General Ameritrac - Unusual Sidewall Wear

[swexlin]

I have noticed that the above-referenced outer rears on my dually, after only 4000 miles, that the white lettering is peeling off - separating from the sidewall. On the right tire, the size and rating lettering ia also is coming off, and it appears there is a very slight amount of cracking or dry rot. These are practically new tires with 4000 miles. I have never had Generals before, so I have nothing to compare to.



The fronts are not showing these signs of wear, and appear good. I keep these inflated to 50 lbs all around. What gives? I have rubbed a couple curbs (ahem ) getting used to this dually, but I have rubbed curbs on my SRW trucks, with BF Goodriches, and have never noticed this type of separation.



Any onther 04. 5 dually guys experiencing this?



Thanks,



Scott

 

[swexlin]

Nobody?

 

[GFritsch]

This thread might help. I remeber reading others regarding these tires falling apart. Hope there better now, this is the tire that came on my truck





https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=54856&highlight=General+Ameritrac

 

[swexlin]

Well, that's some interesting reading. My truck is due to go in for it's first service in a couple weeks, and I'm certainly going to ask the dealer.



I wonder why it's the outer rears only?

 

[Scooby]

I have these tires on my dually (but they are black walls) and haven't noticed any unusual wear (after only 2000 miles).



I thought the Goodyears were the ones people were having problems with... .

 

[Apence]

i have them on my 04. 5 dually with 9300 miles and half of that pulling heavy and im impressed with them so far i should get about 20 to 25k out of them which is good compared to previous General tires experience

 

[doldenburg]

generals are unacceptable at any price! evsry one i ever had came apart. my 04. 5 came with them and i would not take it . dealer changed all 6 off another truck

 

[swexlin]

This isn't sounding too encouraging. I'm torn between having these two outer rears warrantied with replacements, or biting the bullet, and replace all six with Michelins - that would be about $1500. 00 including installation and balancing.



Can ANY tire store that sells Generals warranty a tire, or do I need to go through the Dodge dealer? I've never warrantied a tire before.

 

[DCaswell]

Usually dealer wants you to go to manf. as DC is not in the tire business but if it was me I would be yelling & stamping my feet if sweet reason did not work. I replaced my Goodyears at 82,000km & could have had Generals for half the price & would not buy them. Have not had a General for years, think they will always be a POS suitable for gramps to go to the post office & liquor store once a week if it is just a couple blocks

 

[swexlin]

Maybe I'll stop into NTB, and see what they think, and what their warranty policy is. I believe they sell Generals, so they *should* warranty them, I would think.



Sure would like some Michelin's, but since the other 4 tires are OK (or at least I assume - I can't see as much of the inner rears) then I can't justify the expenditure right now.

 

[jelag]

I own a 04 Dually with 65K as of this morning... . the tire wear your talking about is someone in your family driving the truck tight into a turn and scrapping the side of the tire on the curb... it tends to scrap off the white wall... .



235-80-17



I looked for replacement tires for 120 days before I got them..... Didn't care for the goodyears at 240 each... . ended up with coopers at 180 each... . I was looking for a highway tread... ... but had to settle for M/S's..... We've averaged 90K miles on he Firestone steel flex we used to get at costco for 110. 00 each..... on the early trucks... ...



I'm going to order a new 05... and will look at changing the wheels from 17" to 19. 5" steel wheels...



These are work trucks to me... . and we keep them and drive them... the 04 pulls a trailer that often will run close to 22K lbs... and except for the 6% hills... the truck and PacBrake handle the grades... ... .

 

[swexlin]

the tire wear your talking about is someone in your family driving the truck tight into a turn and scrapping the side of the tire on the curb... it tends to scrap off the white wall... .

Well, that would be me. I've done it a couple times, as I have done on SEVERAL other trucks and tire brands, but this is NOT just from scrubbing a curb. Besides, the left tire is doing it also.

 

[RodDawg]

The letters may get knocked or shaved off, but the "white" color shouldn't. It is actually part of the sidewall of the tire. If you were to cut into your white letter tires sidewall (even between the letters), it would/should be white rubber in there.



I am actually employed at a Continental General Tire plant (laid off since Dec. ). These tires aren't made at our plant, they are made in Mexico. We make the Ameritracs for Ford and GM along with several off brand tires. Last week they announced that the plant here will be shut down (and production sent... to either Brazil or Mexico).



I have nearly 16k on my Generals. They seem to be wearing okay considering I tow with my truck just about every day (all day).



As far as the "cracking", it's possible. Take it back to the dealer and have it looked at. If it is seperating, get it replaced. There is a number of things that could cause this (bad batch of rubber, problem with tire building machine that makes the sidewall splice, jerk who doesn't care about you or his job, etc... ).