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Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:18 pm
by mark poulson
Well....I felt an intermittent vibration at 65mph coming home from the lake last week. So I jacked up the trailer today and checked the bearings. One side seemed a little lose, and there was grease on the inside of the hub. But nothing major. I shot in some more grease, and moved around to the other side.
When I pulled the wheel off, it was worn smooth on the inside half, and the tread was starting to delaminate.
So I put the spare on that side, and am looking at $400 for two new tires and new bearings.
Grrrr.....At least it didn't come apart on the freeway.
Has anyone else had Marathon's delaminate?
The tire that delaminated was my factory spare, and has only been actually used for the last year, probably 6,000 miles max., but it is from 2007.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:54 pm
by bobperry
most tire problems come from running with low air pressure. side walls flex and over heat the tires. it's important to check tires often. most boat trailer tires have a max rating on the side wall with the max air pressure. usually 50psi.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:14 pm
by Kevin
If they lasted you 6 years, I think you did ok.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 5:15 am
by mark poulson
I keep them between 45 and 50 psi.
Six years is pretty good, I know. Plus, this tire was my spare for five of those years, sitting in the sun most of the time, so I guess I should be happy. It could have come apart on the freeway!
I just really don't understand why trailer tires get such lousy mileage, when my truck tires last 100K miles, and don't come apart.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 6:15 am
by kane-o
marc, your getting 100,000 miles on your truck tires :shock: what brand ... i want some... if i get 50,000 or 60,000 on my truck tires im happy... and yes 6 years on your trailer tires is pretty good.. but i have heard a lot of bad things with the marathons delaminating.. there is no trailer tire that is made in america any more.. basscat boat trailer's are running : The factory is using Mastercraft Avenger GT's now and they are made by Cooper as a private label. They are the exact same construction as the Coopers we are told. Previously we ran a promotion on the Dean's Stinger and they were also the same. and i have been told a lot of guys are running truck tires with auto tires with a " f " rating on them.. they have heavy duty side walls..

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 6:59 am
by mark poulson
Maybe 100K is an exaggeration. I never really checked, but I've got 150K miles on my pickup, and it's on it's second set of tires.
They are Firestone Destination LE tires.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 12:25 pm
by dwise
Didn't you just put wheel bearings on your trailer when your wheel fell off on the launch ramp?

I don't know much about tires. The trailer tires I replaced last year had been on the trailer for 9 years before the treads started coming off. I put DURO brand on there, but that was because that was the brand the tire shop had in trailer tires. So far, so good. They hold the 50psi pressure pretty good. I check the pressure every other month and so far I've not had to put any air in them, they're right at 50psi.

I only paid $110 each for these tires. I don't understand why you have to pay so much for your tires.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:51 pm
by buddy brown
I've got two brand new GoodYear Marothons for sale they are st-205 75 r14. C load rating. If these are the correct size for you and you are interested let me know

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:01 pm
by Oldschool
55 MPH, vehicle code 22406, will save your trailer tires from over heating and you a lot of money.
Tom

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:21 am
by mark poulson
Oldschool wrote:55 MPH, vehicle code 22406, will save your trailer tires from over heating and you a lot of money.
Tom
Did I say 65mph? I meant 55mph, of course. :wink:

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:03 am
by toddmc
Most of the Marathons that we coming apart was about 6-7 years ago from what I remember. I had three of them come apart on my last trailer and stayed away from them until recently. Somebody on one of these threads was saying that Goodyears are not even made in America anymore, but I wanted to at least buy from an American company.

My TrailAmerica tires that came on my 08 Champion were solid, but I wasn't able to find any of them. Maxxis have gotten a lot of bad reviews. I couldn't find much info on the Carlise or Green Ball tires last summer when I bought my last set, and they are foreign companies.

Keeping your trailer tires at 50 pounds is key. Also, having plenty of tread left means nothing. I have resorted to replacing them every two years on my single axle trailer to give me peace of mind. You will get burned if you try and stretch your tire life.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:18 am
by scottsweet
mark poulson wrote:Well....I felt an intermittent vibration at 65mph coming home from the lake last week. So I jacked up the trailer today and checked the bearings. One side seemed a little lose, and there was grease on the inside of the hub. But nothing major. I shot in some more grease, and moved around to the other side.
When I pulled the wheel off, it was worn smooth on the inside half, and the tread was starting to delaminate.
So I put the spare on that side, and am looking at $400 for two new tires and new bearings.
Grrrr.....At least it didn't come apart on the freeway.
Has anyone else had Marathon's delaminate?
The tire that delaminated was my factory spare, and has only been actually used for the last year, probably 6,000 miles max., but it is from 2007.
Hank at Chatsworth Tires told me that trailer tires don't last like auto/truck tires. He said you should replace them at about 3-4 years regardless of treadwear. You risk separation of any brand.

