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Topic: Two blow outs in one day
Posted By: garyp4951 on 09/24/22 06:37pm

This was Sunday 9/18, I knew better but thought the Westlake tires at 4 years old and only 6500 miles would make one more trip WRONG.

First bomb was left rear at mm 49 on I40 heading to Gatlinburg Tn, replaced with spare on entrance ramp, and almost turned back but went on hoping to get there and buy new tires.
I always drive at 65 and thought I could make it.

The second bomb was right rear at mm 366 just 40 miles from destination at 7pm, and after AAA and GS could not find anyone I found a truck service that had a new Kenda spare on a wheel.

He charged me 3 hrs minimum for a 60 mile round trip and $250 for the tire/wheel, but I had no choice other than spend the night with trucks flying buy at 75mph.

The good news is Monday I found a tire shop (Goforth Tire) in Sevierville Tn that had Good Year Endurance and took two at a time from the rv park and finished all 4 by lunch.
These GY Endurance are heavy and very sturdy tires, and glad I found them locally.

If you have Westlake tires please get them off now, you don't want to go through what I did.

Posted By: fj12ryder on 09/24/22 06:43pm

These were the 16" "E" rated Westlakes? Sounds like it. They don't have the best reputation.

Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

Posted By: agesilaus on 09/24/22 07:20pm

I had our first blowout on our AF with GR Commercial TA, 16in. A PITA but it will only cost us $25 since we had road hazard from Discount Tire. Someone waved at us and shouted something even my wife couldn't understand as they zoomed by. I got out and checked everything including the tires which were cool to the touch and seemed OK. I did have the water fill door hanging open.
Stopped 30 miles miles later and check again. Nothing seen. Not a peep from the TPMS.
130 miles later someone else waved at us and shouted. We were almost at the turn in for the RV park. Stopped there, driver side rear shredded.

Just a request, if you try to tell someone something: Slow Down and make sure your message is understood. Why bother otherwise?
I think the first shout must have been the flapping door.

Arctic Fox 25Y Travel Trailer
2018 RAM 2500 6.7L 4WD shortbed
Straightline dual cam hitch
400W Solar with Victron controller
Superbumper


Posted By: MFL on 09/24/22 08:33pm

Hey Gary, sorry to hear of your tire trouble!

As bad as that experience was, I'm hoping you did not have major damage to your FW, which can easily happen, as tires come apart.

Glad you were able to find GYs, which is a great choice! In an emergency, choices can be limited, and of course more costly.

Jerry




Posted By: JIMNLIN on 09/24/22 08:37pm

Two blow outs in one day. Boy that brought back some bad memories from long ago when I was on the road.
But that was common for ST C/D/E class tires in road work with trailers running 24/7.
Five trailers on the road with two spares on each trailer and 28 tires on the ground with ruined tire on just about every other trip one has to rethink the type of tires he's using.

I moved all my trailers with 5.2k-6k axles to 16" LT E tires. No more issues and no more hauling around two spares.

With the newer gen 16" ST load G commercial grade all steel ply carcass tires hitting the streets was a god send for trailers with 7k-8k axles.

Trailers with 10k-12k axles a good heavy duty ST 17.5" all steel ply carcass tires made for a long term super grade tire for that type of work.

I apply the same tire tech for my different RV trailers I've owned over the years.

"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers

'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides

Posted By: agesilaus on 09/24/22 08:47pm

Quote:

I moved all my trailers with 5.2k-6k axles to 16" LT E tires. No more issues and no more hauling around two spares.


I finally came to the same conclusion with the 16" LT GR Commercial TA. I was surprised at the blowout but we had just come from boondocking on rough roads.

I had a uncountable number of blowouts with ST tires until I finally came to my senses.

Posted By: garyp4951 on 09/25/22 06:05am

Thanks, there was no major damage just the plastic fender skirt and lower metal. These were 225-75-15 tires, and I eventually want to go to 16" if I have enough clearance above the tires.

Posted By: Lwiddis on 09/25/22 08:22am

How did you absolutely rule out overloading, under inflation, over inflation, sun exposure, excessive speed and, the big one, road hazards getting to “it is all Westlake’s fault?”

Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad


Posted By: garyp4951 on 09/25/22 10:50am

Process of elimination, I drained the water tank to 1/3, 80psi always, the first tire that blew never sees the sun when stored, I drive 65, I never saw a road hazard.
I do tow a few inches nose high and that increases the weight on the rear tires.
Trailer axles weigh 8740 lbs have not weighed them separately.

