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Old 08-04-2014, 09:00 PM   #1
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Exclamation FYI EVO RV Tire Issues

FYI - August 2014
Re Forest River EVO T2050 2013 Twin Axle RV
I imported the above RV from America in late 2012 and it was delivered in February 2013. The RV has been on two journeys since delivery to Perth in Western Australia to Broome in the same state, and return.
The first trip was event free and the overall distance traveled was 2300 kilometers or 1429 miles. However on the second trip and only after 600k’s (370 miles) a tire blew and was replaced. Two days later approximately 600k’s further on a second tire blew taking out its partner tire.
After spending 3 months in Broome and having replaced the tires and having had the underside of the RV electrics repaired we did the return trip to Perth last week. While in Broome I bought a second spare rim and tire just in case. Similarly I fitted a set of TPMS (Tyre Dogs) to the RV tire valves. On the first leg of the return trip back another of the original tires blew and on the last day the final tire blew. (All five of the original tires are now totaled.)
Overall none these tires have ever done 4,000 kilometers (2485 miles). The vehicle was never taken off road and driven on very good condition bitumen. The pressures were set at about 46PSI when cold and through the Tyre Dog’s monitor never went about 51PSI.
The RV when loaded weighed 2860Kilograms (6,292lbs). I had the RV weighed while in Broome as I had some concerns the weight could be an issue. I have been driving RV’s for over 11 years all over Australia and have never had one puncture or blowout until this year.
I realize there is no warranty I can claim but as I am resident in Australia thought it worth recording this data just in case other RV owners or buyers have similar experiences and to make them aware to check there tires.
The tires that came with the RV were marked as being for “Trailers” and complied with the caravan specifications. However they were not a branded tire. In my opinion to provide some good reliable tires is something that the manufacture should address as lives could be lost and/or considerable damage incurred.
For the sake of say an extra $400 to have branded reliable tires would be a sensible move as tires are an essential component of any vehicle.
I presently have 2 Kelly and Michelin tires and intend to review the best tires to get before heading off again on any journey. Also having Tyre Dogs helped to ensure me of any tire issues. (This is not a add for Tyre Dog's as any TPMS will do a similar job.)
Incidentally while on our vacation in Broome I met an owner of a similar RV imported to Australia who had had a similar issue with a tire and was unaware that the tire had blown for over 100klms (60 miles).
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Old 08-04-2014, 09:03 PM   #2
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It could be any RV. Chinabombs are all over. NO QUALITY
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Old 08-04-2014, 09:08 PM   #3
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I've about decided that all of our RVs should come with a caution:

Soon after purchase, replace your tires!

We did, with less than 500 miles on the originals.

I feel like I can actually exhale now while DH is towing our 5er.

The original tires are stacked in the back yard...maybe I'll put 'em in a yard sale.
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Old 08-04-2014, 09:16 PM   #4
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Check the load range on the old tires.
Most Mfrs put the bare minimum required for the load. You may want to consider going up to a higher load range like a D or E. I went from std tires to load range E tires and they appear to be doing just fine after about 8500 miles.
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Old 08-05-2014, 12:30 AM   #5
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Yep, I learned the hard way. Shame they (Forest River or agents)don't make anyone aware of the tire limitations.
However I expect Australians buying Amer ican RV's would expect something more substantial or be given advice from whoever they buy the vehicle from.
In a perfect world.
By the way the RV is brilliant and both of us love it.
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Old 08-05-2014, 12:45 AM   #6
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I realize that each sub-brand under Forest River is like its own little company in itself, but, they are all part of Forest River, which do communicate. So, why is it that when you purchase a Cedar Creek or Silverback, you get Goodyear G614's / Load Range G tires (Very good tires with high load and speed rating) as original equipment from the factory. Yet you go get a similar priced Columbus, XLR fifth wheel or any other unit in the $50-70k plus / same weight range, and you get the crap. Prices on above units are pretty close. I know it's hard to put an LT or high load rated tire on a smaller trailer sometimes due to size, but there are better tires than what they put at the factory. Why not have the Maxxis or certain GY Marathons as OE. Not a big price difference really.
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Old 08-05-2014, 01:00 AM   #7
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Couldn't agree more Big John.
My point entirely, alternatively provide an option if you are prepared to pay a bit extra at the time of purchase.
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Old 08-23-2014, 11:14 AM   #8
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All trailer use tires are Chinese garbage. Go to a real E load LT tire. I use the Firestone Transforce HTs and they have been great reliable.
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Old 08-23-2014, 11:19 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJohnD View Post
I realize that each sub-brand under Forest River is like its own little company in itself, but, they are all part of Forest River, which do communicate. So, why is it that when you purchase a Cedar Creek or Silverback, you get Goodyear G614's / Load Range G tires (Very good tires with high load and speed rating) as original equipment from the factory. Yet you go get a similar priced Columbus, XLR fifth wheel or any other unit in the $50-70k plus / same weight range, and you get the crap. Prices on above units are pretty close. I know it's hard to put an LT or high load rated tire on a smaller trailer sometimes due to size, but there are better tires than what they put at the factory. Why not have the Maxxis or certain GY Marathons as OE. Not a big price difference really.
Reality is the Marathon, Maxxis, Towmax, ect are all the same Chinese crap, just branded different. Only the Goodyear G is a real good trailer tire.
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Old 08-24-2014, 09:46 AM   #10
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The enclosed reference contains (IMO) the best information about care and maintenance of ST tires. I realize it was written by a tire manufacturer. They have been in the trailer tire business for a long time. Trailer tires are all manufacturer to similar specs and tested to those specs. The guidelines in the reference parallel all other trailer tires.

