PSI and found a chart that shows load for tires (4) It is not max cold PSI as many believe and as you found. Great episode. People NEED this. I use TireTracker (small screen) and it too gives temp/pressure on one screen. I got Crossclimates too. I was told by Airstream years ago when I called that their upgrade to LT tires 16" that they offered on the Eddie Bauer was a great option and, that they found better reliability over the ST tires. My thought is that research on LT is much more and most ST tires are from the "same country".
We added the 2 inch lift which is why I don't think the jack points worked. I would have preferred to use the jack points.
@@KeepYourDaydream ok, I see. I was concerned. They have some kind of attachment on the jacks too like blocks that add height. I remember they had to wheel two different ones on my new tire purchase when I was going crazy on them to stay away from the axles- LOL. Those CrossClimates have a nice tread, almost rugged.
So glad you made this video. Tires are probably the most important part of safe towing. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Wow, this video is pure gold. There’s no telling how much money and heartache it will save for viewers. 💯
Yes, this episode is super helpful.
I’ve had two blow-outs while towing the travel trailer, once on a rear truck tire, and once on a trailer tire.
As an over-the-road trucker, I’ve had blow-outs on trailer tires, and tractor tires. It is never pretty.
Thanks for all the solid information and recommendations.
Thanks, also, for the link to the TPMS. I gotta get one of those.
Let’s Go!
On our fifth wheel we had the Goodyear endurance and had zero issues with it. Good tire!
Like previously mentioned, we learned after a blowout that we needed metal valve stems for our tpms sensors. Last trip our system alerted to a slow leaking tire. Found it had a screw in it & Discount Tire fixed it for us.
Just letting you know that even two years later this video is very helpful!!
I switched over to the Michelin 16 LT on my Airstream back in the spring and love them so far. Check that torque several times. I found some of my lug bolts backing off. Been running 70 PSI on my 28ft Signature.
Why 16”?
I've wanted to get a scale to weigh each wheel tire individually. I have used truck tires for years but a few years ago I bought a stacker trailer that had the Goodyear Endurance tires and I became a believer !
THE Streaming Service that competes with Netflix! Thank you KYD LE Service de Streaming qui fait concurrence à Netflix ! Merci KYD.
Great video. My husband and I had a mobile tire business and he would come to the customer to install tires and wheels. He really knew his stuff. You made everything about tires very understandable. Can't wait to see what you have in store for the next couple of months. Sounds like you're coming out west which is very exciting to think you'll be in my neighborhood. Safe travels!
Great video as always... When I bought my new 2019 camper it came with load range c which is a 6 ply tire in 2019. Doing the appropriate math and it should have come with load range E 10 ply tire. I ended up going with load range F, a 12 ply tire. First set lasted 27k miles and I changed them out at year 4 with the exact same set, could have gone further but I do that 4 year rule with trailer tires. Sold the old set to a guy for a horse trailer that he doesn't use for hauling horses but for his carpentry business. I advised him of the miles and the years, after he saw the 1 inch side walls, he bought them. Transeagles on Amazon are outstanding tires. I also put a 14ply on my 18 flat bed trailer. Absolutely LOVE THEM. Definitely do the math on what you are actually supposed to be using on your trailer. Also, Discount tire is amazing. I have taken these Transeagles to them and they mount them for me, even let me buy the road hazard for them. Don't forget to re-torque them.
Great video. I love Discount Tire and have been a customer for over 30 years. Another important factor that you mentioned is the speed rating of the tires. Most ST class tires used to have a max speed rating of only 65 mph years ago, and I experienced multiple tread separations on 2 sets of trailer tires because I was always towing them at 70-80 mph. This was with both Goodyear Marathon and the earlier versions of Carlisle tires. A rep from Carlisle believed the constant high speed was what caused them to fail. Carlisle now makes the newer Radial Trail HD, which in my tire size of 235/80 R16 has a speed rating of 75 mph and a max load capacity of 3,520 lbs per tire which x4 is within my trailers GVWR. I am now on my second set of these and have had zero problems with them, but also limit my speeds to 70-75 mph now. The Goodyear Endurance does have a higher speed rating of 87 mph, but has a lower max load rating of 3,420 lbs per tire which is just below my GVWR. Plus the Carlisle is about $35 cheaper per tire!
