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RE: Revived Trailer Tire Thread (formerly on the 5th Wheel Forum
I discovered a similar issue with tire shape at JBarca. My RR tire blew out on the way out to camping last week, which prompted me to take a closer look at all of them. Closer examination shows the LR tire is deformed and will probably let go if I take another trip with these tires. My original thinking was that road hazards and subsequent loss of pressure and overheating were the primary causes of blowouts....after seeing this tire, I am now thinking that some of these are caused by the tire just coming apart, plain and simple.
See front tire on the street side with normal profile. Measuring from the center of teh tread to the sidewall:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qg-mp-6gctY/T7_a25PcwOI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Eyet6kIoN68/s640/IMAG0823.jpg
Now look at the rear tire:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wCuNwIM7Eas/T7_a2zX2d-I/AAAAAAAAAJk/LJAzJn0G4mQ/s640/IMAG0824.jpg
Here are two together, note the correct shape of the front tire (on the left) as compared to the way the tread area bows way out on the rear tire (right):
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aWc0iEjYni0/T7_a3cn93bI/AAAAAAAAAJk/HANwDF7gbyY/s640/IMAG0825.jpg
Hopefully JBarca took Tireman up on his offer to analyze the tire and see what happened to it, I would love to know what's going on here.
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BurbMan
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05/25/12 03:16pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Interesting Tire Decision, Opinions Welcome
Well, going in a different direction here....I got a deal on a set of used BFG Commercial T/A LT225/75-16 E-rated tires with E-rated alloy rims. Done with the ST tires at this point, and am also re-considering whether I need to get a TPMS too.
Closer examination shows the other rear tire is deformed and will probably let go if I take another trip with these tires. My original thinking was that road hazards and subsequent loss of pressure and overheating were the primary causes of blowouts....after seeing this tire, I am now thinking that some of these are caused by the tire coming apart, plain and simple.
See front tire on the street side with normal profile. Measuring from the center of teh tread to the sidewall:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qg-mp-6gctY/T7_a25PcwOI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Eyet6kIoN68/s640/IMAG0823.jpg
Now look at the rear tire:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wCuNwIM7Eas/T7_a2zX2d-I/AAAAAAAAAJk/LJAzJn0G4mQ/s640/IMAG0824.jpg
Here are two together, note the correct shape of the front tire (on the left) as compared to the way the tread area bows way out on the rear tire (right):
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aWc0iEjYni0/T7_a3cn93bI/AAAAAAAAAJk/HANwDF7gbyY/s640/IMAG0825.jpg
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BurbMan
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05/25/12 01:14pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hercules Tires
ST225/75R15-E, including valve stems mounting and balancing
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BurbMan
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05/21/12 06:42pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Interesting Tire Decision, Opinions Welcome
The TowMasters on there now have provided 5 years and thousands of miles of trouble free service. The TT is running at 8500 lbs against a 10000 GVWR so I have some headroom on the D ratings. I keep thinking that if I had a TPMS on the TowMaster, I could have pulled over and plugged it when it went flat. On the other hand, even a Maxxis will get ruined if I keep going at 65mph after the tire is flat.
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BurbMan
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05/21/12 06:28pm |
Travel Trailers
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Interesting Tire Decision, Opinions Welcome
Like I have to ask for opinions here....:B
So new tires are needed after the loss of one of my 5-year old TowMasters (ah-so...) on the road this weekend. Completely shot.
There is only one Maxxis dealer in town and he is offering me ST225/75-R15 Load range "E" for $174 each, mounted, balanced and installed. A budget buster for sure. Now he also has the same brand of TowMasters for a friendlier price of $129/tire all in.
So here is the decision: Would you get the Maxxis tires? OR, would you get the TowMasters and also install a TPMS? I know, I know, get the Maxxis with the TPMS, but the budget won't allow both. If these were your choices which would you pick?
Here's the TPMS I'm looking at.
