6 blown tires over 4 years!?!?

[Txtower]

I have a 2004 Starcraft Homestead 290 BHS. I keep blowing tires and am not sure what the issue is. It is always the left side under the slide out. Rear one seems to be the one that has blown most. I have 15” Wheels with Carlton ST225/75R15, Load E. I have them at 68-70psi.

I found some threads out there where others have went to bigger wheels and a stronger Load Range J type tire. Not sure if this is a viable option. I don’t know if axel is bent or not true, but admittedly don’t know how to check that. The other side tires operate fine so I think it is fine.

We just finished an 800 mile found trip and the tire went in the last 10 miles. The left rear blew again and wrapped itself around the axel. I can not tell if it is tread separation or what kind of failure.

It seems the slide out side is the issue and I am wondering if it is a weight issue, too low psi, need bigger sturdier wheel/tire?

GVWR 11,580
CCC 3065

Any ideas? Thanks

[Notanlines]

I could find absolutely no info on a Carlton tire. Where might you be buying your tires? I would start by bringing your RV by a truck alignment center and insure that both axles are true and aligned. Insure that brakes and wheel bearings are in top shape, and then swap to a new set of Carlisle load range E from Walmart. Their price right now is about $63 per tire. Carlisle isn't my all time favorite brand, but it is a good brand with a great price. Go with the recommended PSI listed on the front driver's side of your RV. Never, but never run less PSI than recommended. I would recommend a cheap infra-red thermometer from Harbor Freight ($10-$20) and check often, insuring that all four tires are very close in temperature.
I might also ad that those wheels should not be on that RV. They look like they came from Tractor Supply, and are not a quality wheel.
I'm sure others will chime in with more recommendations as well.
On edit, I concur with the Maxxis brand also.

[wingnut60]

I think the wheels were probably factory issue on that brand at that time. Having blowouts on the same position every time is strange, leading me to think that it is carrying more than its share of the load. Doesn't look from the pic that you are towing nose-high much, if at all.
The suggestion to go to Carlisle is a good one, or take a look at Maxxis brand. Not much better in the 15" range. To go to a J would require wheel and probably axle changeout.
Checking the temps with the temp gun is a good suggestion--this should be done often until you determine if it is running at/near the temps of the other 3 tires.
To take the wheel itself out of the equation--have you changed that LR wheel to some other position to see if the trouble follows the wheel or the position on the axles?

[Txtower]

I bought those tires on the road in TN at a Discount Tire. Truck alignment center sounds like a good idea, I will need to find one. As for PSIs... I have never seen a sticker on the camper with recommended pressures. I will have to dig through the plethora of documentation to see if it is in print. I never thought of the thermometer. Good idea. Duh!

[Notanlines]

Probably my fault on the tire pressure recommendation. 2004 was probably a year or two earlier than the date it was required.
Give Truck AG and Auto a try and see if they can't recommend the proper place in your area for the alignment. 254-965-4403

[Txtower]

I think the wheels were probably factory issue on that brand at that time. Having blowouts on the same position every time is strange, leading me to think that it is carrying more than its share of the load. Doesn't look from the pic that you are towing nose-high much, if at all.
The suggestion to go to Carlisle is a good one, or take a look at Maxxis brand. Not much better in the 15" range. To go to a J would require wheel and probably axle changeout.
Checking the temps with the temp gun is a good suggestion--this should be done often until you determine if it is running at/near the temps of the other 3 tires.
To take the wheel itself out of the equation--have you changed that LR wheel to some other position to see if the trouble follows the wheel or the position on the axles?

Had issues with wheels/tires in 2012 to the point insurance company was involved and the white wheels are what I ended up with. I was going through what is located where Load wise and there is a lot on the left side, so it “could” be a weight/Load issue.

The wheels have been in different positions after my TN fiasco. I had Discount Tire put same wheels/tires on same axels, so there was some shifting. However that wheel is now destroyed and I may just go out of pocket for original or close to OEM Mag wheels or upgrade to something sturdier in a 16” range and say goodbye to the 15”. I just want to make sure I am not masking an issue like bent axels as “notanlines” mentioned.

I did a lil research and saw a Goodyear Tire that is supposed to have a good reputation but that is in writing, not in conversation like this. As I mentioned in the previous post, there is no tire pressure documentation that I can find. What do you guys use for pressure? I was running them at 68-70psi. SAfely within Load E 80 psi. Do you guys just take them up to 80psi cold? Do you air up more pressure on a heavier side of camper?

Good input, thanks all!

[Txtower]

Probably my fault on the tire pressure recommendation. 2004 was probably a year or two earlier than the date it was required.