"Cat", here, you crazy KYD Guys! Been retired 36 years, RVing 41 years, in my 14th rig (an RUV, class C with a class A front)! One very important point I learned early on was to try to take delivery of any new or used RV with my choice of tire replacing whatever is on the rig as it arrives. Always, I mean always, replace those highway treaded tires with mud/terrain tires! Even if the RV is a folding tent trailer or a 45 ft diesel pusher! You will thank me at least ten times over the life of the tires! The current best tires for the buck are Hankook, Dynapro carcass, MTS2. They are even rated for ice with their sipes and mini lug design! Select the size and ratings suitable for your application and you will be happy, happy, happy! Price, construction, longevity and, most importantly, tough, tough, tough sidewalls and treads that run really quietly with traction, traction, traction! Meaning, no sliding around in just about every road condition! Try 'em, you'll like 'em!
We got our new Globetrotter this weekend, after having a Bambi. We noticed the tires on the new trailer were 'wonky' for lack of a better word. Kind of at angles to each other. Freaked us out. Then, at 9 minutes in, you just eased our mind to know that was normal. Thanks!!
Noob here and found exactly what I was looking for in an informational vid all about tires. Thanks!
Our TPMS sensors provide temperature as well. Speed makes a big difference on how hot your tires will get on the highway.
Great video. One note, your rims are “stud centric” as the rim is centered on the axle via the studs. They used centering cones when they balanced your tire using the center hole to center the rim on the balancer. The accurate way to mount the tire to the balanced would be to use a special adapter with 6 fingers to center the rim on the balancer. i.e. Haweka. This simulates the rim as it is mounted on your trailer. Just an FYI. Love your videos.
Dude your so right.. I called my local Discount Tire store and they were immensely helpful.
The guy on the phone was able to order 2 sets of 6 tires so that when i go in i am able to choose between stock tires size and the tire size on my truck now, not knowing which is right for the rim.
I always say the hardest things to learn are the things you don't know you don't know.
The thing i didn't know is that if you have tires that are too small or big width wise the do whats called ballooning which compromises the payload integrity.
That guy might have just saved me from a blowout.
We had a 2006 Weekend Warrior 40ft Toyhauler that had tri-axles. THE FIRST THING I DID was to swamp out the crappy 15" rims and tires to Eagle Allow wheels and Michelin XPS Ribs (a LT tire). The first set had 12 years before they started cracking on the sidewalls, so I replaced them and after the next 6 years when I sold the coach they still looked brand new. The best part is I never had to worry about them- in fact, there might have been 2 or 3 times over those 18 years I actually had to add some air to them! Last year we bought a 2023 Grand Designs Reflection 320MKS (because we had sold all the toys and wanted to downsize, and it came with Goodyear Endurance ST tires. I really don't think there is any such thing as a good ST tire. I have seen way tooo many blowouts that took half of the trailer walls with them. To me, tires are the biggest thing you can do to add extra insurance to your ride.
Check your Andersen levelers. You may need to trim one if the new tires are close together. I had to do that on my Lance trailer 👌
Absolutely love your content and this video. We have a 27ft Winnebago TT and went with 16 inch rims right away to be able to get into our driveway. The trailer is 5.5 years old and we went with Cooper LT 225 75R 16 Endurance HT3's and love them. American made great ride, and track nicely. Since we just traveled 2,200 miles, I had the tires changed out for the same before the trip, and no problems. Since you recommended it, we had the exact same TPMS but we just got a 2021 F250 Platinum and bought the Ford rear camera and TPMS system so it is now integrated into the truck's system on the dash. It does not do the temperature which we didn't use anyway but it is nice not having another monitor bouncing around on the dash. ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO!!!
