Hi-Spec Tires and G load rating Suggestions

[HDroadglide]

I replaced my tires and just got back from a 5500 mile trip. NO Problems.
they are Heartland 14 PLY bought at Discount tires. Now I am taking them in to be rotated at now cost every 5000 miles.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by CWtheMan

You know you can track your tires back to the OEM provider who can track them back to the tire building plant.

https://www.tredittire.com/tires/

It's easier and faster to look at the DOT serial. The first two characters in the serial identify the specific plant where the tires were made.
Here is a link
https://www.wfirm.com/complete-list-...t-plant-codes/

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

IMO.
Hispec tires do not belong on any Alpine..or Montana.. images of Hispec tire failures… All Alpines.All OEM tires..

Mileages ranges from 500 miles to 8000 miles.. no specifics on each tire image as to cold inflation but each OP stated they were properly inflated for the load, tow speeds were under 70 mph.

This is just a small sampling over the last four months from various Alpine owners with blowouts from Oracle Hispe 14 ply tires installed from the factory

Pictures are too low quality but are the cord ends outlined in this tire, hard or frayed?

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by RVGator

We recently returned from a 62 day 6730 mile summer trip. I will detail a trip report in a differing forum, but we had an amazing time.

The one downside was I blew 3 of my 5(including spare) Hi-Spec tires during that trip. And when I say blew I mean they went off like a bomb. The first one, driver side front, went about midway into the trip up in Maine. It, of course ruined the underside belly tape and skirting around it. It also blew the snap pad off of my leveling jack which flew into a passing truck damaging his headlight and grille.

The 2nd tire (driver side rear) went just outside of Nashville and completely destroyed the remainder of the skirting and underbelly tape along with blowing off the other snap pad, which I was able to recover from the middle of the road. The fender trim also blew off and is ruined.

The 3rd tire happened after our trip when I was bringing the camper to the dealer for warranty/repair/recall work. This one was passenger side and damaged the underbelly tape, lost the snap pad in 6 lanes of traffic in Orlando, and damaged the skirting.

So in 2 months I have significant damage that I will bear the cost of for some really poor tires. I absolutely have 0 confidence left in the remaining 2 hi-spec tires and it won’t leave the dealer without a new set.

The dealer (General RV) says Keystone won’t help out with the tires. They are willing to give me RoadX tires at their cost. Their “cost”, however, is higher than what I can get online but maybe I can get them to mount and balance them for me. I am going to reach out to Keystone personally as this shouldn’t happen with a 5th wheel that is less than a year old.

I have(had, these were blown apart as well)TPMS in all the tires, pressure always checked prior to leaving and temp monitored along the way. No warning or indications prior to explosions.

Long story short I recommend taking a hard look at getting differing tires than the factory Hi-Spec’s if you have the STw235/80R16G size and rating.

On another note finding quality tires when you are in desperate need is challenging and I ended up with 2 differing tire replacements from local tire shops where I had the issues. One being a Trailer King tire and one being a Navitrac. These are both low end tires at the $200 mark. I will say that visually both of these tires look much more “commercial” and robust than the Hi-Spec tire which looks like a normal road tire.

I am looking for inputs for a quality G rated tire. The RoadX tires are made in Canada and General RV puts them in their “best” category. I have never heard of them. These forums suggest Sailun tires, which are made in China, are great tires and people have had a lot of luck with them. I had Goodyear Endurance on my previous trailer and I liked them but they don’t make them in a G load rating. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Rob

Sorry to hear of your problems. A couple of questions:
What was the scale reading for each axle on the trailer?
What is the low pressure warning level for your TPMS?
What is your normal "cold" inflation pressure
What is the GAWR shown on the RV Certification label?
Have any good pictures (close up in full sunlight?)

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

The 4th possibly is cheap a## Chinese tires, aka China Bombs!
Regardless of what the RVIA specs may be for the recommended load carrying capability there are just some brands of tires, HiSpec, TKs & couple others, that aren't adequate to be put on a covered wagon. I can't believe every blow out on those few brands are all due to those 3 cases of abuse by the rv owner you've quoted, too much of coincidence that those brands blow up.

Measurement of well over 10,000 RVs by RVSEF confirms that most rvs have one or more tires in overload.


Neither RVIA or RVSEF specify the load capacity of tires. That info comes from tire industry standards and are published in the Tire & Rim Yearbook


RVIA is recommending that tires applied to RVs be rated to support 110% of the GAWR. The only way to know if you meet this is to get on a truck scale when the RV is fully loaded to the expected heaviest loading.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by CWtheMan

Junk tires normally get recalled right off the shelfs. ST tire recalls are almost nonexistent. However, Sailun - a favorite - is just recovering from one.

