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Old 02-28-2021, 09:31 AM   #48
Tireman9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Akron
Posts: 458
Just saw this thread today. Saw some good answers.


I would point out that if the Certification Label has incorrect (non-compliant) information there is no "Statute of Limitations" as far as I know so Keystone better be interested in taking some corrective action (recall notification). You can get that started by 1. Filing a complaint with NHTSA and provide appropriate pictures and data. - They are not interested in your ride complaint only in the incorrect tire/GAWR info and 2 Notify Keystone in writing with a picture of the label and letting them know you have filed a complaint with NHTSA. NHTSA will provide you with a ref number after you file the complaint. You can tell Keystone of the complaint number.


Keystone & NHTSA will work out what actions, if any are appropriate.


RE Inflation tables and charts. There seems to be a tendency for the RV MFG to cut costs and not provide specific manuals for each model RV. It appears to be cheaper to just dump a bunch of brochures and documents in a box and give that to the new owner to figure out what information applies to his specific unit. This is one reasons that for tires a "Load/Inflation table" is provided rather than a specific chart just for the one tire provided on the RV.


Yes almost all ST type tires have the same table numbers and the intention is for the vehicle manufacturer to use the table to select the appropriate tire and inflation for each specific application. But again that means someone at the RV Co has to stop and think about what they are doing. Actual car companies have teams of engineers doing this work while it appears the RV Co have decided the new owner can figure it out.


IMO ride & durability of RVs would be much improved if tires and inflation number were selected such that the Reserve Load was closer to what is seen in cars (25% to 40%) rather than the current 10%. But that would increase the cost per unit by maybe $50 to $100 and since the RV trailer market is so price sensitive that is not something any RV company wants to do. Providing appropriate Shocks would be another cost increase.
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Retired Tire Design Engineer (40 years). Serve on FMCA Tech Advisory Committee. Write a blog RV Tire Safety. Read THIS post on Why Tires Fail.
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