Tire warning

[mike_mck]

This is just a heads up from an issue from last weekend.

Son rented a 31 foot TT for a weekend with wife and daughters. Great time was had by all.
Now the bad part.

Trailer had 4 Tow Master tires that had been on the trailer for 1 year with a 9/11 DOT date. Rental facility bought at Discount tires.

Passenger side rear blew out on the way back to the rental yard. Damaged the trailer in the process. Son worked for discount for a time while training to be a Master tech. Called his old store which is just off a major freeway used to get to and from the mountains.

He was told Discount stopped buying the tow masters in 2011 when manufacturer moved its manufacturing facility to China.
Also shared he had 11 failed tow masters with damage claims from the holiday weekend.
2 cautions here.
1. If you are running the tow masters they may be a ticking time bomb.
2. The discount manager was very pleasant and was more than willing to enter a claim with the manufacturer as well as send the tire to Green ball the manufacturer. The issue was his statement that Discount was not involved as they did not manufacture the tire and had no responsibility. He took this position prior to even looking at the tire. Sounded like a scripted response which may be based on the # of these tires failing.
This is just a description of my experience and not a general condemnation of discount tire.

[Atlee]

Kumho 857Radials at 195 14D's are for trailers, and are made in Korea. Their 205's are made in Viet Nam and China.

Bob Landry wrote:
I'm putting Maxxis 10 ply tires on my trailer next weekend. I know they are STs but they are the only ST tires not made in China(Asian, yes, but not chinese), plus they have a load rating far above my current Road Rider tires. I was asking the guy at Discount tire about ST tire speed rating and tire failure. The explanation that I got was that the tires are not gong to come apart simply by running faster than 65. They are not intended to do so, but occasionally and for short periods of time is certainly not going to destroy them. His explanation for frequent tire pressure is because of running them under inflated. Not only does it generate heat at that time, but it also begins to break down the sidewall and that is something that may not show up immediately. His recommendation, and what I always do is run all of my tires at full pressure. We have engineer types that have time on their hands to calculate tire pressure based on load range,weights, temperature coefficients, and chemical makeup of the rubber, and all of that stuff that they like to sit around and read, but it's much easier to run them at max pressure and move on to fun activities.. I've never created a problem doing that, and will continue to do it.. YMMV.

[JJBIRISH]

Not that it is important here but is Greenball really a manufacture or importer of trailer tires???

Greenball began in 1976 in California as an importer and wholesaler of specialty tires…

As automobile tire demand grew in the 80’s Greenball continued concentrating exclusively on specialty tires, expanding its line to include tires for trailers and ATVs.

In the 90’s when RV and equipment manufacturers began requiring tire suppliers to provide them with wheel assemblies instead of just tires Greenball began sourcing and importing specialty wheels also, and put more emphasis on the ATV market by the late 90”s began dabbling in motor sports…

Completely focused in the specialty tire market, I have read Greenball has grown to over 150 employees now, they IMHO have always been importers and not manufactures although they do claim to be manufactures on their website, I think it’s because they now design and spec some of their own tires they may be categorized as a manufacture but I believe all manufacturing is still done under contract in China and throughout Asia…

I am glad you son is getting a refund and is out of the picture…

The sad part is it seems to be more profitable to pay the claims, than to build a good tire to start with…
Even sadder (if that’s a word) is the DOT certification allows for these poorly built tires to be imported and sold for use on our highways, and there is no sign they will change that any time soon, and we don’t have lobbyist working for us…
It’s on us to make good tires, wheels, and running gear a deal breaker when we buy or nothing will change or get any better… it is certainly more important than the etched glass cabinet doors and hidden pop-up or folding tv mounts…

[mike_mck]

Well a little update on the tale of the tow masters.
We got a call from the rental company and they have returned our $1000.00 deductible as their attorneys agreed the damage was not neglect and the fault of a defective tire. They are going after Discount for the damage on the 4 rental units caused by tire failure on the same weekend and replacement of an additional 90 tires in their rental fleet.
The good news is we are out of it with no financial loss other than my son and his family are now hooked on camping and are looking for a travel trailer.:S

[westend]

Thanks for the heads up on the Greenball Towmasters.

