BLOWOUT with Goodyear Marathon Trailer Tires -- Trailers and Towing

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SUBJECT: # 10278: BLOWOUT with Goodyear Marathon Trailer Tires

Submitted by Rascal (65.34.151.114) from FLORIDA on 5/17/04 8:25:00 AM

This is the second time in the last 18 months that one of the Goodyear Marathons on my trailer totally blewout. I'm meticulous when it comes to my equipment and always check them and make sure the they are inflated properly and there is no damage before I go on a fishing trip. The first time I had a problem, Goodyear made good on it. So, I'll contact them again and see what have to they say. If they don't some through I'm going to replace them all with another brand. Anyone have any suggestions on what brand doesn't have these problems and what to replace them with? Thanks.

5/17/04 2:22:00 PM Submitted by beartrap from GEORGIA says I use Kelly Chargers on mine
am one of the minority around here that thinks Goodyear Marathons are overated and over priced...used Kelly chargers for three years and they work fine....
5/17/04 2:30:00 PM Submitted by Snowman from TEXAS says I'm with Beartrap on overpriced...
I chose Carlisle's to replace tires on my last two boats. The longest I've used a Carlisle is about 2 years, but no issues with it on wear or blowouts, etc.
If my BassCat didn't have brand new Firehawks on it, I'd scrap them and go straight to Carlisles. The sidewalls on the Carlisles are solid, just a good all-around tire, and cheaper than Goodyear.
5/17/04 4:38:00 PM Submitted by BobH (141.152.50.54) from VIRGINIA says Marathon
I just replace my marathon spare tire. Went out to the boat and noticed the top of the marathon tire was suffering from tread separation. Apparently caused by just sitting out in the sun. Dealer said it was from bouncing around but I don't buy that. The tire was seven years old and had been used but still had good tread. Dealer said too old to get any warranty. Scary. It could have been on one of the wheels.
5/17/04 5:03:00 PM Submitted by Alan (144.167.49.97) from ARKANSAS says Carlisles Trailer tires.....
No one in my memory has ever reported anything on this board BUT problems with Carlisles trailer tires. No one I know personally that has had them reported any luck with them. Mostly people report them blowing out and/or seperating. Snowman must be very lucky. The Marathons are not too bad $$$ if you get them from Tire Rack and can get them mounted & balanced cheaply.
5/17/04 7:17:00 PM Submitted by dgp (68.215.224.146) from GEORGIA says My Buddy found a hole
In his Marathon where the tread and sidewall meet. Was also wearing on the outside edge. Checked his pressure it was 35lbs, He said so. I told him trailer tires are supposed to be inflated to 50lbs. He said OH!
5/18/04 12:31:00 AM Submitted by McCoy (152.163.252.196) from TENNESSEE says Tires
I have Marathons on my trailer now and they have been on it since 1998 and still look good with no dry rot. I've had Carlisles and they rot before the tread has a chance to wear. If these Marathons ever wear out, I will replace them with regular passenger car tires like I did on my last trailer and forget about them.
5/18/04 9:26:00 AM Submitted by Thom (198.99.246.254) from WEST VIRGINIA says I Use Carlisle Without Problems
I have a set on the boat now and they replaced a set that had been on the boat for years. I've not had any problems with them at all other than sidewall cracking from being baked in the sun for years on end. When its time to replace this set I'll be buying another set just like them, inexpensive and in my experience reliable.
Thom
5/18/04 10:33:00 AM Submitted by BassCatSC (169.146.191.10) from SOUTH CAROLINA says 2 Marathons blow out?
Same side of trailer? I would be checking axle alignment and not switching tire brands.
5/18/04 12:46:00 PM Submitted by shelby (66.152.29.2) from SOUTH CAROLINA says theres other good tires out there
My boat is setting on 4 kelly springfield safari's bias ply tires. I have had them 2 years with no problems at all and It trails like a dream. I towed a few hundred miles in 1 trip to florida and then back. they handled very well the whole trip. I am not one be driving in the slow lane either. I must give them credit, for a bias tire They are very good tires.
I like marathons but I do not think they are worth there weight in gold like some do. Theres many good tires out there just as good if not better than the marathons and only half the cost. Use to years ago bias ply tires would bump for a mile or so untill they built up some heat, thats a thing of the past for I have never felt my safari's bump any at all. If I spend 100 dollars or more for a tire it will be for Michelins on my truck, not a trailer tire.
5/18/04 2:51:00 PM Submitted by Deke (199.66.3.5) from ARKANSAS says Goodyears are trouble for me
