Trailer Tire Failure - Not a good way tho start the weekend

[dfkrug]

....and don't forget to check those valve stems, too!

2 weeks ago, I was preparing to use my dual-axle trailer to pick up some motorcycles 75 mi from here. In
my safety check the night before, I aired up the 15" trailer tires. I noticed that one of my
valve stems seemed a little cockeyed after adding some air. So, it pushed it a little side-to-side
with my finger, and it started to hiss air!

It seems that all 4 stems were failing at their base, just below where the brass core inside ends.
Defective crappy rubber.

The trailer is nearly 10y old, and the tires are still fine, but I had to replace all the stems. Thankfully,
I was able to do so without dismounting them off the hubs.

 

[Gunny]

Good points raised here. I put new tires on my 5th wheel every 5 years, there's always a lot of tread left when I do, but I had a spare tire, that had never been on the ground, simply explode while on the mount, ruined a perfectly good tire cover when it went.
I also have new valve stems put in when the tires are mounted, the steel bolt on types, just in case. Another thing that I don't think has been mentioned, but I am adamant about having the tires balanced. I had one place here tell me that they never balanced trailer tires, so I took my business elsewhere.

 

[3930dave]

....and don't forget to check those valve stems, too!

2 weeks ago, I was preparing to use my dual-axle trailer to pick up some motorcycles 75 mi from here. In
my safety check the night before, I aired up the 15" trailer tires. I noticed that one of my
valve stems seemed a little cockeyed after adding some air. So, it pushed it a little side-to-side
with my finger, and it started to hiss air!

It seems that all 4 stems were failing at their base, just below where the brass core inside ends.
Defective crappy rubber.

The trailer is nearly 10y old, and the tires are still fine, but I had to replace all the stems. Thankfully,
I was able to do so without dismounting them off the hubs.

That is a great point df. Was putting my all-seasons back on the old Civic this Spring - had one valve leaking like yours, and those Coopers are only about 3 (half) seasons old.

I keep a dollar store spray bottle around, filled with soapy water for checking tires/valves. There was a really bad batch of Chinese rubber valves around - they do rot pretty fast.

Don't forget the MC tire valves, that is the most critical tire most of us will ever use.

Rgds, D.

 

[Beltzington]

For my health I really need to stop trying to save a few dollars at box stores. After ordering tires and wheels from Sam's they called me Tuesday to say they had come in, great please mount and balance them and call me when they are ready. We can't do that, why, well it costs $15 per wheel, yes, I know and paid that when I bought the tires. Sorry, we work on a first come first serve basis so you will need to come in. Fine, then after spending 20 minutes in line I was told it would be 3+ hours for my tires to be ready. I told them it really didn't make any sense for me to wait 3 hours would they call me when they are ready. Next day I was called and told they were ready. Spent another 15-minutes in line to pick up my wheels, after signing the paper work I went to put them in my truck and found they had not been balanced. When I asked the over worked casher what was going on she called the service guy out and I was privileged to hear them argue for 5-minutes on why the tires weren't balanced. I then asked the tech if they put the high pressure valve stems in and he said casually they didn't need them as the tires shouldn't be inflated over 35psi. So... I yelled at the wife when she got home tonight because she is from the south and is accountable for all the morons who spent to much time listening to southern rock and not enough time learning how to follow simple instructions written on a work order. So far no apology for the 100+ mile round trips to pick up wheels and tires that are still not ready. To think I bought a Sam's membership to save $75 makes me the village idiot.

 

[sd455dan]

"What was the speed rating on the tire that failed? "

Not high enough :laughing:

No idea, many have stated 65mph but it is not listed on their website:

Kenda Tire | Turf - Trailer - Golf Car - Specialty | Karrier

In case you have forgotten, here is what a blow-out at 65mph looks like. I was discussing this with my wife and she reminded me that last year I was complaining about my expensive radial tire tread being deformed so maybe a belt was coming loose or it just made it past Kenda quality control. I bought this brand based on reading online reviews so apparently their are many who are happy with the tire, but as the quote goes, "your milage may vary," mine certainly did.

this is making me feel all warm and fuzzy:laughing:

hauling hay today, and one of my 235 85 16 LT radials let loose (sounded like a shot gun)was doing about 55 mph

Made it home with an old spare michelin 10 ply recap,

wasn't specific when I dropped the tire off an when I picked it up it was a trailer tire, although it says E rated-


we will see?

