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Brockc's avatar
Brockc
Explorer
May 28, 2016

Westlake Tires

Just bought a 2013 33' Salem Hemisphere. Currently has Westlake Super ST ST225/75R15 D Rated tires on it. Would appreciate any information on these tires based on personal experience or word of mouth.

The tires appear to be in very good shape. The TT has always been parked under a hard cover.

Have a fairly long trip to FL coming up soon, and would like to prevent trouble before it starts if possible.

thanks
  • Don't have any personal experience, but they do contain a nylon cap over lay to deal with high temperatures.

    However, find the date codes on the tires. They could be 4 years old.
  • The WestLake Super ST tires are standard on Grand Design RVs (Solitude, Reflection, Momentum, etc.). The 16" load range E set that came on our fifth wheel served us well until a large bolt or piece of rebar took one out and another had unusual wear from axle alignment issues. I would have used them until they either aged out or wore out had two of them not needed replacement, anyway. As I had planned to do, I replaced them with Sailun load range G tires a couple of months ago. You will read failure stories about any Chinese-made trailer tire (and all but a very few ST tires are made in China these days), but the WestLakes seem to be a cut above most.

    Rob
  • My double axle has Westlake tires on. Same size as you. On the two on the rear axle I have wear that is severe. I've had the axles checked and spoke to two truck/trailer experts and their advice was to move to a higher ply (10-12) and one suggested Maxxis and the other suggested anything else but Westlake. I have some other personal issues that have to come first and then make my decision. There was a recent thread about TT tires and lots of issues cited with "China Bombs." I'm going to get the best I can find But they will be a higher ply.
  • We have them on our 5er, it came with them. So far no issues nor have I read about any. I wish I had load range E though for a little extra buffer in the load capacity.
  • I bought a set last year and no issues. In fact they are a huge improvement over my old tires, which were junk. My boss's son runs them on two different enclosed band trailers all around the country, and they get good service
  • Our Solaire has them. We're entering our fourth full season with the camper with several thousand miles on the tires. The only issue we had was that I noticed dry rot on the valve stems a year after we purchased the camper new from the dealer. They replaced the valves for me no charge.

    I'm glad you asked this question, I've been wondering about them myself.
  • My main reason for purchase was they were one of only a few tires available in size I wanted:
    185/80R13 Load Range D in radial. Good for 1,710 pounds at 65psi.
    Previous tires were:
    175/70D13 Load Range C in Bias.. Good for 1,360 pounds at 50psi.
    I know that doesn't automatically increase my load capacity but I didn't like having the tires being the week link. Axle tag rating was 3,200 pounds