A different tire question

[Crusadernoob]

Our new Crusader came with Power King something or other, I don't know. We bought it January of 2014, yeah, we've pulled it all over the southeast, Nashville, VA beach, OBX, Savannah, and everywhere in between. We were getting ready to leave Raleigh, NC last month and my wife asked about tires and blister's, not two word's you want in the same sentence. Turn's out we had a golf ball size blister in the shoulder. I can promise you these tire's were never run low, 65psi verified before EVERY trip, load range D. I contemplated putting on the spare until I noticed the spare was built in 2008, I couldn't believe it. I decided to chance the 2-1/2 to 3 hour trip with the damaged tire versus the old tire, made it back no problem. I have since installed 4 new Maxxis load range E with metal stems. Tire was warrantied with no problem, the next step was to contact Forest River about a 7 yr old tire on our rig, they were in shock on how that happened. As of now I am waiting for a reimbursement from them on the 4 tire's I put on it, time will tell. So far everyone involved has handled the issues with no hassle, we are very pleased with the outcome. I will say that my OE tire's showed wear on both outer edges, under inflation, or overloaded. I am 100% positive they were not under inflated since we have owned the RV. We don't have a lot of things in our rig, time will tell on how the load range E will do.

[TN2TRAVEL]

I understand there is always one in every group. What I would like to know is if people have the large number of problems with after market tires as I see with OEM. I know contractor and lawn guys who inflict incredible abuse on their tires and never have a problem. I am sure there are OEMs that last well beyond expectations. I am simply looking to verify my premise that OE tires fail at a much greater rate than others. From what I can gather that is true.

[kandl]

Originally Posted by TN2TRAVEL

I am simply looking to verify my premise that OE tires fail at a much greater rate than others. From what I can gather that is true.

Curious me... if your premise is in fact true, what then?

[sail2liv]

Trail Express OEM 8k miles....2 yr 9 mo starting to crack near bead....hard to see crack
replaced with Maxxis D......much better ride, not sure if was because went from C to D or better material in tires.....or the higher tire pressure....can t help you with lasting as they are just less than a yr mfg date......good luck....your post should be brand specific instead of local tire shop????

[Oaklevel]

To date I have not had any issues from OEM or Tire Dealer tires...... But on the bigger trailers I try to change them every 4-5 years or if they show any dry rot, have not used any particular brand but will when I change them on the camper.

[Vern]

Originally Posted by TN2TRAVEL

I understand there is always one in every group. What I would like to know is if people have the large number of problems with after market tires as I see with OEM. I know contractor and lawn guys who inflict incredible abuse on their tires and never have a problem. I am sure there are OEMs that last well beyond expectations. I am simply looking to verify my premise that OE tires fail at a much greater rate than others. From what I can gather that is true.

OEM tires are often the minimum required to do the job. Since so many replacements of OEM tires include upgrading from a Load Range C to a Load Range D tire, adding steel valve stems, balancing, etc., I have no doubt you will find support for your hypothesis. The added capacity and speed ratings alone would necessarily dictate that outcome. However, it is really not an apples to apples question.

[Ddubya]

I just returned from a 8000 mile trip on OEM tires that were manufactured in 2012.
I had them balanced and replaced the valve stems with metal ones before I left.
I had no problems on the trip but when I took the fiver in to have it washed the owner of the RV shop noticed that one of the tires had started to develop a loose belt.
I really dodged a bullet so I will replace all tires with 10 ply From Discount Tire before my next trip.


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[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Vern

OEM tires are often the minimum required to do the job. Since so many replacements of OEM tires include upgrading from a Load Range C to a Load Range D tire, adding steel valve stems, balancing, etc., I have no doubt you will find support for your hypothesis. The added capacity and speed ratings alone would necessarily dictate that outcome. However, it is really not an apples to apples question.

Definitely not an apples to apples observation......... Different Forest River makes will and put on different tires. We all drive differently, we all go to different places, some roads are full of pothole while others are smooth....... etc. Loading......etc. etc. etc.

My camper has Load range E Westlake tires Aluminium rims with metal valve stems from the PUMA factory, but its gross weight is 14500. I would expect different results from my 26' 5th wheel gross 13500 flat trailer, or the 20' box trailer or the 8 foot one. It should be different results from all the different campers out there

[TN2TRAVEL]

We all understand there are many factors that effect tire wear and durability. Just making an observation that OEM tires are much more dangerous than others no matter the brand. That is just IMHO. Nothing more

[TN2TRAVEL]

Originally Posted by kandl

Curious me... if your premise is in fact true, what then?

