Castle Rock tire grenades at 3K

diver165 · 06-17-2019, 09:06 AM

Lost a tire on the way back from Dandridge TN. I have Puma 31BHSS. The tread separated from the carcass. I was able to limp it to the next exit and get it changed w/o issues. Actually I was kind of impressed with how quickly my wife and I got it changed! All the right tools and techniques help.

The damage...well there was some. Looks like it bused up the floor directly under a closet. Doesn't look like any mechanicals were damaged. I'll patch with treated plywood and cover it in Flexseal. The sheet metal can be rolled back down reattached. I always check my tires before I depart. I always check the tires and touch the hubs to for excessive heat. I had about 5min warning. I picked up a vibration in the truck. I never dreamed it was the trailer. I had just commented to my wife that maybe I need to get the tires rotated and balanced on my truck (F250). No sooner made that comment when I looked at side view mirrow and saw the tire shred before my eyes!

Good news...don't need to get the truck tires balanced and rotated!! LOL

But.. Now I'm looking for tires. I'm looking at Maxxis, Goodyear and Carlisle. So throw your opinions out there.

Should I replace the one or all 4? I have about 3 maybe 4K on them. The trailer is a 2018. We tend to camp very close (under 10miles) or over 300mi away.

Whoopsie!!!

Directly above the tire. Shown with spare already in place.

Directly behind the blown tire. Just before the sewer connections.

Maggot · 06-17-2019, 09:24 AM

I'd do all 4.

Mind if I ask, what is the year code of the tires and load rating?

diver165 · 06-17-2019, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggot

I'd do all 4.

Mind if I ask, what is the year code of the tires and load rating?

2917

So if I did my math correctly they were made between July 17 and 23 of 2017

.......in CHINA

Maggot · 06-17-2019, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diver165

2917

So if I did my math correctly they were made between July 17 and 23 of 2017

.......in CHINA

Yep. Not really old.

Were they 10 ply Es?

diver165 · 06-17-2019, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggot

Yep. Not really old.

Were they 10 ply Es?

It says they are E rated tires

Maggot · 06-17-2019, 10:38 AM

Tires look good as far as dry rot and what I can see.

I too have Castle Rocks, 5218- e rated, and not sure if I need to go into sky falling mode.

Maggot · 06-17-2019, 10:42 AM

One more? Did your tires have the 75mph stamp on it?

Never mind I see the L after I blew it up more. That should be the 75mph.

diver165 · 06-17-2019, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggot

One more? Did your tires have the 75mph stamp on it?

Never mind I see the L after I blew it up more. That should be the 75mph.

yep

We did go through some rough roads through some road construction. But we weren't at highway speed. I don't tow fast either. I keep it between 65-70 max.

NMWildcat · 06-17-2019, 11:01 AM

Face it folks, some tires really are poorly made "China bombs". You can do everything right, take all the precautions, and they still fail.
As far as those folks saying rough roads, speed, or some other abuse was the cause; the tires on the TV go through the same conditions and manage to stay together

Buy four new tires (actually I would buy five). Maxxis M8008 or the new GY.

5picker · 06-17-2019, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Face it folks, some tires really are poorly made "China bombs". You can do everything right, take all the precautions, and they still fail.
As far as those folks saying rough roads, speed, or some other abuse was the cause; the tires on the TV go through the same conditions and manage to stay together

Buy four new tires (actually I would buy five). Maxxis M8008 or the new GY.

X2.

As much as some want to say there are no issues with THEIR Castle Rocks, there certainly has been ample documentation of many catastrophic failures.

I replaced all 5 of mine with GY Endurance in late 2017 after separation of several CR tires. Never were curbed, run low on air or over speed. They simply failed. There are reports here of the spare failing, having never touched the ground!

The three most recommended tires on all forums I visit are GY Endurance, Maxxis M8008 and Carlisle HD. (in no particular order)

Maggot · 06-17-2019, 11:08 AM

Just thinking..I am strongly considering at the end of this season to go ahead and take mine to a trailer axle frame shop with a laser alignment machine and have them put the never fail bushing on mine and align it???

