Thank goodness the driver towing this travel trailer was able to keep it under control after three tire failures on an 800-mile trip. The 10-ply tires had fewer than 2,500 miles on them on the new trailer.
It could have been a disaster if another vehicle had been next to the trailer as it was traveling at 70 miles an hour. Luckily, nobody was hurt. The owner purchased four new Goodyear Endurance tires to make the trip home.
Please leave a comment if you have had a similar experience. RV makers are known for putting the cheapest tires they can on inexpensive trailers, knowing most RV buyers don’t pay attention to the brand of tire when they make their purchase.
In this case, the result was scary. See for yourself in this short video captured by the vehicle following the trailer.
##RVT1007b
Not sure I would be so quick to blame the tires in this situation. Many trailer and 5th wheel tires are speed rated to 60 or 65 mph. Add in the fact that most trailers and 5th wheels are over their weight limits, and it wouldn’t be surpring to see tire failures at 70 mph.
And tire pressure as well, under inflated tires get extra hot as do overinflated tires. Here seems to be tread separation which would indicate overinflated tires at first thought. Also did not notice any sensors for tire temperature and tire pressure monitor system. (TPMS) This likely would have diverted blowouts by signaling pressure problem and tire overheating problem before blowouts and separations. As Kevin said most are at weight limits or exceed, a tire monitoring system would detect tire problems fast.
Have to disagree. I have had two blowouts using TPMS. They did not give any prior warning. Just junk tires.
I agree. There are too many possible variables. Speed, trailer weight, tire pressure, balancing. The article is incomplete.
Yes, there are variables but one thing is consistent, tires from China seem to be far more prone to failure. There is a reason anyone that has had any experience with them replaces with quality tires from a reputable manufacturer.
The US DOT should block their importation and ban their use on RVs period.
Agree 100%, but we just keep importing and buying Chinese crap, even FOOD.
Also, one view shows a clear split, across the tire. I believe that this was probably caused by internal damage, caused by hitting potholes, curbs, etc. If the owner didn’t know enough to drive at a reasonable speed and use a TPMS, it is possible that they also did not know the damage (unseen from the outside) that occurs when hitting an object, especially at a high speed.This type of damage does not always manifest itself immediately, but can eventually show up with the results that are shown in a couple of the photos.
I have these tires on my Flagstaff camper, 2019 model. The spare has never been on the road and it has a large bubble in it where a belt is separating. Time for 5 Goodyears !
The 2nd paragraph says it all. “Traveling at 70 miles per hour”. Here’s your sign!
Agreed.
You only have to blame the manufacturers. My “E” rated Montana was totally under-rated for it’s weight and is not overloaded via CAT scales. After 2 blow outs I replaced all 5 for “G’s”. Manufacturers look more at the bottom line rather than the safety of of their customers and those surrounding them.
We couldn’t replace all of our tires fast enough on our 2020 Rockwood this past spring due to all the horrible reviews of the Castle Rocks.
Put on upgraded tires even before you bring it home. I did (Sailuns), after talking to fellow campers. Buy tire pressure monitors (even experienced people don’t). Agree with others that people drive way too fast, especially on factory tires. Definitely inspect tires frequently. Some manufacturers offer upgraded tires.
Dave, I bought a 2nd hand 31 ft Class C. The seller had 6 brand new Salun tires on it. I’d not heard of the brand before and thought “Uh oh, Chinese brand, manufactured in Vietnam, receipt for $885 .. I’ll have to peel them off and drop $2,000 on Michelins to have reliable tires.” After researching the brand, I learned they only had 12 similar tires recalled for defects after many years in the US market. Appears you’re pleased with them as well. Good to know experienced RV’ers do their own homework.
I also bought Sailuns for my toy hauler. They are a great tire. Each weighed about twice the weight of the Westlake tires.
I think you need 14 ply tires on your RV.
“Traveling at 70mph” is a clue right there as to the China-bombs failing, it’s probably higher than or at it’s max sustained road speed. Also there’s the inflation factor, if they weren’t up to PSI cold at the start of the trip, cranking along at 70 will do them in. Three tires in one trip is insane. Hope you can sue maker for damages of tire installed on rig.
Sue China?! LOL! Good luck with that.
