Anyone had any experience with General tire company replacement program? Blew two tires in 400 mile trip this week. By my log book tires have 1561 miles, plus 1000 approximate delivery miles from Newmar factory to dealer in Columbia,S.C.
Trailer is American Star 34,bought new in June 03. Always stored inside, tires were aired to Maximun cold pressure before leaving. Temp. in low 80s, 55mph. One blew sidewall on left side, other threw tread on right side. Significant damage on left side, minor on right side. One on front axle, other on rear axle.
Check the DOT code on the tires. It is only on one side, so you may have to crawl under the trailer. The last digits are either 3 or 4 numbers. 429 would mean the tire was manufactured in the 42nd week of 1999. IIRC, after 2000 there will be 4 digits. 2002 means the tire was made in the 20th week of 2002. It could be that even though your trailer is only 5 years old the tires are way older. Some manufacturers recommend replacement after five years, but most say 7 years is the max. I just spent nearly $1000 on the G rated tires my 5er needs, and none of them were worn very badly, but they are 7 yrs old. Throwing one tread could easily do more than $1000 in damage.
Even if your tires were freshly manufactured when you received your trailer they're over 5 years old and ready for replacement by the most recent recommendations by most manufacturers. It's much harder on tires to sit still than to be rolling which could explain the failure.
Update on tire situation. General warranties original equipment tires for six years from date of purchase. Have been in contact with their claims department, they are having the two tires picked up for analysis. Waiting to see the outcome.
Wayne
This spring I replaced all the Generals on our 2004 trailer (bought in September 2003) with Michelin XPS Ribs. Glad I did. I was going to wait until next spring but the sidewalls developed cracks I was not comfortable with. The two grand it cost me for a set of tires was probably less than the potential damage caused by a tire coming apart; as well as the inconvenience of a failure on a trip. Inspection of the DOT data on the sidewalls of the Michelins indicate that all were made within six months of installation. I am good to go for another five.
Wayne, Sorry to here about your tire problem. I also had a load range E General tire blow out on my 2004 Newmar Kountry Aire Trailer on 8/15/2008. It was a r/s rear outer tire (this trailer has two axels with dual wheels) that lost the tread like a recap and then blew out. The trailer has body and paint damage around the wheel opening and rear compartment areas. The trailer is garage kept, no dry rot cracks on any tires, and they have approx. 9,500 miles on them. I know this trailer is heavy (21,000 lbs) but it seems that maybe there is a problem with these tires. I am also thinking of replacing all the tires. Could you please let me know the General Tire claims dept. info, I went online and was unable to find it. Any help would be appriciated .
dwb619 wrote: Anyone had any experience with General tire company replacement program? Blew two tires in 400 mile trip this week. By my log book tires have 1561 miles, plus 1000 approximate delivery miles from Newmar factory to dealer in Columbia,S.C.
Trailer is American Star 34,bought new in June 03. Always stored inside, tires were aired to Maximun cold pressure before leaving. Temp. in low 80s, 55mph. One blew sidewall on left side, other threw tread on right side. Significant damage on left side, minor on right side. One on front axle, other on rear axle.
I don't know about ya'll but I have been told on two separate occasions from different tire dealers to change your tire every three years regardless of wear or mileage. My dealer even backed this up. Although an expensive proposition it is way cheaper than a blow out and trailer damage much less the aggrevation of changing tires and time being broke down on the side of the road. Just my two cents.....
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