China Bomb got me.. now what?

[dsagal79]

Hi All,

The dreaded china bomb got me and so rather than make an insurance claim or any of that nonsense, I try to fix things myself. I am now faced with
1- where do I get the bottom plastic panels and wheel well covers?
2 - electrical issues that need repaired i.e. the electric stabilizer jacks don't work among other small items.
3- my heater won't work (not sure if this one is related but I hear the ignition attempts and smell propane but it won't start.

Any pointers in the right direction would be of great help in any of the areas!

Thanks and happy camping!

Dave

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by dsagal79

Hi All,

The dreaded china bomb got me and so rather than make an insurance claim or any of that nonsense, I try to fix things myself. I am now faced with
1- where do I get the bottom plastic panels and wheel well covers?
2 - electrical issues that need repaired i.e. the electric stabilizer jacks don't work among other small items.
3- my heater won't work (not sure if this one is related but I hear the ignition attempts and smell propane but it won't start.

Any pointers in the right direction would be of great help in any of the areas!

Thanks and happy camping!

Dave

First thing I'd do is to have a Dealer look at the tire and see if there is a warranty claim to be made. If the tire was defective and failed due to workmanship and material fail, the damage is on them. File a damage claim with the tire mfr or US distributor.

If they get huffy, file a claim with your Insurance company and they will deal with the tire company. You could be looking at repair expense far in excess of your deductible. This is why you carry insurance (assuming you do).

If you do have insurance file the claim and your out of pocket will be the amount of your deductible. If you don't want to bother with insurance then why pay for it? At least raise your deductible and save some money on the premiums.

I retired from a tire company and we had an entire department that dealt with damage claims for tires that failed under warranty. Don't just assume you are screwed because the tire was made in China. It was imported by a US company and that's where the claim will be handled.

[EdJunior]

Not sure I can help much, but some more info might be good. What kind of camper. Year, model, etc. When was the last time you used the heater? Have you tried to trace out the wires for the stabilizer jacks?

[dsagal79]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

First thing I'd do is to have a Dealer look at the tire and see if there is a warranty claim to be made. If the tire was defective and failed due to workmanship and material fail, the damage is on them. File a damage claim with the tire mfr or US distributor.

If they get huffy, file a claim with your Insurance company and they will deal with the tire company. You could be looking at repair expense far in excess of your deductible. This is why you carry insurance (assuming you do).

If you do have insurance file the claim and your out of pocket will be the amount of your deductible. If you don't want to bother with insurance then why pay for it? At least raise your deductible and save some money on the premiums.

I retired from a tire company and we had an entire department that dealt with damage claims for tires that failed under warranty. Don't just assume you are screwed because the tire was made in China. It was imported by a US company and that's where the claim will be handled.

Thanks TitanMike, The camper is a 13 so the tires were older. The tread looked good and there was no dry rotting, so I assumed that they would be ok for another year. I don't think the tire manufacturer would do anything for them. I have also replaced the tires out of my own pocket because I was on a trip. Good point on why do I have insurance - for me, it is more of a total loss scenario. I don't like to use insurance for little issues, only for big ones when I really need it.

[fonzie]

1- where do I get the bottom plastic panels and wheel well covers?


This might help you with the fender replacement:

Lookup-our-skirts.com | RV Fender Skirts | Fifth wheel & Travel Trailer Fender Flares | Fender Skirt Fit Guides

[rjshiflet]

I had a tire blow out and cause about $1,200 worth of damage - and the tire dealer ended up paying for 100% of the repair then said they'd collect from the tire manufacturer. You just have to be persistent and not back down.

[jtesta1]

Check the date of the tires. If over five years you may have trouble with a claim.

[D W]

Given the tires were 5 years old, but what was your speed when it blew, and were you on concrete or asphalt? Not being nosey, a lot of readers like to register these statistics for future reference. I replace my tires every 3 years regardless of what the tread looks like.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by dsagal79

Thanks TitanMike, The camper is a 13 so the tires were older. The tread looked good and there was no dry rotting, so I assumed that they would be ok for another year. I don't think the tire manufacturer would do anything for them. I have also replaced the tires out of my own pocket because I was on a trip. Good point on why do I have insurance - for me, it is more of a total loss scenario. I don't like to use insurance for little issues, only for big ones when I really need it.

biggest problem is the old tires . 5yr max on trailer tires . regardless of how they look . most like me will change out every 3 yrs and these are quality tires not the cheap china tires .

