Brand new rig, trash the tires?

[Brantel]

My new 2021 Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 32BHS came with Trailer King RST ST225/75R15E tires.

All the talk on the interwebs about China bombs has me concerned that I should trash these tires right out of the gate.

After looking closely at how the Cougar is built around the tires, a blowout would likely cause much damage and be very expensive to repair.

I think I read somewhere that the TK RST's are a fairly new model and with little history on them as far as reported failures?

So I am considering the Goodyear Endurance ST225/75R15E tire as a replacement as this seems to be the only American made choice in that size with an E load rating.

Should I or should I not? If I do am I making a good move with my choice of replacement tire?

[cavie]

yes. Get those China Bombs off there,

[Northofu1]

Yes, get rid of them.
I have personally never been a fan of Goodyear tires for any vehicle. They have to be better than the TK's.
I put Carlisle on the TT not an issue in 2 seasons I used them.
I now have them on the 5er but only used it once.
Good luck
P.S. With any tire you decide to purchase, just check them often. Even if you decide to use a TPMS system, nothing beats checking temps at fuel / rest stops. Check before take off, including the inner wall. It all comes down to your comfort level. An air compressor, that suits the needs of your tire, is always a good thing whether its in the garage or an on board system.

[wiredgeorge]

Just about every tire seller out there had Carlisle LRE 15"

Carlisle https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tir...adial-trail-hd

I bought mine via eBay as the price was better and had them mounted by my local tire shop in Castroville.

eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carlisle-Ra...AAAOSw7HlfkvET

The tires I received were only a couple months past production week but you do run the risk of getting production dates that might be a bit in the past. If you buy them from a local seller you can ensure the production dates on the tires are pretty current. Lots of folks like the Goodyear offering but I have been around long enough to remember the Goodyear Marathon fiasco. Question was, would I replace? After seeing so many horror stories regarding the TKs, probably. Is there RST offering any better than previous offerings? Who know?

[rhagfo]

Well with an 11,500# GVWR I would change to 16" wheels and move up to real tires a set LT (Light Truck) tires.

[notanlines]

At first I thought maybe Rhagfo’s 16” idea was overkill, but having given it a little thought I might be inclined to go this route. Of course it is amazingly easy to spend your money.

[Brantel]

Yeah, likely not going to happen. It has some nice looking wheels on it and tossing brand new tires is expensive enough!

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by Brantel

My new 2021 Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 32BHS came with Trailer King RST ST225/75R15E tires.

All the talk on the interwebs about China bombs has me concerned that I should trash these tires right out of the gate.

After looking closely at how the Cougar is built around the tires, a blowout would likely cause much damage and be very expensive to repair.

I think I read somewhere that the TK RST's are a fairly new model and with little history on them as far as reported failures?

So I am considering the Goodyear Endurance ST225/75R15E tire as a replacement as this seems to be the only American made choice in that size with an E load rating.

Should I or should I not? If I do am I making a good move with my choice of replacement tire?

If you're just unhappy with the name brand, why don't you negotiate with the dealer. Tire designated sizes and brand names are not linked. The regulation the selling dealer must abide by this standard; "The tires on each motor home and RV trailer at first retail sale must be the same size as the tire size on the labeling."

[sourdough]

Having had a TK failure, for no apparent reason (tire was perfectly maintained), costing 7k I'm biased in their use. Biased so far that I had the OE Ranier tires on this trailer (not TK and probably a decent tire) removed and Sailuns installed before I got the trailer. I just don't trust an OE tire any longer unless I know, or at least know of, the tires that are on it. They do not go for the premium tire brands unless on the most expensive units. Expensive? Yes. Aggravating? Yes. Do I hit the road (as I will in the morning heading for FL) with one less nagging worry on my mind thus making me much happier? Yes.

[Mike&Sandy]

Any comments on this tire? I'm in the same situation as the OP.

https://simpletire.com/brands/transe...&userZip=70032

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Brantel

Yeah, likely not going to happen. It has some nice looking wheels on it and tossing brand new tires is expensive enough!