Literally had a very stressful discussion with my wife on what we need to inflate to since our wheels looked low. Googling the tires didn’t offer much help, just added confusion. This video could not have been more perfectly timed!! Thanks KYD!
It's on the sidewall of the tire... company specs
@@gregprince2523 You did not watch the video, did you?
@@tgriebe yep twice..... Mark talks about it.. He just wants a softer ride
@@gregprince2523 No, proper inflation based on actual load also gives you better traction and even tire wear as well as a better ride.
@@tgriebe copy that
excellent video , in a tire inspection, there is the (TWI) tread wear indicator on every tire. It is a raised tread bar within the tread. When the tread wear reaches the TWI, it could indicate an inflation problem, over or under. if majority of the TWI bars are close to the worn tread, then the tire is ready for replacement. The TWI is found on all manufactured tires. The TWI is located in several locations around the tire, you could have a broken belt in the tire that would cause the tire to wear quicker in that area of tire.
TPMS systems are fantastic with one caveat. We used to ride a sport touring motorcycle across the country about fifteen years ago. TPMS was popular then for the bikes and a significant issue quickly became apparent. If you are going to put the valve stem sensors on, it is important that you replace your rubber valve stems with metal valve stems. The stress from the centrifugal force of the tires during travel puts undesired flex on the rubber valve stem that can cause premature failure. Usually as a leak close to the wheel. Sometimes there is enough movement so that the sensor can damage or scratch the wheel.
Great video here with excellent info. Took my trailer(fully loaded for travel) on a CAT scale and have 6800 lbs on the trailer axles, so brought my pressure down from the sticker suggestion of 80psi to 55. This still allows for a greater than 20% buffer in case the 6800 pounds is not distributed equally. Gives a much better ride and tosses stuff around way less. (225 75 15 E rated ST tires) Now I have to decide if I should replace them with a set of Goodyear ST tires of the same size, or perhaps move to a Michelin XL tire in the 235 75 15 size which will easily handle my load. I am fine with the 15" wheels so in my case, I don't see any need to go a size bigger there when I have four perfectly good wheels. Thus very keen to hear your follow up on performance with the new tires. As always safe travels,
I really enjoyed your video. I worked in a tire shop and went through training with Goodyear,Michelin,and Continental and we put both types of tires on pull trailers but we made sure what the Load range was and made sure we used the right rating . Tires rate from C which is on most cars up to G which is a good heavy stiff sidewall tire. Great info
Thanks for sharing, my wife and I are getting ready to go to the Keys. We currently live in NJ so I know tires are so important to check. Thanks for the reminder!
Have these very same tires on our b van, they are awesome, gives excellent coverage in a rain storm, in curves and in loose gravel. Have 27,000 miles on them since 2021, got them with a dot date of 2022.
Kevin most folks don’t think about that, as an x truck driver I always noticed that the lugs where to tight.
To tight can be as deadly as it stretches the lugs and could break them.
Best way check them after install for right torque, meaning also if too tight.
I went from "Rainier" "China-bombs" on our new Keystone trailer. I changed over to Goodyear Endurance ST trailer tires, (same diameter, 15 inch,) and I can't believe the difference! The Goodyear's roll better, and I don't have the sway, especially toward the crown of the road that I did with the OEM tires. The Endurance's are run at 65 psi, the Rainier's ran at 50. The Goodyear is SO much better tire -- I'm so glad I changed!!
We truly appreciate all that you go through to share your experiences with us!
After seeing Long Long Honeymoon's video for doing this on their YT channel in early 2021, we upgraded to 16" wheels and tires (same as yours) on our TT. Best peace of mind I had for our travels and no regrets. Great to see more folks "preaching" this truth out there and making the move to it. Keep up the great work and videos!
This video is so helpful. On back to back trips we have blown out a tire. Learning a lot with this video. Y’all rock!
MARC This was great. I thought I knew all about tires but I learned more. and Tires are very very important. Also Discount Tires in Tucson SAVED us b/c they really knew what our problem was. they also sent us to the motor weighing place. You are right on. Thanks again. Charley from Ocala
Couldn't have been better timing as I'm new to owning an RV (bought it used) and was thinking about replacing the tires as they are approaching 5 years old. This was a very helpful discussion and answered some questions I had. Thanks so much.
