Westlake Super ST Tire Cracks

[CBergstrom]

Just got back from our weekend camping trip and I noticed that two out of the four tires on our 2013 Sabre 34TBOK are staring to crack between the treads.

I've been reading lots about tire failures with the OEM tires that come on these FR units. I haven't read much good or bad about Westlake so looking for some others experience with these. These tires have about 11,000 km (6800 mile) on them so I was hoping to get a few years out of them but looks like replacement time as we 5000 km to put on this summer and I don't want any surprises.

Here are a few pics of what's happening. Pardon the mud, I didn't have my phone on me when I first noticed the cracks and the storage lot was wet tonight!

[SKnight]

Little cuts along the way happen, that's what it looks like to me in pic 2. But pic 1 is the tread coming apart. That shredding look is like a fault line, the rubber is getting pulled two different ways.

Safe than sorry, at minimum I'd replace the tire in pic 1. But all four have had the same life so they may not be far behind so it would be wise to replace all four.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

In general, ST tires are recommended to be changed after 3 years and/or 5-10K miles...but that recommendation has A LOT to do with storage, maintenance and how the tire is treated during travel.

I have over 6K miles on our Westlakes, that's in about 2 years of traveling since new, currently they look great with little sign of tread wear but regardless by year three they will all be replaced.

Better to be safe, seeing any cracking on camper tires, I'd replace all four and have a peace of mind during your next trip!

[Ford Idaho]

How old are they?

http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=C...date%2520codes

[CBergstrom]

Looks like they were made on week 28 of 2012 which makes sense as our unit was produced in the fall of 2012. They will be getting replaced before our trip at the end of the month.

[Big Paul]

This sure makes me keep a closer eye on my Westlake tires and I believe they are not the best tires you can get for sure. Having said that on my last TT I had 3 sets of Goodyear Marithons do exactly the same thing only difference each set were 5 years or a little more old. But when I replace think Goodyear is what I will go to to replace the Westlake because I believe that I will get at least 5 years out of them then replace, my local tire dealer says that anytire that goes out on the road (not local) should be replaced at about 5 to 6 years think he is right on that.

[Ditchooker]

running the tires over or @ their max speed rating for long periods will also make them crack like that in the treads

[CBergstrom]

So I ended up replacing the tires but before doing that I had an alignment done as I noticed the outside tread on the one side where the the tires were cracked worse was wore down more than the other side. Turns out that the toe was out on those two wheels. I suspect it was that way from the factory but good luck getting any warranty on that.

I ended putting Road Riders on as when I enquired about Good Year Marathons all of the local dealers recommended not putting them on as they were not much better and cost $100/tire more.


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[DaveSchwartz]

Originally Posted by CBergstrom

I ended putting Road Riders on as when I enquired about Good Year Marathons all of the local dealers recommended not putting them on as they were not much better and cost $100/tire more.

I don't know where the shop would have got the Marathon's... mine were slightly less expensive than the equivalent Carlisles.

[CBergstrom]

That was at Fountain Tire, not sure if you have those out east. I talked to three different locations and they all told me the same thing.

I did look into bringing Marathons in from Tirerack.com but I would have had to take the wheels off myself and have them mounted at the shop in Edmonton that deals with them which still would have cost me $200 more and been a major PITA.

As long long as they don't blow out and I get 4-5 years out of them, I'll be happy.


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[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by CBergstrom

That was at Fountain Tire, not sure if you have those out east. I talked to three different locations and they all told me the same thing. I did look into bringing Marathons in from Tirerack.com but I would have had to take the wheels off myself and have them mounted at the shop in Edmonton that deals with them which still would have cost me $200 more and been a major PITA. As long long as they don't blow out and I get 4-5 years out of them, I'll be happy.

Just from my personal experience, the Marathons would be worth the extra $200 and the PITA problems.

[SKnight]

Wow I just got Marathons quoted at $138 each. What were you actually quoted?

[CBergstrom]

$250 CDN


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