www.iFourWinns.com

Having trouble deciding what to do. Last season I bought 2 new GY Marathons right before a trip because I found each tire had a nail in it, and now it's time to replace the other two older marathon tires due to age. Having more time to do research I've read so much bad stuff about the Marathons that I'm nervous to buy anymore of them.

So here's the question. Buy 2 more Marathons (225/75r15 D) or Just start from scratch with a set of Greenball Towmaster's. Obviously buying two tires is much cheaper than a whole new set, and I hate to waste 2 newer tires. Also with the Towmaster's I can upgrade from Load range D to range E which Goodyear doesn't offer. Any input or advice? Anyone having a good/bad experience with either of these tires?

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

I'd pick anything over the marathons. People say the newer ones are better, but you can't easily tell which you are purchasing.

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

Pretty sure I had a full set of the Greenballs, LR-E and one of them blew on me. What I figured out was, replace them every other year if you do a lot of trailering with that size boat.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

That was my plan...to buy 2 new tires a year but I'm not sure if I want to get in that cycle with the Marathon's.

One more thing I thought of is if I switch load ranges from D to E, won't I need to replace my spare with a E range.....if that's the case it's 5 new tires vs. 2 new tires

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

Ben, I personally wouldnt replace the spare to match the others. Just like the mini donut spares on most new vehicles, a spare is meant ot get you to the tire shop ASAP. I wouldnt run 70 mph or anything, I would take it easy and find a place to get another tire or tires.

What I would consider thought is to add a 2nd spare to the mix, if 1 tire blows due to poor quality, chances are another one might not be far behind. I have 2 spares for my trailer, but I have a tri axle trailer.

Whatever you are most comfortable with, I guess is the real answer.

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Hey weren't you just telling me to go with the Marathons?

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Ooops

I haven't had any problems with them and I put about 2500-3000 miles on them last year. The ones I bought last year are the redesigned ones, and the two I'm replacing are the old style. It seems that almost all the complaints that I can find are on the older ones when they first tried making them in China. Has anyone had problems with the new style Marathon's with the sidewall guard?

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

not to throw the monkey in the wrench but on another forum for my ski boat...guys were talking about using truck/suv tires in the same size... I'm at the point by end of year to swap my tires out on my trailer as well..

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95 Four Winns 190 Horizon 5.0 Omc Cobra/VP
93 Malibu Echelon LX

2005 Dodge Ram 392 stroked hemi

also, i had started a thread awhile back for my malibu and some of the guys came up with suggestions that I didn't know about (as well as have opinions)

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/ind ... ntry579091

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95 Four Winns 190 Horizon 5.0 Omc Cobra/VP
93 Malibu Echelon LX

2005 Dodge Ram 392 stroked hemi

I know most want radials but I have had good luck with Kenda bias ply Loadstars...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Currently have 3 year old Marathons & so far so good.

I just noticed this on the Tire Rack website, Goodyear Cargo

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... =Cargo+G26

225/70-15 D rated, 2470 lbs @65 psi, made in Germany or France, probably much better quality than the made in China Marathons, if you want a D rated tire in a 15" size....

about 159 each so not cheap but likely worth it....
They are like the Continental Vanco 2, its designed for European Van sizes but the load capacity would work for a trailer application.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II