Didn't Believe about the Chinese Tires

[Marauderer]

I went from Atlanta to Tampa this last weekend and blew two tires on the Puma. I had read about Chinese tires hand granading but said to myself that the folks hadn't checked the tire pressures, etc and I already had a couple thousand miles on mine with no problems. This last weekend changed all that. I lost two tires in the matter of hours and when I got to my destination the next day was spent getting 4 new Maxxis 8008 E rated 10 plys installed.

Wow, what a difference in handling alone. It sure made a believer out of me.

[brirene]

FTF1Geocacher wrote:
Is there a newer status than a Newbie. Yep. that would be me. I just got on RV.Net and I just got my first ever TT 18 footer. I just got new Chinese 10 ply tires for her. I hope they will last for a while and be dependable on upcoming road trips.

Welcome to the forum! Just follow the recommendations for your tires, keep them inflated where they should be, watch the speeds, cover them when not used for extended periods. Hopefully they'll give you years of good service.

[coolbreeze01]

Been running 10plys on trailers for 7 years. I don't notice any bounce, they run cool, and no flats.

[CKNSLS]

FTF1Geocacher wrote:
Is there a newer status than a Newbie. Yep. that would be me. I just got on RV.Net and I just got my first ever TT 18 footer. I just learned how to winterized her. Never gone camping in a TT or anything for that matter so this coming Spring will be my very first to take her out. I just got new Chinese 10 ply tires for her. I hope they will last for a while and be dependable on upcoming road trips. I enjoy reading all your comments because I am learning a lot from you.

Those 10 ply are going to bounce all over the road.

[FTF1Geocacher]

Is there a newer status than a Newbie. Yep. that would be me. I just got on RV.Net and I just got my first ever TT 18 footer. I just learned how to winterized her. Never gone camping in a TT or anything for that matter so this coming Spring will be my very first to take her out. I just got new Chinese 10 ply tires for her. I hope they will last for a while and be dependable on upcoming road trips. I enjoy reading all your comments because I am learning a lot from you.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

wincrasher65 wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
I tell folks buying a new or used RV to check the tires. Refuse to deal on the Rv unless the Chinese tires are replaced with a quality tire.

Kne

In a 14" or 15" size you will be hard pressed to find a ST tire not made in China. Many RV dealers will not put a truck tire on a trailer.

I wonder why not? With all my questioning, and researching on some of the links provided, all I get is people trying to economize.

In that, I mean trying to determine the exact minimum tire you can buy for your application, without spending any more than necessary.

But when I think about it, I always go back to the fact that tires is the one place on an RV that I don't want to scrimp and would like some healthy margin. What's wrong with buying 100% more tire than you "need"? Other than the cost, I've seen absolutely zero information on why you would not want to put on a tire with much higher load ratings than you could get away with.

This may be the reason why:

Tire Rack wrote:
Trailers will be more stable and pull better on tires designed specifically for trailer use. Since Special Trailer (ST) tires are constructed with heavier duty materials, they are tougher than typical passenger vehicle tires. This is a plus because trailer suspension systems are generally stiffer and less sophisticated than automotive suspension systems.

Link

[wincrasher65]

CKNSLS wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
I tell folks buying a new or used RV to check the tires. Refuse to deal on the Rv unless the Chinese tires are replaced with a quality tire.

Kne

In a 14" or 15" size you will be hard pressed to find a ST tire not made in China. Many RV dealers will not put a truck tire on a trailer.

I wonder why not? With all my questioning, and researching on some of the links provided, all I get is people trying to economize.

In that, I mean trying to determine the exact minimum tire you can buy for your application, without spending any more than necessary.

But when I think about it, I always go back to the fact that tires is the one place on an RV that I don't want to scrimp and would like some healthy margin. What's wrong with buying 100% more tire than you "need"? Other than the cost, I've seen absolutely zero information on why you would not want to put on a tire with much higher load ratings than you could get away with.

[hehbr]

I just put 13000 miles on my chinese tires during a recent trip to Alaska. Of course the tires say Goodyear on the side.

[Huntindog]

CKNSLS wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
I tell folks buying a new or used RV to check the tires. Refuse to deal on the Rv unless the Chinese tires are replaced with a quality tire.

Kne

In a 14" or 15" size you will be hard pressed to find a ST tire not made in China. Many RV dealers will not put a truck tire on a trailer.

and many will

[CKNSLS]

TXiceman wrote:
I tell folks buying a new or used RV to check the tires. Refuse to deal on the Rv unless the Chinese tires are replaced with a quality tire.

Kne

In a 14" or 15" size you will be hard pressed to find a ST tire not made in China. Many RV dealers will not put a truck tire on a trailer.

[TXiceman]

I tell folks buying a new or used RV to check the tires. Refuse to deal on the Rv unless the Chinese tires are replaced with a quality tire.

Kne

[FastEagle]

wincrasher65 wrote:
My new trailer is to be fitted with truck tires - I'm assuming 10 ply LT tires of some kind. It's a standard feature and not a request on my part.

What are the thoughts on doing this? The trailer GVWR is 7000 lbs, twin 3500 lbs axles.

My first thoughts is that they would be better tires than ST or trailer tires.

There are all sorts of tire retailers all up and down Wade Hampton Blvd. in Greer and Taylors. For a little over kill I’d look at the 225/70R15 LRD Goodyear Cargo rated at 2470# at 65 psi. It should easily fit into your wheel wells if you already have 15” tires.

FastEagle

[martipr]

dodge guy wrote:

jaycocreek wrote:
I've been towing since before Good Sam existed and in that time I have had one blow out pulling a RV. I never tow over 60 mph/always have my tires covered and use tire treatment regularly when I wash it and use it mostly over rocky washboardy roads.

I was at Les Schwab the other day and ask about this 3-5 year rule by the new RV clan. He looked at me like I was crazy but remember, this is a logging and ranching community. He basically said drive with caution and not like a bat out of heck and treat your tires like there supposed to be treated and they will last just fine without worry.

I agree.

Terrible advice! Sounds like simeone there needs to be brought up on how it is in the RV towing life.

Did you accept his advice without determining where he got his qualifications? Most of these Les Schwab, tire rack, etc, have no training except how to sell tires.

[JIMNLIN]

I do know it's a 16" BF Goodrich, but I don't know the exact size.
I'm assuming also these go to 80PSI for that max load, so inflation will be important to hold down any bounce from running too "hard". The axles also have shocks, which should help alot I imagine.

There are recalls on the BFG Commercial T/A in the LT235/85-16 E and LT245/75-16 E http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/voluntary-safety-recall.page.
If those BFG tires you mention are the Commercial TA make sure their the new BFG Commercial T/A "2" all seasons which is the latest upgraded tires from BFG.

I use the BFG Commercial in a LT215/85-16 E at 2680 lbs capacity on my 11200 lb 5er/5200 lb axles. Great tires. I have 45k + miles on the second set. The first set ran 7 years and 55k miles with no issues.

Also the LT225/75-16 E are shorter if you need the room and has 2680 lbs capo
acity.

[larry_barnhart]

Not a problem for me. NO China made tires.

chevman

[ReneeG]

rbpru wrote:
I guess from these 7 pages of posts, it is up to the individual to choose which Third World Nation they want to produce their tires.

Really confusing but I will be digging into the LT vs. ST, China vs. non-China, load range upgrading etc. in the next couple of years; so I enjoy these posts.

Save yourself some time and go straight to the expert - Roger Marble and his RV Tire Safety blog. I listed the link in this thread.