My ?China Bomb? tires got me scared, am I over thinking this?

[lncoop]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

As far as the debate over passenger tires, I don't see why it makes a difference. If they're rated for a certain load, why does it matter? A passenger tire sees way more cornering forces. It's usually higher volume than a trailer tire, meaning it requires less pressure to support an equivalent amount of weight.

If my truck ever started swaying worse (or anywhere near as bad as) my party barge trailer I'd get it to the shop post haste. I'm definitely no tire expert, but I believe the thing that makes trailer tires unique is extra sidewall strength, which is what is needed to withstand the stress created by the side to side weight shifting indemic to trailering. It's not simple weight support that's the concern.

 

[Jim311]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Thicker sidewalls are to dissipate heat, that's why most heavy duty trailer tires are like 10 ply. The thicker sidewalls don't have anything to do with swat. Thicker sidewalls support more weight because they can dissipate heat from heavy loads better. It has nothing to do with side to side sway. I can also tell you that a car can slide completely sideways on dry pavement and not lose a bead, or take cornering forces much higher than any trailer will ever see. It takes a ton of force to unseat a bead of a properly inflated tire.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

I know the answer to the trailer tire versus car tire versus truck tire debate...and I'm not gonna share...been down that road before....But I will say this: there is a reason why it is perfectly legal to use LT or P tires on a trailer, but it is NOT legal to use ST tires on a car or truck. I'll let you think about that....

 

[Thalasso]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

<<<"Also the link in post #7 provided the following;
"Also consider that Special Trailer (ST), as well as Light Truck (LT) tires are fully rated for trailer applications. This means ST- and LT-sized tires can carry the full weight rating branded on the sidewalls when used on a trailer."
So the guys running LT’s aren’t so crazy after all ">>>

I'm not sure I buy this, although all I know is what I learned around here. I recall in previous discussion that, generally, trailer tires are built to handle the sideways pressures from sway and cornering that vehicle tires cannot. Also why they have to be fully inflated, and often call for greater pressure than a comparible car tire.

I have read that you must decrease LT tire rating by 10% if used for a trailer application.

Trailers with heavy loads, high vertical sideloads (like camper trailers), or trailers with inadequate tongue weight can be affected by trailer sway problems. Automotive bias or radial tires with their more flexible sidewalls can accentuate trailer sway problems, whereas the stiffer sidewalls of the ST (special trailer) bias ply tires help to control and reduce sway problems. For this reason it is not recommended that (P) Passenger or (LT) Light Truck tires be used on trailers. Best trailer control will be achieved with (ST) Special Trailer tires.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

I run Shield brand 700 x 15 8 ply on my utility and 205 x 13 Load range C on my boat trailer. Have had the 8 ply's over 10 years and the boat over 6. I was checking them the other day and unlike tires made in America, I could not find any weather cracking on any of them. I was totally amazed. The utility trailer sits out in the weather, but I have a tin shield that I put over the tires and keeps the sun off them and I know this helps. The boat trailer is in my shop.

Shield is made in China.

Don't believe everything you hear. Have to question the source of the information and go from there.

I'm not saying, buy Chinese. I'm just saying that I have a brand made there that has provided me with better service than tires I have that were made in the USA.

HTH,

Mark

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Most of the tires are not made in the USA. Most tire manufacturers have plants all over the world. Carlisle, Kenda, Bridgstone, Firestone, Goodyear, etc. all have plants all over the world. they are required to put country of origin on the tires, usually as a code. however this is usually in the bead area and is covered up when mounted.

http://www.harriger.com/tires.htm

Tire rubber is a blend of compounds, some natural, some synthetic. the manufacturer adjusts each batch as needed to meet properties.

As many have stated, checking tire pressure, tread wear, bearing lube, etc. should be part of the check list.

 

[ricohman]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

The offshore tires on my car hauler lasted two years before they had large cracks in the sidewalls. Why trailers come with such crap for tires is beyond me. I would gladly pay more for better tires but I don't get that option.

 

[bnurczyk]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Well I did even more digging, and there is some real fact behind the fear.
There was a flurry of bad tires in 2007.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32899266/ns/business-autos/t/chinese-tires-its-buyer-beware/
http://blog.graywriterrv.com/?p=430
http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/jun/25/chinese-tires-rolling-across-us/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J5sWt876y4&feature=related
http://thomas-alan-gray.suite101.com/are-chinese-tires-for-rvs-safe-now-a385542
If you believe the article in the last link most of the issues have been cleared up since then.
Here is my plan;
1. Keep up my good maintenance practices, air pressure, bearings, alignment.
2. Run the tires for three years and replace with the best quality tires I can find, and check the date codes!!
3. My old tires will become spares (yes I’ll carry two), so they will end up discarded at 6 years of age.

