China bomb tires ID?

[Shasta Bob]

I have a Keystone 315 RLS cougar a 2019, how di i identify the China bomb tires?

[jsb5717]

The brand name of the tire is usually the first give-away. What brand are yours?

[CWtheMan]

There are four or more established OEM providers for RV trailer tires. So, depending on that the brand of tires most commonly used by the OEM provider, for your trailer, as Original Equipment, will get the bad marks and unfavorable comments.

[Shasta Bob]

Trailer King RST.

[Shasta Bob]

are these china bombs?

[notanlines]

Very simply put…..yes they are! 9,000 dollars damage on our Raptor.

[DBax]

Yes. My 2020 Cougar came with those Trailer King RST (China Bomb's). Had a blow out the first year and another getting ready to blow. I replaced them with Goodyear Endurance. Haven't had an issue with tires since. I hear that 2023 Cougars are coming from factory with Endurance tires.

[jsb5717]

Yep, Trailer King, Rainier, and others are considered China Bombs. OEM's are starting to use Sailun and Goodyear Endurance on some of their rigs. That's a good thing and are much less likely to need replacing right away.

[GaryUT]

China bombs.


The date code 4718 (47th week of 2018) is in one of your photos, regardless of the brand they have aged out.


Gary

[UKLimey]

Originally Posted by Shasta Bob

Trailer King RST.

Trailer King - the worst!

I had one blow out a sidewall 3 days after delivery of new trailer. Replaced them with Carlisles the next day.

[JRTJH]

Take a look at post #9...

Gary "cut all the brand discussion to the bone" with his comment, "The date code 4718 (47th week of 2018) is in one of your photos, regardless of the brand they have aged out."

People may argue about which brands are china bombs, they may talk about how they never had problems with their Trailer King tires, they may point fingers at some other brand (SOB) tires as the "true china bombs"...

I don't know of anyone who would defend using ST tires on a heavy trailer beyond 5 years. Most (me included) change out tires at either 3 or 4 years and nearly all who regularly post here will "draw the limit" on tires at 5 years...

So, regardless of "china bomb status", your tires have aged out and need replacement. In the 235 80R15 LRE size, I'd recommend either Carlisle Radial Trail HD or Goodyear Endurance.

Right now, at WalMart, in that size, Carlisle is $123 per tire and Goodyear is $197 each. Many places will price match WalMart, so do your "diligent shopping"...

No matter which tire you choose, whether it's another set of what you have (not recommended) or another brand, with that date of manufacture, it's time to change out your tires.....

[jasin1]

walmart is great when they are great!…when there is some hiccup in the order ….well then they aren’t so great.

last sunday i ordered new carlisle tires for my enclosed cargo trailer..walmart showed instock and a good price. 3 day shipping to my house..
i ordered and paid with my Amex and it said tuesday delivery.

I ordered new wheels from amazon. Monday morning rolls around and i get an email saying some oF your order is “delayed” we’ll keep you updated…

no update on tuesday i called and apparently their customer service is handled by someone halfway around the world with limited communication skills for this country.
i sorta got that it may or may not ship in the next 24-48 hours..still no update on the order or email.

i was gonna see if they would ship to store easier but they now show out of stock

i cancelled the order on friday morning on the website and it said they will “try” and cancel but some items may have shipped…still no email by friday afternoon.
called in late afternoon and another friend from overseas explained it never cancelled and didn’t update and still no idea if it would ship but HE would now cancel it and i would get a refund…no email confirmation and no refund or pending refund on amex so guess i have to call on monday

wheels and tires i ordered separately on amazon arrived early

[sourdough]

As has been pointed out it's time to replace those tires no matter the manufacture date. The 235/80r16 load range e is what is on the trailer. With a 12,600 gvwr on the trailer and the tires rated at 3520 they give you about a 11.8% cushion over gvwr which should be adequate. I upgraded to Carlise Radial Trail HD tires on my last trailer and was very happy with them after a $7k blowout with TK tires. The components of an RV are so lightweight and cheaply built that they cannot withstand the forces of a blowout at speed unless one is very, very lucky. I would be replacing them before making a trip.

[wiredgeorge]

His tires in the pics provided were 16" and not 15" so that opens him up to Sailuns as well. ST235/80rR16

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

His tires in the pics provided were 16" and not 15" so that opens him up to Sailuns as well. ST235/80rR16

But 6-lug wheels so likely E range tires at 80psi.

[bobbecky]

Those tires pictured are 215 80/16, not 235 85/16, a big difference.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

Those tires pictured are 215 80/16, not 235 85/16, a big difference.

The last picture clearly shows ST235/80R16 E ?? Mistype?

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

Those tires pictured are 215 80/16, not 235 85/16, a big difference.

Tire sidewall in question...

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by DBax

Yes. My 2020 Cougar came with those Trailer King RST (China Bomb's). Had a blow out the first year and another getting ready to blow. I replaced them with Goodyear Endurance. Haven't had an issue with tires since. I hear that 2023 Cougars are coming from factory with Endurance tires.

Don't get all coiled-up.

This is just info many consumers overlook.

The TK ST235/85R16 LRE provides 3520# of load capacity at 80 PSI. The GY Endurance provides 3420# of load capacity at 80 PSI.

The basic rule for replacement tires; is for them to provide, at the very minimum, a load capacity equal to or greater than what the OE tires provided.