I've seen posts on this topic but can't pull it up on search so here's another Chinese made tire rant. Today I was pulling out on a 75 mile trip home when I noticed at slow speed I could see movement on the sidewall of one the trailer tires. Stopped and checked air pressure and it was 72#'s per spec, but something wasn't right.We proceeded to our tire dealer who took the tire off the trailer. There was a significant bulge in the middle of the tread and sidewall. The tire shop said the tire's steel belts had broken and would fail without question. These are made in China.The dealer said the tire is operating at the ragged edge of it capability based on the load. These tires are original equipment and I have put less than 3,000 miles on them. I've not hit any curbs or road obstacles. There was no visible damage to the tire.The tire failed at less than 3,000 miles. It has always been operated at proper air pressure and I'm well under my max axle and tire weight limits.If you have these tires on your trailer have them checked. Trailer manufacturers are saving a couple if hundred bucks by using inferior tires. Customer safety be damned.

I notice that the 2014 model of your trailer is now coming with Goodyear tires instead of the Towmax's yours came with. (at least according to this link) Do you suppose that change is due to other problems just like yours with the OEM Towmax tires on the 2013 model? The Goodyears being supplied are ST235/80R16E- is that a bigger size/weight range from yours, or is it the same size? Asking since I can't find anything online that gives tire size for the 2013 model.

That's why they're called "China Bombs". My RV is equipped with them too. JUNK

Install 17.5 inch tires for a fighting chance

Yes, the tires are the same size. DRV provided an independent middle man in Florida for me to contact for a warranty claim. I smell a stall.Meanwhile I sent a direct email request along with a video of the bad tire to DRV through the purchasing dealer demanding they reimburse me for 5 new Carlisle 12 ply trailer tires. Noting thier customer's safety deserves a better American made product than what they provided me.I'll post DRV's response if I get one.

Get a set of Goodyear G614's and be done with it. They are rated for trailer service and you can keep your existing rims.

Tow Max tire failure | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

MM49
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
Boxer Lovers wrote:
I had 5 Carlyle ST235/85R16's, 12 ply tires installed on the fifth wheel this morning. Pressure cold is 95 p.s.i. compared to 72# for Tow Max O.E.s. Much more substantial tire. Shame on DRV for cutting corners on this critical safety issue by using Chinese made Tow Max tires.

In preparation for a summer out west starting Friday, I filled up the truck and went to the CAT scale. The rig is 90% loaded for the trip so weights are close. The scale said I still have over 2,000 #s of axle capacity left on the 5er. Total weight is 3,000#s short of maximum weight capacity. No way should the O.E. tire have failed. No safe tire would have.

Tow Max tires used by DRV are not safe.
You are most likely good on your tire capacity now. I would like to tell you about my weight study. I weighted my new TT and found that I was close on all the tire weights with the OEM selected tires. I ran those tire for their life and replaced them without failure. The interesting condition I noticed was that the curb side wore at least 50% more that the drivers side. I found out that the curb side was much heavier than the driver side. I was over on the curb side tires. The trailer was 2500lbs below max GVW.

I also did a trailer level test to see the effect of the suspension equalization. I could easily overload one axle with different tongue heights. If I backed up on a hill there is no chance that the equalization can keep up with angle change.
MM49
taken
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2014
Boxer Lovers wrote:
Tow Max tires used by DRV are not safe.

Unfortunately, the tires you bought aren't either... Good luck...
Boxer_Lovers
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
I had 5 Carlyle ST235/85R16's, 12 ply tires installed on the fifth wheel this morning. Pressure cold is 95 p.s.i. compared to 72# for Tow Max O.E.s. Much more substantial tire. Shame on DRV for cutting corners on this critical safety issue by using Chinese made Tow Max tires.

In preparation for a summer out west starting Friday, I filled up the truck and went to the CAT scale. The rig is 90% loaded for the trip so weights are close. The scale said I still have over 2,000 #s of axle capacity left on the 5er. Total weight is 3,000#s short of maximum weight capacity. No way should the O.E. tire have failed. No safe tire would have.

Tow Max tires used by DRV are not safe.
bighog01
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Get the Tow Max's off asap! I picked up a two year old toyhauler last month with these tires on it. I was nervous to drive it off the dealer lot. I kept my speed at 65mph and the tires were inflated properly. No visible dry rotting. Sure enough, halfway home i had one let go on me resulting in damage to the side of my new to me camper. I replaced with the Carlisle Radial RH's as i had good luck with them on my previous TT. Hopefully they hold up well on a heavy unit.
Boxer_Lovers
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Update: DRV is denying any responsibility for "tire issues" as they can happen on any rig with any brand. I can't say I'm surprised at thier decision. Most manufacturers will duck any claim if they think they can get away with it.

However you have to wonder what they were thinking when they specified these tires as original equipment knowing they would be stressed to their limits trying to pull a heavy trailer.

The tire dealer said the tire that failed was nearly worn out on the outside from tire scrubbing. There was no damage, just a broken belt and bad wear. Including delivery, the trailer has less than 5,000 miles. He also said the tire is dangerous and not strong enough to carry this heavy trailer.

Apparently DRV thought it was just fine when they placed the order for all those Chinese tires to be mounted on the Tradition. Owners be ware. Prospective DRV buyers be ware.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Towmax STR trailer tires are warranted for 5 years material/workmanship. Contact Towmax. Good luck.
PDX_Zs
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
Kind of a newbie here, but I am starting to get the impression that I shouldn't use the old tires off my '82 Camaro for my TT, right?

:-)

Sorry. Thought this thread could use a bit of levity.
taken
Explorer II
Jun 14, 2014
tsetsaf wrote:
As mentioned already you will be much better served moving up to a different wheel size. 17.5 commercial is the way to go. I am shocked drv outfitted their rig with Towmax tires I was under the impression that they are all about quality.

Glad your dealer has your needs in mind in recommending a tire he has in stock...

DRV uses 17.5's from the factory on Mobile Suites, Estates, and Estate Suites. Apparently their Tradition models didn't make the cut for decent tires... By the by, since the OP brought up Chinese junk, I believe all ST tires of any brand are now made in Asia. The only ones I would moderately trust are Maxxis which seem to have a good rep.
tsetsaf
Explorer III
Jun 14, 2014
As mentioned already you will be much better served moving up to a different wheel size. 17.5 commercial is the way to go. I am shocked drv outfitted their rig with Towmax tires I was under the impression that they are all about quality.

Glad your dealer has your needs in mind in recommending a tire he has in stock...
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jun 14, 2014
I am not going to let this thread deteriorate into a ST/LT tire debate! Please keep your remarks limited to the OP's questions. ALL others will be deleted or edited.
Barney

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Tow Max tire failure

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