 

[maproy99]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Use them until you feel you don't want to be using an automotive jack to put the spare on. Is this a tandem axle or a single axle? Single axle trailer tire blow outs are not fun to experience, and you may need to keep a spare set of underwear with you, lol. A tandem axle, as long as you catch the blow out early, no big deal (unless getting out in 100+ degrees of heat to put the spare on using a spare car jack is a big deal)

When you buy new tires, try to get ones that have put the American worker through the most work instead of another country.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

if they were that bad, there would probably be a recall on them

For what it's worth guys, one thing I wouldn't rely on is a recall from a dodgy manufacturer.

Secondly, not all Chinese manufactured products are crap.....iPhones are made in China aren't they?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

To sum it up, "Am I over thinking this?"

YES!

 

[bnurczyk]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

I think I created a monster with this post!

I definitely should have titled it differently, the “China bomb” thing is all over the web, I can’t take credit for coining the phrase.
But no, I did not over think this, actually look at and read the info in the links in post #28. People have died.
Now read the info at this link;
http://www.safetyresearch.net/2008/07/01/ohio-importer/
I just found out about this from a fellow boater at work; Bad leaky valve stems are causing failures of perfectly good tires. You check the pressure, its fine, and you’re under inflated before you know it because you just cracked the stem checking the pressure!
Also, NEVER stated all Chinese products are crap, but I do work in manufacturing and have seem many many colleges lose jobs to unfair competition. And I am willing to pay a little extra for products produced here to support our LOCAL economy.
Now, if we can get past all of the politics, my true intention was to find out what are the best tires going these days? I am running a single axle and the boat is roughly 2100 lbs with gear.
From the” lack of bad press” it looks like Maxxis are what I will most likely end up with.

 

[JimS123]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

My professional experience with Chinacrap has been very poor. Industrial machinery, motors and the like don't meet USA standards and need to be replaced or the local Inspectors won't pass it. If it does pass, it won't last more than a few months. But that's another story.

IPads may be Chinamade, but the plants are supervised by a US company. THAT's the difference. Chinacompanies with no US ties are the ones to avoid. They couldn't care less if it works for you and forget the warranty because they won't honor it. I won't say ALL Chinacrap is crap......but the majority of it is.

Now for tires.....

Carlisle is only so-so in my experience. The USATrail (the only USA made Carlisle) has a poor reputation. The one set I had would confirm that. Most Goodyears are China. I can't speak to Maxxis.

In my experience, the Kenda is one of the better tires, often found on new trailers. That would be my recommendation.

 

[lncoop]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Just be glad your trailer doesn't require F65 14 STs (or the alternative designation). They can't be found anywhere in town, at least not in my town.

 

[Jim311]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Read this experience about Maxxis trailer tires: Not a good one. I use them on my mountain bike, but this is not a positive experience. Just remembered seeing it on another forum I frequent.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=798972&highlight=maxxis+trailer+tire

 

[Lou C]

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Re: My ?China Bombs? got me scared, am I over thinking this?

I have Kenda Load Stars on my single axle Load Rite, they are close to 8 seasons old, and have no cracks, bulges, etc. They come on new Load Rites, 5-Starrs and Ventures. I have heard they are one of the better trailer tires. I would buy US made trailer tires in a minute if they were available, even if they cost more (listening, US companies...)

 

[Blue Dragon]

Re: My ?China Bomb? tires got me scared, am I over thinking this?

My new trailer came with the china bomb tires. The dealer replaced them under warranty, but I refused to use them. I swapped out the load range D tires for some Kumho load range E trailer tires

 

[bnurczyk]

Re: My ?China Bomb? tires got me scared, am I over thinking this?

My new trailer came with the china bomb tires. The dealer replaced them under warranty, but I refused to use them. I swapped out the load range D tires for some Kumho load range E trailer tires]

Which Kumho tires did you go with? I see in the pic's you have 15's so they mut be LT's.
The only ST's they show on their website are 14's

 

[Blue Dragon]

Re: My ?China Bomb? tires got me scared, am I over thinking this?

Which Kumho tires did you go with? I see in the pic's you have 15's so they mut be LT's.
The only ST's they show on their website are 14's

Sorry, I meant Hercules. I got the power STR radial tire

http://www.herculestire.com/catalog...g_powerSTRRadialTrailer_2011_2012_english.pdf

 

[bruceb58]

Re: My ?China Bomb? tires got me scared, am I over thinking this?

The Hercules are the tires that I have that just failed at 5 years. I just put in an order with my local tire store for 4 Maxxis tires.

Unlike the person in the earlier thread, I have heard of tons of good info on Maxxis trailer tires.