Another china bomb

[ctwebb]

Hi all, Has anyone gone after the tire makers for the damage to your unit after a tire blow out. We have the Power King Tow Max tires that are three years old and have about 5000 miles on them. One blew out yesterday and caused a good amount of damage to my unit. Tire pressures were correct. No signs or warnings when we hears the loud explosion I assume this is where the term China bomb comes from
Thanks for your input

[mhs4771]

On only Tire MFR that I've heard of paying for damage is Goodyear.

[mlh]

I don't know why the OEMs would put put 65 mph tires on a camper and send them out on a 75 MPG highway.
We have seen over and over this same story. If you have ST China bomb tires on your camper you are are begging for trouble. Run them at your own risk.
Lynwood

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by mlh

...I don't know why the OEMs would put put 65 mph tires on a camper and send them out on a 75 MPG highway...
Lynwood

What does the speed limit have to do with tires, some western states have no speed limit? I don't personally know anybody that pulls one of these things at 75. It's a well known fact that STs are restricted to 65, which, IMHO, is way fast enough to be going with one of these beasts in tow.

[jcurtis934]

Tom, you travel different roads than I as I am always passed by rv's doing 70 plus. And I see them down the road on the shoulder sometimes. My advice to those still running the low quality tires...stay off the freeways...you are littering america. John

[waynemoore]

I live in Arizona and travel the western states year round. I don't know any state where the is no speed limit, some yes are high 80 and 85. And I for one pull my Montana for the most part at 63 to 65. That said there are times I can hit 70 or a bit over to pass or going down a hill. I am no tire expert but I feel there is no reason to deliver a rig like mine that can weigh 16,500 lbs with what most would consider light weight tires. It is irresponsible at the least and down right dangerous at the worst.

[1retired06]

Amazing how many new buyers trust the manufacturer to equip with decent tires

[mlh]

I feel very comfortable and safe pulling my camper at the speed limit, 65 75 what ever. That is what speed limits are for. Each one of us should not pull their camper faster than they feel safe and comfortable.
Lynwood

[DQDick]

Getting back to the original question, folks have found Goodyear to be accomodating with the Marathons, other members have said they were going to try to get compensation from other companies and then we haven't heard anymore. I take that as not a good sign.

[TLightning]

I stand corrected...all the states now have speed limits. I do find it interesting some of the good folks on here are towing at speeds that might be "legal" but with trucks that clearly exceed their GVWR and/or GCWR.

[PPeppel]

As I am new to the 5th wheel trailer life and bought mine last month I have seen so many posts about tires it's crazy. I currently have a set of Trailer Kings on mine from the dealer. I have looked at 3 shops for replacement tires and the most recommended tire is still made in china?????
As a new owner with less than 100 miles on the current set I find it hard to eat another $1000 bucks to replace brand new tires, especially when I read some posts where the recommended tire on her Samson/GY Marathon and so on are also made in china. Is there a mileage or time frame people are having issues?

[racquetballfreq]

Goodyear reimbursed me for my deductible, ($500), and the cost of the (2) Marathon Bombs, ($420), without any questions other than having the blow outs sent to them on their dime. Replaced all 5 tires with Sailuns S637 after reading all the reviews.

Im guessing they would have paid for the damage, ($4,000), but I had already filed a claim with my insurance company.

I would go ahead and start the process and see how far you get.

[mlh]

PPeppel you have seen a lot of post on tires because tires are the number one problem and topic in the warm months I've been a member since 2004 and this has been the no. 1 topic for a number of years. People think if they run at some magic speed and keep them inflated to some magic number they will be OK only to have a blowout some time later. I don't recall a single blowout with any tire other than a cheap ST tire. When will it happen? Maybe today maybe never. Do you wont to take that chance knowing very well there is a very good chance it will happen.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

We did run LT tires on our 06 3400.They were General LT and as I recall the max tire load was 3080 per tire.You have to have the Montana weighed to determine the load on each tire as I recall when we were weighed at the fall rally we were over on 3 of the 4 tires. We also had Cooper Lt tires on the 3400.We had no problems with the LT tires but with these heavy Montanans the chances are you will be out of specs in regard to tire load..

[PPeppel]

MLH
As the tires are a huge point of false I see the point. My issue is the fact that many of the recommended replacemen's are also China tires. Several US made don't make the weight load I need (14k)so I'm at somewhat of a loss. Searched online and talked to truck shop down the road and keep ending up with a brand made in china.

[Carl n Susan]

The Sailuns, while made in China, are the exception to the "Do Not Use" rule. They are actually manufactured to exacting standards and have been in use for several years without incidents. Check the MOC, RV.net, IRV2 and any other RV oriented forum and all users are pleased. The fact they are around $130 each is an extra bonus.

[jlb27537]

quote:Originally posted by PPeppel

MLH
As the tires are a huge point of false I see the point. My issue is the fact that many of the recommended replacemen's are also China tires. Several US made don't make the weight load I need (14k)so I'm at somewhat of a loss. Searched online and talked to truck shop down the road and keep ending up with a brand made in china.

The Sailuns are a good option, about $130 each. You only need 4. Use the OEM tire for a spare, cause it is just that. Sell the take-off's on C list and your cost is almost nothing.

You mention you only need 14k tires. The brochure shows your UNLOADED SHIPPING WEIGHT IS 13,470lbs with a 3,475lbs carrying capacity. That puts your trailer at a real world weight loaded weight close to 17K. Figure 20-23% on the pin. Yes you need 14K tires on the axles, which Sailun's and a Goodyear G614 will work.

Next is the towing with a undersized truck, but that is for a different thread.

[PSFORD99]

quote:Originally posted by TLightning

I stand corrected...all the states now have speed limits. I do find it interesting some of the good folks on here are towing at speeds that might be "legal" but with trucks that clearly exceed their GVWR and/or GCWR.

At one time Montana had no speed limit, but its been quite a few years ago. I guess there were more.

[PPeppel]

JIB

Had trailer weighed and dry from the factory was 13.1k, fully loaded is just shy of 14k with empty tanks which is how I will be rolling. All is well under my hitch/tow-able rate (15.9k). But thanks for the tire info as with everyone hating CB's but then recommending another made in China I was confused.

[baybum10]

I figured I had spent all that money for a new 5th wheel and the HC was in the lighter weight range so I should at least get two years from the tires. At the end of Labor Day Weekend, just shy of two years and after about 5000 miles the Power King Towmax had the belt shift and was starting to come apart. I was lucky,no damage, the TPMS system I had installed warned me of a significant pressure loss. Correct pressure was maintained and the TPMS confirmed it at the beginning of every trip. Guess these tires are junk even for the lighter weight High Country. Anyway made it home safely on the spare from Cape Charles Va. to NJ. Four new Sailun Tires will be installed this week.