Oh my! We just did the same thing, almost. I replaced and upgraded from 15" to 16" wheels on our 5th wheel 7 years ago so I could easily get LT tires for it. I just replaced those Michelins with the exact ones you got. We were getting ready for a big trip. First leg of that trip had a tire issue with the truck. Had to get all new tires on the truck too. I got 51k out of mine on a Ram 2500. Safe travels.
We moved from California to Florida recently and our 5 o'clock routine has turned into an 8 o'clock routine. It could be worse but it's still just a enjoyable.
One thing to note about max cold temp is that climate can affect the cold pressure significantly. So if you put your tires at nominal pressure in phoenix then drive to say Montana mountains, you will have a lower pressure due to ambient temp difference and need to add air.
Aluminum wheels are notorious for expansion and contraction . Three words to keep in mind torque, torque, torque. In the rodeo and roping world I have witnessed many sheared lug bolts ,lost wheels,and damaged axles do to loose lugs on aluminum wheels.
Excellent vlog. Perfect timing for me as by coincidence I ordered 4 new tires for my 28’ travel trailer thru Discount Tire. Getting ready for a 6 week 7k road trip from FL to CA with special emphasis in UT. Thank you for such clear and valuable information.
We have been very happy with our TireMinder TPMS-TRAILER model. The best thing about it is that you see psi and temperature on all 4 tires all the time; not sure I’ve ever seen another model do that? Some caveats - only 4 tires, only up to 65psi. But if that works for you I recommend you start with it. Also the stem covers are very lightweight, no problem with our rubber valve stems and over 10K miles.
So many videos and even “experts” say to inflate ST trailer tires to the max cold PSI shown on the tire. I have Goodyear Endurance tires, and Goodyear publishes a chart for PSI / LOAD. I contacted Goodyear directly; they said to use their PSI / LOAD chart. For my dual axle TT fully loaded and weighed at a CAT scale, 35-40 PSI is the recommended cold pressure. 65 PSI is the max cold pressure shown on the tire. Big difference!! When I confronted an “expert” he responded by saying that Goodyear was the exception. Why not say that upfront? People will inflate Goodyear Endurance tires to max cold PSI based on watching an “expert” video.
Well Marc we made the plunge to the LT with 16” wheels as you did….the tires and wheels look great on our 25 ft FlyingCloud! Thank you so much for giving us good details to make our decision.😀❤️
I buy all my tires from Discount Tire. Great service, quality tires (Goodyear Endurance for me), caring employees. Great informative video!
Awesome job Marc. This episode is going to help so many people understand towable tire issues.
Oh I love Sunday Evening!!!
nearly turned this off so many times, but my practical information side took over. I am sure I learned something today that will be useful someday.
I don't tow but found the discussion very informative. Thank you Professor Air Pressure! When it comes to cost, do you really want to skimp? Pay up for the proper tire for your rig, and purchase a TPMS. Your whole world is riding on those tires!
With your tires jacked up it’s a good time to check your wheel bearings and grease them once the tires are off if they haven’t been lubed in a while.
We had load range f tires on our 10k lb camper and I immediately changed them to a load range g before we used them,drove from pa to disney and back with no issues
Marc, It is also a good idea to have the tires & rims balanced before mounting on RV......note many RV's do NOT come from the factory with balanced tires. Balancing the tires will help with overall ride and provide uniform wear.
Additionally, you should torque the lug nuts in multiple levels (eg: 40 psi, then 75 psi, then 100 psig) when mounting the wheels to provide uniform "stretch" on lugnuts/wheel studs.
Thanks for providing important tire information.....Be well & travel safely!
We use Centramatic balancers on our Airstream, and we have used them on several motorcycles over the years. Love them.
Just a correction. Airstream installs truck tires on only the 30' and 33' Classic. All other trailers (International, Flying Cloud, Globetrotter, Bambi, and Caravel) are equipped with Goodyear Endurance ST.
