Another Tire Brand To Avoid

[seafish]

Something to be aware of is the date that the tire was manufactured, which is shown by week and year. Example, 345, meams 34th week of 2005. A tire starts to deteriorate from the date it was made. It is recommended that ST tires be replaced 3 years from date of manufactured and LT tires be replaced 6 years from date of manufactured. My source of information are from Consumer Reports, segment on the Today Show and a recent article in the newspaper. Some tires were known to be as much as 8 years old when they were sold at new prices. So it is possible that an XPS Rib can go bad from the start.

Heres a link to the story about old tires being sold as new--



Aged Tires Sold as 'New' by Big Retailers

 

[Grizzly]

Heres a link to the story about old tires being sold as new--



Aged Tires Sold as 'New' by Big Retailers

Thanks for the link CFish. I did see that program on ABC's 20/20.

 

[Teacher]

How do you know what the correct temperature should be for the trailer tires? (using an infrared gun). Same question for the trailer hubs?

 

[Grizzly]

How do you know what the correct temperature should be for the trailer tires? (using an infrared gun). Same question for the trailer hubs?

What your looking for is one tire that is much hotter then the rest, which could indicate an under inflated tire or something else going on with it. Same thing with a trailer hub. If find one much hotter then the others, it could be a problem with a bearing or something else going on.

 

[HBarlow]

Uniroyal tires are a "sister" to BF Goodrich only because Micheliin owns both Uniroyal and BFGoodrich. The tires are not similar in any way other than they are both black, round, and made of rubber.



I will not use another Uniroyal. If you like them that is your decision.

 

[Grizzly]

Uniroyal tires are a "sister" to BF Goodrich only because Micheliin owns both Uniroyal and BFGoodrich. The tires are not similar in any way other than they are both black, round, and made of rubber.



I will not use another Uniroyal. If you like them that is your decision.

Harvey, did you know the manufactured date stamped on the tires. I realize you don't have them anymore.

 

[fest3er]

One thing to remember is that trailer mfrs use the cheapest tires they can buy. Once you get a year out of the OEM tires on a trailer, t'ro' 'em out and get real tires. Also be aware of another difference: bias-ply vs. radial ply. Radials generally run cooler and generally last longer.

I got real lucky last year with the OEM bias-ply tires on a trailer out in Utah. Both treads had separated in the middle, one had a 2" diameter chunk of rubber missing from the inside sidewall, and the rubber was separating in the bottom of the tread grooves. I *might* have made it 100 miles further down the road with those junk tires.

When I moved to VA, I borrowed a 16' enclosed trailer. I pumped the tires up to their maximum pressure, made the run down here and back to IL. Not a week or two later, two or three of the four tires failed.

Of course, some of us could only hope to be as lucky as SSL, our beloved lead moderator. I believe he got 14 years out of the OEM tires on his trailer before losing one.

Whilst you are measuring temps, check the hub/bearing temps as well. Excessive temp in one bearing is a good indication that that bearing is failing, has already failed or desperately needs grease.

 

[WKruger]

Heres a link to the story about old tires being sold as new--



Aged Tires Sold as 'New' by Big Retailers

Like how the one salesman told them their suppose to get rid of them every 6-7 years, use it for a spare only. But still sold it to them.

 

[surfbeetle]

Don't forget to check the valve stems. The rubber ones are only good up to about 40-50 psi. I put 80 psi into my truck's tires, you want the metal valve stems for that. Probably better to have them on the trailer as well.



I had a tire separate years ago on a single axle 5th wheel that I had. I had gotten the tires from Discount Tire in San Diego and had run them four years, but low miles when it failed. Fortunately Discount replaced the bad tire under warranty so I was able to get back home with no added expense. The tread took out the black tank, plumbing and put a large hole in the next to the inverter. The wiring got trashed as well. We got rid of the trailer after that one.

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey, did you know the manufactured date stamped on the tires. I realize you don't have them anymore.