If an owner is not going to take the time to look into the cause of their tire failures, what's their comments worth? Just another unfounded complaint from the "band wagon"?

The meat of my comment was the fact that opposing tires on multi axle trailers are severely overloaded when one of them fails, especially more so when traveling at highway speed.

Foot note: The DOT logo on all highway tries is supported by mandatory inspections, normally done by a 3rd party. The common cause for all tire tread separations can be determined by a skilled tire forensic expert. Without proof of a factory defect the other possibilities are clearly identifiable. Overloading, under inflated or both.

Yes almost no St type tires are recalled. IMO the primary reason for this is that RV owners almost never bother to file complaints with NHTSA so no data is collected that would justify an investigation.

I know this is point the finger at the owner but if the owner can't be bothered who should file a complaint?

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

IMO.
Hispec tires do not belong on any Alpine..or Montana.. images of Hispec tire failures… All Alpines.All OEM tires..

Mileages ranges from 500 miles to 8000 miles.. no specifics on each tire image as to cold inflation but each OP stated they were properly inflated for the load, tow speeds were under 70 mph.

This is just a small sampling over the last four months from various Alpine owners with blowouts from Oracle Hispe 14 ply tires installed from the factory

These all appear to be Polyester body tires not "Commercial Grade" steel body tires as the Sailun S637 LRG is. Ya think that might be part of the problem?

[Mic]

so with all the blow out talk....

why not put regulars passenger truck tires (i have not had a blow out ever) on the trailer ???


,

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Alpine Custom Upgrade

I think the post appears to me to place the blame on the owner for over-pressuring the tire, or the tire becomes underinflated for whatever reason or the tire has been damaged by an object in the road BUT it appears to me to leave out the SIMPLE idea that the tire was simply made crappy and is known to blow out for NO real reason other the tire was crap to start with.
A manufacturer's rating basically means nothing. Real life experiences DO!

Of the many thousand failures I have seen and examined only a small handful of tires from one tire service location were the result of "over-pressure" and after doing a complete investigation it was confirmed, with data, that you needed to be at or above 200% of the inflation number on the tire sidewall.


While I have see human error during tire assembly result is a tire failure those failures were early life (under 100 miles) and were limited in number. After decades as a Forensic Tire Engineer I have yet to see anyone identify the specific "defect" or "Crappy" construction feature that results in a tire failure on the relatively small percentage of tires that suffer belt separations as seen in the few pictures in this thread.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Or from experience of countless others that HAVE had blowouts from these brands.
If you see a post on any rv forum concerning blowouts you can almost bet it's one these brands.

Well I will admit you are somewhat correct. However how do we know the problem isn't because the RVs were made in Indiana? Almost every day there is a post on some RV thread about the failure of some component in the RV and almost every RV was built in Indiana. Might that be the reason?

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Mic

so with all the blow out talk....

why not put regulars passenger truck tires (i have not had a blow out ever) on the trailer ???


,

Regular LT type tires do not carry the same load as an ST type tire so the RV company would have to get larger tires or larger tires & wheels and also may have to have a larger wheel Well. All of which costs money and since RV sales are price driven it comes back to what the consumer is willing to pay.

[Camp CA]

Tire warranty is a good question for Saulun or their dealer.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

Well I will admit you are somewhat correct. However how do we know the problem isn't because the RVs were made in Indiana? Almost every day there is a post on some RV thread about the failure of some component in the RV and almost every RV was built in Indiana. Might that be the reason?

That is flawed logic. RVs are assembled in IN with components MADE from plants around the world. My understanding is tire plants start with raw materials with the exception of the belt and cord material, then mix the compounds and "cook" that in a mold. Please enlighten me if I don't understand the process.

[Mic]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

Regular LT type tires do not carry the same load as an ST type tire so the RV company would have to get larger tires or larger tires & wheels and also may have to have a larger wheel Well. All of which costs money and since RV sales are price driven it comes back to what the consumer is willing to pay.

Thanks

I only ask because I have load E tire on my truck ...seems that they are not that much bigger....


but good info..

