Chinabomb tire let go today!!

[rclark]

I have read lot of posts regarding these tires. Thought maybe ours would last until we got back home in a couple of months. Doing my usual tire checks about 45 miles after we left Corpus Christie TX and discovered drivers side rear tire seemed a little hotter than the other tires. Looked tire over and could not see anything unusual. Went another 10 or so miles and checked the tires again. All seemed to be the same temp, but decided to check the air press. All tires were a couple pounds over 80 lbs which is the max pressure for this tire(ST235/80R16 Power King). So continued on about an 15 miles and decided to check tire again. Lo and behold most of the tread was gone and had damaged the area around the tire. Tire was still holding full pressure. My luck ran out. Tires were dated 08/2011. RV is 2013 Alpine purchased in Jan of 13 and built in Sep of 2012. Around 6000 mile on tires and compared to spare they look to be 50% left

If I was home I would go right the Les Schwab and be well taken care of. We were halfway to San Antonio when the tread came off. Called Good Sam Roadside Assistance and a couple of hours later back on the road. We are now set up at Ft Sam Houston Army RV Park.

I have read lots of ideas about the best replacement tires. I am not taking any chance on the other tires. Going to replace them all NOW. Would appreciate some ideas about what tires to replace with and from who. Thanks for you help

[tileman]

Had two of the Power Kings let go a few weeks.

I replaced them with Maxxis M8008 ST Radial cost about 900.00 I think total was but I fell its well worth it. We had to use camping world for the tires it was the only place that had the tires in stock and I was not getting back on the highway till I had better tires

Only have maybe 300 miles on them so far but they do look a lot better then the Power Kings did.

Yea we had to call Coach-Net two times that day it was well worth the 135.00 a year that's for sure.

Good luck in getting back on the road.

[bobbecky]

You have a heavy 5th wheel trailer, and the 10PR tires, regardless of where they are made, are marginal at best. First thing you need to check is, what are your wheels rated for? What you are looking for is the PSI rating and maybe the weight rating of the wheels. If you are lucky, the wheels are rated for 110 PSI and/or at least 3750lbs. If that is what you have, your most reliable tire will be a 14 ply rated tire, Goodyear G614, Sailun S637, or a similarly rated tire. Goodyears are about $400 per tire, Sailuns about half that. If you can't find the Sailuns locally, they can be ordered online, delivered to a local tire shop and installed. Goodyears are probably more available, but there is the cost. You'll just have to call around. If you go with the heavier tire, make sure you get the higher pressure all metal valve stems that that will handle the 110 psi tire. Of course, you can stay with the 10 ply ST tires, but you already have experience with those.

[wtxdxer]

I recommend Discount Tire. They'll push Carlisle tires because that's the only trailer tire they stock but they can get whatever you want in a few days.

Good luck!

Alan

[Bluewater]

I bought our Maxxis radials in Spokane at Clarks tire for a fair price and great service. Try them.

[CWtheMan]

IMO you really need to increase your load capacity with whatever replacement tire you select. You are already at the maximum load capacity available with the ST235/80R16E tires (3520#). You will lose 100# per tire with the Maxxis brand (at 3420#). Your early tire failure is indicative of tire fatigue. Most likely from normal use on a trailer dynamically to heavy for the tires. In other words, your tires are aging out early.

Without having to change rims there is the ST235/85R16E rated at 3640# at 80 psi. However, wheelwell and axle to axle clearances need to be able to accommodate the slightly larger tire. The next size up in the ST design is the ST235/85R16F, rated at 3960# at 95 psi. Most retailers of RV trailer tires are going to have a variety of rim designs in that size to choose from.

If your Alpine has optional sized tires listed in it’s owner’s manual for the LT235/85R16G size, chances are that your current rims are rated for that tire’s 3750# load capacity and 110 psi requirement.

Some people may consider the 17.5” low profile medium duty truck/trailer tire as just a little too much tire for your axles. But, they have the best profile for trailer service than any of the others mentioned and when aired and maintained properly they should outlast any of the others.

CW

[Ron]

We had the Geostar 574 14 ply installed by les schwab, great tire, so far we have about 10 k miles on them and no problems...

[Jim W]

My opinion is to do some research on different options for tires for your trailer such as RV tires from Michelin or Goodyear tires. I did this and ended up using a 16” XPS Ribs tires for my camper. These are an all position tire for the camper. Now for my trailer the LT245/75R/16” size tire worked for me; but for your trailer you may need to go to a different tire size such as 215/75R-17.5 XTA’s. The cost will be more but for piece of mind it is worth it. I do know that Goodyear makes a G rated tire for RV’s also, but I believe they come from China too.

Would I buy them again YES and I will never use an ST tire on a RV trailer again.

Jim W.