I think TPMS is great for showing leakage in a tire as it loses air pressure, but I don’t think they do a thing for blow outs such as these.
“Everything works great – until it doesn’t”.
Sorry, disagree. When we had a blowout TPMS alarm sounded. I was able to immediately slow down and “limp” off the freeway. Damage was limited to fender and underskirt. Had TPMS alarm not sounded it would not have confirmed that the thump we heard was a blowout and i would have thought i hit a pothole.
Sure can relate to a tire blowout on a highway. Learned the meaning of China bombs. Happened on our 2 year old 195RB. Entire camper went up in the air. Debris everywhere. Blew a hole through the camper wall. Tore out electric and plumbing. Very thankful no one was hurt and our insurance not only rescued us but paid for the damage.
No blowouts for me on my camper tires. My dad took his camper tires off and put truck tires on his 5th wheel.
I had heard about China Tires but figured I could get a few miles on the tires before replacing them. With less than 1000 miles on our new Travel Trailer, I was driving around 58 mph on the highway when one tire blew. Good Sam came out and put the spare on and we continued down to our son’s house. Then another tire blew on the way home, again Good Sam to the rescue. When we got home I called our local tire dealer and had all tires replaced with USA made tires. The trailer had 8,000 dollars worth of damage done by the tires and fortunately that was covered by our insurance. When I purchased our next trailer I insisted on the China bombs being taken off the new trailer, and since our tires on the trade in only had a couple of thousand miles and only a year and half old I had the dealer swap them. So our new Travel trailer will ride on the tires for another 3 years then no matter the mileage I’ll buy new one as the tires will be 5 years old then.
It’s funny how many people are defending the China Bombs; couple of miles over the speed limit, overloaded, inexperience driver, etc. etc. These “idiots” installed quality American tires and the blowout issues went away. Interesting logic.
Yes, we have had it happen and not using China tires. The problem was on our brand new trailer that the axle was bent 1% ( determined by putting it on a laser machine). This was on our 21 ft. lightweight molded fiberglass trailer which was about 3,300 pounds. That was causing the 8 ply tire to blow every 3k miles. Same tire same side of trailer each time.
I heard GoodYear has stopped making their Endurance RV tires for a while and they are in short supply. If true what tire do we use instead of the China bombs. While the guy may be going to fast for the tires rating. Sometimes those pot holes pop up so quick you just don’t see them. Its time our government does a better job and regulates the manufacturing of RV’s and there parts.
Yep, looks just like mine. 3tires in one day.Not China bombs. Uniroyal load range E LT tires. By my figuring, about 900# underweight per tire. O nly thing I could contribute to why is it was a sunny day on US 10 in texas about 96 degrees and still black ,new asphalt. Kinda spoils your day not to say your wallet.
I don’t find this at all credible. Appears to be same chase vehicle, same road, same trailer and same day. What are the chances of these events coinciding? This is an attempt to monitize a video by attracting viewers seeking validation of their opinion. Same idea as videos promoting election fraud.
Happen ALL the time. Wife (and possibly kids) in “regular” vehicle, husband driving tow vehicle pulling travel trailer or fiver. “Regular” driver usually follows the trailer hence will be on the same roads as the trailer.
Maybe they should slow down…? We never drive over 60 mph.
Another and perhaps contributing factor is manufacturing date on new rv tires. Mine were 4 years old when we purchased our new rv. Old before we even started to use them.
We just bought a new Reflection by Grand Design and it came standard with the Goodyear Endurance tires.
Tire blowouts at 70 MPH. Please go a bit slower in the future. Too many videos of trailer swaying and losing control or worse flipping over.
For full time RVers, I heard it’s wise to put on LTE tires (truck tires) rather than standard trailer tires. Is that true?
Been hauling trailers for 50 years. ALWAYS put on truck tires. Never a problem. The manufacture’s use a tire that is just BARELY over the certified GVW of the trailer. Check the rims. Most are the same. 7000 lb. trailer GVW . . 4 rims rated at 1820 lbs.
This is criminal behavior by major manufacturer’s. Some tougher laws are needed.
I will disagree. ST tires have different flex capabilities than LT tires. LT tires beat up your trailer much more than ST tires.
