Community Forums

cb1000rider · 05-02-2016, 07:17 PM

Keystone seems to like to rotate not-so-good tire brands. You can check failure rates on NHTSA, but in my tin-foil-hat, I think tires get rebranded to avoid racking up failure statistics.

Sailun is the brand you want. You can get them in 235/80-R16. Expect $140-$170 each and they'll pay for themselves 6x by preventing that first blow-out. You will have to order them. They weigh 100% more than your factory tires.

Overloading and overspeed ARE issues, but there is a real problem with many of these OEM tires.

MtnTrek · 05-12-2016, 06:36 PM

IMO, The GY Marathon's that came on my 5'er never failed but, were replaced in a very timely manner. LR E was not adequate for the weight of my T S <15K, I've had very good luck with the Sailun 235/80-R16, LR-G 14 ply on that trailer. The spare still had the little nubs on it.

wingnut60 · 05-12-2016, 06:56 PM

At this point, have to agree on the Sailuns--I have 10 of them between my 450 and Suites. Fixing to head to Alaska and I will give them a hard workout. Last time I headed to AK, had to stop in SLC and replace 4 Michelins due to tread separations--not going to pay 2 1/4 times extra for the name again--that is, if these Sailuns hold up to the 15000 mile trip. May have to eat this later...
Joe

roothoss1282 · 05-13-2016, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

At this point, have to agree on the Sailuns--I have 10 of them between my 450 and Suites. Fixing to head to Alaska and I will give them a hard workout. Last time I headed to AK, had to stop in SLC and replace 4 Michelins due to tread separations--not going to pay 2 1/4 times extra for the name again--that is, if these Sailuns hold up to the 15000 mile trip. May have to eat this later...
Joe

I ended up getting the Michelin Ribs, good looking tire and sold the ones that were on there for $50 each. I do hope they last because they are spendy. Thanks for all the comments. Great site for really good info.

Garyp4951 · 05-13-2016, 02:57 PM

Good choice, now you can relax a little more towing with a proven tire.

Widows Son · 05-16-2016, 07:19 PM

Speaking from experience...
Our Jayco Eagle came with Ranier 235/80R16. Ran those last year for about 2k miles. Removed them this spring to pack wheel bearings. Three had serious side wall bubbles inside. Dumped the Raniers and bought new HP rims and Sailun S637's G rated 14 ply. Just came back from Vegas and they pulled like a dream. Glad to see you dumped them. Accident waiting to happen in my opinion

V3600 · 05-16-2016, 11:40 PM

I've had a Keystone Everest that I bought used and a Voltage that I bought new. First thing I did with both trailers was dump the Chinese tires and put on Michelin LT's. Haven't had a single tire issue.

IC2 · 05-17-2016, 07:04 AM

We have a bit larger version of your 5er - and the tires were replaced with LTs after a short previous season. I put Generals on after having good luck with them on a previous 5er though might have considered Sailuns for about the same cost had I seen a few more favorable reports at the time. The interesting thing about Sailuns is that they are made by TBC, the same company that makes the infamous Tow Max 'bombs' (Welcome to TBC Brands).

cb1000rider · 05-23-2016, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IC2

The interesting thing about Sailuns is that they are made by TBC, the same company that makes the infamous Tow Max 'bombs' (Welcome to TBC Brands).

They're not made by TBC, they're imported by TBC. Sailuns are made in China and I'd have reservations myself, if I hadn't read so many good things about them. OEM Trailer King tires weighted 35 lbs. Sailun's weighed 61 lbs.

In this circumstance, TBC is actually a good thing as they own a bunch of different "American" companies - like NTB (and other big brands) - so you've got a place to go if there are warranty issues, versus some import company with a website.

Personally, I don't like TBC as a company - I think they ruined some things that they bought, but they do have a big US presence and real stores that you can get to.

Also note, some "American" tires have China based DOT codes. China can produce decent product, they just can't produce decent product and sell it at bottom of the market prices and expect it to last.

Airbiscuit · 05-24-2016, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Widows Son

Speaking from experience...
Our Jayco Eagle came with Ranier 235/80R16. Ran those last year for about 2k miles. Removed them this spring to pack wheel bearings. Three had serious side wall bubbles inside. Dumped the Raniers and bought new HP rims and Sailun S637's G rated 14 ply. Just came back from Vegas and they pulled like a dream. Glad to see you dumped them. Accident waiting to happen in my opinion

Is it necessary to change the rims also when changing out the tires? I just bought a Jayco fifth wheel also with Raniers. One blew out 30 miles or so into my trip home from the dealer. May not have actually been a blowout though as I see evidence of a nail or screw that was imprinted onto the tread. But it did go flat and shredded as I pulled to a safe place to have it changed out.

Thanks

wingnut60 · 05-24-2016, 06:26 AM

If your rims are 16" and rated for 80psi, and you upgrade to correct Sailun--no, you won't have to change rims. If you opt for a higher pressure tire, then you have to make sure the rims are rated for the higher pressure.
If Widows Son had the 80psi tires (believe he did) then he probably just wanted new rims. Getting rims and tires as a package makes the changeover simpler, albeit about $1k higher. Besides, who wants brand new tires on grungy, dingey old wheels.....
Joe

cb1000rider · 05-24-2016, 08:16 AM

Sailun's are rated for 110 psi, but can be run at 80, although you'll decrease their load capacity. To get the full capacity out of the tires, you need 110psi capable rims and valve stems.

SkiSmuggs · 05-24-2016, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Widows Son

Speaking from experience...
Our Jayco Eagle came with Ranier 235/80R16. Ran those last year for about 2k miles. Removed them this spring to pack wheel bearings. Three had serious side wall bubbles inside. Dumped the Raniers and bought new HP rims and Sailun S637's G rated 14 ply. Just came back from Vegas and they pulled like a dream. Glad to see you dumped them. Accident waiting to happen in my opinion

Jayco knows and they offer Maxxis as an option. And thanks for posting your experience.

wingnut60 · 05-24-2016, 07:51 PM

If Jayco 'knows' and they continue to offer the Rainiers, with an option to upgrade--doesn't speak well of them.
Jayco has had a good rep over the years, doesn't seem right they would offer known bad tires, then charge for an upgrade.
Somewhere on this forum posts is mention of the name carousel on Chinese tires--that they use a name til the rep starts to downgrade, then just change the name.
So far, Maxxis and Sailun seem to be holding up--I have 10 Sailuns between my 450 and the trailer. Will let you know in Sept how they do going to AK and back.
Joe
Joe