BurbMan wrote:
UPDATE:
Thought I would come back here and close the loop on this. The new Goodyear ST tires are VERY pricey, so I opted for another low-budget set of LT225/75-16E from the local Mavis Tire. The Brand is Taiga, made by Vee Rubber, made in Thailand. Even still it was $600 out the door, about $200 cheaper than a set of the Goodyear Endurance STs.
Taking the old tires off was a real eye opener...I got new rims, so I had the tire shop mount the new tires on the new rims, and put them on the trailer at home. I also replaced the Trail Air equalizers and greased the suspension.
This is what the suspect tire looked like on the trailer:

Once I got it off and put it next to the rear one you get a different view:

Hard to believe these two tires are the same size. The other front tire was starting to do the same which was why I replaced the equalizers, they were worn out and shifting too much of the load to the front axle and overloading the front tires.
I also saw this from my TPMS, where the front tires were running 10* hotter than the rear ones. Now back in business and ready for the next trip!
Hi Don,
From what I have seen on my ST and LT tire failures of detachment of the belts and tread, I'm not seeing how the worn out equalizer caused the belt to let go in that tire. How did you come to that conclusion? May learn something new here and looking forward to it.
I would point more to an interply shear issue from the tandem axle turns trying to rip the treads off the tire.
Have you weighed the camper lately?
I know money is always tight, but I'll pass this along on the tires you have now. Starting at year 3 of them, do a spin test looking for an out of round tire at the start of every spring there after. Just because they are LT tires does not mean excessive interply shear is not lurking in the background.
I went with the Bridgestone Duravis R238's LT225/75R16 LR E's after the BFG Commercial TA's failed. Not the less expensive way, but after flying tread tore the camper apart, and already doing a 16" LT upgrade, going as bullet proof as you can is worth it when the pain gets high enough. Here is that post. I need to give an update.
LT Tire Replacements - All seasonHappy camping this year.
John