Posted By: C Schomer on 09/25/22 11:06am

I got 50 months, like clockwork, out of ST Towmasters. The first set Were never covered or raised off the ground when in storage and the second set was always covered and raised off the ground when in storage.
I bought a used tri-axle cargo trailer that went from New Hampshire to Lake Havasu city and then back to Phoenix and those tires were 26 months old when all six of them separated within 20 miles. And that is why I buy nothing but LT-E tires, now, to use on 6k axles. Craig

Posted By: bolljl on 09/25/22 12:56pm

6 Worst Tire Brands to Avoid buying. https://mechanicbase.com/tires/tire-brands-to-avoid-purchasing/Article

2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually 4X4 CUMMINS
2013 Lifestyle LS35SB, MORryde IS System
AIRSAFE, Air Hitch

Posted By: naturist on 09/25/22 01:40pm

Sorry to hear of your experience. And I know whereof you speak, as I, too, have had a two-blowout day.

First one to go was right front. Sounded like I hit the right berm rumble strip, and a mile down the road somebody honked, waved, etc. So pull over, and yup tread came off, and tire is shredded. No other damage, thankfully. Put on the spare, got off at the next exit, and only store was Wally's. They had pre-mounted tire in my size, but cheap Chinese and bias ply. But any port in a storm, so I bought it for a spare, planning to just get 5 new ones, good ones, and I'll take the Wally one back after I'm sure I won't need it.

Couple exits on down the road, there's a tire shop, and they happen to have 5 good radials in my size on the shelf! Yipee, I'll take them all. Get back on the road, couple more exits, and I get off for a local attraction. Come back a couple hours later, jump in, and set out again, but only get a block or so and I get flagged down again. One of the new tires had gone flat, and I hadn't noticed, but the block I drove was enough to ruin it. Put on the new spare, and the Wally tire is now my spare. Grrrrrrrrrr.




Posted By: Lwiddis on 09/25/22 02:20pm

I’ve never had a flat or blowout from a road hazard I’ve seen prior to hitting it.

Posted By: azdryheat on 09/25/22 02:55pm

If your tires are stamped Made in China dump them, they're junk. They're low quality. I've been running truck tires (Michelin) on my trailers since 2012 and have had zero issues with them all the while amassing thousands of miles cris-crossing the US.

2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE


Posted By: ford truck guy on 09/25/22 06:05pm

I also had a 2 blow out day while towing, not fun at all.

Second one was 9pm, 95 south doing 65, tossed the tread tire held pressure! Pulled into a Cracker Barrel and changed to spare I purchased after the 1st blow out that morning..

Asked the good folks there if they knew any good tire shops, there was 1 about a mile away, was at their door when they opened.. Replaced ALL 4….

Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet
Posted By: ferndaleflyer on 09/25/22 08:03pm

Sorry about all the tire trouble. I have been towing trailers for over 60 years and can count my flats on one hand other than one trailer that blew out 9 in one summer. I got rid of that problem by selling the trailer. I have a 99 tri axle that I bought new and have had one tire separate and cut one down on a toll booth curb and it has been towed way over 100,000mi. It has 235-75-15 tires on it from Wal-Mart. 2 things I do that may help you all some. 1-I check the air before I start out and every time I stop and run 40psi of air and 2-I never tow the trailer when it is not level or very close. When the nose is up the back tires are carrying most of the weight and when it is down most of the weight is on the front. Some may not agree but this has worked for me for many years.

Posted By: garyp4951 on 09/25/22 08:47pm

I had a 2012 Cedar Creek Silverback that I installed Bridgestone Duravis R250’s on and they were great.
Thanks for all the post, I feel better now knowing it happens to others too.

Posted By: fj12ryder on 09/26/22 09:50am

"1-I check the air before I start out and every time I stop and run 40psi of air"

Not sure I understand this. Are you saying you run 40 pai tire pressure?

Posted By: MFL on 09/26/22 10:48am

fj12ryder wrote:

"1-I check the air before I start out and every time I stop and run 40psi of air"

Not sure I understand this. Are you saying you run 40 pai tire pressure?


I also noticed that 40 psi, thought maybe a typo? The 235/75 15 seems an unusual size, for triple axle trailer, but could be P rated car tire, which 40 psi may be near max?

Jerry

Posted By: ferndaleflyer on 09/26/22 01:47pm

As usual my actual experience is questioned BUT. That trailer has for several years had 235X75X15 Goodyear Wrangler tires on it, I just walked out there to make sure, with 40 PSI of air in them. I don't know what pai is. This is a 1999 Pace 32ft enclosed car trailer that weighs about 14,000lbs loaded and I have towed it all over the country like this. I also have a 20ft Featherlite with the same tire, air pressure, etc on it although it is lighter. I am not asking anyone to agree, just saying what has worked for me for a long time. Carry on and safe travels.