[jadatis]

QUOTE=RVGator;512080]On the note about looking into the cause of failures…that’s a tough one for owners. If the tires were inflated properly, 5th wheel under gross vehicle weight, you would rule those out. So that leaves either something sharp in the road(which you could imagine is a possibility for at least 1 failure) but the other option is subpar manufacturing and or product. Pre inspection shows normal tire with minimal wear, post inspection of the tire shows it exploded outward. And you can bet after each explosion I checked each tire inch by inch because nobody wants to go through a blowout in the highway. Aside from being a forensic tire expert I’m not sure there is much more to ascertain.[/QUOTE]

I would like to have all the info of your 5thwh.
You ruled out the tirepressure, but as " pigheaded Dutch selfdeared Tirepressure specialist" I am not that certain.

You have, corect me if wrong, ST 235/80R 16G, and those are given maxload for up to 65mph
Read, or was that someone else, not above 70mph.
And Goodyear only gives E-load for that sise
3420 lbs AT 80 psi.
ST 235/85R16 Goodyear gives G- load 4400lbs AT 110 psi ( up to 65mph, max allowed speed 87mph, yes max allowed is not the speed for wich maxload is calculated, so no overheating when driving 65mph constantly).
I know you dont have Goodyear, but could only find list of them and those lists are all the same.
But also LT 235/85R16, 3750lbs AT 110 psi ( calculated for 99mph.

Also need GVWR, GAWR's, howmany axles (2), and percentage on plate.

My strong believe is that the tires that blew, where overloaded for the used pressure and speed. But first have to calculate if so
Unequal weight RL can be crossex between the axles, happens yust as often as both axles same side heavyer. Probably the case because both blowing tires on same side.
Dont think that from the short moment overloaded the other tires blew, damage can be done long before, add builded up in time.

Then the hight of the plate can also influence the weightdivision between the axles.

To make this long story short, higher speed and weight then tires are made for, and lower real pressure then measured, together can have given overheating of tire material, then crackes are made, wich tear further in time by mechanical forces, whatever you do afterward, untill mayby only after 2 years that far that tire blows, mostly at extreamer situations, wich are blamed then.

[wiredgeorge]

Another tire thread going into never ending over-analysis mode. Let's boil this down. HiSpec tires blow up a lot more frequently than Sailun, Goodyear or Carlisle. TK tires blow up a lot more frequently than Salun, Goodyear or Carlisle. There are a few other brands I have forgotten but empirical data suggests anyone using HiSpec or TK tires should cease and buy a reputable brand. There may be folks who have had no issues with these brands but they do seem to stand out in the MOST BLOW OUTS contest.

[rvator]

I have original tires from Keystone on a 2017 x lite 26rls I live in Denver and have about 25’000 to 30’000 miles on them. They are on the last 1/3 tread may need to think about replacing before heading to Florida this winter. The tires are Westlake have never had a flat on them. I did have a blowout on my GMC pulling my 5ver in Florida the tire blew out front inside going 55 and it was a Michelin with about 10’000 miles. Replaced the Michelins when I returned home. Not sure what to put on the 5ver but need to replace. Thanks Stan

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by rvator

I have original tires from Keystone on a 2017 x lite 26rls I live in Denver and have about 25’000 to 30’000 miles on them. They are on the last 1/3 tread may need to think about replacing before heading to Florida this winter. The tires are Westlake have never had a flat on them. I did have a blowout on my GMC pulling my 5ver in Florida the tire blew out front inside going 55 and it was a Michelin with about 10’000 miles. Replaced the Michelins when I returned home. Not sure what to put on the 5ver but need to replace. Thanks Stan

Put together a signature with year, make and model of you camper and same for your tow vehicle. This is under UserCP and make sure you save it. Since no on knows which camper and thus which size wheels, no point in going through recommendations since the list of forum favorite tires are different for 15" than 16" with some overlap. I have 15" rims on my 5th wheel so Sailuns are out. They don't make 15" ST type tires.

[BruceinDFW]

I also use and recommend the Sailun S637. I just replaced all five of my 5-year-old Sailuns with new ones before our summer trip - about 3000 miles so far with at least another 1500 to go. They have been good tires - no issues for me.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by HDroadglide

I replaced my tires and just got back from a 5500 mile trip. NO Problems.
they are Heartland 14 PLY bought at Discount tires. Now I am taking them in to be rotated at now cost every 5000 miles.

I also use Hartland tires from discount. Put them on all of my trailers, won’t use anything else. I did have a flat on this last trip, put the details in another thread, but it’s my fault for running them for 7 years. Didn’t realize they were that old already. I give credit to the tire that it held together at 65 mph and did no damage to the rv. New ones will be going on very soon, and yes, they will be Hartland.