Tire Failure Disaster - narrowly averted

[zs325RES]

We've been enjoying a couple of consecutive weeks out camping with our Crusader, and during our last weekend move to another RV park here in Michigan, I noticed an unusual 'wobbling' of one of the trailer's tires in my side view mirror. Fortunately this was one of the front tires and more easily seen.

After arrival and setup, I did an inspection and saw a bad crowning (second pic) of the tread on this tire which suggested problems. This morning I decided to err on the side of caution and swap out this tire for the spare for our trip home this weekend. Upon further inspection I found a severe bulging on the inside of the tire as pictured.





I'm relieved that this didn't result in the blowout that was certainly in my future, which would have likely caused damage to our 1 year old Crusader.

The Power King Tow Max tires have approx 1500 miles on them and have always been kept at the proper 80 psi. I've also towed at or below 65mph, and in Michigan, the summer temps are not excessive. I've never curbed or mistreated them in any way, and stored in the winter (6 months) with most of the trailers weight off of the axles.

I have a set of Good-Year Marathons waiting my arrival when we get back home for immediate mounting. I'm not taking any chances on these ticking time bombs. Thanks to the members here for posting their stories and recommendations, and hope my experience helps others as well.

If anyone here has any info regarding this tire manufacturer (Power King?) standing behind their product, I would appreciate your sharing it? I'm not in the least bit interested in a replacement tire (same), but any consideration for refund or credit would be nice.

Thanks all! Have a great 4th.

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by zs325RES

We've been enjoying a couple of consecutive weeks out camping with our Crusader, and during our last weekend move to another RV park here in Michigan, I noticed an unusual 'wobbling' of one of the trailer's tires in my side view mirror. Fortunately this was one of the front tires and more easily seen.

After arrival and setup, I did an inspection and saw a bad crowning (second pic) of the tread on this tire which suggested problems. This morning I decided to err on the side of caution and swap out this tire for the spare for our trip home this weekend. Upon further inspection I found a severe bulging on the inside of the tire as pictured.





I'm relieved that this didn't result in the blowout that was certainly in my future, which would have likely caused damage to our 1 year old Crusader.

The Power King Tow Max tires have approx 1500 miles on them and have always been kept at the proper 80 psi. I've also towed at or below 65mph, and in Michigan, the summer temps are not excessive. I've never curbed or mistreated them in any way, and stored in the winter (6 months) with most of the trailers weight off of the axles.

I have a set of Good-Year Marathons waiting my arrival when we get back home for immediate mounting. I'm not taking any chances on these ticking time bombs. Thanks to the members here for posting their stories and recommendations, and hope my experience helps others as well.

If anyone here has any info regarding this tire manufacturer (Power King?) standing behind their product, I would appreciate your sharing it? I'm not in the least bit interested in a replacement tire (same), but any consideration for refund or credit would be nice.

Thanks all! Have a great 4th.

File a complaint with the National HighwayTransportation Safety Board. To help others.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml

[wyo700]

That shows that the tire has separated inside and yes you were very close to a blow out. I had about 2000 miles on my original tires when I replaced them. Two had separated in the middle of the tread. I didn't have any blow outs but they were coming.


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[dcheatwood]

Good catch and damage prevention.

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[OldCoot]

You were extremely lucky it didn't separate and cause real damage. Good catch. Being a diehard Goodyear Marathon fan and user, I think you will get a lot more miles out of the Marathons. I would also recommend the TST TPMS flow thru monitors be installed.

[John4th]

I've always had good luck with Marathons. I admit, I've never seen crowning before on a tire. I've always dealt with sidewall rot/cracks.


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[WEMig]

I just had rlthe same experience. Tires crowning on the tread. Unfortunately I did get a blow out and had two more ready to blow.

[Douglasdh62]

I had those tires on a FR Wildcat Sterling addition. every single one of those tires had tread seperation, one was the spare and we only made it about 100 miles on it before it seperated. The rig was just over a year old at the time and had about 5,000 mi on it. we changed all the tires out, I now run LT truck tires on my rig. will find out how well they hold up as the other tires I have had have been junk. we do put a lot of miles on our rig each year so truck tires will outlast trailer tires over the long term. be sure and have the rest of those tires checked for seperation. if one went good chance the rest will be going also.

[BamaBob]

So, we are at the repair shop trying to figure out why BOTH A/Cs failed overnight and this guy towing a V-lite limps in to the dealership, another victim of the China Bombs!

Everyone was OK but as ya'll can see good bit of visible damage to the TT...not sure what the undercarriage looks like




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[zs325RES]

There must be hundreds of these stories out there.
Pretty poor decision specing these cheap tires to save a couple hundred dollars IMO.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by zs325RES

There must be hundreds of these stories out there.
Pretty poor decision specing these cheap tires to save a couple hundred dollars IMO.

I'm sure you are right, but even if there are 9000 stories out there what percentage is that out of all the trailers on the road with tires made in China?

[BigBaron]

The tires made in China aren't necessarily bad. All the Goodyear Marathon tires are made in China if I read their info correctly! LOL

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by BigBaron

The tires made in China aren't necessarily bad. All the Goodyear Marathon tires are made in China if I read their info correctly! LOL

Don't think so Baron...info I have is Goodyear is the only tire still made in the USA anyone know for sure because these are the tires I am considering....


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[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Don't think so Baron...info I have is Goodyear is the only tire still made in the USA anyone know for sure because these are the tires I am considering...

Baron is correct, all ST tires are made in the Far East from what I understand.

[BamaBob]

Hmmm.....thanks Neil, appreciate the info.

So what is the collective mind think the "best" RV tires are?


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[BigBaron]

From what I saw there were making one size in 2012, but went back to China

[Whiteknight]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

So, we are at the repair shop trying to figure out why BOTH A/Cs failed overnight and this guy towing a V-lite limps in to the dealership, another victim of the China Bombs!

Everyone was OK but as ya'll can see good bit of visible damage to the TT...not sure what the undercarriage looks like

Attachment 57046Attachment 57047


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those pictures looks awfully familiar. Our blow out the end of April on our V-Light.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Whiteknight

those pictures looks awfully familiar. Our blow out the end of April on our V-Light.

Did you file a report?
What did you end up replacing them with?

[Douglasdh62]

I have a goodyear marathon tire in the garage, it says made in china right on the side. I have been told that all trailer tires are made in china. I put truck tires on our rig.

[camper1999]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

You were extremely lucky it didn't separate and cause real damage. Good catch. Being a diehard Goodyear Marathon fan and user, I think you will get a lot more miles out of the Marathons. I would also recommend the TST TPMS flow thru monitors be installed.

X2