Defective Tires - Tomax

[jodeb720]

I thought I'd put this out there for all us towables. I'm one of those anal retentive guys who constantly inflates my tires close to the max at 7:00 am just to be sure my tires are cold.

So that I'm completely honest, the tires were manufactured in 2009, and I checked the manufacturing date - so they are just about 4 years old.

I've checked my axles to insure they are greased and my brakes are in working order.

On Friday, climbing mount shasta at about 3500 one of my tires blew out (and I mean Blew in half).

I pulled over, surveyed the cosmetic damage and then swapped the tire in the 100+ degree weather and headed into town for a replacement.

What I wanted was LT tires - after reading the threads here, but nobody (and I mean nobody) will put them on the trailer - unless I pull each tire and then bring in just the rim to the store to be swapped. They claim liability.

So.. after pulling into a well recommended store (les schwab is the local recommended retailer), I put on new Tomax's - but. when the guy was swapping the tires, he spun each of them (including my spare) and there were bulges and bumps all over each of my tires. That's just not right!

Needless to say, I swapped all 4 and kept the best of the originals (which will work in a pinch as a spare).

Before you take your next trip, jack up the trailer and check them for round - not just your bearings and brakes and tire pressure!

Josh

[96Bounder30E]

Closed!

[MEXICOWANDERER]

DIE!

TOPIC!

DIE!

[mena661]

Isn't it against forum rules to insult other members? I know I would appreciate the insults being left out. We CAN have a civil discussion about this without them. That said, I'm surprised I haven't gotten that label as I'm mostly satisfied (wish speed rating was higher) with the performance of my ST tires and have said so on a few occasions including this thread.

[Huntindog]

Back in Jan. you posted this:

Fasteagle wrote:
I’ve always used ST tires on my 14.1K fiver with 6000# axles. It came equipped with 3000# load capacity ST tires in LRD. We were full timing it and doing about 20K miles a year. Those LRD tires didn’t make the first year because they went pop, boom, bang, etc. Then I moved on up to the LRE at 3420#, same name brand. A couple of pops later I again increased the load capacity to 3520# and changed brands. Zero pops, booms, and bangs since then. They work just great when operated within their design envelope. I’m on a second complete set. Going to get some more just like them when we head south next month.

A few days ago, you are questioning me on my tire size/load rating..... Yet in your January post, you state that you did the same thing, even more so?

Kinda hard to take you seriously with your track record...
22 ST tires in 10 years, and still drinking the Koolaid.

Fasteagle wrote:
Haven't you actually put over-kill tires on 5200# axles?

[Huntindog]

FastEagle wrote:

Huntindog wrote:


I just returned from another trip.
No tire issues. I ran 75-77 MPH in 110+ tempertures.
With the right equipment, it can be done safely, and reliably.

Why would you use tires rated for 65 MPH when you’re constantly using them above that speed? All of their manufacturers will tell you that’s asking for early, possibly very early failures.

You are using tires to fit the conditions you personally choose to operate them at. Other RV trailer owners have great success with the ST designed tires when they choose to operate them within their designed parameters and keep them serviced accordingly.

FastEagle

You are making a ASSumption. You know what happens when you do that. I did NOT drive that fast when I had ST tires!
It was no use. The high Arizona heat may have had some effect on them. I can't do anything about the heat. But it doesn't seem to affect LT tires at all. Towing at higher speeds is now a luxury that I can indulge in.

[kedanie]

FastEagle wrote:

This is the official definition for Light Truck tires (LT), “Light truck (LT) tire means a tire designated by its manufacturer as primarily intended for use on lightweight trucks or multipurpose passenger vehicles.” as described in - look here.
FastEagle

OK, so Mr. know it all about tires "Internet Shill", the real question here is where is the regulations that say an LT tire can't be used on a RV trailer? I'm not talking about suggestions or recomendations, what we all want is a "REGULATION or LAW".

Keith

[kedanie]

FastEagle wrote:
Other RV trailer owners have great success with the ST designed tires when they choose to operate them within their designed parameters and keep them serviced accordingly.

FastEagle

Except for you! A stellar record of 22 ST tires in 10 years of use is not what I would term "great success". At least that is what you admit to. In all likelihood the number is probably quite higher.

Thanks to your "Internet Shill" business of actively promoting ST tires you must get quite a discount on tires. Otherwise, you would have gone broke with the sheer number of tires that you have gone through.

Intimidating newbie RV owners into repeating the error of ST tires is shameful.

Keith

[MEXICOWANDERER]

This whole thread is nuts IMHO

Like trying to argue a tire rated for 150 mph is absolutely wrong for 55 mph usage. Light truck tires go straight, they turn corners, they are designed to haul lots of weight, and to squeegee water on wet road surfaces.

The only issues in my opinion would be if the tire max pressure load capacity exceeded the strength of the wheel, and if added weight amounted to more unsprung weight ratio then the manufacturer calculated for his axle and shock absorber designs.

