Anticipated Fight With Forest River

[SnR Gaskell]

Hello all.

We are new to the forum but not to RVs.

We recently purchased our first brand new trailer. We picked up a Rockwood Signature Ultra Light 8312SS. We love the trailer. It fits the need of our family perfectly, even though there is only the four of us.

We brought it home on June 5 of this year. Since then we have put almost 7,500 miles on traveling from California out the 10 fwy to Mobile, Alabama, then north to Washington DC, and Philadelphia. Then down through Nashville, Tennessee, and home along the 40 fwy. That was a 40 night trip. What a blast and a heck of way to get accustomed to the new trailer.

Now for the fun part. As we all know with new equipment, there comes the punch list of things that need to be fixed. The dealer said that there shouldn't be a problem with "most" of the list.

My big issue is with the wheels and tires. They equipped the trailer with load range C wheels and tires. They are rated at 2,150 lbs each. Doing the math, that's a total rating of 8,600 lbs. The trailer is rated at a gross weight of 8,800 lbs. Now, I know that some of that weight will transfer to the tow vehicle, approximately 10 percent if loaded properly. So that leaves 7,920 lbs for the wheels and tires. That leaves a very slim margin of 170 lbs available on each wheel and tire combination, only 7.9% of the tire rating. Now I am not a math genius, but in my warped mind, that load is calculated at static load, as in the trailer sitting still. How much more weight is transferred to the tires as the trailer is bouncing down the road. If there was a way to measure the weight during transit, I am fairly certain that the tires are taking a lot more weight than the max load specified.

The reason this has come up is that I blew a tire on the trip. I did not hit anything with the tire, road hazards or curb shots. The tire does not show any signs of abuse at all. I called Forest River when this happened and they went as far as telling me that they are aware that this trailer is at the high point of the wheel and tire rating and are planning on fixing it in future models. But they insist that it is safe the way it is and I'm pretty much on my own. If it is okay then why are the "fixing" it on future models?

Any help or suggestions or do you think i am out of my mind and should just plan on buying the higher rated wheels and tires myself.

[lbrjet]

Shouldn't need a higher rated wheel. Should be good for at least a 'D' rated tire. My rims are rated for 2560 which is 'D' rated, but came with 'C' like yours. My wheel rating is stamped on the backside of the rim.


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

[Ford Idaho]

https://www.google.com/#q=ntsb+trailer+tire+complaints

[strat56]

Does the load on a tire change as it's going down the road? I'm not sure I understand that but I'm not an engineer either.

[Brother Les]

Go to D rated tires and use the C rated tires as spares. I take two spares with me where ever I go. 7500 miles is a lot of miles in less than 3 months. How are the tires wearing? If the remaining tires look good, then you are not 'over loaded'. If a lot of wear, then your tires should be replaced anyway and go to a higher rating. imo

[PhoneDude 8289]

I'm not an engineer but common sense tells me that the dynamic load going down the road would increase as the tire rolls over speed bumps and surface changes as you roll onto and off of bridges and other changes. Had a factory tire lose air every day or so, the bead that holds the tire to the rim crumbled in places when the tire tech took it off the rim. I replaced all 5 with Maxxis E rated 8008's. Had steel stems installed and balanced. I use a TPMS running them at 70 psi. I guess I went a little overboard but I hate tire trouble. I wish FR would have given an option for better tires when we ordered our trailer. FR would have replaced the bad tire with a like tire, not for me.

[Blackhat6mike]

2X Ford Idaho.

You need to file a complaint with NTHSB about the tires. Forest River is infamous for borderline rated tires. Mine came with D rated tires that would not cover the 11,700 max weight of unit. I have blown all four original tires [three on one trip] and replaced them with E rated tires. May even go up one more level come replacement time.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Board takes all complaints and will do a recall if warranted. I get notices from them on a weekly basis. Lots of great info on their website.
You will be helping all of us and yourself to notify them. If they don't know there is a problem, they can't fix it.
Make sure you have all the info off the edge of your tires before you email them IE, DOT #, year of manufacture, Load range C, max pressure, name brand, etc.

[OldCoot]

You are wasting time if you plan on fighting FR, just bite the bullet and buy 5 LR D tires and balance them with TPMS sensors on and go camping.