Yup. Agree about tire pressure. Gonna need to research it. This needs to be accurate. However like you mentioned, I need to get those axels checked, otherwise I am masking a potential issue.

[wingnut60]

If you did not see any odd wear, doubt it is the axle itself. Run tire pressure at max indicated on tire. Get the trailer/truck weighed.
Changing to 16: great idea, much better tires available.
Still odd to have trouble at only one position...

[Txtower]

If you did not see any odd wear, doubt it is the axle itself. Run tire pressure at max indicated on tire. Get the trailer/truck weighed.
Changing to 16: great idea, much better tires available.
Still odd to have trouble at only one position...

No adverse wear, so possibly good sign. Researching wheels/tires.

[wingnut60]

Give the folks at www.trailertiresandwheels.com a call--they will know what you are facing and have good solutions. Sets of tires/wheels, mounted/balanced, sent to your house. Good folks, very knowledgeable about trailer wheels and tires. Have bought 2 sets from them.
By the way, is Discount Tire standing behind any of the tires they sold you?

[Txtower]

Give the folks at www.trailertiresandwheels.com a call--they will know what you are facing and have good solutions. Sets of tires/wheels, mounted/balanced, sent to your house. Good folks, very knowledgeable about trailer wheels and tires. Have bought 2 sets from them.
By the way, is Discount Tire standing behind any of the tires they sold you?

I will definitely check that place out. That is great information. I was just discussing that with the wife. As for discount tire; I’m sure they will stand behind it but you never know… I will find out in a week or so when I bring it to them.

[Txtower]

Do you guys run radials or bias tires? From what I have read, bias are stronger and good for heavy loads.

[Stripit]

When I owned a trailer with 3 axles the center tire on the kitchen side blew out 2 times, so I decided to get it weighed by each tire spot. Found out the tire that was failing was over loaded by about 250 lbs, that was if i kept it to 80psi, if it was under inflated it was overloaded even more. We moved items to relieve the overloading and kept a real close eye on the air pressures. Without having it weighed by wheel position I would never have know of the weight issue. Then I went and bought scales and started weighing RV's as a business. You cannot believe the amount of overloaded RV's we discovered, many had failed tires in one location.

[Txtower]

When I owned a trailer with 3 axles the center tire on the kitchen side blew out 2 times, so I decided to get it weighed by each tire spot. Found out the tire that was failing was over loaded by about 250 lbs, that was if i kept it to 80psi, if it was under inflated it was overloaded even more. We moved items to relieve the overloading and kept a real close eye on the air pressures. Without having it weighed by wheel position I would never have know of the weight issue. Then I went and bought scales and started weighing RV's as a business. You cannot believe the amount of overloaded RV's we discovered, many had failed tires in one location.

Wow, I never knew you could weigh each tire spot. That is pretty impressive. How do you do that? Buy the scale as u mentioned or did you go somewhere? Right now with 15 inch wheels, the published GVWR exceed the maximum tire on the 15” wheels and load E tires. I am gonna upgrade to 16” and better tires on it with improved weight. I should be able to improve the weight on each wheel by 800 pounds (not that I will exceed that high due to axle limits). I will need to install lift block kits to get that extra 2 inches or so that I will need for the clearance with larger wheel/tire.

[Stripit]

I searched and found the same scales the DOT officers used when they pulled over the semi trucks and did spot weighing. They cost about $4,200 each back when I purchased them. Weighing each wheel position allowed you to give a total rv weight, a total axle weight or a each tire position weight, they all added up to the same when you figured it out. My last trailer, a 36 ft Mobile Suites weighed 1,200 lbs heavier on the kitchen side than the door side. If the trailer was not level, then the weights moved forward or back, depending on how the trailer was to increase the weights on a given tire on that heavy side. So having a tire overloaded was pretty easy unless you had more tire capacity than the extra weight produced. When the Mobile Suites first came out the 16 G tire was standard, but with many tires failing they increased to the 17 inch H with added capacity to help stop the blow tires from over loaded issues.

[Txtower]

I searched and found the same scales the DOT officers used when they pulled over the semi trucks and did spot weighing. They cost about $4,200 each back when I purchased them. Weighing each wheel position allowed you to give a total rv weight, a total axle weight or a each tire position weight, they all added up to the same when you figured it out. My last trailer, a 36 ft Mobile Suites weighed 1,200 lbs heavier on the kitchen side than the door side. If the trailer was not level, then the weights moved forward or back, depending on how the trailer was to increase the weights on a given tire on that heavy side. So having a tire overloaded was pretty easy unless you had more tire capacity than the extra weight produced. When the Mobile Suites first came out the 16 G tire was standard, but with many tires failing they increased to the 17 inch H with added capacity to help stop the blow tires from over loaded issues.

