Another 8289 WS tire failure

[taroth]

This afternoon after about a four hour trip, the right rear of my Chinese crap tires failed. I checked the tire pressure this morning and inflated it from 45 to the recommended 50 pounds. The trip was on I 85 S and although the road is far from smooth, I did not hit any potholes, curbs or any obvious debris. We do not drive over 60 mph because of the tire rating and our trailer load is well under the rated maximum.

When the tire failed it ripped open the right side slide wire bundle which proceeded to wrap itself around the wheel and locked the wheel. The rim was scraping the pavement with the resultant sparks. Fortunately the outside grill LP supply line was missed, so we didn't have a flaming mess or casualties (we kept the LP on to run the fridge).

We are obviously cutting our trip short since neither main slider will extend and I do not know what the damage to the electrical system may have occurred. I can't wait to hear the weaseling on the warranty. We bought the unit new nine months ago and have put about 7,000 miles on it.

I do not know if Forest River reads this forum, but hopefully they may get a message to put a better grade tire as their OEM. This many tire issues cannot be good for their business. Most people I know would rather pay a little bit more for tires that will withstand normal wear and tear. Placing marginally suitable tires on an RV is just cheap. We were very lucky to avoid being a statistic for a RV fire. Bad tires are DANGEROUS!

As another insult to injury, we attempted to place the ruined wheel on the spare wheel bracket. The ruined wheel would not fit on the spare tire rack. It seems that the spare rim is a different depth than the wheels on the RV. So we had to put it in the basement with the other equipment. More fun as we rearranged the chairs, tables, grill and RV support tools to fit it in without crushing something else.

Photos are attached below from front to rear.

[ghostrider]

what brand tire was it?

[Kenny kustom]

Ordering Samson tires.
12 ply.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[DaveSchwartz]

The middle picture shows the extensive sidewall scuffing that tireman said on another thread is a sure sign that it ran very low pressure or flat until destruction. Although we hear more complaints about the Chinese off-brands, this could happen to any brand so a TPMS is almost required on a trailer because you'll never feel a tire going down like you would on the vehicle you're driving and you'll almost never see it until it starts throwing chunks or sparks (as in your case). While you wouldn't have run over any rocks you saw, you never see the nail or screw that will puncture the tread - like the one I picked up in my TV's rear tire a few weeks ago in Michigan. Fortunately, that only caused a pound-a-day slow leak because it stayed stuck in and not a rapid deflation which could result if it gets spat out.

Sorry for your (material-only) loss. Pretty sure this is going to be an insurance claim and not warranty. Common for it to be upwards of $3000 since it ripped out the wiring and probably also damaged the underside of the slide.

Out of curiousity, on the 8289 is the kitchen slide wire bundle fairly close to the tire? On my 8282 the kitchen slide is on the other side and the bundle is about a foor behind the aft tire and folds toward the back. I hope if I ever lose a tire without advance warning from my TPMS that the gator doesn't grab the wiring bundle like that.

[jgroff]

that's terrible. hope it all works out.

curious what size tires and axles are on you trailer?

I would bet they are 225/75/15 c load range and 4k axles.

[PhoneDude 8289]

My DW was not happy when I had 5 new Maxxis 10 ply tires put on our 9 mo old 5r. Had a tire that would not hold air, pulled it and took it to Discount tire. They tested it, it was leaking where the tire met the rim. When they broke the tire loose from the rim the bead crumbled. Ordered the Maxxis tires, had them installed, balanced and with steel valve stems. I think DW would have been much more upset if we would have ended up like taroth in the first post. I have since added a TPMS to the wheels.

[OldCoot]

It's not like everyone on the forum has not been warned numerous times about the factory tires but don't want to upgrade the tires for numerous reasons. I agree the factory should put better tires on the trailers, but it isn't going to happen for those already purchased trailers, so why not just bite the bullet and get better tires BEFORE they blow/disintegrate/whatever and cause major damage that may or may not be covered by warranty/insurance/hip pocket.

Just doesn't calculate in my book.