Grizzly,



Yes, they were 4805 which was about December 1, 2005. I didn't like that but NuWa had already changed at my request from a set of Mission (Communist Chinese) tires to US made so I accepted them w/o complaint but with some doubt. The date shouldn't have been a huge issue because the tires were stored in a warehouse, protected from damaging UV rays.



I considered towing right to my local SAM's Club for a set of Michelins when I got it home but thought I could maybe get a couple of years of service from them. Turned out to be a bad decision.



Harvey

 

[10-9jc]

Suggest Michelin XPS Ribs.
If you have 15 inch wheels, consider going to 16 inch.

The majority of tire failure is caused by under-inflation.
This can/could happen, even if you just checked air pressure
(and/or heat check) fifteen minutes previously.

You want to know *immediately* when a tire begins to lose pressure!
Solution is Pressure Pro monitoring system or similar.
Will alert you to a tire losing pressure. Also you can check
pressure while going down the road.

Pricey -but the first tire failure -and possibly resultant damage
from same- will make it worthwhile.

Search it out on RV Net - lots and lots of happy users (me too).
JC

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly,



Yes, they were 4805 which was about December 1, 2005. I didn't like that but NuWa had already changed at my request from a set of Mission (Communist Chinese) tires to US made so I accepted them w/o complaint but with some doubt. The date shouldn't have been a huge issue because the tires were stored in a warehouse, protected from damaging UV rays.



I considered towing right to my local SAM's Club for a set of Michelins when I got it home but thought I could maybe get a couple of years of service from them. Turned out to be a bad decision.



Harvey

I don't believe you made a bad decision. The tires were manufactured in November or December 05, US made, 16" LR "E". I would have tried to make them last at least 3 years. They had to be 10, 20 time better the communist China tires. I would have thought that they were much older than they were. It doesn't speak well for Uniroyal.

 

[HBarlow]

Grizzly,



Yeah, I agree. I was disappointed with them.



Harvey

 

[KcoleKennyc]

Have never blown a Michelin tire of any size. Blew 3 B. F. Goodrich in one summer on my dual tandem gooseneck. It wasn't overloaded and the tires weren't old. One of them shredded with only 4,000 lbs. on the trailer. It took out some wires and made a mess. Michelin's are high but well worth it. Also had some that wouldn't balance on wife's truck. Add the Goodrich to your list.

 

[HBarlow]

Have never blown a Michelin tire of any size. Blew 3 B. F. Goodrich in one summer on my dual tandem gooseneck. It wasn't overloaded and the tires weren't old. One of them shredded with only 4,000 lbs. on the trailer. It took out some wires and made a mess. Michelin's are high but well worth it. Also had some that wouldn't balance on wife's truck. Add the Goodrich to your list.

kcole,



I agree with your comment that Michelins are high but well worth it. I'd like to add this analysis of per mile cost to your comment:



When I was transporting RVs and averaging 135,000 miles or more a year I used nothing but Michelins purchased from SAM's Club. I found that six Michelins were expensive at purchase time as you said but if I did the arithmetic they actually cost only $0. 01/mile... ... that's a little over one penny per mile. NOt bad for the best tires money can buy.

 

[HBarlow]

UPDATE:



I received a letter in the mail today from Michelin who I learned is the parent company of both Uniroyal and BF Goodrich when I began my claim process.



Michelin advised me they had inspected the destroyed tire, denied any responsibility, and agreed to reimburse me for repairs and the failed tire. Interesting reply because it was clear to me and the tire manager and installers at SAM's Club that the tire had failed. I sent them the complete tread which was cleanly separated from the tire carcass.



I paid the NuWA factory service center (NuWa manufactures the Hitchhiker trailer) $850 for repairing the blowout damage. Michelin also agreed to compensate me for the unused remaining life of the failed tire. I have to sign the release form, have it notarized, and return it to Michelin then I'll receive my check for just under $1000.



I was optimistic that Michelin would treat me fairly when I learned that Michelin owns Uniroyal. I would not buy another Uniroyal tire but many of you know that I always recommend and praise Michelin tires.