Our TPM System has saved us a couple of times now from having major blowout! Highly recommend keeping a close eye on your tire pressure and temperature. Especially on long drive days.
What PSI and temp do you set your TPMS for to notify you if there is too much pressure or temp too hot?
If you run the palm of your hand across the face of the tire in one direction and then in the other you should feel the same in both directions. If one direction feels sharp then you have an indication that something is wrong in the alignment of your wheels. I did this for many years as a truck driver and do it all the time with my RV trailer and have never gotten in a situation on the side of the road that was related to misalignment. Thanks for the great video.
Funny that Caleb commented on the smell. My 7yo daughter told us the other day that she likes the smell of new tires. Apparently she picked it up by walking past the “Big C” warehouse club store tire center every time we shop there.
Thank you Marc for all the great information. I will be passing this along to my hubby. Can't wait to see the new season. Hope you guys have an awesome season !!! We are in Moab right now enjoying the national parks. It is our first time here and it is beautiful!
Good one Marc. I've had arguments with people that think you should always inflate tires to max pressure indicated on the sidewall. I've always used the RV manufacturers sticker for it's recommendations. Your explanation is clear + sensible. Thanks! Don't feel too bad about buying 8 new tires. We used to have a triple-axle toy hauler, pulled by a dually. That's 12 tires! Not to mention the 5 axles they charge for on a toll highway!
Thank you helping making sense of the tire confusion; at least confusion for me. I’m going to save this for referencing later.
In the hot south (Texas, etc.), we run our trailer tires about 10% under max cold during the summer months. On my last trip, I ran my 128psi load range H tires on 8k axles at 112psi cold. Running down the highway at 100 to105 degrees, I was at 129psi when I got to my destination. Ask the guys in west Texas at the tire stores along I-20 and they will tell you they make a decent living replacing RV tires during the summer months. They say run 80psi tires at 72psi and you wont have any issues. In the winter time, back to cold pressure. Of course, you need to watch the profile of the tire and make sure it isn't squatting but if it is, you are probably overloaded and nothing much can help with that.
Really good rundown and timely! My son and I both own Keystone TTS. He has had two blowouts. I’m trying to avoid the same problem and have been considering switching the OEM Carlisle’s out for the Endura. And then you’ve got the ST/LT debate !
I would suggest going up a load range next time if you are experiencing multiple blow outs. Trailers used to be sold with bare minimum rated tires. The additional buffer of a higher load range will make a difference in that case. While not required, do you really wanna be driving down the road with 7 to 20 tons running on the minimum with no margin of error?
Understanding the "load index" is crucial in making the decision to run at a pressure less than max psi cold for the rating of the tire and still carry the load.
Hey bud, while you guys are up here in Washington, you really should swing by Leavenworth, wa. It is a great Bavarian little town set in between the mountains great places to camp. We will be at lake Wenatchee campground for most of the week from the 28th of August and at icicle creek rv resort September 2 to the 4th.look it up its awesome 👌 👏
Mark, you always make the most boring issues interesting in these videos. Great editing.
Hi Marc…thanks for all the information in this episode. I followed your lead and got the 16” Agils Tires and rims from Discount Tire. Great service and great tires. One less thing to worry about. Again, thanks!
When we had our 30’ AS FC I also upgraded to 16” LT’s and really appreciated the additional clearance provided by the 16” rims. Good info. Thx.
Dill Air controls make an inside the tire TPMS unit - safer than valve cap tpms units and they aren’t going to get stolen.
Love to watch EVERY week......we need more!!!!!!!!!!!! How about a mid week special?
Thanks! We'll see what we can do.
I noticed that you have shocks on your airstream I have shocks on my outdoors RV which is made by arctic fox you might want to replace those with KYBs you should check them
The only tire issue we had was a valve stem failed from our Tpms causing vibration. At the tire shop we found the other 3 were close to failure. We replaced all with metal stems.
Purchased my Viar pump via your link. Slightly expensive but best decision I made since purchasing the RV.