I've run a lot of tires on both vehicles and trailers and Goodyear's are the only ones I've ever had blowouts on; and I've had 3 Goodyear's literally come apart on me.
5/18/04 5:44:00 PM Submitted by MrWalleye73 (149.174.164.21) from ILLINOIS says Can happen
I had 2 Marathons blow out on the same day, 2 hours apart, on a single sxle trailer. They were 4 years old, no signs of rotting, and were maintained properly. Trailer was up on blocks during winter storage. So yeah, they can blow out in pairs etc. Also, not overloaded at all, balanced properly. People who know me know I maintain things to a tee. And also, maybe 6000 miles on them when they went. Ask all you want, They just went. I know I asked why and came up with nothing. Yeah, they just shredded apart on me too. I just like radials, and next time I may try another brand.
Chris
5/19/04 11:05:00 AM Submitted by Toxic (167.176.6.8) from VIRGINIA says Tires
How many treat your tires with dressing (and I don't mean salad!!) to stop the rot, UV wear etc. My marathons are on a 2000 trailer and have at least 20,000 on them (I make some long pulls and I guide), with no unusual wear. You have to maintain them and that means more than just making sure they have 50 psi in them. Every time you wash your boat you should be treating your tires and not the shiney stuff the kids use, real tire dressing. You don't maintain them and treat them, they will blow or seperate.
TOXIC
5/19/04 7:02:00 PM Submitted by Spike (12.73.58.184) from TEXAS says Trailer Tire Care
I place tire covers on my boat trailer and RV tires and the sidewalls have not cracked. The boat trailer is over four years old and the RV is four years old. Boat trailer tires are Carlisles and the RV tires are Goodyears. I've seen a lot of different remarks on this site at various times about tires and I've never seen anyone else say they use covers on their tires. Am I the only one doing it?
5/20/04 2:11:00 PM Submitted by FreeOnBoard from TEXAS says Not many others, Spike
Funny thing, boats parked in the driveways around here nearly always have covers to keep the sun from deteriorating the gel coat and upholstery, but my boat is the only one I see with covers on the tires, including the spare. Couldn't find an RV store or other source when I was looking, so made these with some cheap vinyl remnants from a fabric store. Can see a big difference between the boat trailer tires, which are almost always covered, and the pickup tires, which are usually parked in the sun.
5/21/04 2:26:00 PM Submitted by Dunk79 (68.44.136.197) from NEW JERSEY says Not a Brand Problem..
Trailer tire on most trailers are overloaded when they leave the boat dealers lot. If your 1/2 ton truck had 185 x 13's under it how long do you think they would last?? Tires that size will carry roughly 1400lbs each x 4 is 5600lbs. Just about what your truck weighs. So you sit and wonder why trailer tires only live a year or two. Remember that rating on the sides of your tires is only good when they are new.
Any trailer you buy only has tires under with enough rating to carry it and the boat. Maybe with few 100lbs to spare if you don't load the boat with too much crap. A set of 265 x 16's under your truck will carry 10,000lbs so it weight is being carried by twice as much tire as it needs.
Your best bet when buying a trailer under a boat is buy the next size or two up or have the dealer put 14's on it if it has 13's even if the fenders need changed. Always replace tire with the biggest size and highest weight/ply rating that will fit on the size rims you have....even if you have to raise the fenders.
5/22/04 11:11:00 PM Submitted by treedog (152.163.252.196) from GEORGIA says Same marathons since 95' pull from missouri to louisiana then georgia regulary
Keep them inflated properly they're the best tire you can get period for trailers. tried others and they take a crapt and let you down a lot sooner.
5/27/04 5:27:00 AM Submitted by hogfan (205.188.116.130) from ARKANSAS says blowout
my goodyear marathons did not last 3 years i had one blow out on me and another had a big air bubble in the side. i replaced them with cooper tires and they work great and also the are AMERICAN MADE!
6/21/04 7:14:00 AM Submitted by Tim flood (216.253.93.162) from KENTUCKY says trailer tires
I have had problems w/carlise. had a tire blow 4th of july weekend last year. bought a new set when i got home but only had 3 tires on before trip to lake next weeknd. that tire blew. tires were 4 year olds no sign of dry rot, etc. here we are agin tires less then a year old 50lbs air and i have one blow on way to lake. on the way home another one goes flat no sign of anything in tire. luckily i had a friend w/another boat and was able to use his spare. he recommended marathons but after reading this site i have no idea which way to go.