Camper Tires: Any BEST brand? Carlisle?

[Rmplstlskn]

My 1991 PU I recently bought has the ORIGINAL 20.5x8x10 Load B Goodyear tires on it. They have lots of tread but looking closely I can see some dry rot cracking near where tread meets tire. It is very minor but I want to be safe than sorry... they are 13 years old atleast.

Most tires this size seem to be made by Carlisle. Any opinions on this manufacturer?

It seems almost as cheap to by a new WHEEL and TIRE already mounted. Only a $10 or so difference per wheel.

Do these need to be BALANCED? I don't think so since the rim diameter is only 10". Not enough to get a vibration going I think. Am I right?

Look forward to any responses.

Robert

[bearbait]

edited for content

[mike4947]

Bob, consider yourself very lucky. The average life of an RV tire before dryrot causes failure is 4-6 years. I also recommend getting the wheel tire combination. Those rims are rusted inside and you'll have fits trying to get them to seal on the beads. Not to mention you'd need to replace the valve stems as well as they dryrot just like the tires.
If you decide to get them balanced you can not do it the normal way most shops do. The center hole is not true to the rim so you have to use a lugnut adapter than uses the lugnut holes otherwise you'll end up with a wheel/tire that's worse off than if you didn't do anything.
Carlisle's tend to be very touchy about pressures. Just a few pounds low and you'll have problems. They work fine as long as you keep them up to pressure.

[tlhdoc]

I have replaced my Duro tires twice with Duro tires.  I just replaced my tires in early April.  One of the tires was not properly cured and the tread crumbled on the tire. :yikes:   One phone call to Duro, an emailed warranty form and 2 digital pictures later, I had a new tire.  I sent the warranty form on Thursday evening and the new tire was shipped on Friday morning.  I am very happy with Duro's customer service.

[Civil_War_Buff]

I really like the GoodYear Marathon tires, and I wouldn't use anything else.  When we pulled the pop-up, Duro's served us well, now with the Marathons, I feel very secure with these tires.  Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES would I trust Carlisle tires, I have heard of several instances of spontaneous disintegration with those.

But, I believe that tires are like trailer manufacturers, you buy what YOU like and there will be those that will agree, and those that won't.

Larry

[afp]

I just replaced the 20.5 x 8 x 10's on my popup after they were showing strong signs of dry rot. I elected to go with the rim/tire combination as the older tires will be used during the winter months for storage and the newer tires will be used during the camping season.

[Tim5055]

I elected to go with the rim/tire combination as the older tires will be used during the winter months for storage and the newer tires will be used during the camping season.

Interesting thought.  I like this idea!

I have added it to my Trailer Tires Web Page as a suggestion for winter storage.

[Rmplstlskn]

Thanks everyone!

I found a good deal on a Trail Master 20.5x8x10 Load "D" tires on galvanized rims from a local trailer shop. They are two levels higher than the "B" tires that were on it.

I also found out that the 20.5x8x10 were an upgrade done at some time as the ORIGINAL tires were 8" rims. The Load "D" tires were about an inch taller than the "B" tires though, probably because of the additional 4 plies and the increased PSI rating.

Thanks again!!!!

Robert