Dtank wrote:
China is very capable of producing products - and/or products to meet required specs.
Even Michelin has tire mfg facilities in China (as well as lots of other countries). Everybody needs tires, LOL!
*YOU* can be a tire "manufacturer" - with the name *YOU* choose on the sidewall - that *will* meet DOT specs.
Plenty of "generic" tire mfgrs in China ready to do that.
Line up your US distributors, place the minimum order from China, and you're in business.
Shipping containers are "en-route" with new "No-Pop" STs.
If the "No-Pops" don't do well, re-brand!..:W
Major tire mfgrs (with the exception of GY and?) are *not* willing to put their name on ST tires.
Even though most tire manufactures have two or three tiers of tire quality (and prices) you won't find a major brand on -or connected to- an ST.
Ever see a Michelin ST?
An ST brand owned by Michelin?
(IMO) there's two reasons for that:
1. ST tires are a niche market.
2. ST tires subjected to anything *other than* light loads and "gentle" usage - are prone to failure.
Also, you will rarely know how many successful lawsuits are brought against tire manufactures due to failures, as usually results are kept confidential as part of the settlement.
However, sometimes -either due to tenacious reporters, or massive publicity (The Ford/Firestone debacle)- results make it to the general public.
Example: SP Times: "Goodyear Kept Tire Problems Quiet"
It does include GY ST (US mfg) Marathons.
If you're the CEO or a Board member of a tire mfgr - why risk litigation as well as potential negative PR for your brand, and bother with tires for a very small market?
Leave it to the "miscellaneous" variety of here today, gone tomorrow ST brands.
When a brand name continues it's ST production, it's far easier to follow the "track record" by the folks that have had experience with it.
Airstream forums: "Goodyear Marathon Failures" thread
AirForums usually doesn't close threads, so it runs from 2006 to 2011 - then a poll, and more of the same through 2014.
(There are both pros and cons)
BTW - I had excellent service from ST Marathons on a small, light TT.
(Probably lighter than all but the smallest Airstream).
......But not as well with a heavier 5th wheel.
YMMV - and "Roll On" - with whatever "shoes" you choose!..:B
.
Independent Chinese tire manufacturers may "be capable" of producing a quality product, they've just CHOSEN NOT TO manufacture a QUALITY product... 90% of the time, the reports show that it is heavy to heavier TT's and 5er's that have problems with the China manufactured ST tires.
No way am I going to run a China "off name" ST tire on my 5er manufactured by a facility that isn't TS16949 and ISO14001 compliant/certified..
The MIchelin Tire plants as well as other well known brand named plants that are now manufacturing THEIR tires in China have CHOSEN to CONTINUE to produce a QUALITY product and show their affiliation to said "named manufacturer"..., ie, they didn't leave their TS16949 and ISO14001certifications behind when they moved a plant to China....they incorporated those same QUALITY processes into their manufacturing process so that they don't give their brand name, (like MIchelin), a bad name, they WANT to keep their reputation, unlike the China manufacturers of tires that change their name with alarming frequency and opt out on a quality product....HEY, it COST MORE to PRODUCE a QUALITY PRODUCT....China can't afford to add good quality into their tire manufacturing process and really don't seem to care either.
