Are Westlake Tires any good?

[Too Tall]

My trailer came with ST205 75 14 Westlake Super ST. Any experience with these tires? I have about 8 - 10K on them. They look like the day they were installed but with all the talk about Chinese tires being cr_p, how bad are these things?

[davel1971]

have you looked at Maxxis? They seem to have the least negative reviews and post of all the trailer tire brands

[Airdale]

From what I observed at a large RV show last month new Forest River owners of TT & 5th wheel trailers are going to find out. Every one I looked at had the new Westlake tires. Serviced with 100% nitrogen and speed letters on the tire sidewalls. The lowest speed letter I saw was 75 MPH.

[SeaDog]

I think most of the problems from the Chinese are that they are not very forgiving of an owner that doesn't keep the pressure where it should be or exceeds the speed and weight limits.

My new Flagstaff has some off brand tire with only a "C" rating. Around here we need "E" not for the weight but for the ply rating because of back country camping. I will change to "E" rating tires after my first rock thru the tread (has happened at my ranch to the PU with 6 ply tires.

[Blackhat6mike]

Not familiar with the Westlake brand, but will never again have any Chinese tires on my TT. I have Maxxis M8008 all around and about 3,500 miles on them. The pressures and temps are far more stable than any of the other three brands that I have had on it. [TowMax, Akuret and Hercules]
I now run the unit across the Cat scales the day before any trip and I'm 1,800 lbs under the CCC posted. I never run more than 10 gallons of water, but have a virtual hardware store of tools and extra parts onboard. Oh yes, two spares.

[Too Tall]

Is there a decent American made ST available? Is Maxxis US?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Too Tall

Is there a decent American made ST available? Is Maxxis US?

There are no American made ST tires.

Maxxis are Thailand, iirc.

[youroo]

Not lately! Youroo!!

[Too Tall]

Well I guess I'll stick with the Westlake if there's nothing better.

[elind]

I have Westlake E's on my Wildcat with 12k on them. I keep 80 psi in them and no issues yet. If I find Westlakes in a tire shop when its time to replace them that's what I'll buy.

[SYE]

At the camper show, almost every trailer had Westlakes on them.

[Papa-t]

As stated above I will agree X2 a lot of problems come from poor tire pressure set where it should be or exceeding the speed and weight limits.

[wahoonc]

My opinion... FWIW

Westlakes are okay, I prefer Maxxis. There aren't very many if any ST tires still made in the US. Even the much vaunted Goodyear Marthons.

Most manufacturers use the cheapest, lowest rated tire they can purchase in bulk. Do your math. Tires lose carrying capacity as they age. I would not run a TT tire more than 3-5 years regardless of tread condition. If they are close to the load limit (75%-80%) I would err on the side of caution and replace every 3 years. If they are less than that your call. FWIW your trailer can be heavier on one side than the other and can cause the tire(s) on that side to be over loaded. I found this out the hard way with my 2000 Coleman Niagara popup. Individual wheel scales aren't easy to find. I use my cousin's race car scales.

Check the air pressure before and during every trip. A TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) is a good form of insurance.

Aaron

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by SYE

At the camper show, almost every trailer had Westlakes on them.

Originally Posted by wahoonc

My opinion... FWIW


Most manufacturers use the cheapest, lowest rated tire they can purchase in bulk.

This right here tells you all you need to know about them.

[Too Tall]

Thanks elind, mine are C rated (50 pis) but smaller unit. So far so good.

[Oaklevel]

We have Westlakes on our 2013 no issues. Had the trailer since 2012. Our son had Westlakes on a Mustang he had no issues. Personally I like them. Would use them on another one of my trailers if I can find who around here sells them.

[WolfWhistle]

I have Westlake D rated on my Hyperlite toy hauler. I know you can't tell much by looks, but they don't look cheap like some do. I don't have a reason to swap these made in the orient tires for another brand; also made in the orient. When I do need new tires I will up the rating and go probably with Maxxis; or might go to LTs on 16" wheels.
WW

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by davel1971

This right here tells you all you need to know about them.

I said MOST, Westlake is a lower priced tire, however they seem to do okay IF they are sized properly.

Aaron

[davidx2000]

Slightly off topic, but what is the recommended tire rotation on a TT?

1 - Same side, rotate front to rear

2 - Flip left to right, and also front to rear

What about including the spare in the rotation if same/age/make/style as rolling tires?

[Wayne Joan]

As stated earlier watch for stones going through the tread of "C" rated Westlake tires. This happened on our trailer. A very small stone ruptured the tread. I now have Carlisle "E" rated tires.