Keystone Alpine 3650RL

[rbowen1063]

I purchased a "new" 2012 Keystone Alpine 3650RL a year ago. It has less that 4,000 miles. In April I experienced 3 separate blowouts, within 50 miles, in 2 days, on major US Hwy I-75 (FL). The tires were Powerking Towmax SL235/80R16 E rated. I understand that most Keystone FW in this weight category have those tires? I wonder if others have had problems with this tire or am I the "Lone Ranger"? I believe the SL tire is "marginal" and Keystone should upgrade to a LT tire? Other's thoughts?

[WaltBennett]

Keystone and just about all manufacturers put tires on units that really don't have much margin in capacity. Then, they're usually close to a year old by the time the unit is sold. Top that with the fact that you've no idea how well they were cared for by the previous owner. When we bought our '10 Montana last spring it had the original tires on it that looked brand new. Their DOT born on dates were all from '09, putting them at close to 5 years old. That's the life expectancy of any ST tire, so we put new ones on it right away. I sold the old ones to someone needing them for a utility trailer.

Bottom line is the age of a tire is at least as important as the brand and weight rating. IMHO, I prefer LT tires as they've worked better for me over ST, but that's another discussion.

[SAD]

I "LOVE" my Powerking Towmax SL235/80R16 E!!!!! Uh... NOT!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a0o6JndPkaE/U2gLmntjJ1I/AAAAAAAABjI/NO9dYhI5RYU/s800/IMAGE_19.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MeNkcQgBgEs/U2gVbx95SBI/AAAAAAAABjs/A15oITPQFI0/s800/IMAGE_20.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fTPJp2WG0mg/U2gVcpd7aWI/AAAAAAAABjw/U8AYk-I3p6s/s800/IMAGE_21.jpg

1 tire blew out.... All 4 went into the trash. Replaced with Maxxis tires.

[rbowen1063]

Thanks SAD- What you say is all true. My first blowout, the tread came off, did $3800 damage and then wrapped around the axle. I am still "on-the-mat" with Dynamic Tire Corp (Canada). So far, naturally, they have said it was my fault. Overload, under inflation and excessive heat. Bunch of crap. The SL tire is just not enough tire for a 15,000# FW, I think. Now that I have replaced all the tires with Cooper Hercules tires, I'm seriously thinking of going to a LT tire. I call it "my $600+ seminar". Thanks for your response.

[SAD]

Dawt10characters

[billstuart]

Sorry to hear of your tire troubles.

We had a Blow Max blow out on the first day of a 2 month, 6500 mile trip on May 17th. Replaced all 5 with Michelin LT tires which now have more miles on them than the Blow Maxs did and have been trouble-free.

The manager at the Discount Tire store in Bend OR, where we purchased the Michelins told me that ALL ST tires are now manufactured in China. That's not to say that they are all junk, but I didn't think I could go wrong with Michelin.

I wanted a quality tire and one whose speed rating is higher than my normal cruising speed.

[Terry W.]

I just love my China Bombs too. After this on I40 in Asheville, NC in 5PM Friday rush hour replaced with Maxxis6510

[SGardiner]

Three blowouts in two days. Overweight?

[therink]

The tires that come on all towable Rvs are junk in my opinion. For serious Towing the stock St tires simply are not up to the chore. I wouldn't run Chinese sub par tires on my truck and will not run them on my 12000 lb fiver.
For a few hundred $$ it is worth the peace of mind to ride on tires I trust.

[CWtheMan]

I just love my China Bombs too. After this on I40 in Asheville, NC in 5PM Friday rush hour replaced with Maxxis6510

Technically your Maxxis tires have 100# ea less load capacity than the Towmax of the same size.

CW

[SAD]

Dawt10characters

[CWtheMan]

And those other tires did such an awesome job carrying their rated weight.

:rolleyes:

It's not personal. Just useful information. ST tires all pass the same DOT certification. Both tires in question have nylon overlays.

CW

[EricLynnAllison]

I lost 3 towmax tires in 2 weeks. ST235/80R16s had 12000mi. on them. When removing the others, 2 more had tread separation and were ready to blow. I replaced them with 6 LT235/85R16s. I don't carry any "toys" in our toyhauler. We use the garage as an extra bedroom. I've never overweight. I've been weighed on cat scales. The towmax tires are junk. I use a TPMS system which warned me of the blowouts so I didn't have any damage.

[Terry W.]

Yea CW I know I will loose 400 pounds in capacity but it a small price to pay in my opinion for tires that hold up so much better.

[rbowen1063]

Three blowouts in two days. Overweight?

That was my thought too. Except the FW wasn't at it's weight limit. The ST235/80R16 E tires that came with it are rated for 3420#/tire = 13,680#. The FW load, with a hitch discount comes to 12,400# (15,500 less 20%). The way I calculate the 12,400# divided by 4 = 3,100# load rating? Supposedly there is a "cushion" of 320#/tire. Not much of a safety margin in my book. I think I am more inclined to go with a 4,000# LT tire?