Tread Issue

[almightywad]

After only 25 miles (the drive from the dealer to my storage), this is how my back right tire looks:

Please note that not only is the outside part of the tread looking slick like this, so is the inside part of the tread. Under inflation can cause this and it definitely has a leak in it but only 25 miles??? Obviously I do not believe the dealer had 50 psi in it like the PDI sheet says. Any ideas??

[OldCoot]

Just a swag, but I would venture to guess it was pulled from the factory underinflated.

[Herk7769]

Pull up a photo of a new tire from the tire manufacturer's or Discount House's web site. It looks like it could be just how the tread is made.

Trailer tires are designed to have low sideways friction (not aggressive edge tread) for the twisting movement they get subjected to.

Your tire may be underinflated, but it could just as easily be normal for the tire type. Check the rest of your tires; are they identical?

If it was inflation, the leading pair of tires will have more tread on the edges than the back which carry more weight.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Pull up a photo of a new tire from the tire manufacturer's or Discount House's web site. It looks like it could be just how the tread is made.
Trailer tires are designed to have low sideways friction (not aggressive edge tread) for the twisting movement they get subjected to.
Your tire may be underinflated, but it could just as easily be normal for the tire type. Check the rest of your tires; are they identical?
If it was inflation, the leading pair of tires will have more tread on the edges than the back which carry more weight.

Agree, but the picture shows the tread pattern completely gone with no siping pattern left.

[Airdale]

I agree with the theory that the worn tire came all the way from the factory to your place under inflated.

That tread pattern is normally found on bias trailer tires.

Airdale

[Herk7769]

Could very well be, but without the manufacturer and tire name it is hard to tell what it was supposed to look like new.

OC, you have Marathon's like mine.

OK zoomed in on lead tire and it is clear there is a "tread cut" that carries the vertical one across the "worn area."

Clearly the aft tires were low for a very long time.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Could very well be, but without the manufacturer and tire name it is hard to tell what it was supposed to look like new.

OC, you have Marathon's like mine.

Agree, here is a bias ply tire.

[almightywad]

The other 3 tires look nothing like this tire. They all have tread on the inside and out where this one has lost the pattern. It is absolutely without a doubt a problem with either underinflation or something else either from the factory or lack of dealer attention (and mine since I did not see it until right before my first trip)

[almightywad]

Does anyone know if there is a Forest River rep on this forum?? I'm not liking that I'm at the mercy of my dealer while waiting for an answer about this.

[BigBaron]

Call FR directly. You will be at the mercy of your dealer until you go over their head a little... (evil laugh)
Not that I've ever done such a thing. Nope. Not me! (more evil laughter)

[wmtire]

To the OP:

Without knowing the exact size and brand of your tires, they appear to be similar to the Vail Sport ST LH 99:

Towing Products NEW VAIL SPORT TIRE SET LH99 LOAD RANGE: D FOR SALE RV Tires And RV Wheels | 2257515 RV AND TRAILER TIRES BIAS-PLY FOR SALE LONDON KY SALVAGE SALES PARTS | visonerv.com

If so, there is a recall on a lot of those tires going on right now. There are several threads on the forums here, where other members have already received notification about this, as well as in the tire recall thread. Lionshead Specialty Tire is a provider of tires/wheels to Forest River. Their # is in the recall information.

Here is a link to the NHTSA information again, so you can check to see if this is your tire, and if it is indeed recalled:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/...tsa_ids=14T001

Hope this helps and please keep us informed.

[almightywad]

Update: Dealer said Forest River will not cover under warranty. They want to try the tire manufacturer next. I know for a fact they will not cover this because the dealer is going to claim the tire was inflated properly and did not see this damage. My response to the dealer was simple: they will work this out with me personally. They missed this on their inspection and I missed it on the PDI. There is no way me driving this 25 miles caused this kind of wear when the tire wasn't flat. I am starting to get upset because I see the road this is headed down. No one wants to take responsibility and I will be blamed. I didn't even get to go camping before I had a bad tire. This is unacceptable.

Does anyone know if a Forest River rep reads or responds on this forum?

Thanks for the post on the recall. I will check it later today.

[BigBaron]

There is a FR rep on the site, but he is a F.R.O.G. liaison IIRC.
This is an up the creek without a paddle situation. Hopefully the dealer will make some accommodation but...
Good luck.