When it comes to those kind of tools, having stuff that works is nice.
Great video. Lots of important information that is well-presented! Many thanks! We're fixing to replace our tires before hitting the road. They are 5 years old now and sat nearly 2 years during the 'Rona outbreak (all our planned destinations had draconian and absurd mask and Vax "mandates" so we passed on the silliness). +100 on Discount Tire. That's where we get all of our trailer, truck and car tires. We park our trailer on pads made from recycled tires and they have helped prevent flat spots and tire decay. Keeps the tires out of the water when it rains, too. They weren't cheap but we're glad we have them!
Bob and Dottie
I have a class A motorhome but the information you gave was also useful in everyway. Thanks so much for you and your channel. I have been watching for a long time and get so much out of watching.
Thanks for your video! As usual, you did an outstanding job going over & explaining these important topics! We love our Tire Minder TPMS system.
I freaking love the detailed RV discussions like this.
We went on a month long trip last year … had two blow outs in Virginia when it was over 100 degrees out … there were at least a half dozen rigs we passed before ours blew …
I always travel with two spares now
One thing I started doing is having two spares. What I found is, if you do have a blowout, they could create damage on the tire behind it.
Love how Mark can go in the camper and scrub off the covers in the kitchen sink
After much due diligence we replaced the tires on our 2011 classic (9000 lb) with nearly the exact same tire wheel combo. - we got the commercial version which has a little higher weight rating and is directional. We run 65 psi as per the AS factory recommendation - after 12000 miles tread wear looks perfect.
Great minds think alike.
Btw. You are most likely to have a failure on the passenger side because that’s where the road debris - and curbs - are. So our directional spare is mounted for curb side use. In the event it needed to replace a driver side blowout word is it would make immeasurably small difference. So not to worry.
I went to a heavier load rated Goodyear Endurance (D load to E load rated) as an extra measure of safety.
Great information on tires. The only thing that I think you should have mentioned is about having your tires balanced when they're mounted. I noticed that you were having this done on the video, but balancing trailer tires is not something everyone does. They should, but they don't because most trailer manufacturers do not balance them prior to putting them on their units. I don't understand why. After buying my first trailer, one of the first things I've done on the two I have purchased since is take it in to have the tires balanced. Tires last longer, and I think the toughing is just a hair smoother. Just my opinion. Love your guys' channel!
You and Trish always bring great value to your videos.
Everyone needs to watch this! People make my head hurt on forus talking about tires and pressure🤣
Helpful video with some good information. Something worth considering, I tend to get closer to max cold pressure and I also go up a load range from oem. Last blowout I had resulted in replacement of 2 tires because the other cracked as it took all the weight while I pulled to the side. It means rougher ride (tires are not great shocks) but more security to allow a short run on 1 tire while I pull over rather than 2 blowouts at once dropping the whole side of the trailer. Neither is necessary but piece of mind for me.
I do use the tpms to check temps and pressures as you said however without it I NEVER would have known I picked up a nail mid trip until the tire blew or I stopped hours later...there is a benefit other than lazyness to them😉. What TPMS don't do is tell you if one comes off. Sometimes they won't update for 30min and still display the last known pressure sadly. I wish you could find a tpms that had a shorter stale timer or alerted when they didn't update in X attempts. None I have found show last update timeframe. While they beep for blow outs so far I have heard them and been slowing and pulling over before they beep.
You should check if the height of the trailer tongue changed, you may need to change your hitch setup to compensate.
We’ve been using Michelin XPS Rib LT225 /75 R16 115Q E1 on our 2004 30’ Classic. Got ours from Discount Tire too.
When using the metal x chocks, a good tip is to have an orange nylon strip from an old tie down tchd to the handles running out on the ground. This is so you can see that they are still on and not tear up your tires when pulling out of a campground. We have seen way to many people try to drive off with chocks and or x chocks still on the trailer.
Just had this mistake on our last trip for the first time. We were moving sites and cleaning up stuff quickly and forgot to take them off. Fortunately no damage to the tire as they apparently slipped out the side.