Newbie bought used need advice

[4hackers]

I'm a complete rookie who recently purchased a 2014 3100RL from private owner that has been parked since July 2016. Tires are almost brand new but wondering if replacing them immediately is advisable? If so, any recommendations on what tires would be best? Also, should battery be replaced?

[MARK A]

If they are the Marathons or trailer kings most definitely. They are only 3 or 4 years old but one side has had ALL the sun if it's been sitting. I'd probably buy some new G rated ones,

Mark

[Butch & Kathy]

If they are the original tires your next trip should be to the tire store. Read the recent Sailun tire thread.

[BB_TX]

Many of us with lighter trailers are very happy with E rated LT tires. The 3100RL is probably light enough for them. What is your listed GVWR?

[SRD]

We have the same model, 2012. I believe our gvwr is 14,300 lb. we bought ours used in 2014 and replaced the tires with Goodyear 614, but based on input re: Saliums, will probably go that direction when it's time to replace them.

[mlh]

I've been around here since 2004. Tires are the number one problem but not just any tires the Marathon or Trailer Kings or the like China Bombs. Far too many have thought they had some magic formula to prevent a blowout only to find the magic had went out of their formula.
Yes if you have China Bombs you need to replace them with G rated tires. You might get buy with LT but why? I'd go with Gs on a camper that weighs over 10k dry weight.
Lynwood

[rames14]

X2 what Lynwood said.

[DQDick]

Agree with the above on tires. Take the battery in to an auto parts store and have it tested. That will tell you what you need to do there. If you plan to do much off the grid camping you probably would be happier with a pair.

[4hackers]

Thanks for all the help. GVWR = 14,600. The existing tires are Goodyear Marathons. 25/15 DOT dates on the main 4. Spare has 49/12 date. Was told by previous owner that a couple of these tires only have 30 miles on them. Can't seem to find Saliun tires available where we are in the Chicagoland area.
If replacing battery are 2-6V better than 1-12V?Or should I get 2-12V???

[JandC]

Originally Posted by rames14

X2 what Lynwood said.

X3 on Lynwood's advise.

Could you get by with some new E rated? Maybe, maybe not. But a year from this summer when you are towing on a 97 degree day and one of those almost new E rated tires blow you will wish you sent with the heavy duty G rated Goodyear G614's. They are worth every dime you spend on them.

[WeBeFulltime]

Originally Posted by 4hackers

Thanks for all the help. GVWR = 14,600. The existing tires are Goodyear Marathons. 25/15 DOT dates on the main 4. Spare has 49/12 date. Was told by previous owner that a couple of these tires only have 30 miles on them. Can't seem to find Saliun tires available where we are in the Chicagoland area.
If replacing battery are 2-6V better than 1-12V?Or should I get 2-12V???

I'm betting the reason 2 of them only have 30 miles on them is because the original owner has ALREADY had to replace 2 of the factory originals! If I were you I would continue my search for (5) Sailuns and be quick about it.

[phillyg]

I'd run the Marathons for a couple more years since they're only two years old. inspect them thoroughly front and backside before each trip for sidewall bulges and tread separation. If you find a bad one replace them all immediately with a good quality load range G tire.

[BB_TX]

If you look on the sidewall, you will probably see Made in China. Good friend (RIP) replaced his China made Mission tires with Marathons since Missions had a bad reputation for blowouts. And Marathons being Goodyear must be made in USA. Right? Wrong. He had 3 blowouts in two years.

I would replace them before trouble, rather than after.

[waynemoore]

When I bought my 3582RL my very first stop 3 miles from the dealer was a Discount Tire Center and replaced the tires. To many people have had the side and floor of their rigs damaged by inferior tires.

[baybum10]

Try simpletire.com. They have them in stock.

https://simpletire.com/catalog?selec...y=sailun-tires

[sambam]

As much as it stinks to lay out the cash for a new (to you) camper, and then have to spring for tires at the same time, that is the best advice you can get if you have GY Marathons or any other E rated ST tire. Well, maybe not Maxxis, but anything Keystone puts on there is likely gonna disappoint you. Heed the call. Do not roll the dice with your tires (pun intended). If you need proof, do a search on tires here and you'll have plenty of information. I bought my Montana used at a dealer and they put new Marathons on. Everybody here said to ditch them, but I thought I was smart enough to get by. All I had to do was watch my weights, pressures, speed and all would be good. I didn't have any catastrophic mishaps like some here, but I barely made it through my first season. Those tires had less than 2000 miles on them. A bubble in the sidewall of one convinced me not to go any further with them.

[4hackers]

Thanks again for all the excellent advice! Looks like I'll be purchasing new tires before we hit the road (pun intended sambam). Now can anyone help out with my battery queston? If I replace the existing battery are 2-6V batteries better than 1-12V? Or should I get 2-12V?

[h2ojocky]

If you do not do much boondocking I would get 2 6 volt golf cart batteries.

[JandC]

Originally Posted by 4hackers

Thanks again for all the excellent advice! Looks like I'll be purchasing new tires before we hit the road (pun intended sambam). Now can anyone help out with my battery queston? If I replace the existing battery are 2-6V batteries better than 1-12V? Or should I get 2-12V?

You will spend much more if you upgrade to two 6-volt golf cart batteries, as opposed to two new 12 volt. It will certainly give you usable power off the grid for a longer period of time but only you can determine if it is worth it.

When we were full time in our Montana we never upgraded to 6-volt and could get by, but we never dry camped either plus we did not have a residential frig. Now with the MH we have two 6-volt and a residential frig so we can dry camp for one short night on just battery.

If you have a propane RV frig and really don't think you will be doing extended dry camping when why spend the extra money for 6-volt? Just my opinion, others will vary.

[Beau2010]

We have the same rig; bought new. The original GY Marathons lasted for about 20,000 miles with no problems but were on their last legs when we replaced them. We keep close eye on air pressure and speed below 65. Two were in process of tread separation and the other two were showing uneven wear. We were just real lucky to make it as far as we did. G rated Sailuns at 110 psi seem to roll easier and temp stays within 10 degrees of ambient temp. Didn't have monitor on the GYs; probably would have been scared to death of them if we did.