Another 8289 WS tire failure

[DNBINFV]

We also had a flat on our 8281 WS on Sunday. Tires are the Power Tommy's as well. Had a local tire shop replace all 4 tires and upgraded them to 10 ply load range E. Tire guy was amazed that the original tires were load range C and only 6 ply.
I had no idea that the tire was flat, another driver pointed it out. It was hot 101 degrees and the road surface was awful. Never went over 60 mph.

[gunn1976]

Has anyone reported these tire failures to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?

[leefl]

I'd be interested to hear what deals folks have got on a decent replacement set of tires, and where the got them installed (rather than installing themselves) and how much they charged for installation.

I only have < 400 miles on our 8281WS, tho' will be doing another couple of in-state trips next month, and another trip up to the FL/AL border around xmas. We do have an 8000 mile road-trip planned for next year tho', so definitely want better tires for that, if not before, and am also wanting to get a TPMS (recommendations welcome).

[PhoneDude 8289]

Originally Posted by gunn1976

Has anyone reported these tire failures to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?

Oh yes

[leefl]

I'd also appreciate if anyone can clarify what the ST tire prefix implies ?

I know the load ratings (and most of the 225/75R15's seem to be 102 load ratings, which seems significantly under-rated for a 2 axle fifth-wheel, and the speed rating (tho' I guess C is much lower than I'm used to).

I did spot that TireRack had some
POWER KING TOWMAX STR II
Size: ST225/75R15 117/112L E

which have a much better load rating

Edit: Reading further into description, I guess ST is Specialty Trailer tires (not designed for driving wheels), and these tires are L speed rated (75mph), and E load rated (10 ply, 80 psi max), not sure why they give 2 load numbers).
The listed specs are that they're rated for 2830lb each, 80psi, and are chinese made.

Also found that DiscountTire list some Hartland Radial ST tires, which are 117 load rated, N speed rated (87mph), and E load/ply rated (10 ply, 80psi), and similar spec Carlisle Brand tires. No idea of the reputation of any of these brands

[5picker]

Originally Posted by DNBINFV

We also had a flat on our 8281 WS on Sunday. Tires are the Power Tommy's as well. Had a local tire shop replace all 4 tires and upgraded them to 10 ply load range E. Tire guy was amazed that the original tires were load range C and only 6 ply.
I had no idea that the tire was flat, another driver pointed it out. It was hot 101 degrees and the road surface was awful. Never went over 60 mph.

How old (timewise) were the failed/replaced original tires?

[PhoneDude 8289]

Originally Posted by leefl

I'd be interested to hear what deals folks have got on a decent replacement set of tires, and where the got them installed (rather than installing themselves) and how much they charged for installation.

I only have < 400 miles on our 8281WS, tho' will be doing another couple of in-state trips next month, and another trip up to the FL/AL border around xmas. We do have an 8000 mile road-trip planned for next year tho', so definitely want better tires for that, if not before, and am also wanting to get a TPMS (recommendations welcome).

The 10 ply Maxxis 8008 st tires that I bought 225/75/15 were $126.00 Ea from Discount tire. The steel valve stems were $4.00 each. I have the tst 507 TPMS with the flow through sensors. Had the wheels balanced with the sensors in place. Discount Tire also included lifetime spin balance and repairs in there price. Bought 5 tires to include the spare. I did not seek any financial relief from FR, maybe I should have but it's been over a year now. I have read on this forum that some have gotten $300.00 from FR towards better tires

[PhoneDude 8289]

Originally Posted by 5picker

How old (timewise) were the failed/replaced original tires?

The tire I had go bad was 8 months old and had about 3K miles on it. It was a bead leak / crumble not a blow out.

[DaveSchwartz]

The plies are usually also given by lettering molded on the sidewall e.g. tread: 2 polyester 2 steel 2 nylon, sidewall: 2 polyester 2 nylon.

Note that the nominal 'ply' rating will not correspond to how many actual plies are in the tire construction. The 'ply' rating is based on some ancient bias ply construction where that number of cotton plies was required to give that inflation pressure burst strength.

