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Cardaronella's avatar
Cardaronella
Explorer
Jul 06, 2025

Bad Tires

IMO, don’t waste your money on Hankook Trailer tires! In November, 2023, I bought 4 new Hankook Vantra TH 31, G Rated tires for my 5th Wheel. After 18 months and about 10K miles I noticed all 4 tires had numerous hairline cracks extending out about 3/4” from the bead/ wheel. As advised by the dealer, I contacted Hankook and explained the issue. Hankook has refused to allow any compensation for the tires because they do not consider the cracks a “Warrantable Defect”. They even made the ridiculous claim that the cracks probably were a result of my not using the tires enough! The dealer was totally taken by surprise at that answer. IMO, do not use this sham of a Korean Tire Company’s Tires. I just couldn’t risk a tire failure, that could cause $1,000’s in damage and repairs, so I bought a set of Carlisle Tires (made in America) and am out the $1,000 + cost of the Hankook.

22 Replies

  • do you have a picture of the cracks, I am having a hard time picturing this.  

    but the manufacture is telling the truth, RV tires can crack from being exposed to the sun and not being used.   a combination of factors contribute to this, including UV radiation, ozone, and the lack of flexing that occurs when tires are in use.  this is why most long term rv's have wheel covers on them. 

    • Cardaronella's avatar
      Cardaronella
      Explorer

      They've always been covered when not in use. I don't buy the cracking due to partly not being flexed much, because I have several friends who I travel with and use their 5th wheels about the same, who've never had cracking like these.

    • Cardaronella's avatar
      Cardaronella
      Explorer

      This is typical of the cracking all around the tires on all four. If you further expand the picture you’ll get a better idea of what the look like under load.

      • Grit_dog's avatar
        Grit_dog
        Navigator II

        Them are some ugly 18 month old tires. What’s the mfg date?

    • Grit_dog's avatar
      Grit_dog
      Navigator II

      lol, the tires aren’t even 2 years old according to the OP. 

      • Cardaronella's avatar
        Cardaronella
        Explorer

        That's right, mfg. date was 12-23 (12th week of 2023) and on the 5th Wheel about 18 months and run about 10K miles - ridiculous! Small Claims here we come!

  • Thanks for the heads-up. That’s disappointing for 18 months of use. I’ve had better luck with Goodyear Endurance — solid performance and made in the U.S.

    • StirCrazy's avatar
      StirCrazy
      Moderator

      way over priced though, and still have had their share of issues.  

  • Agreed on the issue being warrantable. Not sure I’ve ever seen tires cracking radially at the bead. Certainly not tires that were not otherwise old and dry rotted. 
    While I’ve had a couple sets of Hankook car tires, I’ve had no issue with them. 
    That said, the lack of cooperation is probably not unique to Hankook. 

    • Roman88's avatar
      Roman88
      Explorer

      Do you think the cracks at the bead might indicate a manufacturing flaw rather than just environmental wear? I've seen many tires age poorly, but radial cracks near the bead after only 10K miles seem extreme.
      Would you recommend sticking with American-made tires for RVs in general, or is it just a Hankook-specific concern in this case?

      • Cardaronella's avatar
        Cardaronella
        Explorer

        I’ve talked to several tire shops who say they’ve only seen radial cracks in much older tires, so I’m thinking it’s a manufacturing defect, but Hankook says no and won’t budge on offering any type of adjustment. Several tire shops also say Korean and Chinese tires are bad, so I’m sticking with US manufacturers. I put Carlisles on as replacements.

  • Thanks for your reply! Do you possibly have the contact info for the Manager you talked to? If so could you please give it to me? I’ve talked to several Hankook reps and a Samantha who claims to be the Manager of the Warranty Dept and who refuses to do anything to remedy the situation or help in any manner. I’m considering a Small Claims Case, but would definitely like to try appealing my case to the Hankook Manager you talked to. Thanks!

  • I totally agree about this company being a sham. I experienced the same denial for warranty of a failed tire that had a failed belt. Firstly, the Ford dealer I was trying to get to handle the problem really didn't want to warranty I think because it involved. too much paper work to handle a warranty for which they might not receive any compensation. Secondly they referred me to the company headquarters in the Bay Area of California whereupon the manager gave me a song and dance about how they couldn't verify the damage as being a warrantable issue. So I said well why can't the Ford dealership I'm at do this? The manager wouldn't budge from his position but offered to have me bring the damaged tire that would be rolling around inside my rv from Utah where I was at the moment to California. I told him in no unspecific terms what I thought of the idea and where to put it and Guarranteed him he would be hearing back from me. 

    Upon arriving home in California I did research and found Hankook"s headquarters and called and demanded the attention of at least a managerial level individual and got one. I explained my situation and how outrageous I felt about how Hankook was NOT handling my warranty. He apologized profusely and offered to send me my adjustment for the damaged tire and to have a proper chat (reaming) with the manager for the Hankook headquarters in California.

    To those that are reading my post, do you think you might want to buy a Hankkok Tire in the future?

    • Cardaronella's avatar
      Cardaronella
      Explorer

      Thanks for your reply! Do you possibly have the contact info for the Manager you talked to? If so could you please give it to me? I’ve talked to several Hankook reps and a Samantha who claims to be the Manager of the Warranty Dept and who refuses to do anything to remedy the situation or help in any manner. I’m considering a Small Claims Case, but would definitely like to try appealing my case to the Hankook Manager you talked to. Thanks!

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