[mud yapster]

Wow nice trip you took. Glad you all had a good time. Sorry to hear about the tire issues. Tire issues seem to be at the forefront of complaints and always will be. I'd replace with D rated. All these RV manufactures put the cheapest tire on they can get at the time. Go E rated if your rims can take it. Check their load rating on the rim and put the max weight tire they can handle.
Glad I have a triple axle with over 3000 pounds extra tire load to spare.

[67cudafb]

I can tell you C or D the tires FR puts on are crap China bombs! I would replace with a good D rated tires and keep your family safe. Blow outs can do a lot of damage and FR will not fix it!

[ChooChooMan74]

Every entry level trailer seems to have china bombs. Most companies are cutting it close on the weight on tires vs load capacity. One reason I stood away from Jayco is that they were putting 13" tires on (185/80R13 1480lb), and are almost 300lbs a tire less in capacity than the 14" (205/75R14 1760lb) that FR puts on the ROOs.

[Crusadernoob]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

You are wasting time if you plan on fighting FR, just bite the bullet and buy 5 LR D tires and balance them with TPMS sensors on and go camping.

Actually, I just got a great response from them and just got a check for 4 new tires that I purchased, couldn't be happier!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Crusadernoob

Actually, I just got a great response from them and just got a check for 4 new tires that I purchased, couldn't be happier!

Fantastic, glad they responded favorably. You're lucky!

[TimVWulp]

Hi I went to Discount tire and bought Carlisle load range E ST tires from them for $509 balanced and new heavy duty valve steams. The tt I just traded in with the Carlisle tires had around 10,000 miles on them with no problems. Carlisle is the only manufacture that has a speed rating of 87 miles per hour. The rest are 60 or 65 or no rating for speed. I did not and will not air the tires up to there full working pressure of 80 psi. I aired them up to 70 psi. The rims are rated for 65 psi from what I have read on past posts so that put the pressure within less than 10% over there rating. The old tt I ran at 65 psi but that was a lighter tt also. The E load range tires will not raze the weight limit of your axles or the units frame. The E load range tires will give your unit a much more stable ride and peace of mind. What ever you buy make sure you are buying a tire with the newest born on date.

PS sold C load range tires to a lawn service for $200.00

Hope this helps Tim

[rockfordroo]

Carlisle is the only manufacture that has a speed rating of 87 miles per hour. The rest are 60 or 65 or no rating for speed.

Mine are rated for 75mph (Load Range C):

Brand/Model: Constancy LY188
Size: ST205/75R14
Load Range: C
Speed Rating: “L” (75mph/120kmp Max)
DOT: 7BAY AT5

[kandl]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Mine are rated for 75mph (Load Range C)

Trailer tires rated for 70+ MPH. Hmmm...

Having a hard time getting warm and fuzzy about that.

[SYE]

Mine are speed rated L 75MPH tires as well, but I usually keep it around 64-66

[PhoneDude 8289]

I only pull at 60 mph, wouldn't want to bounce the RV around any more than it does at 60. That is where I get the best MPG towing around 10 - 12 mpg depending on hills or mountains. Any faster than 60 - 65 she really starts to drink the fuel.

[French]

We have the exact same tires (China bomb load range c) on our dry weight of 7890lb 5th wheel! Max weight 9300lb on 8500 max weight tires wtf?
At the Goshen rally we complained to FR and were delighted that they will take care of us.
Interestingly they blame the dealer as they (spec) the tires, theoretically the tires on our rig pass muster but just barely when you consider pin weight on the truck. Dealers spec the cheapest tire to keep their margins high.
Bottom line FR realizes this and will look after you if you complain to them.
We have load range d tires on order and are happy with FR attitude and the tremendous customer service provided at the Goshen rally

[Fivealive]

The common buzz around here is if you can't upgrade tires when you buy a new trailer, your first stop should be at a tire store for new ones. FR will be happy to replace your failed tire with a new low quality, future failure tire. Best to think of new tire replacement in the cost of a new trailer. The delivery people may have cooked the tires at high speeds before they ever arrived at the dealer. I witnessed a new one traveling at 80+ on the freeway until it vanished over the horizon. Replacement is not an absolute solution for blowout protection. You can help prevent your trailer from being damaged by tread/belt separation by purchasing tires with a nylon cap.