My tire story - Big O tires

[2oldman]

Last October, on my way north, I had 4 tires replaced on my 5er at the Big O in Nephi UT. They put on LTs.

Fast forward to one month ago, in WA. One of the tires is showing significant ozone cracking near the rim. The others are showing that also, but not nearly as bad as the one. I called the Nephi store, and was told to take it to any Big O. I took it to the Kennewick WA store.

The store manager examined the tires, and conceded that the one tire was a warrantable replacement. He said they don't have that tire in stock (of course) but, he emphatically said that my trailer should have ST's on it. He also went so far as to say that if any of his employees had put LTs on, he'd be fired. The manager said he could replace all the tires for the bargain basement price of $500. Uh, ok, the tire is warrantable, but you want to upsell me tires?? I didn't care for that offer, I thanked him, and left with the same tires I came in with.

I called the Kennewick store back yesterday. I asked if the one tire could be replaced. The manager wanted his boss to look at it. I'm 100 miles from there, so we agreed pictures would be ok. After a couple days, the boss said pretty much the same thing... I needed ST tires. I immediately called the Nephi store and spoke to the manager, who said he'd be contacting the Kennewick store.

You wouldn't think this would be that difficult.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Stranger wrote:
My Big O experience.

2005, moving from CA to IN. Wanted to put 3 tires on the boat trailer. Went to Big O. Got 'em done. Don't remember the price or size. Fast forward to our arrival in Greenfield, IN. Wife was driving the lowered 1 ton, pulling the boat. I had the Fiver. The SPARE tire carrier on the boat trailer blew up and the SPARE was dragged on the pavement for about 30 miles.

Wore a hole about the size of my fist. Took it to the Big O in town, was told to come back tomorrow. Came back to pick up my tire/wheel. Asked "How much?", was told, "Nothing, ROAD HAZARD covered it. Have a nice day".

Flabbergasted? Yes. Will I go back to Big O. Yes. In fact I already have for 4 on the Envoy and soon for 4 for the Durango.

Actually your experience should be SOP....why not?

GY (& dealers) regularly replace Marathons that "blow up" - with more of the same.....and usually GY pays to repair damage to trlrs caused by the tire/s.
(Even though the standard "line" -including court testimony by GY- is the tires were run with inadequate pressure, run too hot, too fast, or ...damaged due to road hazards).

Happy ST Marathon owners..:C
(What's a little "down time"??)

BTW - since you and/or the DW can't remember much about your tires - or what's happening "back there" - maybe a TPMS would be a good plan...:@


~

[Stranger]

My Big O experience.

2005, moving from CA to IN. Wanted to put 3 tires on the boat trailer. Went to Big O. Got 'em done. Don't remember the price or size. Fast forward to our arrival in Greenfield, IN. Wife was driving the lowered 1 ton, pulling the boat. I had the Fiver. The SPARE tire carrier on the boat trailer blew up and the SPARE was dragged on the pavement for about 30 miles.

Wore a hole about the size of my fist. Took it to the Big O in town, was told to come back tomorrow. Came back to pick up my tire/wheel. Asked "How much?", was told, "Nothing, ROAD HAZARD covered it. Have a nice day".

Flabbergasted? Yes. Will I go back to Big O. Yes. In fact I already have for 4 on the Envoy and soon for 4 for the Durango.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

2oldman wrote:
Tire replaced. I removed the wheel/tire and took it on a 200 mile round trip. They replaced it within an hour, which was good. They weren't happy about it, and said if I had any more trouble, the Nephi store would have to deal with it.

Congratulations - Persistence pays off!..:C

Too bad it req'd a month - and a 200 mile RT.

~

[2oldman]

Tire replaced. I removed the wheel/tire and took it on a 200 mile round trip. They replaced it within an hour, which was good. They weren't happy about it, and said if I had any more trouble, the Nephi store would have to deal with it.

[2oldman]

Just got off the phone with "Jesse" at Big O in Kennewick.

He's agreed, although somewhat reluctantly, to replace the one cracked LT tire, which I said was ok with me. He wanted to replace all 4 with STs, but not for free. The OEM sticker on the coach specified LTs, so he said ok.

I guess what this comes down to is the personal preference (and maybe store policy) of what kind of tires to put on a trailer.

I was getting nowhere with emails. Sometimes a good old phone call is the best way to deal with some businesses. He apologized for this taking so long, which I appreciated. It shouldn't be this difficult.

[laknox]

2oldman wrote:

gkainz wrote:
this has been around forever, and it's only getting worse

In that cartoon I don't see the back-up beeper...the loudest and most obnoxious noise at a construction site.

That's when the horse farts.

Lyle

[2oldman]

gkainz wrote:
this has been around forever, and it's only getting worse

In that cartoon I don't see the back-up beeper...the loudest and most obnoxious noise at a construction site.