[mcnabbwr]

Ouch! That's a lot of damage. Hope it works out well for you wether it's a warranty or insurance claim. The good tire in the last picture even looks low, as others have stated replace them all.

[Fred H.]

I'm aware of those Chinese tires, have them on my Crusader. But the more I read these horror posts about blowouts, the more I'm considering going to Discount tire and purchasing 4 new tires.

I only have about 2000 miles on them now, but plan on a 1300 mile trip to FL. this winter and back home in April. Wondering now if I'll make it or not!

Such a shame everyone has to worry about this on a brand new RV. Makes me also wonder why there isn't some Highway Safety organization here in the US that would restrict these junk tires from even being imported!

[DaveSchwartz]

I only had 10 miles when I replaced the Trail Distress load range C with Goodyear Marathon LRD. Have been from southern Ontario to the Keys (high speed I-75 down, mountainous I-95/85/79 route home), to Chicago, the mountains of north-central PA on terrible roads, various provincial parks. Still hold air perfectly and look new (after washing off the mud).

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Fred H.

I'm aware of those Chinese tires, have them on my Crusader. But the more I read these horror posts about blowouts, the more I'm considering going to Discount tire and purchasing 4 new tires.

I only have about 2000 miles on them now, but plan on a 1300 mile trip to FL. this winter and back home in April. Wondering now if I'll make it or not!

Such a shame everyone has to worry about this on a brand new RV. Makes me also wonder why there isn't some Highway Safety organization here in the US that would restrict these junk tires from even being imported!

So, what are you going to do?

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

So, what are you going to do?

Can I assume that only Chinese manufactured tires will blow?

[taroth]

Originally Posted by ghostrider

what brand tire was it?

Trail Express "Palmer Tomins" ST 225/75R15, load C

[DaveSchwartz]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

Can I assume that only Chinese manufactured tires will blow?

Sounds right... never heard of a non-Chinese failing in any way... nope, never, not one, nada... lalalalalalala

[frisbyh]

We have a 2604WS that came with Westlake tires. I was concerned about them so I did a Google search and found most comments were positive. I left them on, and with a TPMS drove 4700 miles through the Canadian Maritime Providences, over some of the worst blacktop roads I have ever seen, and had no problems. Maybe I was just lucky.

[Harkerr]

After my failure which damaged the wire bundle I added a protector made from heavy radiator hose. This is to protect if future failure. I replaced wth Michelin LT range E. No problems.

[strat56]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

Can I assume that only Chinese manufactured tires will blow?

I'm not aware of any ST tires manufactured in the US anymore. Maybe Carlisle, not sure, but if there is someone please let us know.

Any tire will blowout not just Chinese tires. It seems to happen more often with Chinese ST tires but we only hear about the ones that blow out not the ones that don't.

[DaveSchwartz]

Originally Posted by DaveSchwartz

On my 8282 the kitchen slide is on the other side and the bundle is about a foot behind the aft tire and folds toward the back.

Correction - just looked and the kitchen slide wiring bundle starts over 3 feet behind the aft tire - probably a pretty safe range (another reason to like this floor plan). The opposite slide wire bundle starts 1.5 feet behind the tires but it carries only carries non-critical lighting (one 120VAC and one 12VDC) circuits.

Still curious if the 8289 bundle is closer. Brian?

[DaveSchwartz]

Originally Posted by Harkerr

After my failure which damaged the wire bundle I added a protector made from heavy radiator hose. This is to protect if future failure.

Added a protector around the wiring? I doubt anything not well armored will withstand a tread separation flailing around at 65MPH (and even the armor will probably get pretty beaten up). That's a fairly heavy rubber and steel whip there.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by DaveSchwartz

Added a protector around the wiring? I doubt anything not well armored will withstand a tread separation flailing around at 65MPH (and even the armor will probably get pretty beaten up). That's a fairly heavy rubber and steel whip there.

Yep... you can do what you can to protect but I've seen tires completely destroy complete metal fenders and bracing (on other types of trailers) so I doubt wiring and plastic fender skirts will stand a chance.