Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I bought a new Hitchhiker fifth wheel in May 2007. It came equipped from the factory with Uniroyal Laredo LT235/85 R16 tires in Load Range E. I would never have purchased those tires myself but figured I'd use them for three years or so then replace them with Michelins. That turned out to be a mistake. My decision was influenced by comments posted on the Hitchhiker website by the NuWa CEO who claimed that they have good luck with the Uniroyal tires on several models.
Well, Monday (yesterday) afternoon about 4 p. m. New Mexico time I was humming along I-40 eastbound at about 65 mph with a good tailwind on my way home from May Madness. 7. 6 miles west of the Santa Rosa exit where US 84 turns south toward home the left rear tire of the trailer threw its tread and then the tire blew out. I stopped immediately and inspected the damage. The tire carcass was already destroyed and the tread, in one long piece, was wrapped around the trailer axle and wedged down in the narrow opening between the shock and the brake backing plate. The wheel skirt around the tire openings was damaged and so was a trim panel on the leading edge of the entertainment slide out and the skirt panel on the bottom of the slide. I limped the rig along the shoulder for five miles with cars and vans whizzing by only 3 feet away at 75-80 mph until I reached the first Santa Rosa exit. Safely removed from the interstate I replaced the failed tire with the spare and continued home.
The tires are not overloaded. I scale weighed the rig on the trip to May Madness and found 10,820# on the trailer tires. LT235/85R16 LRE tires are rated at 3,042# per tire at 80psi. They were inflated to 80 psi and have always been properly inflated. The tires have approximately 15,000 miles on them and show no irregular wear. The trailer has been used regularly so has not sat idle on the tires for longer than several weeks at a time since new.
The first thing I did this morning was take the trailer to my local SAM's Club and have a set of Michelin XPS Ribs installed. When my tire installer friends removed the Uniroyals they found a long tread bulge on another tire of the set. The carcas was already beginning to shed its tread.
I have initiated a claim for damage to Uniroyal but don't know if I will be successful.
I have added Uniroyals to my long list of tires I would never use on a heavy travel trailer. The only tires not on my "never use" list are Michelins and BFG Commercial LT tires.
I would recommend against using Uniroyal Laredo light truck tires on a heavy trailer. Mine failed with low mileage and less than one year of service. They were properly maintained and never abused.
Well, Monday (yesterday) afternoon about 4 p. m. New Mexico time I was humming along I-40 eastbound at about 65 mph with a good tailwind on my way home from May Madness. 7. 6 miles west of the Santa Rosa exit where US 84 turns south toward home the left rear tire of the trailer threw its tread and then the tire blew out. I stopped immediately and inspected the damage. The tire carcass was already destroyed and the tread, in one long piece, was wrapped around the trailer axle and wedged down in the narrow opening between the shock and the brake backing plate. The wheel skirt around the tire openings was damaged and so was a trim panel on the leading edge of the entertainment slide out and the skirt panel on the bottom of the slide. I limped the rig along the shoulder for five miles with cars and vans whizzing by only 3 feet away at 75-80 mph until I reached the first Santa Rosa exit. Safely removed from the interstate I replaced the failed tire with the spare and continued home.
The tires are not overloaded. I scale weighed the rig on the trip to May Madness and found 10,820# on the trailer tires. LT235/85R16 LRE tires are rated at 3,042# per tire at 80psi. They were inflated to 80 psi and have always been properly inflated. The tires have approximately 15,000 miles on them and show no irregular wear. The trailer has been used regularly so has not sat idle on the tires for longer than several weeks at a time since new.
The first thing I did this morning was take the trailer to my local SAM's Club and have a set of Michelin XPS Ribs installed. When my tire installer friends removed the Uniroyals they found a long tread bulge on another tire of the set. The carcas was already beginning to shed its tread.
I have initiated a claim for damage to Uniroyal but don't know if I will be successful.
I have added Uniroyals to my long list of tires I would never use on a heavy travel trailer. The only tires not on my "never use" list are Michelins and BFG Commercial LT tires.
I would recommend against using Uniroyal Laredo light truck tires on a heavy trailer. Mine failed with low mileage and less than one year of service. They were properly maintained and never abused.
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