Statistics are only statistics until it is you in the statistics. So many variables to consider.

madatme · 06-17-2019, 11:12 AM

diver165 that was some good info on vibration you felt, I think I have the same tires but only 250 miles so far, I did take one wheel off are they are very light in weight

NMWildcat · 06-17-2019, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggot

Just thinking..I am strongly considering at the end of this season to go ahead and take mine to a trailer axle frame shop with a laser alignment machine and have them put the never fail bushing on mine and align it???

Statistics are only statistics until it is you in the statistics. So many variables to consider.

Are you having problems that you think an alignment would fix?
As far as upgraded bushings, or any part of the suspension/axles; if you tow a lot, frequently, or very long, it sure can't hurt. But if you are the normal, occasional weekender, it probably won't benefit you much. Normal maint would suffice.

Maggot · 06-17-2019, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Are you having problems that you think an alignment would fix?
As far as upgraded bushings, or any part of the suspension/axles; if you tow a lot, frequently, or very long, it sure can't hurt. But if you are the normal, occasional weekender, it probably won't benefit you much. Normal maint would suffice.

No problems. Just things on my check list to check off. I have taken everything that has burned me on my past 6 campers and stuff I have seen in 49 years of camping trying to avoid a mess again.

NMWildcat · 06-17-2019, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggot

No problems. Just things on my check list to check off. I have taken everything that has burned me on my past 6 campers and stuff I have seen in 49 years of camping trying to avoid a mess again.

I understand! I think all of us try to bullet proof our rigs from past experiences. But so far, new ones keep surprising me

frank4711 · 06-17-2019, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

X2.

As much as some want to say there are no issues with THEIR Castle Rocks, there certainly has been ample documentation of many catastrophic failures.

I replaced all 5 of mine with GY Endurance in late 2017 after separation of several CR tires. Never were curbed, run low on air or over speed. They simply failed. There are reports here of the spare failing, having never touched the ground!

The three most recommended tires on all forums I visit are GY Endurance, Maxxis M8008 and Carlisle HD. (in no particular order)

We see this everyday now ... I have no way of knowing the numbers what if 90% of these FR campers have Castle Rocks and the failure rate is directly related to how many are on the road ... Opinions and testimony by people who have changed clearly states that Castle Rocks are bad tires ... Would we see same relative number of failures if the 90% were Goodyear Endurance or Maxxis ... I know I am getting rid of my Castle Rocks

Maggot · 06-17-2019, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I understand! I think all of us try to bullet proof our rigs from past experiences. But so far, new ones keep surprising me

Have to keep us on our toes.

REL · 06-17-2019, 12:01 PM

Changed mine out with MAXXIS even before our first trip...got a pretty good deal through a supplier on Amazon free shipping no tax.. I emailed them first to get the date codes. All 4 tires were made in January of 2019..
had a local shop mount balance and put metal valve stems in..they changed be $60.00..

MT Biker · 06-17-2019, 12:30 PM

How many of these failures are caused by having no leaf springs or shock absorbers on these trailers!
I cringe every time I hit the smallest pot hole or bump in the road, even the smallest hits are bone jarring!

shadows4 · 06-17-2019, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REL

Changed mine out with MAXXIS even before our first trip...got a pretty good deal through a supplier on Amazon free shipping no tax.. I emailed them first to get the date codes. All 4 tires were made in January of 2019..
had a local shop mount balance and put metal valve stems in..they changed be $60.00..

Of the 3 replacement tires mentioned, I have run the Maxxis 8008 and currently the Carlisle HDs. I bought the Carlisle tires purely on price. Ebay delivered to my door and had Discount Tire mount and balance them. I was very satisfied with the Maxxis and so far just as happy with the Carlisles. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the 3 mentioned.
Oh and I recommend you replace them all.

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