I am amazed with all the research done and a $20 difference you chose Westlake over Maxxis… the mfg of Westlake tires is known to have intentionally left out gum strips in their LT tires causing many accidents some serious, and forcing a huge recall, not cooperating with information on effected tires, and bankrupting the US importer…
not exactly the kind of company I want to place my trust in…
I am not sure why this dealer failed to mention this…
I would ask your tire dealer what the difference in weight is between the Westlake and the Maxxis tire, and explain the difference in weights if there is one (I am betting there is) to you… good luck with your choice though…
Towing at high speeds puts far more than the tires at risk…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
When researching tire failure rates one thing to consider is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA or even posted on RV forums is not, in itself a good indicator. If company A imports 5,000 tires of a specific size and brand but company B imports 50,000 would you say A is better than B if A had 100 complaints while B had 300?
The speed limit on ST tires is much like the "Red Line" on your engine revs. Is it possible to exceed the rev limit? Sure it is possible but is is a good idea? I don't think so.
One other thing to remember is tire damage is cumulative and non reversible. It really is like Potato Salad. The explanation can be found HERE.
When you read stories about tire failures people say something like "I was only going 60 and not overloaded when the junk tire blewout". What you don't hear is that on their last trip they overloaded one tire by 20% and drove 70+ mph.
You can learn more if you visit my tire blog RVTireSafety
In my opinion as a QS9000 and ISO/TS 16949 Quality auditor the word "Quality" does not appear to be in the RV industry dictionary.
I am amazed with all the research done and a $20 difference you chose Westlake over Maxxis… the mfg of Westlake tires is known to have intentionally left out gum strips in their LT tires causing many accidents some serious, and forcing a huge recall, not cooperating with information on effected tires, and bankrupting the US importer…
not exactly the kind of company I want to place my trust in…
I am not sure why this dealer failed to mention this…
I would ask your tire dealer what the difference in weight is between the Westlake and the Maxxis tire, and explain the difference in weights if there is one (I am betting there is) to you… good luck with your choice though…
Towing at high speeds puts far more than the tires at risk…
I actually knew about the gum issue with Westlake. I also found out that they corrected the problem. I intend on doing my best to take care of the tires no matter what brand. I am not attempting to promote Westlake, but according to my research I felt like it was either that or Maxxis. I have read negative reviews on both, and positive revivews on both.
Thanks for the well wishes, and I will let it be known how the tires hold up. I plan to use them a lot this summer.
I may be wrong,but isn't one difference between bias and radials,the fact that the sidewalls on a radial is softer than on the bias.I grew up driving on bias and when radials came out we were always telling folks that they needed air in their tires.Softer sidewalls means that you are going to have more sway,especially if they are underinflated or overloaded.That combined with excessive speed can lead to all kinds of problems.
On the other hand,have you looked into light truck tires for your TT. There are a lot of folks doing that.
GO COUGARS
2001 Tradewinds 7390 LTC
330 Cat Turbo Freightliner Chassis
2004 Chevy Trailblazer LS (toad)
Bigdog wrote: I may be wrong,but isn't one difference between bias and radials,the fact that the sidewalls on a radial is softer than on the bias.I grew up driving on bias and when radials came out we were always telling folks that they needed air in their tires.Softer sidewalls means that you are going to have more sway,especially if they are underinflated or overloaded.That combined with excessive speed can lead to all kinds of problems.
On the other hand,have you looked into light truck tires for your TT. There are a lot of folks doing that.
My dealer told me never to use LT tires on an (ST) trailer application. They are just not designed for trailer use. He gave me legitimate reasons. I looked it up, and he was right. He also said that the ST radials are specially made just for a trailer just as the ST bias tires are. Having pulled both now, I will never go back to bias.
downtheroad wrote: Just wondering why Chinese Westlake tires are selling for around $40.00 less each than I paid for our Maxxis (same size and rating)?
Anyway, welcome to the Forum.
That $40 difference pays for the glossy adds in the RV mags. with the happy looking grey haired people.
I was told GY Marathons are US made now????
2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn 3500 Dually Long Bed, Cummins 350/800 HO, Towin Machine
B&W Companion Hitch, Maghytec Trans and Rear Dif Covers, AMZ/OIL Top To Bottom
2007 1/2 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 27,000# Combined
In over 200,000 miles on various non-Chinese ST tires the only issue I have had were a few repairable nail punctures.
We rarely tow over 55 mph because the gas mileage is CONSIDERABLY better. We rarely take interstates, but if we are in rush hour traffic I will kick it up to 65 IF the state laws allow that speed while towing.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
I am amazed with all the research done and a $20 difference you chose Westlake over Maxxis… the mfg of Westlake tires is known to have intentionally left out gum strips in their LT tires causing many accidents some serious, and forcing a huge recall, not cooperating with information on effected tires, and bankrupting the US importer…
not exactly the kind of company I want to place my trust in…
I am not sure why this dealer failed to mention this…
I would ask your tire dealer what the difference in weight is between the Westlake and the Maxxis tire, and explain the difference in weights if there is one (I am betting there is) to you… good luck with your choice though…
Towing at high speeds puts far more than the tires at risk…
I actually knew about the gum issue with Westlake. I also found out that they corrected the problem. I intend on doing my best to take care of the tires no matter what brand. I am not attempting to promote Westlake, but according to my research I felt like it was either that or Maxxis. I have read negative reviews on both, and positive revivews on both.
Thanks for the well wishes, and I will let it be known how the tires hold up. I plan to use them a lot this summer.
The problem with that is this WAS NOT a oversight that they repaired… this was done to save money hiding it from the buyer and in violation of the contract specifications… they didn’t fix it, THEY GOT CAUGHT CHEATING THE importer and the buyers of the tires……
Worse they hampered the investigation by not giving information on which brand names and how many tires they mfg that way… as far as I know they never took responsibility for this even though it was clearly a way to do nothing but cut the build cost…
Myself I could never trust that company to build a tire for any vehicle of mine…
I haven’t made any accusations that you are promoting either tire… you mentioned the brand and invited discussion on them..
I really do wish you luck with your tires, its just not the choice I would have made, and I have done a fair amount of research on the ST tire its marketing and its problems myself…
When researching tire failure rates one thing to consider is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA or even posted on RV forums is not, in itself a good indicator. If company A imports 5,000 tires of a specific size and brand but company B imports 50,000 would you say A is better than B if A had 100 complaints while B had 300?
The speed limit on ST tires is much like the "Red Line" on your engine revs. Is it possible to exceed the rev limit? Sure it is possible but is is a good idea? I don't think so.
One other thing to remember is tire damage is cumulative and non reversible. It really is like Potato Salad. The explanation can be found HERE.
When you read stories about tire failures people say something like "I was only going 60 and not overloaded when the junk tire blewout". What you don't hear is that on their last trip they overloaded one tire by 20% and drove 70+ mph.
While I admire and appreciate your experience and expertise in tire forensics and read most of your blogs, I agree with your reasoning on the primary causes of tire failures but
I don?t necessarily agree with everything you says, and that is especially true on Chinese manufacturing? nor do I believe that the tires of different types problems run parallel to each other, but the claims of experts do?
by the way I believe those half million plus Westlake tires were DOT certified to sell in the USA? a little more cheating by that company?
nor am I sure about any company, American or others commitment to quality when they rush to improve margins by relocating to a country like china with the goal to build for export? (hint Marathon)?
I also read articles and blogs of others involved with manufacturing and the supply chain from china? assuring quality is more than a concern even for them because it goes deeper than the normal build processes and involves many cultural issues?
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