I am ready to replace all 4 of my tires on my tandem trailer. My problem, from reading on the site, is trying to find Goodyear Marathon tires that are made in the US. Seems like I have to have a degree in ancient handwriting reading to be able to decipher where these tires were manufactured. My current tires are 6 years old and actually look it. I need them replaced but I'm really leary about putting the wrong ones on. Advice?

I just went down today to a Goodyear dealer and bought four new Marathons. What is it you can't find or figure out?

I want to make sure the Goodyear Marathons are from the USA and not from China or overseas. The overseas Marathons are having problems with premature blowouts and such. There is a way to read the lettering on the tires to make sure you are getting them from the USA. I'm not familiar with how it's done.

this list is 3 years old, but there will be a 2 digit tire mfg code to reference.
http://www.harriger.com/tiremakers.htm

HRG

Every tire I've bought in the past 5 years has a statement in plain English on the sidewall saying "Made in USA" or wherever. That includes 2 sets of Goodyear Marathons (both New Zealand), 2 sets of Goodyear passenger car tires (both USA) and 1 set of Firestone SUV tires (USA). Put the tires under a bright light and read the stuff on the sidewalls- you'll find it.

You need to read a code to know WHEN the tire was made. The last 4 digits of the DOT number are the week (first two digits) and year (last two digits). For example, 1407 means the tire was made the 14th week of 2007. Don't get stuck with "new" tires that are more than 1 year old. The complete DOT number is usually stamped only on one side of the tire.

Thanks yarcraft. I'll use this information when hunting for tires.

I just went down and got a spare marathon from a Goodyear tire dealership and it was from china like the ones that come with my shorelandre. I asked them if they had any that were usa made and he said I'm not a where of them being made in the usa. Maybe the USA tires are sold in certain areas only.

I just went down and got a spare marathon from a Goodyear tire dealership and it was from china like the ones that come with my shorelandre. I asked them if they had any that were usa made and he said I'm not a where of them being made in the usa. Maybe the USA tires are sold in certain areas only.

As I stated in an earlier thread, my dealer, when I asked re: "made in China" replied that he just doesn't (won't accept) any that are made in China, which sorta makes me think that at least some of the dealers have a choice. Dealer is in Cedar Rapids area.

Bill Krejca

Thanks Bill!

I moved from Buffalo to Milwaukee in June. Didn't have time to fuss over where the new trailer tires were made. Bought/installed 2 "new" Marathons from a Goodyear dealer in suburban Buffalo area. My old Marathons were 7 years old & I was looking at a 600 mile drive with them for the move.
Prior to buying, I had read here that chinese-made Marathons were an accident waiting to happen or whatever.
This year, I trailered about 2100 miles on my new chinese Marathons (including the trip from Buffalo). NO ISSUES.
Gross weight estimate on my trailer is: 2200lbs.

I intend to keep running them next year too. Better watch out when you see me coming down the road !!

Snaggletooth:

The reason you are having good experience with the tires might be that you are not running them close to their load limit. The smallest Marathons have a max weight rating of 1360 lbs (size 175/80R13). If your trailer weighs 2200 lbs, that's at least 520 lbs below the tire weight rating, or said differently, you are running at 80% or less of the tire weight rating- that's a good safety margin. As long as you keep them inflated to 50 psi, I'm not worried about sharing the road with you.

thats why its called a safety margin












:D