If you're considering Carlisle Radial Trail HD tires, you can often find them for sale at around $70-80 per tire. That's $280-320 for a set of 4. You can put the existing tires on Craigslist for $50 each and get back a major chunk of your tire cost. With mount/balance and steel valve stems, you're looking at around $15 per tire ($60) for installation and, estimate $300 for the tires, so $360 - 200, is about a $160 "out of pocket" expense for quality tires....

GY Endurance are about $60 per tire more expensive ($140 each), so add $240 to that 160 if you're looking at GY as a replacement.

The "track record" at least on this forum, seem to be fairly equal between the Carlisle and Goodyear ST tires.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Having had a TK failure, for no apparent reason (tire was perfectly maintained), costing 7k I'm biased in their use. Biased so far that I had the OE Ranier tires on this trailer (not TK and probably a decent tire) removed and Sailuns installed before I got the trailer. I just don't trust an OE tire any longer unless I know, or at least know of, the tires that are on it. They do not go for the premium tire brands unless on the most expensive units. Expensive? Yes. Aggravating? Yes. Do I hit the road (as I will in the morning heading for FL) with one less nagging worry on my mind thus making me much happier? Yes.

OK, you have been shopping for RVs recently and probably know the Keystone models better than most; what premium brand tire is used on any Keystone? I doubt you will find the tire brand in any sales brochure but if you have been haunting dealerships, perhaps took a look at the tires on upscale lines?

[Northofu1]

Originally Posted by Mike&Sandy

Any comments on this tire? I'm in the same situation as the OP.

https://simpletire.com/brands/transe...&userZip=70032

I personally don't like the look of that tire, it's not just about the weight they can carry. Tread pattern and water/snow wicking / siping is also just as important.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Northofu1

I personally don't like the look of that tire, it's not just about the weight they can carry. Tread pattern and water/snow wicking / siping is also just as important.

May be an issue on his truck, but on a trailer don't think that would be a problem.
They look like a commercial grade tire similar to the Sailuns I had on my 5th wheel, which by the way were a great tire.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Northofu1

I personally don't like the look of that tire, it's not just about the weight they can carry. Tread pattern and water/snow wicking / siping is also just as important.

I don't care what you say, they look original equipment on a farm tractor. I guess they do look a bit like the tread pattern on the 16" Sailun trailer tires.

[Mike&Sandy]

Here's another look at them. The ratings are exceptional.

https://www.amazon.com/Transeagle-Ra...s%2C180&sr=8-3

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

OK, you have been shopping for RVs recently and probably know the Keystone models better than most; what premium brand tire is used on any Keystone? I doubt you will find the tire brand in any sales brochure but if you have been haunting dealerships, perhaps took a look at the tires on upscale lines?

I have seen Sailuns on quite a few upper Keystone models which I consider about as good as it gets in a 16" tire. I believe I saw Goodyears on the Solitude (although not Keystone bit is their top of the line) which from everything I've seen/read is also about as good as it gets (so far).

[Bill-2020]

Discount Tire will match pricing. I walked in with a printed sheet from Tire Buyer's website for Carlisles just a few weeks ago and they matched on the spot (Tirebuyer.com had the lowest prices, even lower than wally world).

[Northofu1]

Originally Posted by CWtheMan

I’ve posted threads along these lines before. I’ve often found it to be a good comparison of where the automotive tire market and RV trailer tire market have similarities.

Go to a large auto dealership, any brand, and do a sort of inventory of the OEM tires on the cars, SUVs and pick-up trucks. You’re going to find Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Firestone, Pirelli, Hankook, Kumho and all sorts of other off shore brands being used as OEM.

Have you ever refused OEM tires on a new automotive product?

I have, on two brand new vehicles and 1 used. I refuse to own a set of Firestone tires.

[Mike&Sandy]

Originally Posted by CWtheMan

I’ve posted threads along these lines before. I’ve often found it to be a good comparison of where the automotive tire market and RV trailer tire market have similarities.

Go to a large auto dealership, any brand, and do a sort of inventory of the OEM tires on the cars, SUVs and pick-up trucks. You’re going to find Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Firestone, Pirelli, Hankook, Kumho and all sorts of other off shore brands being used as OEM.

Have you ever refused OEM tires on a new automotive product?

I couldn't change those firestone's off of my Ram quick enough, they were the worst tires in the history of the world (no exaggeration, lol).