Hello,I have barely 2000 miles total on my 2013 Travel Trailer (16 foot) which I bought new a little over a year ago. This week I noticed it was leaning in my driveway. Removed my tire cover and discovered I had a flat (we just returned from a weekend camping trip a couple of weeks ago that added about ~600 miles). I removed the tire today and this is what I found. I'm not sure if I hit something or if this is a tire defect (for such a new tire). I'm pretty sure my tire pressure was OK - I checked it personally. Is there anything that would cause something like this assuming I didn't hit something? Not just the steel belt radial tearing, but the side wall splitting and the uneven tread wear?Thanks!

Not a tire expert (or on much of anything else), but looking at the two tires side by side, the damaged tire looks really worn. Seems to me to be a lot more than it should for only 2000 miles.I'd have a look at your axle alignment.Then, there is always the Chinese ST tire issue to consider as well. You may have hit something, but I don't like the looks of the side wall split. That aside, way too much wear for such low mileage.

That tire looks like it has at least 10x more miles on it than 2000 compared to the unused spare ( I routinely put >20,000 miles on trailer tires and they don't look that worn out). Based on your described 2k miles and the picture those tires were significantly overloaded or under inflated to get in that condition over 2k miles.What is your axle rating, tire rating, and scaled RV weight.

I "think" you have 2 things going on. 1. There is extreme wear on the damaged tire if that is only 2,000 miles on a 1 year old tire. The wear maybe pointing to an axle or wheel alignment problem. If you look across the entire face of the tire there is extreme wear compared to the spare for 2,000 milesIs the entire 360 degree out side of that tire worn like that? More pics of the damaged tire on the opposite side will help show this. 2. A good question is, did the heavy wear cause the tire to come apart or does the tire itself have an issue? That side wall split is piece of this puzzle. Look at the other tires, especially the tire on the other end of the axle where this failed tire is. Consider reporting your tire failure to the NHTSA to help the cause of reporting camper tire failure to a group who can do something about it. See here for a post on how to How To File a Tire Failure Complaint And your tire dealer or RV dealer will not file one for you, the owner needs to file the report and you need complete info off the tire. Hope this helpsJohn

Wow - thanks everyone! That's something to go off of. Much appreciated.hmknightnc wrote:What is your axle rating, tire rating, and scaled RV weight.Here's the funny part (or not so funny part) - both of my Hi Run tires and the spare are ST175/80D13's, but the printed label on the side of TT calls for ST205/75D14C's! Could this be part of my problem?Cold tire pressure is 50 psi (I keep them at 50 psi and check often). GVWR is 3810 pounds, GAWR front is 3500 pounds.

If it is not a camber issue, or tire size issue. You might have picked up a nail, And driven a good part of that 600 miles on an severly under inflated tire. The wear pattern would seem to fit that idea as well. An under inflated tire runs hot, that will pretty well destroy the sidewall and the outside of the tread

Hi Run tire steel belt damage (Hi Run ST175/80D13) question

BarneyS
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2014
The OP has had his question answered and he has solved his problem. I have deleted several off topic remarks so seems it is time to close this one.
Barney
EnochLight
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Indeed. A big thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread - it really helped me get my issue addressed. As somewhat of a "noob" (this is only my second year of owning my first camper ever), I was sort of blurry on how to take the best course of action. Everyone's opinion and feedback was quite helpful!

I'm just glad my dealer/manufacturer got it handled (somewhat) quickly. From the day I started this thread, which is about a day after I noticed the issue, I had it addressed with new tires delivered to my front door within 24 days.

Whether anyone feels that's unnecessarily long or a reasonable amount of time is immaterial to me; I'm totally fine with the amount of time it took. Anyway - a big thanks to everyone once again!
EnochLight
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
gmw photos wrote:
EnochLight wrote:
*UPDATE*

........ Pretty cheap.......