 

[Midniteoyl]

this is making me feel all warm and fuzzy:laughing:

hauling hay today, and one of my 235 85 16 LT radials let loose (sounded like a shot gun)was doing about 55 mph
View attachment 474598View attachment 474599
Made it home with an old spare michelin 10 ply recap, View attachment 474600

wasn't specific when I dropped the tire off an when I picked it up it was a trailer tire, although it says E rated-View attachment 474601


we will see?

Looks like those LT tires are nearly bald and way past replacement time.

 

[sd455dan]

Looks like those LT tires are nearly bald and way past replacement time.

Yep,
the other sides tires have been replaced more recently- and have more acceptable tread

 

[3930dave]

For my health I really need to stop trying to save a few dollars at box stores. After ordering tires and wheels from Sam's they called me Tuesday to say they had come in, great please mount and balance them and call me when they are ready. We can't do that, why, well it costs $15 per wheel, yes, I know and paid that when I bought the tires. Sorry, we work on a first come first serve basis so you will need to come in. Fine, then after spending 20 minutes in line I was told it would be 3+ hours for my tires to be ready. I told them it really didn't make any sense for me to wait 3 hours would they call me when they are ready. Next day I was called and told they were ready. Spent another 15-minutes in line to pick up my wheels, after signing the paper work I went to put them in my truck and found they had not been balanced. When I asked the over worked casher what was going on she called the service guy out and I was privileged to hear them argue for 5-minutes on why the tires weren't balanced. I then asked the tech if they put the high pressure valve stems in and he said casually they didn't need them as the tires shouldn't be inflated over 35psi. So... I yelled at the wife when she got home tonight because she is from the south and is accountable for all the morons who spent to much time listening to southern rock and not enough time learning how to follow simple instructions written on a work order. So far no apology for the 100+ mile round trips to pick up wheels and tires that are still not ready. To think I bought a Sam's membership to save $75 makes me the village idiot.

Ouch. Tires aren't supposed to be that complicated, at least in a perfect world....

I haven't yet, but I know people here who order from Tirerack.com, at least when our dollar is healthy. Any etailer can still mess up, but I'd expect that a reputable one would ship you the corrected product and pick up the faulty ones at their cost - at least on your side of the border.

Service levels are often not that high up here, and many products are definitely less available - I picked up my Greenball tires in NY state.

The local tire shop I've counted on for years is no more, so I will probably price online next time.

I've done well with balancing beads (powder) in my LTs..... I should quit being lazy and figure out what the smallest tire they will work with is..... maybe I'll put a bead breaker on my Christmas list.....

Rgds, D.

 

[Btown]

this is making me feel all warm and fuzzy:laughing: hauling hay today, and one of my 235 85 16 LT radials let loose (sounded like a shot gun)was doing about 55 mph <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=474598"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=474599"/> Made it home with an old spare michelin 10 ply recap, <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=474600"/> wasn't specific when I dropped the tire off an when I picked it up it was a trailer tire, although it says E rated-<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=474601"/> we will see?

What is that trailer rated for? It looks like a landscape trailer, but I think I see it is a gooseneck. You have about 9,000 lbs of hay on that. Your trailer weighs at least 2500 lbs. Thats 11,500.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Ouch. Tires aren't supposed to be that complicated, at least in a perfect world....

I haven't yet, but I know people here who order from Tirerack.com...

Rgds, D.

My brother only deals with TireRack and even with shipping and mounting they come out cheaper. TireRack is about an hour away and is where I bought my last set for $400-$600 less than any dealer, including Tire Barn. Came with 2 yr hazard and lifetime balance and rotate.