Powerking Towmax ST235/80R16
I purchased a "new" 2012 Keystone Alpine 3650RL in June 2013 from Camping World Bartow. It came with 4 Powerking Towmax tires dated 3811, meaning manufactured the 38th month, 2011. In April 2014, we experienced 3 separate blowouts within 50 miles, good highway conditions. The tires had less than 4,000 miles. The tire pressures were checked at 80 psi before departure. The first blowout, the tread separated from the tire and wrapped around the axle and did damage to the passenger side of the 5er. The other two blowouts did minimal damage. After the 1st and 2nd blowouts, we stopped at Camping World Ft Myers for repair of a severed hydraulic line. After camping there overnight we proceeded to the campground less than 15 miles. Enroute we had the 3rd blowout. We ended up changing all 4 tires. We dropped the 5er off at CW for the repairs on return. We contacted USAA with the claim. They, in turn, assigned the claim to TBC Corp for validation and inspection. The claim was OK'ed and USAA paid the $3,700 damages less the $250 deductible. The manufacturer, Dynamic Tire Corp, Canada, was contacted because of the tire failure. They arranged for shipping to their location for inspection. After some time, their analysis, as suspected was "pilot error". Their analysis was an overload condition, improper tire inflation and extreme heat. No manufacturer descrepancies were found. However, they did offer a "goodwill gesture" of $375 for a general release of liability. Their analysis is wrong. The tires were checked before departure at 80 psi and the 5er was loaded to the less than the manual specifications. It's another case of poor Chinese quality that we hear time and again.
My analysis is poor Chinese quality, 5er was stored at CW Bartow for better than a year with minimal movement, Keystone put the optimum tire on a "luxury" rv for it's weight, the tires were "E" rated which technically is adequate. Discussion with experienced people indicate a "G" rated tire would be better(but cost more). I think the fault lies with the tire manufacturer, Keystone and Camping World Bartow, which was in a transition mode with the purchase of Dusty's RV. I think Camping World should take a look at their operation at Bartow. It's poor and not customer oriented. The Ft Myers operation is 100% better.
My analysis is poor Chinese quality, 5er was stored at CW Bartow for better than a year with minimal movement, Keystone put the optimum tire on a "luxury" rv for it's weight, the tires were "E" rated which technically is adequate. Discussion with experienced people indicate a "G" rated tire would be better(but cost more). I think the fault lies with the tire manufacturer, Keystone and Camping World Bartow, which was in a transition mode with the purchase of Dusty's RV. I think Camping World should take a look at their operation at Bartow. It's poor and not customer oriented. The Ft Myers operation is 100% better.
