new rv china bomb tires

[tommie.graves]

I have a new salem, Hemisphere on order, and am concerned about what tires I will get, if they are borderline weight rating and 65 mpg rating, what should I do? Can I possibly trade them in at a tire dealer on better tires, or bite the bullet and just buy a new set right away? The new rv weight is 8450lb empty, what have some of u done? thanks Tom

[Dave_Monica]

All trailer tires are made off shore, maybe some better than others. The manufacturers tends to equip the camper with tires that just exceed the axle ratings.

I'd suggest a decent TPMS like TST, Tire Minder, keep them aired to max inflation pressure, max 65 mph and not too much bouncing off curbs and they will probably serve you well.

Dave

[Zolin]

The pathetic irony is that FR gives tire upgrade options to higher load range tires on some models but for those that don't they void the new warranty of the frame, axles, wheels if you put other than the same size and load range that came installed. They fear you will exceed the gross on the axles and frame by increasing load capacity of the tires which is hypocritical because they already practice this by offering upgrades as an option on some brands.....go figure....but choose wisely while you have warranty...Trail Exploders are junk!

[tommie.graves]

I was pleasantly surprised, to see on an 2015 Salem,Hemisphere 286RL.It had 225/75/15D rated tires and the trailer weighs 8450 pounds empty!!!!! D rated, that sounds correct to me.

[Zolin]

That would be correct. By the time you allow loading you are over the capacity of a C.

[No more shoveling]

Carlisle tires are made here in the USA and are one of the best trailer tire you can buy. They came standard on my Flagstaff 8528 BHSS.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by Zolin

The pathetic irony is that FR gives tire upgrade options to higher load range tires on some models but for those that don't they void the new warranty of the frame, axles, wheels if you put other than the same size and load range that came installed. They fear you will exceed the gross on the axles and frame by increasing load capacity of the tires which is hypocritical because they already practice this by offering upgrades as an option on some brands.....go figure....but choose wisely while you have warranty...Trail Exploders are junk!

I have never heard of a warranty be void due to a different load range of Tire being used.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by No more shoveling

Carlisle tires are made here in the USA ...

Not necessarily according to their statement. The Carlstar Group

[lbrjet]

Hate to burst your bubble but Carlisle doesn't make any ST tires in the USA. No 'made in USA' ST tires to be had anymore. Not saying anything bad about Carlisle, just that their travel travel tires are not made in the USA. Maybe if you have some old ones they say USA, but not new ones.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[mb1834]

I just purchased 4 Goodyear Marathons ST Tires and they are marked 'Made In China' on the sidewall. I have (2) 12 year old Goodyear Marathons on my boat trailer that are marked 'Made In Canada'. Who makes ST tires in the US?

[bear11]

No body makes ST tires in the USA. You just have to bite the bullet.I upgraded to a to a "E" rated.

[Grn_Mtns]

I am running Carlisle st225 E on my elcheapo FR C rated alloy rims at 80lb's for 4 months 6,000 miles.So far so good!
Traveling around Florida and back up 95 I see 1-2 campers per month with blown tires sitting by the side of highway. Mostly big 5ers. Some shoulders on I-95 in SC look like a war zone. Massive amounts of missing roadway near the edges of the concrete and shredded tire remnants for miles! Be safe!

[vinmaker]

I had good luck with the stock Carlilse on my pop up. I got almost 10 years of good use out of them. I had a blow out the summer before I was to replace them. I then found out I should NOT have waited that long. I have since been trying to educate myself and pay more attention to tires.

I would feel comfortable buying Carlilse tires again.

Vin.

[Philip Rank]

After having three different makes of trailer tires over the years and problems with all of them I went to light truck tires and have been very happy with them as they have been problem free. When I ordered my 2015 Siverback I gave my dealer the tires that came with it and had him transfer the used truck tires from my trade to the Silverback. 5000 miles later I am still happy.

Philip

[Stormrider151]

Anyone ever heard of a "Constancy" tire? That's what came on my 2015 Salem 27DBUD. They look like they may pop just sitting there.

[Zolin]

B&B

I spoke to two different Rockwood warranty administrators who told me it is not recommended by FR to change load range from oem and to do so would void the warranty. These conversations including written documentation took place within the past three weeks.

[Zolin]

Here is a statement made concerning tires. My Windjammer just went out of warranty several weeks ago and this conversation took place before and just after the warranty expired. This came from Chris who no longer is employed there but was reiterated by his replacement. My tires were stress cracking while under warranty period so they sent me two replacements identical to the others. I showed him the weigh tickets indicated everything was within spec. I inquired about how close to capacity these tires operate and inquired about upgrading to D range from C range. Here was Rockwood's official response for all you others considering this. They were cordial, but firm on their response. I have removed my name. This came on 4/3/2015;

Mr. $&#+*

"I understand your concerns about the tires on your trailer. As we have discussed, I must advise you against upgrading the load rating of your tires because the trailer was designed to specifications that use the equipment installed at the factory. The weight of the trailer has a direct impact on the tires. When you have the trailer weighed, you must weigh the trailer all by itself (not connected to the tow vehicle).

The 2014 3025W model was built to a maximum G.V.W.R. of 8,930 lbs. At no point in time should the trailer ever weigh more than this amount. The dry weight of the trailer when it left the factory with no contents at its basic lowest weight is 7,550 lbs. The 2 axles are rated at 4,000 lbs each and each tire (rim) has a load rating of 2,150. On those specifications, your trailer has a combined total axle weight rating of 8,000 lbs and the combined total weight rating of all 4 tires is 8,600 lbs. The tires and rims are designed to bear up to 600 pounds more than the axles. When you account the combined tire load rating against the GVWR for the trailer, you must consider that 1,008 lbs of hitch weight transfers weight from the trailer to the pull vehicle.

As I have explained to you previously the trailer is out of warranty. The tires that were shipped to you were a goodwill gesture on the part of Forest River without obligation. I would hope that you accept my information and my advice, but you are the owner of the trailer and you will be responsible for any costs or repairs that could result from upgrading your tires. I will not be able to reimburse your expenses or warranty cover any repairs resulting from upgraded tires placed onto your trailer. If you would like to discuss the rims used in production of your trailer, then you must contact LionsHead tire for any discussion on the rims.

I wish you well and safe travels and hope your free tires will arrive soon."

Chris Hollowell
Forest River, Inc
Flagstaff/Rockwood Division
Warranty Administrator
(574) 642-8943

[5er_tom]

My response is BS. I want safety first. After blowing out a LR-C tire, I went to LR-E tires and never had another issue. With the new Wildcat, I am playing a waiting game, as it has LR-E tires. I have a TPS. Everyone should have one!


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Zolin

B&B

I spoke to two different Rockwood warranty administrators who told me it is not recommended by FR to change load range from oem and to do so would void the warranty. These conversations including written documentation took place within the past three weeks.

I read this (Different) I replaced the (Stock Tires) VERY soon after Delivery with (MAXXIS 8008) Can we say (Nite & Day) difference in SIDEWALLs at SAME PSI. Youroo!!

[Zolin]

My safety is of utmost importance as well, FR may be looking out for themselves but stronger tires are better and therefore more safe to operate. Upgrading has not been proven to be unsafe, as far as I know..... Overloading past the weakest point in a suspension system is, however. I support upgrading tires as long as these factors are considered.