For those who don't know Hank/Bob at Chatsworth Tires, they are probably one of the most honest people in the tire business and I believe what they say and have for over 25 years!

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 3:43 pm
by whazup
toddmc wrote:Most of the Marathons that we coming apart was about 6-7 years ago from what I remember. I had three of them come apart on my last trailer and stayed away from them until recently. Somebody on one of these threads was saying that Goodyears are not even made in America anymore, but I wanted to at least buy from an American company.

My TrailAmerica tires that came on my 08 Champion were solid, but I wasn't able to find any of them. Maxxis have gotten a lot of bad reviews. I couldn't find much info on the Carlise or Green Ball tires last summer when I bought my last set, and they are foreign companies.

Keeping your trailer tires at 50 pounds is key. Also, having plenty of tread left means nothing. I have resorted to replacing them every two years on my single axle trailer to give me peace of mind. You will get burned if you try and stretch your tire life.
What are you hearing about Maxxis? I have done a lot of research lately and had about decided on Maxxis, but maybe I missed something.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:21 pm
by mark poulson
I was told that all the tires are now made in China. Surprise, surprise!

I think new tires every four years is a smart idea, and cheap insurance/peace of mind.
The Marathon that delaminated was my original spare, and had only been on the trailer since last August. Maybe sitting in the sun under pressure for four years contributed to the failure. I really have no clue.

In 2004, I had three Carlyle trailer tires delaminate. Same wheel on my trailer. Weird. The other tire was fine.
Maybe it was just a bad run of tires, as the Chinese manufs. were learning to make a decent tire. Maybe it was just bad luck.
I'm buying Hercules (Chinese, too) this time. That's the brand that Gideon at Lakeside recommends, and stocks. He says they as good as any, and less $. I'm having him switch out both of the tires, and the bearings at the same time.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:06 pm
by toddmc
whazup wrote:
toddmc wrote:Most of the Marathons that we coming apart was about 6-7 years ago from what I remember. I had three of them come apart on my last trailer and stayed away from them until recently. Somebody on one of these threads was saying that Goodyears are not even made in America anymore, but I wanted to at least buy from an American company.

My TrailAmerica tires that came on my 08 Champion were solid, but I wasn't able to find any of them. Maxxis have gotten a lot of bad reviews. I couldn't find much info on the Carlise or Green Ball tires last summer when I bought my last set, and they are foreign companies.

Keeping your trailer tires at 50 pounds is key. Also, having plenty of tread left means nothing. I have resorted to replacing them every two years on my single axle trailer to give me peace of mind. You will get burned if you try and stretch your tire life.
What are you hearing about Maxxis? I have done a lot of research lately and had about decided on Maxxis, but maybe I missed something.
A friend of mine had all four of his Maxxis go bad on his Champion dual axle trailer last year. He lives in Havasu, which is a pretty extreme environment. I can't remember where I saw some of the reviews, but there were a few horror stories.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 3:03 pm
by fishinman
America's Tires best deal in town. Changing your bearing on your trailer is a very easy job if your mechanically inclined. I did my cool hub seals and one bearing after 15 years of use at about 70,000 miles. All instructions are online, just Google it! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 4:45 pm
by mark poulson
I've grown lazy over the years.
I used to change my bearings, work on my engines, do my own brakes.
Since they put computers in cars/trucks, I don't fool with any of that stuff. At least, that's the excuse I use. Hahaha
Gideon at Lakeside changed both tires, and both bearings, for $386, and did it while I waited and watched. Less than 2 hours, and I was out of there. Since I live near LAX, that saved me a lot of driving/gas.

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 5:13 pm
by kane-o
marc, what kind of tires did gideon put on ? and was that 4 tires or 2 ? the guys at lakeside are good and fast.... i have never had any problems, or ever had to bring the boat back for anything !! and there prices are good too.. glad your back on the water !

Re: Marathon tire delaminating

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 5:29 pm
by mark poulson
kane-o wrote:marc, what kind of tires did gideon put on ? and was that 4 tires or 2 ? the guys at lakeside are good and fast.... i have never had any problems, or ever had to bring the boat back for anything !! and there prices are good too.. glad your back on the water !
kane-o wrote:marc, what kind of tires did gideon put on ? and was that 4 tires or 2 ? the guys at lakeside are good and fast.... i have never had any problems, or ever had to bring the boat back for anything !! and there prices are good too.. glad your back on the water !
That price was for two tires, installed, plus two sets of new bearing assemblies, installed.
The brand is Hurcules.