Posted By: opnspaces on 09/26/22 02:24pm

My Jayco bumper pull trailer has 235/75/15 ST tires on it. It started out with load range C and a max cold pressure of 50 PSI. I upgraded to a load range D with a max cold pressure of 65 PSI.

2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton
2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH
1986 Coleman Columbia Popup.

Posted By: johndeerefarmer on 09/29/22 10:32am

Lwiddis wrote:

How did you absolutely rule out overloading, under inflation, over inflation, sun exposure, excessive speed and, the big one, road hazards getting to “it is all Westlake’s fault?”


I had THREE Westlakes blow on me (e range). Whole trip was 320 miles. I drive 65-70 mph. RV stays in the barn so no sun exposure. Tires probably have 6k miles. Tires stay at 80psi and I have a TST tpms.
No way in hell I hit three road hazards. RV isn't overloaded as on a three day trip we carry no water.
Tires were the original on the RV (2016) but still three blowing on one trip is bad luck. I have never had a blowout before. After the first blew I put on the spare. On the way back on Sunday afternoon had the second blow. Luckily my stepdaugher and BF were following us in two trucks (one without a camper). He found a tire shop open on a Sunday afternoon. They were closing at three but said they would wait for us. We took both blown tires. He only had used tires and charged me $110 total for the both including mounting. I gave him an extra $20. Drive another 20 miles and the third Westlake blew. Put on my last spare and drove at 55mph the last 80 miles home.
Wiped out both fender flares and bent up the sheet metal on both sides. Caught the wires to the kitchen slide and ripped them out.
When I got home I patched them back together and for some reason the bottom roller (Schwintek slide) was stuck. Ended up taking that whole mechanism apart. It's in my shop now..

2020 Ford 350 6.7 PSD & 2017 F150 3.5 EB max tow
GD Reflection 29rs

Posted By: pianotuna on 09/29/22 04:50pm

Hi Gary,

Sorry to hear of your problems

I've had zero problems with my Toyo tires.

I wanted more clearance and so replaced the rims and went to a taller tire with more weight capacity. The OEM Michelin tires were overloaded on the drivers rear. I got about 1.5 inches more ground clearance.

The worst thing for tires is to sit unused. It is a big consideration now that I'm no longer full time.

Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

Posted By: garyp4951 on 10/01/22 04:32am

Thanks pianotuna, I agree going to 16" and LT tires works good for 5.2K axles, and I think sitting in my driveway helped kill my tires in three years.

Have I said how much I like theses new GY Endurance tires. [emoticon]

Posted By: joebedford on 10/01/22 04:19pm

azdryheat wrote:

If your tires are stamped Made in China dump them, they're junk. They're low quality.
I completely disagree. I have Sailun S637s and they're very good. Also stamped Made in China.

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Posted By: fj12ryder on 10/01/22 05:20pm

Yep, what he said. Although they're now made in Vietnam it would appear.

Posted By: Cummins12V98 on 10/01/22 05:53pm

Good call on the GY ENDURANCE Tires. Put a set of "D" tires on my Boat Trailer in 2017. I have WAYYY over 20k on them with plenty of tread left. They only get used in the Summer towing nearly every day at 70mph.

Oh yea they are US Made if anyone cares.

Heck I had a total spindle/bearing failure and aired from 50psi to 70 and towed home 60 miles at 55 on three tires with 117 degree tire temp checking them twice. Zero issue!

Thankfully I noticed the cap missing when I walked to get the truck and trailer to pull the boat of the water. Could have killed someone with a free wheeling tire and wheel!

I had just done a temp check along the way getting fuel.

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* This post was edited 10/01/22 06:04pm by Cummins12V98 *

2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Posted By: ppine on 10/02/22 10:00am

Modern tires are a huge improvement.

We used to buy used tires and recaps. But we only went 50-55 mph most of the time.

I have lost 2 tires in one day many times. I lost 3 tires once in the same day. hard to go very far.

Posted By: MFL on 10/02/22 10:44am

Cummins12V98 said:

"Heck I had a total spindle/bearing failure and aired from 50psi to 70 and towed home 60 miles at 55 on three tires with 117 degree tire temp checking them twice. Zero issue!"

Wow, could have been a disaster for sure!

Pretty gutsy move, towing home on three wheels! Airing up the remaining, good thought too! Many would have just unhooked leaving the boat stranded.

Jerry

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