http://www.carlisletransportationpro..._Practices.pdf

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Old 08-24-2014, 10:01 AM   #11
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I drove my Rockwood from the dealership to Discount Tire and had better, higher load range tires put on that day. My experiences with the Chinabombs in the past made this a no-brainer for me!

I have about 4000+ miles on my Carlisle LRD tires and they look to be very high quality so far...
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Old 08-24-2014, 12:37 PM   #12
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IIRC, Carlisle is still American made and they have been around since 1917 so I don't put those in the same quality cat as the China bombs. That and the Goodyear G trailer tire are the best in that segment IMHP. I've had the best luck going to an E or higher load LT commercial truck tire. Zero issues, tough as nails, and lasts a while. In the past with China bombs, we use to use the "new every 2" rule. Didn't make a difference what they looked like, after 2 years they were pulled off and trashed. My new way is more affordable and much less hassle.
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Old 08-24-2014, 01:37 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Airdale View Post
The enclosed reference contains (IMO) the best information about care and maintenance of ST tires. I realize it was written by a tire manufacturer. They have been in the trailer tire business for a long time. Trailer tires are all manufacturer to similar specs and tested to those specs. The guidelines in the reference parallel all other trailer tires.

http://www.carlisletransportationpro..._Practices.pdf

Airdale
That is good information.

I had a blow out this summer and learned after the fact that the tires were too old. The tires were 9 years old. I never knew you should replace them after 5 years regardless of miles or storage. I learned that on forums like this.

Luckily it was not a bad situation other than to change a tire in the breakdown lane. There was also no damage to the wheel well which was nice. Everyone was ok also. Put the spare on and away I went.
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Old 10-08-2014, 08:27 PM   #14
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The Carlisle data sheet is very useful and will help in my selection of new tires. The only issue is that I cannot source Carlisle tires in Australia so I am having problems finding a suitable tire.
There seems to be a shortage of 205/75/R14 in Australia the only tire I can get easily is the 195/75's and not many are ST's.
I'll keep tirying (trying).
Thanks for all the help this forum has provided in this matter.
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Old 10-08-2014, 09:26 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frances Richards View Post
I am having problems finding a suitable tire.
There seems to be a shortage of 205/75/R14 in Australia the only tire I can get easily is the 195/75's and not many are ST's.
Since you have a 14 inch tire and are in Australia, have you looked at maybe what we refer to as a Euro size tire. These are usually 8 ply rated tires and are made for heavy applications like trailers, transporter vans, etc.....and are more common in the European markets.

Just off the top of my head, I know Hankook, Kumho, and Continental (but I think the continental is 6 ply) build these, as do some other brands. The Euro tires are sized just a hair different, which I explained more in detail here:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post118797

These tires may be more accessable to you than a ST tire, if you want to look.

Light Truck Tyres | Kumho Radial 857 | Kumho Tyres Australia

I think the Hankook model is an RA08 and you may have available a RA18 or RA10 in the land down under, but don't know of the latter two's sizing schemes.
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Old 10-08-2014, 09:49 PM   #16
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Thanks VM I'm on to it now. Hankook have a good reputation in Australia.
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Old 10-09-2014, 01:23 PM   #17
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Thanks VM I'm on to it now. Hankook have a good reputation in Australia.

Yokohama manufacturers’ their Y356 in size 185R14 in a LRD rated at 1850# at 65 psi.

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Old 10-09-2014, 05:43 PM   #18
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I ran the khumo's 857 d rated on my pop up and loved them- great in the wet. Did have to downsized from 205/75 to a 195. Felt it was a great value. Hope you can get them in Australia.


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