"My radiator is too big"
"I have too high a bank balance"
"The road is too smooth"

Physics should have been and should be now, mandatory in high school. Fail physics, no diploma. Has anyone who disputes the appropriateness of using LT tires on a trailer bothered to telephone or email a respectable manufacturer, such as COOPER TIRE? Something tells me they would have "The Clue"

[FastEagle]

Huntindog wrote:


I just returned from another trip.
No tire issues. I ran 75-77 MPH in 110+ tempertures.
With the right equipment, it can be done safely, and reliably.

Why would you use tires rated for 65 MPH when you’re constantly using them above that speed? All of their manufacturers will tell you that’s asking for early, possibly very early failures.

You are using tires to fit the conditions you personally choose to operate them at. Other RV trailer owners have great success with the ST designed tires when they choose to operate them within their designed parameters and keep them serviced accordingly.

FastEagle

[mena661]

I've been using ST tires for about 9 years now on my horse trailer. 7 years on the first set, two on the "new" set. My old 5er had two years on its ST tires before I sold the rig. I drive no faster than 60 mph and when it's well into the 100's, I drive 55 mph. The speed limit in CA for vehicles towing is 55 mph anyways so no big deal with the slow speeds. Another poster found some faster speed rated ST tires and I may try those out next time around.

[NHIrish]

My Goodyear G614 G rated tires are designated LT235/85R16 but are sold for "Even Wear In Demanding Trailer Applications". They are also rated for 75 mph.

I think the real problem in most tire situations is age and/or LOAD. Tires on trailers come low bid and low spec...barely sufficient and then we overload them, or the weight transfer of traveling places a transient load that is above spec and the cheap, low spec tire just can't take it.

I don't think we can point to any one thing or magic bullet or set of letters on a tire...

[Huntindog]

FastEagle wrote:

Huntindog wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:
Glad to hear you're so consistent about air- do you tow below 65mph too?

FYI:
No surprise that the tire shops wouldn't put LT's directly on the trailer. Smart/reputable shops refuse to do so because LT's are NOT designed for the use. Naturally, they don't want to be held responsible for such an application.

Don't know why so many folks take the rims in and have it done anyway...

Discount Tire has had no problem doing it for me.. In fact they are in full agreement with what I am doing, and think it is the smart thing to do..
And money talks. My last set of Michelins cost me about 1300.00
I WILL spend what it takes for reliable tires... Discount is smart to make the sale a pleasant experience.
Many TT owners and manufacturers look to do it on the cheap, as it's just a TT.

And we do it because it works.

The guy putting used LT tires on his TT may have been me. ( I have posted this before) I had a 3 year old set of Michelin RIBs on my 2001 TT. When I purchased my 2010 TT (new) it had some off brand ST tires on it. I swapped them with my Michelins as soon as I got it home.
Since I have owned MANY sets of ST tires, and NONE made it to the two year mark, I would rather have my 3 year old Michelin LTs than ANY new ST tire.
I replaced those Michelins due to age around 5-6 years...The first time in over twenty years that I replaced ANY TT tires due to age.

I just returned from another trip.
No tire issues. I ran 75-77 MPH in 110+ tempertures.
With the right equipment, it can be done safely, and reliably.


One more thing... Name calling such as the "WINGNUT" comment, doesn't make your opinion more valid....Just the opposite.

Haven't you actually put over-kill tires on 5200# axles?

FastEagle

When it comes to tires, there is no such thing as "overkill"

And I used the same approach on the MANY sets of ST tires I used to have.... In fact I ended up with LRE STs on 3500# axles on my last TT ....They still didn't make it a year.. Have had too many ST tire failures to count over about 15 years. Since switching to the Michelins in about 2006..... Zero. I can now tow safely with the flow of traffic. A much more relaxing experience.

One doesn't have to be a rolling roadblock on the road. All the banzai moves that others make trying to get around the snail put everyones life in danger... Do yourself and everyone else a favor favor and get equipment that is capable of running at highway speeds.

How safe can a tire rated at 65 MPH possibly be when running at its max constantly? Read the govt. testing standards for BOTH LTs and STs, for a real eye opener... Gotta warn ya though. Those that actually take the time to do this.... Will almost always be in the market for LT tires... Of course there will always be those that just won't believe facts.

[FastEagle]

fj12ryder wrote:
I think the Michelin ribs are rated to 3042 lbs. which would be 6000 lbs capacity on a 5200 lb. axle. I don't know that I would call that "overkill". And he can always drop the air pressure a tad for smoother ride if he wants and still be at capacity, and he can drive over 65 mph if he wants.

A G-rated tire at 3700 lbs. would definitely fit the definition. 🙂

OK, maybe you can explain what his rant is all about.

FE

[fj12ryder]

I think the Michelin ribs are rated to 3042 lbs. which would be 6000 lbs capacity on a 5200 lb. axle. I don't know that I would call that "overkill". And he can always drop the air pressure a tad for smoother ride if he wants and still be at capacity, and he can drive over 65 mph if he wants.

A G-rated tire at 3700 lbs. would definitely fit the definition. 🙂