Tire Failure - Blowout!

[bdosborn]

How old were the tires?

The tires were made in the 19th week of 2006. I bought them in 3/2007. I'm finding a lot of posts that say 5 years is the max recommended life for a trailer tire. I'm not going to take the tire to Goodyear as I'm replacing them with the Kumhos. I've got no confidence in Marathons anymore.

Bruce

[asianflava]

You could have Goodyear replace them under warranty, then sell them on Craigslist to finance the new tires.

[Shadow Catcher]

Bruce I am a firm believer in forcing a company to do the right thing. Yes I would be leery of using them but I am also one who would really like to have an answer as to why they failed, particularly as that is what is on Compass Rose.

[tddriver]

I hope your Kumho tires last better than the ones Ford chose to put on my wife's Focus SEL.
Coincidentally, I replaced them with Goodyears.

[bdosborn]

You could have Goodyear replace them under warranty, then sell them on Craigslist to finance the new tires.

Rocky,

Naw, I'd feel guilty selling it to somebody.

Bruce

[bdosborn]

Bruce I am a firm believer in forcing a company to do the right thing. Yes I would be leery of using them but I am also one who would really like to have an answer as to why they failed, particularly as that is what is on Compass Rose.

Do a Google search on Marathon failure. Its a real eye opener. I'd make sure and run them at max psi and no faster than 65 mph but I don't think I'd take them off. Oh, and make sure you have a good spare. Are they made in china? How old are they? Are they a 14"?

Tire Date Code

Bruce

[bdosborn]

don't like the tire company theres plenty more in this world. go get your tires some where else.

Yup, that's just what I did. They're coming from Louisiana via UPS.

Bruce

[Shadow Catcher]

Not sure where made but yes 14". At least report the problem to NHTSA http://www.nhtsa.gov

I am still looking at this (its kind of personal) and to bring back my question, are there more problems with the Marathon or are they so ubiquitous that statistically they will stick out because there are so many of them.

I just came across http://www.tire-information-world.com/g ... tires.html and about half way down the page is a table that gives the static load radius. As an example for my tires 205/14 the distance from the center of the tire/hub to the ground should be 12.1 inches and if it is less than that you add air and if it is more than that you let air out (this is from the Goodyear literature.)
I will also be looking for this for the tires on my Subaru, I had a problem with the VDC being knocked out pulling the trailer and suspect too much tongue weigh gave enough pressure on the rear tires to fox the electronics. In future I will be checking load radius and getting it the same front to rear.

One of the things few of is do is think about balancing trailer tires and we should. the aforementioned trailer tire will rotate about 800 times in a mile vibrations in the form of an out of balance condition will not be good for the tires and you will not feel it. This is potentially a way to find a problem in a tire, belt broken or out of place, side wall bulge etc.

[pete42]

When I saw your post subject line first thing I thought was here we go again bad Carlisle tires.
I was surprised they were Marathon's most say to use Marathons radials.
your tire looks more like an internal failure
I too have never seen a tire split like your's did.
good luck on your new choice.
most tires as you know have a speed rating some trailer tires are low rated.

pete

[akula1]

Goodyear knows there Marathon tires are trash, and don't care. The US government does not have the regulations or enforcement to stop these "trailer" tires from killing on our highways. I've had 3 out of 4 tires blow or fail on me in a 2 month span. I monitored them, and checked them out daily when traveling too. I had contacted Goodyear and they acted like it was my fault for using them. I replaced them and I had no worries again.

The best thing to do is to replace the marathon tires with Commercial grade truck tires. Goodyear will never see a penny from me again. It's an investment with your family, and your trailers safety.

[bdosborn]

I hope your Kumho tires last better than the ones Ford chose to put on my wife's Focus SEL.
Coincidentally, I replaced them with Goodyears.

I just checked the NHTSA complaints web site. 32 complaints for the Marathon, 43 for Carlisle and none for the Kumho. I'll keep my fingers crossed but I don't think there are ANY ST tires out there that someone hasn't had a failure using.

Bruce

[bdosborn]

One of the things few of is do is think about balancing trailer tires and we should.

Yup, I had the tires balanced when I had them mounted. That's what bugs me about the failure, I think I did everything right. I've never had a tire fail on any of the vehicles I've owned and the trailer is the last place I want to see them happening.

Bruce

[vreihen]

Yup, that's just what I did. They're coming from Louisiana via UPS.

No, they are coming *through* Louisiana. If they are 205's, they came *from* either Viet Nam or China. The other sizes are made in South Korea.

You don't want to know how many thousands of dollars I have spent on Kumho race tires over the past 10 years.....

[asianflava]

I'd make sure and run them at max psi and no faster than 65 mph but I don't think I'd take them off.

That sure would make a long trip from CA even longer.

[CAJUN LADY]

hoots, toots! relaxe man! its just a freaking tire! nothing to get shook up about.

Never saw a tire that was guerenteed not to blow.

don't worry about it. just go down town and shell out some more money for another one. happens all the time.

I blew a 8 ply tire really good one with a load of hay going out to dubios this summer.

I went though 2 of them in nebraska blew one out side of oglala and had to drive with it flaping down the interstate at night to find a tire shop at a truck stop in big Springs.

ever done 45 down 1-80 at night with 4 ways going and semis trying to get around doing 80 mph plus.
lets just say with Gods mercys and a truck stop around midnight I got back on the road and home around 9 in the moring to wyoming and a little off my scedule.

blow outs are a way of life.

relaxe.

we have them all the time in the farming ranch world.

they are fun when its the back tire on your tractor. now that is interesting and pricy to change.

I see you made it home.

so why bother hassling the tire company. its a way life man.

just get another tire and go on about your bussness.

don't like the tire company theres plenty more in this world. go get your tires some where else.

it an't worth the hassle to raise cain over a stupid tire.

to me a blow out is the same as a lawn mower that own't start.

or getting rolled by your horse on your way to gather cows at 6 in the moring. just delays your life a little bit.

slowcowboy.

Don't worry about it?? Coming from someone who complains about being out of work and broke! Yea Cowboy, we all have extra money flowing out of or pockets to just 'run' and buy a new tire. Had a blowout - had to get my 18' Scotty put on a flatbed tow truck because it tore up my wheel well. That "just run out and get another one" cost me towing and 2 new tires. My extra few dollars I had for camping fun dwindled real quickly!

Ever done 63 on an Interstate 75 with 18 wheelers and LOTS of cars, trucks and everything else flying by you going 80 when a blowout occurs?? NOT FUN!!!

RELAX??? FUN??? I don't think so Michael! You need to quit riding behind cows for awhile buddy because it's beginning to affect your thinking!

In conclusion to my chewing your butt out - blowouts are not fun or relaxing or cheap! Been there, done that and pray it never happens again!