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BurbMan
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05/21/12 12:03pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hercules Tires
WOW
Maxxis tires are $174 EACH :E:E
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BurbMan
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05/21/12 11:47am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hercules Tires
They are alloy rims. Here's a photo of one with a somewhat worn TowMaster Chinese tire on it:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/Burbman/BLOWOUT.jpg width=640
I should have checked for the rating stamped inside before I had a GoodRide spare (guess where it's made) mounted at the local tire shop this weekend. We were 4 hrs from home and didn't want to head back without another spare.
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BurbMan
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05/21/12 11:32am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hercules Tires
Thanks for the posts guys, good info. Scott, no offense, but not trying to argue if these could be better tires than Maxxis, only if they may be an acceptable alternative. Doesn't sound like it.
Maxxis does list one local dealer here, clear on the other side of town, but I'm going to call him and get a price. Sam's Club is getting $145 for Goodyear Marathons now, and they don't even stock them, they are special order. Wal*Mart only carries Load Range C.
NOW the big questions...do I go to load range E on my 65 psi rims and should I get TPMS for both truck and trailer or just the TT?
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BurbMan
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05/21/12 09:58am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hercules Tires
Yes, Hercules is the marketing company, but they have tires made for them by Cooper to sell under the Hercules brand. I have never heard of the Hercules brand before, I was hoping someone here may have had some experience with them, good or bad. I thought Cooper still manufactured in the US, but if that's not the case, then these are just more Chinese tires.
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BurbMan
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05/21/12 05:32am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hercules Tires
Maybe this press release from 2010 that celebrates the 50 year anniversary of Cooper making Hercules Tires in the US will clear things up for you.
Thanks again for your opinion on the Maxxis tires, what I'm asking is if anyone has additional info to share on the Hercules brand.
I've been RVing for 15 years, when do I qualify as "experienced"?
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BurbMan
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05/20/12 08:25pm |
Travel Trailers
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Hercules Tires
I lost a tire a tire on this weekend's trip and it looks like it's time for 4 new ones. Wading through the many brands of tires, I found a Brand called Hercules. Hercules Tire is a nationwide distributor of major brands, and their Hercules brand tire is manufactured here in the US by Cooper Tire. Tire Discounters has them for $97 each.
I know, Maxxis etc etc., but I am leaning toward a brand with better distribution and nationwide availability, and a US made tire has my vote.
Anybody have any experience with this brand?
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BurbMan
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05/20/12 08:03pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Maxxis tire availability
Besides, unlike the other junk tires out there you can get a nail or something in a Maxxiss and THEN FIX IT!!!
I had to do this last year. The tire didn't explode, separate a tread or other wise commit suicide all over the highway in some dramatic way. It just wen't flat and I had it fixed. So nice to have a modern tire.
How long was it flat? I just had a tire self destruct because it went flat and I didn't know it...once it goes flat it overheats quickly then destruction follows shortly. I think a TPMS is more important than the brand here....had I been able to pull over as soon as that tire started losing air, I could have plugged it. Maybe the Maxxis lasts longer until it comes apart...but even if it did, I'm not sure I would plug a tire that had run flat for an undetermined distance.
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BurbMan
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05/20/12 06:30pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Go Power versus Morningstar versus Samlex
I have a Samlex 150W PSW inverter that I have had for several years and had no issues with it.
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BurbMan
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04/27/12 07:32pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: How to get a 1/0 wire to connect to a PD 9260
I had a similar issue, I used properly sized battery lugs bolted together ina junction box, as posted here.
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BurbMan
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04/25/12 11:50pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Hensley Brake Controller Problem,something's fishy.
Another forum member had the Silver version and wound up ditching it for a Prodigy also...they have not gotten good reviews at all. Prodigy is plug n play with the right harness.
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BurbMan
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04/24/12 07:36am |
Towing
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RE: What Removes Eternabond Adhesive??
