West Lake Tires, I need some opinions.....

I looked into them. Had a hard time finding anybody that carriers them. Then found out they a lot of law suits filed against them over tire failures and not honoring the warranty

Me Again wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

SAR Tracker wrote:
Westlake is considered to be a brand of tires to avoid, according to CarsDirect. Tires such as Westlake, which are made in China, are alleged to be of substandard quality and have been the subject of forced recalls by the U.S. government.
Various state Attorneys General and the Federal Trade Commission have recalled Chinese tires such as Westlake because they have been deemed unsafe and unable to meet American standards of quality. Westlake tires are made by the China-based Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company. The company's tires have been accused of lacking basic safety features such as gum strips that keep steel belts inside the tire from separating and damaging the rubber.

Carsdirect link

That was FOUR years ago. They now have tires (in certain sizes) that have the nylon cap-and have corrected issues such as you listed above. If your going to post information please make it current.

Yep, your Radial Trail RH were replaced with the new Radial Trail HD, why?

Many quality tires have been replaced with newer, improved, and enhanced designs. I ran the Radial RH for 4 years and zero issues period. What's your point?

CKNSLS wrote:


Because companies move forward with product-it's called continual improvement. Just like Westlake did with their tires. You will also notice the Goodyear Marathons were replaced with something else (Endurance ST) as well.

The new Goodyear Endurance line is an all American made tire. GY saw a niche by staying with forums like this and reading what people wanted. And maybe they were tired of paying for damages when the ones they were producing overseas were exploding. The new tires are supposed to have beefier sidewalls and a highway speed rating from "L" to "N" depending on size. At least it's made here now. Only time will tell if they will be better.

azdryheat wrote:
WestLakes came on my new Voltage. Soon as I took delivery I dumped those Chinese junk for some Michelin XPS Ribs. I will never run a Made In China tire. Plenty of threads and posts that discuss Chinese tires, do a search.

Plenty of threads and information on the Sailun tires made in China, they are very good and there is plenty of information out there to verify that they are.

As you stated.... do the research, you may learn something new about Sailun tires.

Jim

azdryheat wrote:
WestLakes came on my new Voltage. Soon as I took delivery I dumped those Chinese junk for some Michelin XPS Ribs. I will never run a Made In China tire. Plenty of threads and posts that discuss Chinese tires, do a search.

The Chinese are quite capable of producing quality products - including tires!

However - they mfg tires according to the specs desired.

Even *MICHELIN* manufactures tires in China at two facilities, as they do in numerous other countries for the "home" market.
In Michelin's case - there's a reputation at stake!

YOU have to research the product you are considering purchasing.

Ex: if you want to start your own line of tires, the Chinese will be happy to ship you X amount of cargo containers of "Dryheats" mfg to your specs, and comply with Fed requirements.
Now you find (or have) a distributor - and you're in business (maybe).

~

Westlake "G" rated tires are standard equipment on many of the larger new trailers. A search on the Redwood forum goes on for many pages with very few complaints. They wouldn't be my first choice but on a trailer of your size I think they would be a much better choice than most of the "E" rated China bombs.

B.O.

Have Westlake on my boat trailer but no real comparison there. If you need G-rated tires and have 110psi-rated wheels, I'd suggest Sailuns.

Jim102 wrote:
West Lake, ST235/85R16 Load Range G......Any good? The dealer is willing to give me a set for my new Wildcat 5th.

Thanks,
Jim

A ST G load range at 4080 lbs capacity/110 psi on a Wildcat 11900 gvwr trailer with axle loads in the 2400-2600 lb range. Way too much tire for a trailer that size.

My 11200 lb 5er has 5.2k axles. I use BFG Commercial LT215/85-16 E at 2680 lbs capacity. Current tires have just over 49k miles and 7 years old. Previous same brand/size set ran for 7 years and 55k+ miles.

Your best option on that size trailer with 5.2k-6k axles for years of service and 60k+ miles is the Bridgestone R-250 or the more expensive XPS Rib tire. Both are a all steel ply carcass commercial class tire.

If your sticking with a ST tire the ST235/80-16 E 80 psi at 3400-3600 lbs capacity.

Looking around the net at trailering websites (rv and non rv) The only ST I see that has been around for 4-5 years now without the usual ST issues is the Provider.

I would stick with a tire with a capacity fitted to the trailer ie; ....meets the trailer axle rating plus a 10-15 percent reserve capacity.

Don't cheap out on quality when it comes to tires especially a brand new trailer.

I had Westlake 235-80-16 E rated tires on my former Work & Play toy hauler. Put about 8000 miles on them and when I sold the camper, they looked fantastic.

I know on the Forest River Forum most people have had good success but a few have had issues. I kept mine ALWAYS at 80 psi and they were always covered or protected from the sun when being stored.

Me Again wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

SAR Tracker wrote:
Westlake is considered to be a brand of tires to avoid, according to CarsDirect. Tires such as Westlake, which are made in China, are alleged to be of substandard quality and have been the subject of forced recalls by the U.S. government.
Various state Attorneys General and the Federal Trade Commission have recalled Chinese tires such as Westlake because they have been deemed unsafe and unable to meet American standards of quality. Westlake tires are made by the China-based Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company. The company's tires have been accused of lacking basic safety features such as gum strips that keep steel belts inside the tire from separating and damaging the rubber.

Carsdirect link

That was FOUR years ago. They now have tires (in certain sizes) that have the nylon cap-and have corrected issues such as you listed above. If your going to post information please make it current.

Yep, your Radial Trail RH were replaced with the new Radial Trail HD, why?

Because companies move forward with product-it's called continual improvement. Just like Westlake did with their tires. You will also notice the Goodyear Marathons were replaced with something else (Endurance ST) as well.