DNBINFV: your destroyed tire also shows the signs of severe underinflation running. TPMS: Don't Leave Home Without IT!

[DaveSchwartz]

Originally Posted by PhoneDude 8289

The tire I had go bad was 8 months old and had about 3K miles on it. It was a bead leak / crumble not a blow out.

B & B had exactly the same issue (bead crumbled and parts stuck to the rim when removed). I don't trust how no-name Chinese factories compound their rubber. We live in a long-time tire building (and even longer time rubber compounding) community. Anyone here over 45 knows what good tire rubber smells like and most Chinese tires don't have it (but my Chinese GY Marathons do).

[Rsharrer]

We also have the 8289WS. 2014 that we have had two years now and 14000 miles. Had read about the issues with the OEM tires and so kept a close eye on them and installed a Tire Traker system. With about 9000 miles on them I discovered a crack in three of them. All located on the inside and about an inch from the rim. Tire shop would not do a repair due to the crack. I replaced all four and have had no problems. Those original tires also had trouble holding air. After some "back and forth" with Forest River they reimbursed me $300. Have had a few other minor issues but my experience with FR has been nothing but positive.

[leefl]

Originally Posted by Rsharrer

We also have the 8289WS. 2014 that we have had two years now and 14000 miles. Had read about the issues with the OEM tires and so kept a close eye on them and installed a Tire Traker system. With about 9000 miles on them I discovered a crack in three of them. All located on the inside and about an inch from the rim. Tire shop would not do a repair due to the crack. I replaced all four and have had no problems. Those original tires also had trouble holding air. After some "back and forth" with Forest River they reimbursed me $300. Have had a few other minor issues but my experience with FR has been nothing but positive.

Not that I've had any actual issue yet, and I doubt they'd feel like contributing towards new tires as a preventative measure, but how did you contact FR ? Any specific contact person ?

[DaveSchwartz]

I sold mine on Kijiji - think I got $200. Was up-front that these should not be used on a trailer over about 4000lbs. Hasn't come back on me in a year and a half so I guess the buyer was happy.

[robsshots]

That's it. You have convinced me to replace our tires when we arrive in FL. Thinking of Michelins…best tire I know of.

[strat56]

Originally Posted by leefl

Edit: Reading further into description, I guess ST is Specialty Trailer tires (not designed for driving wheels), and these tires are L speed rated (75mph), and E load rated (10 ply, 80 psi max), not sure why they give 2 load numbers).
The listed specs are that they're rated for 2830lb each, 80psi, and are chinese made.

I believe the higher load rating is for the tire on an axle with one tire on each side and the lower is for the tire on an axle with two tires on each side.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by robsshots

That's it. You have convinced me to replace our tires when we arrive in FL. Thinking of Michelins…best tire I know of.

How far are you from FL. Might be a bad gamble to wait. IMO

[5picker]

Originally Posted by PhoneDude 8289

The tire I had go bad was 8 months old and had about 3K miles on it. It was a bead leak / crumble not a blow out.

Thanks PhoneDude. I had read earlier in this thread yours were 9 months old and my question was actually directed towards DNBINFV.

The OP (taroth) mentioned his were 9 months old, PhoneDudes were 9 months old.

In another tire failure thread I asked the same question and was told 8 months.

Maybe DNBINFV can let us know the age of his?

Not that it going to help anyone from having a blowout but it 'appears' 9 months to a year is pushing your luck.

[B and B]

I replaced after year, bead crumbled when removed. . Forest River bought mine back for $300 and I got the new ones for $550 so I was happy!

[frozen]

It's easy to blame the tires. However, after 3 of the tires on my 8289 were unfit for use after 6000 miles, we discovered that those 3 spindles were badly bent so tires were constantly scrubbing the pavement. I'd suggest having the dealer or a reputable alignment shop take a look. Forest River paid for a realignment.

[Bears1985]

I also have a Forest River 8289ws fifth wheeler. Can anyone out there tell me if the existing rims will except different tires that require 65 psi as opposed to 50 psi. I've read that sometimes the original tires are married to the rims. Thanks!