Good advice all around...I called EB and explained the issue, and the short answer is that the process that LarryJM described is about as good as it gets...
Now the solution to the problem at hand was a little different. EB also makes a caulk (EternaCaulk) that is EPDM compatible also...the solution to my particular issue is to re-do the tape, then apply a bead of caulk to the leading edge of the tape. Then tool the bead to a taper before it cures. The caulk will act as a "ramp" to the edge of the tape so the sweeper seal doesn't catch it and curl it up, exposing the adhesive.
Thought I would pass this along since there are a lot of EB users here on the forum, the caulk can be a valuable part of the solution to keep the edges of the tape secure when it may be subjected to abrasion or movement like this.
BTW, Tom at EB was great...not only did he offer the solution, he was sorry to hear that I was going to have to re-do the tape, so he's sending me a roll of tape and a tube of caulk. Can't beat a company that offers help to the end user and stands behind their product....few and far between in this day and age.
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BurbMan
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04/23/12 02:23pm |
Tech Issues
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What Removes Eternabond Adhesive??
A couple years ago I ordered some Eternabond 4" tape to fix a few problem spots on the roof. I decided that this stuff was a great preventative tool and started looking at how the slideout roof was attached to the edge of the slideout wall and decided that would be a perfect place to put some tape....cover up those screw heads where the trim holds the roof membrane in place.
Well, fast forward 2 years, and it seems that the slide has a tight tolerance on the top when it closes. It started smushing the EB tape up against the outside the outside flange of the slideout wall where it seals against the side of the RV when closed. I noticed this least year, and re-did that piece of EB tape with a new pice, but it's still happening.
Now I have EB adhesive on that "sweeper seal"...when the slide opens the seal sticks to the exposed EB adhesive and the slide pulls the seal out of its groove and away from the RV. Naturally, the seal gets bent in all sorts of weird positions as the slide closes. The fix for now is to get up on the roof every time before I close the slide and re-install that sweeper seal in its position.
I need to find something that dissolves EB adhesive....anyone know?
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BurbMan
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04/23/12 06:46am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Airing down tires for Pismo
I have a set of Staun Deflators that I have set to lower all tires to 15psi. If you;re in the sand a lot, these are a great investment. Just screw them on and enjoy a cold beverage while you wait for the hissing to stop. Repeat on trailer tires.
If the sand is realllly soft, I may go to 12-13. Never below 10, you risk popping the bead below that, and that's no fun in the sand. The dually guys with the big 5ers don't seem to have any more (or less LOL) trouble than the SRW guys.
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BurbMan
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04/22/12 07:46pm |
Towing
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RE: Questions about Trailer Converter and possible swap
I just replaced mine with a Progressive Dynamics model that is a drop-in replacement for the old WFCO I had. I believe that PD makes a direct replacement for Magnetek also. Talk to Randy at Best Converter, he's an expert on RV electric. The PD converter has 4-stage charging and enables much better battery life and faster charging when boondocking. Be sure to match the unit size with the size you have now (ie 40A, 55A, etc.)so you don't overload the wiring.
I'm not aware of one with an inverter built in, but I added one with a small 15A transfer switch by the fuse panel. So I can power a whole circuit with the inverted when then on battery power, so I can watch TV, use the computer, etc.
The fuse by the batter is for the charging circuit, it's typically 30A.
Also consider posting more questions on this over in Tech Issues, a lot of guys that really know electricity there.
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BurbMan
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04/22/12 07:06pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Yet again another question in towing & the numbers
Good advice from Barney. T-Bolt, good to realize that this is a process of dialing in the tow setup, not a one-and-done. The dual cam was a huge improvement, now to tweak the settings, try airbags, then maybe tires. Every change will (should) produce some incremental improvement. Stop when either you feel like you can't get it any better or you run out of cash.... LOL...
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BurbMan
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04/21/12 05:19pm |
Towing
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