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hi-Run-ST-Bias-Boat-Trailer-Tire-with-Wheel-Assembly-ST205-75D14-6-Ply-5L-Tire-Only/23573686

The two key words are there at the top.

Good luck with all that.....wishing you safe travels.

Thanks. I think I'm good - I ran the same brand and model tire in a 13" over 500-1000 pounds overweight for 2000 miles before one started to fail. Not too shabby! :)
gmw_photos
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
EnochLight wrote:
*UPDATE*

........ Pretty cheap.......

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hi-Run-ST-Bias-Boat-Trailer-Tire-with-Wheel-Assembly-ST205-75D14-6-Ply-5L-Tire-Only/23573686

The two key words are there at the top.

Good luck with all that.....wishing you safe travels.
EnochLight
Explorer
Jun 23, 2014
*UPDATE*

Just wanted to close this thread out and report that the manufacturer, Gulfstream, has shipped me three replacement tires + wheels directly to my doorstep. I received them today.

They are the correct size this time, made by the same manufacturer Hi Run and are ST205/75D14 LQ229's. They are rated at 1760 pounds each, which will safely support my loaded rig.

Taking into consideration that the wrong size and weight rating lasted as long as they did while being used, unbeknownst to me, completely overloaded, I expect the new ones to perform quite well! That said, I'm thankful that the odds favored me & my family and we didn't experience a critical failure (which could of resulted in death). I implore everyone looking to purchase a new rig to always check these things out before walking off the lot.

Cheers

*edit: for the record, these tires are sold at Walmart - with wheels - for just $85 a piece! Pretty cheap:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hi-Run-ST-Bias-Boat-Trailer-Tire-with-Wheel-Assembly-ST205-75D14-6-Ply-5L-Tire-Only/23573686
jaycocamprs
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
Good deal!!
EnochLight
Explorer
Jun 10, 2014
*UPDATE*

I received an email from my sales rep at the dealer on Friday the 6th. The manufacturer is sending them out 3 replacement tires that are the proper size and weight rating. Not sure how long this is going to take, though. My dealer is in Michigan; the RV is manufactured in Indiana which is only a few hours away.
patperry2766
Explorer II
Jun 10, 2014
I don't know if it matters to anyone or could help ease a purchase decision, but the Kuhmo tires that I just put on my trailer says "Made in Vietnam"

They sure look alot more solidly built and are heavier that the Chinese tires I replaced. I can only assume that the extra weight is what makes then 2271# and 99 mph rated, not that I plan on driving that fast, but it eases my mind know that the tires I replaced only had a 60 mph rating.
gmw_photos
Explorer
Jun 04, 2014
patperry2766 wrote:
Kuhmo Radial 857

The Kuhmo Radial 857 is the "stoutest" 205 75R 14 tire that I have been able to find. It is 2271 lbs @ 65psi and 99 mph speed rated.

The problem is that they are on national backorder of at least 12 weeks. Luckily enough, about 3 weeks ago I called the Kuhmo customer service department and they still had 6 available for sale in the entire USA. My next call was to the local Discount Tire to get them for me. They're not cheap either at $140 per tire.

I'm getting them put on Friday, and leaving for Colorado in July, so maybe after the trip I will be able to offer my totally uneducated but highly biased opinion.

As a bit of follow-on to that, from what I see on the tirerack site, it is only the 205 size that is one backorder. Many of the trailers that are being fitted with 205/75-14 ST tires from the factory might be able to use the 195 or 185 size Kumho. Bear in mind the K-ho 857 is a 82 series section height.
EnochLight
Explorer
Jun 04, 2014
*update*

So, the dealer has responded to my lengthy (and detailed) email and is in contact with the manufacturer, Gulfstream. We'll see how this plays out, but I have high hopes that either the dealer or the manufacturer will replace the tires with the correct ones. Just hoping it doesn't take too long, as I currently am paying a monthly payment for a 2500 pound (empty) paper weight in my driveway.

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