[Around the Bend]

Here is a link to check how old your tires are. https://recstuff.com/how-old-are-my-...-and-find-out/


Remember your tires may be almost a year older than the model year.

[HerveVR]

dsagal79,

As for your heater, clean the propane gas tube using «smoking pipe cleaner».
Bugs may have nested in there and thesaid nest will resist an air blow.

[jd50i]

Originally Posted by dsagal79

The camper is a 13 so the tires were older. The tread looked good and there was no dry rotting, so I assumed that they would be ok for another year.

My 2014 had 2012 tires on them. You need to check the tires date.


spider webs can keep propane items from lighting.

[youroo]

Before the OP jumps through all the Hoops,if they Don't have the "TIRE that caused all the Damage" they are "Spinning their Wheels" and Wasting Time! Youroo!!

[rjshiflet]

Originally Posted by youroo

Before the OP jumps through all the Hoops,if they Don't have the "TIRE that caused all the Damage" they are "Spinning their Wheels" and Wasting Time! Youroo!!

Correct. That is needed for what the tire companies call "forensic testing".

[Richard W Eason]

What brand of China bomb?

[dsagal79]

Originally Posted by D W

Given the tires were 5 years old, but what was your speed when it blew, and were you on concrete or asphalt? Not being nosey, a lot of readers like to register these statistics for future reference. I replace my tires every 3 years regardless of what the tread looks like.

The temp was surfing around 90 and I was traveling at 65mph. I checked tire pressure before I left so pressure was good. The tire blew when I was on interstate 81 heading south and I transitioned from asphalt to bridge concrete.

[dsagal79]

Originally Posted by Richard W Eason

What brand of China bomb?

No idea now. They are gone and I already put 4 new ones on.

I might be able to check my spare (and I should probably get that replaced as soon as possible too now that I think about it)

[dsagal79]

Originally Posted by HerveVR

dsagal79,

As for your heater, clean the propane gas tube using «smoking pipe cleaner».
Bugs may have nested in there and thesaid nest will resist an air blow.

Thanks! I cleaned everything out and still didn't work. Ended up having to move the camper and took it for a ride. Brought it home and due to the recent cold snap, I cranked up the heat last night just to test- it fired right up... Not sure what the issue was at this point. Just glad it is now working!

[dsagal79]

Originally Posted by fonzie

1- where do I get the bottom plastic panels and wheel well covers?


This might help you with the fender replacement:

Lookup-our-skirts.com | RV Fender Skirts | Fifth wheel & Travel Trailer Fender Flares | Fender Skirt Fit Guides

I have found the appropriate fender skirt however there is a small piece of J skirt that I need to replace and I didn't see anywhere that I could buy one of them on that site. Any other ideas?

[shopboss]

I hear so much about china trailer tires failing. I just installed the new Good Year USA made Endurance tires on our 2012 travel trailer. I have kept the original tires covered when trailer is not in the shed. Also very religious on tire inflation and torqueing lugs. So,, I've been lucky not to have a blowout. We leave tomorrow for our first trip on the new Good Years. It seems GY has done their home work on these tires. I had a friend mount and balance them. He has done tires his whole life, and he thinks they look real good.(He is a Firestone and BFG tire fan) Only took 1/4oz weight to balance them.

I had a friend with a triple axle toy hauler blow 5 of the 6 China tires while going around Chicago on the toll road. Blew 2 and lost the other 3 while tying to find a place to pull off. It wrecked 5 tires, 4 aluminum rims, the black water dump, the onboard generator, all the plastic trim, made big skid marks on the fiberglass side walls, some wiring. Plus the IL State Patrol said he was responsible to clean up the 5 mile long waste water spill he left on the toll road. His response to that one was "YAH, RIGHT!"

I'll give a follow up post on the new GY ENDURANCE tires.
SHOPBOSS