My respect-o-meter went way down with the franchise tire dealers after I tried to enforce my Lifetime Road hazard Warranty that I paid extra for when the tires were new. I had a Bridgestone Dueler develop a sidewall bulge and brought the tire in. I was told the tire was almost at it's 4 year death schedule so the Lifetime was basically ended. Explanation that I thought the warranty was for my lifetime and not the tire's fell on deaf ears.

[Bob_Landry]

I'm putting Maxxis 10 ply tires on my trailer next weekend. I know they are STs but they are the only ST tires not made in China(Asian, yes, but not chinese), plus they have a load rating far above my current Road Rider tires. I was asking the guy at Discount tire about ST tire speed rating and tire failure. The explanation that I got was that the tires are not gong to come apart simply by running faster than 65. They are not intended to do so, but occasionally and for short periods of time is certainly not going to destroy them. His explanation for frequent tire pressure is because of running them under inflated. Not only does it generate heat at that time, but it also begins to break down the sidewall and that is something that may not show up immediately. His recommendation, and what I always do is run all of my tires at full pressure. We have engineer types that have time on their hands to calculate tire pressure based on load range,weights, temperature coefficients, and chemical makeup of the rubber, and all of that stuff that they like to sit around and read, but it's much easier to run them at max pressure and move on to fun activities.. I've never created a problem doing that, and will continue to do it.. YMMV.

[mike_mck]

A little update to the tire saga. The rental company had 4 more trailers come in within the next 2 days with the same issue of tire failures of Tow Master tires. All with a 2011 manufacture date.
Interesting cowinkydink.
Of course we all must draw our own conclusions.

[Turbo_Diesel_Du]

My new 2013 Forest River Flagstaff came listed at 7400 lbs dry and load Range C tires. I put on Maxxis E's after 50 miles to be safe. Leaving in the AM for Alaska to spend the summer. JMHO

[mike_mck]

donn0128 wrote:
ST tires are notorious for premature failures. Speed is a contributing factor. Ill bet someone towed that rental trailer over 65 MPH at one time or another. Heat is another factor along with just plane poor quality control. Hope he gets out of the mess without having to pay a lot.

Was insured so biggest risk is $1000.00. We do live in AZ so heat could be a factor.

Your point on speed is well taken. He and I tow a 37 foot goose neck enclosed race trailer. The goose neck is stable as can be. I just can't imagine towing a 31 ft bumper pull 75 MPH. :S

[powderman426]

Although this wont help anyone renting a unit, I am a firm believer in a TPMS. I just really doubt that many tires just explode without warning. I would bet that in MOST ALL cases the tire either goes low on air or heats up before it does the damage. JMO

[mike_mck]

brirene wrote:
Also possible that tires on a 31' rental may have been up and over many curbs, hit road debris, run with low pressure, run at 75 mph, etc. Although the Towmasters qualify for the MIC designation, I've seen posts here from some who have gotten good service from them. Just sayin'...

As mentioned this was just my experience. Also note the manufacturing site was moved to China. Good service tires could have been prior to the move to China. This is why I mention the DOT date. Again just a caution. Choices are your own. Discount had enough issues to stop buying them and replacing with Carlisle's.

Tire was inspected and no abuse was found and Discount replaced at no charge.

[brirene]

Also possible that tires on a 31' rental may have been up and over many curbs, hit road debris, run with low pressure, run at 75 mph, etc. Although the Towmasters qualify for the MIC designation, I've seen posts here from some who have gotten good service from them. Just sayin'...

[donn0128]

ST tires are notorious for premature failures. Speed is a contributing factor. Ill bet someone towed that rental trailer over 65 MPH at one time or another. Heat is another factor along with just plane poor quality control. Hope he gets out of the mess without having to pay a lot.