If you check inflation when cold and air-up to the recommended pressure before driving, the ST tires work fine (provided one also stays within the speed rating, and covers the tires when not traveling). I have had my trailer for 4 1/2 glamping seasons, and have over 9,000 miles on the tires. I always check pressure before leaving, and have a TPMS to track during the drive. Original tires that came with the trailer, and they are “China bombs”.
I will replace them this fall before we begin our post-retirement travels. If I can find the Goodyear ST tires, I will use them. Otherwise, I will get ST tires with a recent build date. I don’t speed when towing, and never air-up or down due to outside temps. Tires are built to expand with the heat, thus the spec to check pressure when cold. Follow the manufacture’s instructions, and most of these tires perform as intended. Push any of the specs, and you may cause failure.
got tired of ST coming apart, been using LT tires and have not had any problems, at all.
Most of those tires are speed rated at 65 MPH!
New owners of all these trailers out here need to be cautioned – china bombs & speed rating on these tires…. and change them every 4 years even if they look fine….
I Was on I-5 then 205 around Portland then 84 E. I was running 62-63 in my DP and travel trailer after travel trailer past me like I was Standing Still. Down the road Saw one that had passed me on the side of the road with a blow out on the trailer tire. The pickup had little kids in it with mom and dad standing at the back of the trailer looking at the blown tire. Sure maybe bad tires, not enough or too much air or speed or all three. All I know he was moving F-A-S-T.
Had the inflation been checked BEFORE the driving day started (with a KNOWN GOOD air pressure gauge)? Had the trailer EVER been PROPERLY weighed (Smart Weighed at EACH tire position; NOT a CAT scale weight)? Were those tires RATED for 70MPH (VERY few trailer tires are rated that high)? Was the air temperature unusually hot? Was a proper TPMS installed and being monitored? Did the trailer manufacturer install the right tire for the intended purpose (something that is NOT always the case when a builder is looking to cut corners)? Relevant questions needing to be answered BEFORE condemning the brand.
I am so convinced that anyone who is hauling anything must have a little mark on their license proving they have attended a special class on the must knows of hauling a trailer. AND a very special license of how to drive a Class A. Go ahead and hate me, but many of these drivers don’t know what they they are doing. I have seen too much on the road and should have taken videos of these idiots.
You make a good point.
In my opinion, the number one problem of tire failure on virtually any vehicle is low PSI in the tires. This then only becomes multiplied by ??? when you add the dynamics of RV use, whether tow behinds or driven units. Add to this toxic mixture high summer heat as one post points out 96 degrees on hot new black pavement in Texas and disaster awaits.
Walk any campground and it doesn’t take long to notice RV’s of every type sitting on squished tires.
When I bought my first used motorhome and just driving it home the tires felt soft. We left the next morning for our inaugural camping weekend and I pulled into a gas station hoping to fill the tires not realizing the pumps at gas stations only go to about 50 lbs. On our return home I stopped at a truck tire shop and asked if they could air up my six tires. Most were in the 40 lb area with the highest PSI on one reaching all the way up to 56 lbs.
A week later, I bought an air compressor and heavy-duty air chuck.
I bet the owners will not bother to file 3 complaints with NHTSA but they will most certainly complain about poor tire quality on some forum.
Here the bottom line as far as I’m concerned. Slow the heck down, 70 miles an hour is about 5 to 10 miles an hour too darn fast for these rigs and tires. Did they check the cold temp psi prior to leaving? Did they check the tire PSIs during the trip. Funny how PSI will change with altitude, heat, cold, etc. They can just as easily blow out those Goodyears with poor owner execution. Try tank tread the next time 🙂 if you are going to abuse your rig.
Why are the tire brands that have gone bad posted. I had the same problem with Westlake tires an I was not over loaded I been towing campers for 50 years and never had a blow out. Theses tire only had a 1000 miles on them.
What are the scale weight measurements? Cold Inflation as measured with a digital gauge? LR-E ok but what size, including type (P or ST or LT or commercial)? I noticed the RV in left lane. Should be traveling BELOW 65. 65 mph for trailer tires is like the Red Line on your engine. You can learn more on my blog http://www.rvtiresafety.net