[CWtheMan]

You have to be a bit careful when using some of the 17.5” medium duty truck tires such as the Michelin 215/75R17.5 (XTA) LRJ. It is a European designed tire for low bed, high cube trailer operations. As such, it has a 62 MPH speed restriction. The Tire & Rim Association (TRA) do not allow tire pressure vs load capacity manipulations for any tires with speed restrictions below 65 MPH.

CW

[bobbecky]

Just got our trailer upgraded to Goodyear G614's in December, and SURPRISE!!, they are actually made in the USA. I was very pleased to see that, took a bit of the sting out of spending almost $2K for the five tires.

[rclark]

Thanks to all the replies. Going to Powermax dealer tomorrow. Taking the one tire with me and then see what happens. Plan to replace all the tires. All I know for sure is that I will not replace with Powermax. Keystone should have quit these tires long ago. My tires date 2011

[bobbecky]

Before making a final decision on what tires to get, think about getting your rig weighed, so you know what kind of load you have on your axles. You don't want to put tires on that can't handle the load. Just a suggestion

[rclark]

For whatever it is worth right after we purchased this unit I weighed the trailer loaded and it comes in just under the max spec weights provided by Keystone to include the tongue weight. 15500 gross weight. 2525. Comes to 12975. Tires and wheels rated at 3580 which comes to 14320 or 1345 lbs under the max rating. That is too close for comfort. Wheels only have weight rating no pressure rating that I can find. Really don't want to spend the extra buck for different wheels. Frustrated that Keystone sells the tires and wheels so close to max. 7000 lb axles are right at the max also. I would not buy another unit this close to max for sure. We traded our 2004 Everest to eliminate having to deal with these kinds of problems. I had brand new tires on it.

[rclark]

Took damaged tire to Towmax dealer and seemed to have a good experience. Dealer took tire and is taking to the distributor so factory rep can inspect the tire. Dealer guy said a typical settle would be percentage of use settlement and repair the damaged RV. They will also inspect the remaining tires for possible settlement. I will replace them no matter what. Dealer told me about a all steel tire (belt and sidewall) that they sell and have had no problems. I think he said it was a 285 light truck tire. Have not decided on replacement yet.

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by rclark

For whatever it is worth right after we purchased this unit I weighed the trailer loaded and it comes in just under the max spec weights provided by Keystone to include the tongue weight. 15500 gross weight. 2525. Comes to 12975. Tires and wheels rated at 3580 which comes to 14320 or 1345 lbs under the max rating. That is too close for comfort. Wheels only have weight rating no pressure rating that I can find. Really don't want to spend the extra buck for different wheels. Frustrated that Keystone sells the tires and wheels so close to max. 7000 lb axles are right at the max also. I would not buy another unit this close to max for sure. We traded our 2004 Everest to eliminate having to deal with these kinds of problems. I had brand new tires on it.

The information referenced below is a picture of a federal certification label from a Keystone trailer very similar in size to yours. Notice that Keystone has derated the axles to 6750# ea. It is allowed during the certification process and is a standard practice throughout the RV trailer industry. There is a long drawn out explanation why Keystone has done it and it is about tire fitments.

By doing a little math with your tires rated at 3520# at 80 psi you can see that they provide about a 4% load capacity reserve above GAWR. Under ideal weight and tire pressure conditions with a very evenly balanced trailer they may last 2-3 years. But, seldom with a trailer with the cargo capacity you have are the conditions going to be ideal. It’s very hard to evenly balance the trailer’s total weight evenly on the tires. The best compensation is to plus size those OE tires with some that will increase your load capacity reserve and then air them to a pressure that will provide at least 12-15% above total GAWR. Some sources recommendations will be as high as 20%.

http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showfull.php?photo=22027

CW

[fla-gypsy]

Your trailer may be a candidate for LT tires. If not the best ST tire currently available is the Maxxis M8008. I have been using them quite a few years now with great results. My last set lasted 6+ years (unheard of for ST tires). If possible you may want to go one load range heavier also for some reserve capacity.

[sandy43]

I've had a few problems with China tires several years ago. The last two trailers I bought, I had them put XPS Ribs on before it left the lot. Most dealers won't loose a sale over tires. It makes for good bargaining.

[rclark]

I looked the Ribs lt tires up and show a load rating of only 3042 per axle at 80 pounds. Current tires are rated at 3580 and that is very close my max weight of 12975. I need more than that I think?

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by rclark

I looked the Ribs lt tires up and show a load rating of only 3042 per axle at 80 pounds. Current tires are rated at 3580 and that is very close my max weight of 12975. I need more than that I think?

ALL XPS Rib tires are under the minimum regulation requirement for your Alpine's GAWR axles.

CW

[antiqfreq]

We are on our second set of Maxxis 8008 tires. We have had our RV 7 years and never a flat or a blowout with them.

Can't help you with a dealer near where you are set up, but I don't think you can go wrong with Maxxis tires.

Jo