If you travel very far or fast on OEM tires you are at greater risk of having a major tire problem. So you would change them as quickly as possible if you are concerned about such matters.

[ColoradoRick]

My Trail Express have had no issues. (I got the TT late last summer). I had an issue with a cheap, plastic valve stem but took that tire into the shop and the put a nice steel one on it. Looking at the other 3 tires, one has a steel stem and the others the same cheap plastic. (My TPMS sensors won't connect on the plastic stems so it's not usable but we haven't been going out lately due to my crazy work schedule and the Mrs. is flying to New England next week for a couple of weeks.)

I am replacing the Express tires with Maxxis as soon as I have enough saved up and will get the rest of the stems replaced and all four balanced. (I'll, also, do a lube job on the axles while I'm messing with the tires.)

I did ask my dealer, who sells a lot of Forest Rivers with the Tire Expresses, if he's had any complaints about them and he has not....so that's reassuring.

[Timex]

Originally Posted by Tonkatoy77

I am curious, of the people that has had blowouts with the OEM tires; what load range were they? I was pretty excited to see mine came with LR D tires on a dry weight trailer of 6600 lbs. My last trailer was a Fleetwood Prowler that had 16" Goodyear Wrangler LT LR E tires on it from the factory. 13 years later that trailer still has the OEM tires on it with no problems.


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I'm surprised nobody has commented on this statement.

[tande]

Originally Posted by Timex

I'm surprised nobody has commented on this statement.

I know which tires I'm buying next! ....

[trbomax]

I have never had a failure with an OEM tire,because Ive never ran them. The current fleet includes a 06 corn pro 3 horse trailer,a 04 bri-mar tilt equipment trailer (14000 gross) ,a 4yd dump aggregate trailer (2004) and the 315wp. All 4 I bought new. All 4 were changed out to GY Marathons before they left the lot. All 4 have balanced wheels/tires w/brass stems. None have had any kind of failure.The 04's and 06 show no cracks or exsessive wear.All 4 have been stored in and or out of sun since I useally store them(except the 315) where i unload them. All 16 tires are hosed down with tire foam after every use.This should help answer the OP's question.

edit) as a side note the Ford SD and the wifes Grand cherokee have only had Bridgestone Dualler AT's on them,3 sets on the jeep at 140000mi,and 6 sets on the ford at 195000 miles. No failures or cracking on those either,and they are hosed with the same tire foam about once a month. That being said,I do replace car and truck tires when the sipes are worn off.The tires still are only about 2/3 worn when they are replaced.

[kandl]

Originally Posted by TN2TRAVEL

If you travel very far or fast on OEM tires you are at greater risk of having a major tire problem. So you would change them as quickly as possible if you are concerned about such matters.

I suspect the vast majority of, if not all, RVers have concerns about their tires. Therefore, and based on your premise, would it not be prudent to be lobbying the national transportation regulators to force the RV industry to advise their customers that "the tires we install on some of our recreational vehicles may blow up if you travel too far?"

[kandl]

Originally Posted by Timex

I'm surprised nobody has commented on this statement.

Yup... I'd be getting a little nervous about them.

[TN2TRAVEL]

The RV industry will never make such an admission even though I believe the evidence suggests it's true. For all the other stuff I just hope I am not near you as you drive 75mph in 90 degree temps on 10 year old OEMs. Value my safety too much!

[Ford Idaho]

I just got back home after a 1600 mile trip on OEM tires, freeway speed between 65-70 MPH, posted speed of 55 on OR. hwy's. not a single problem.

Could not see where having the tires balance helped any but it was free so it did not hurt.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

I just got back home after a 1600 mile trip on OEM tires, freeway speed between 65-70 MPH, posted speed of 55 on OR. hwy's. not a single problem.

Could not see where having the tires balance helped any but it was free so it did not hurt.

Doubt very much if you could feel any difference from balancing, but tire wear will sure be different. Without balancing, they will cup and once they are cupped, the only way to straighten them is to have them "trued" (cut) while rotating. Been there, done that with a set of BF Goodrich tires years ago.

[dcheatwood]

My first three blowouts were load range E OEMS on my 2010 wildcat. Loud, explosive blowouts on first 2. Total damage @ $4800. 78 psi all the time. First one at @1500 miles, all under 5000 miles.

One blowout on current rockwood 8282 @3500. Lr C. Replaced all with Goodyear marathons. Now at about 6000 miles. So far, so good.

All OEMS were Trail Express brand.