[NC_Hauler]

Me Again wrote:
If ST tires did not fail at the rate they do, we would not be having the conversation. To all that think ST are the way to go I say enjoy, just do not come back whining that the side of your trailer is ripped to pieces when one fails for no apparent reason other than that is what they do way to often.

I am not a great fan of poly carcass LT's on heavier trailers. The XPS Rib or R250 do much better with their steel ply sidewalls. Find a post about one of those two failing. They have a better track record than the GY G614.

The real issue is why are people being forced to continue to use substandard ST tires?

Chris

Will agree with your assessment on those tires Chris. Since 05-06, GY G614's seem to be a better tire..I've had zero issues with mine and again, the one that did "throw it's tread" was a product of a weak spring pack that only allowed about 1" of clearance between the top of the tire and the wheel well of the 5er( build date on tires were 0606).....so I've been using G614's since 07 and no failures due to bad actual tire failures.

[NC_Hauler]

JIMNLIN wrote:

taken wrote:
To further the confusion, what are my Goodyear G614's? They were LT and still have "LT" in the official sizing info but if you look at Goodyear's site it states their "position" as trailer. I was arguing for LT tires on another forum and a guy pointed out that my tires were now ST. LOL. I love em either way...

The things we hear on the net LOL.
This short email from Goodyear to my question "what does the RST stand for" on your G614 tires.

From: goodyear_cr@goodyear.com on 05/07/2014 02:38 PM

Sent by: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Consumer Relations 728 200
Innovation Way Akron, OH 44316-0001 Voice #: 800.321.2136 Fax #:
330.796.6829

Thank you for contacting our web site. RST for "Regional Service Trailer"
is correct.

Jennifer - Consumer Relations.

The G614 is what it says it is and a LT used for regional service trailer.

Similar situation with the new euro all position tires used for vans/trucks and trailers. Some misinformed folks say their a ST tire even when the tire maker tells us they are not.

I had an almost verbatim e-mail from Goodyear also when I personally questioned if they were actually LT tires...So that's what I call them, the exact same thing Goodyear calls them.

[2oldman]

After a week's time, I emailed the guy in Kennewick. He replied promptly and asked, again, what the tire size was so they will have some ready for me.

I've asked what the details are so I will (hopefully) know exactly what they're doing before I get there.

[gkainz]

tinner12002 wrote:
I think all or most tire stores are watching more about what tire/size that came on the item that the tires are being put on and not wanting to stray from that because of the liability that is involved.
That would or could be a nasty lawsuit for both the trailer owner and the tire store if an LT tire blew out on a trailer that was suppose to only have ST tires and caused an accident causing a death. I'm betting the courts would rule in the victims favor that ST tires should have been on that trailer.
Just my .02 and something I always try to keep in mind.

My opinion also ... more lawyering up on everything in our life ...

this has been around forever, and it's only getting worse

[Me_Again]

If ST tires did not fail at the rate they do, we would not be having the conversation. To all that think ST are the way to go I say enjoy, just do not come back whining that the side of your trailer is ripped to pieces when one fails for no apparent reason other than that is what they do way to often.

I am not a great fan of poly carcass LT's on heavier trailers. The XPS Rib or R250 do much better with their steel ply sidewalls. Find a post about one of those two failing. They have a better track record than the GY G614.

The real issue is why are people being forced to continue to use substandard ST tires?

Chris

[JIMNLIN]

tinner12002 wrote:
I think all or most tire stores are watching more about what tire/size that came on the item that the tires are being put on and not wanting to stray from that because of the liability that is involved.
That would or could be a nasty lawsuit for both the trailer owner and the tire store if an LT tire blew out on a trailer that was suppose to only have ST tires and caused an accident causing a death. I'm betting the courts would rule in the victims favor that ST tires should have been on that trailer.
Just my .02 and something I always try to keep in mind.

Keep in mind we used light truck and P tires on our trailers years before ST tires were ever made.
If your theory was true then why do trailer makers use P and LT tires as OEM ...... and have since folks have pulled trailers.

Hell a 11500 GVWR Domani 5th wheel trailer used a P285/50/20R Goodyear Fortena on it as a option and was placarded on the trailer that way. One member couldn't find a replacement for the 20" P tires as Goodyear no longer made the tire.

[tinner12002]

I think all or most tire stores are watching more about what tire/size that came on the item that the tires are being put on and not wanting to stray from that because of the liability that is involved.
That would or could be a nasty lawsuit for both the trailer owner and the tire store if an LT tire blew out on a trailer that was suppose to only have ST tires and caused an accident causing a death. I'm betting the courts would rule in the victims favor that ST tires should have been on that trailer.
Just my .02 and something I always try to keep in mind.