Well I can honestly say I will not be buying a scale. I will research if TXDOT has anything like that or con a State Trooper... that info is like GOLD

[Stripit]

If you contact your local police dept and ask if they have a DOT officer that weighs semi's they can and sometimes will let you get weighed. I've heard they will tell you where they are going to set up, what day and time and you can then drag your rv there. In some cases they will even come to you, just need a nice flat parking lot for the weighing. They don't charge but some kind of token for them doing that is nice, but not required.

[Notanlines]

"AXW-20-PTS Portable Truck Scale" This is the model the guy uses when he comes through the park. He charges $40.00 to weigh each RV, individual tires. $50.00 if it happens to be a triple axle. I think he paid in the neighborhood of $1200 or so.

[Stripit]

"AXW-20-PTS Portable Truck Scale" This is the model the guy uses when he comes through the park. He charges $40.00 to weigh each RV, individual tires. $50.00 if it happens to be a triple axle. I think he paid in the neighborhood of $1200 or so.

I never saw those scales, mine were used all around the country by the DOT officers and worked very well. They served me and gave repeatable weight numbers so I knew they were accurate. I charged the same money when i weighed, but that was at least 8 years ago.

[Notanlines]

StripIt, I only posted the info to let the OP know that there are other options. I'm betting that eight years ago this model wasn't available. And you and I can rest assured that the state police purchasing dept wouldn't buy anything worth 1200 when they could spend 4800 instead.

[Stripit]

StripIt, I only posted the info to let the OP know that there are other options. I'm betting that eight years ago this model wasn't available. And you and I can rest assured that the state police purchasing dept wouldn't buy anything worth 1200 when they could spend 4800 instead.

You have that right, I treated my scales like jewerly as opposed to the officers treating them like they didn't care. I saw some of them twisted like pretzels at the DOT repair/certification center.

Weighing RV's sure opened a lot of folks eyes to why tires tires failed in some areas on the rig. Or why the truck didn't feel right when towing, or other handleing issues.

[Txtower]

StripIt, I only posted the info to let the OP know that there are other options. I'm betting that eight years ago this model wasn't available. And you and I can rest assured that the state police purchasing dept wouldn't buy anything worth 1200 when they could spend 4800 instead.

Lol. Now THATS funny. So true.

[Rhagfo]

I have a 2004 Starcraft Homestead 290 BHS. I keep blowing tires and am not sure what the issue is. It is always the left side under the slide out. Rear one seems to be the one that has blown most. I have 15” Wheels with Carlton ST225/75R15, Load E. I have them at 68-70psi.

I found some threads out there where others have went to bigger wheels and a stronger Load Range J type tire. Not sure if this is a viable option. I don’t know if axel is bent or not true, but admittedly don’t know how to check that. The other side tires operate fine so I think it is fine.

We just finished an 800 mile found trip and the tire went in the last 10 miles. The left rear blew again and wrapped itself around the axel. I can not tell if it is tread separation or what kind of failure.

It seems the slide out side is the issue and I am wondering if it is a weight issue, too low psi, need bigger sturdier wheel/tire?

GVWR 11,580
CCC 3065

Any ideas? Thanks

Intend to think out of the box, if you have the clearance get 16” wheels an put on a good set of LT235/85-16E, yes LT truck tires!
Our 2005 Copper Canyon 293FWSLS has a of GVWR 12,360# the LT’s have a weight rating of 3,042# ea., that is a total of 12,168# on a 11,580# GVWR, that less 20% For pin and you have a lot extra capacity.

[CALinSC]

I have a 2004 Starcraft Homestead 290 BHS. I keep blowing tires and am not sure what the issue is. It is always the left side under the slide out. Rear one seems to be the one that has blown most. I have 15” Wheels with Carlton ST225/75R15, Load E. I have them at 68-70psi.

I found some threads out there where others have went to bigger wheels and a stronger Load Range J type tire. Not sure if this is a viable option. I don’t know if axel is bent or not true, but admittedly don’t know how to check that. The other side tires operate fine so I think it is fine.

We just finished an 800 mile found trip and the tire went in the last 10 miles. The left rear blew again and wrapped itself around the axel. I can not tell if it is tread separation or what kind of failure.

It seems the slide out side is the issue and I am wondering if it is a weight issue, too low psi, need bigger sturdier wheel/tire?

GVWR 11,580
CCC 3065

Any ideas? Thanks

Somehow I missed this thread when it was posted. I’ll just add my take now.

Are those tires the same size as the Original Equipment tires described on the trailer’s certification label/tire placard?

How come you’re not inflating them to 80 PSI?

Statistically speaking, at least 50% of all RV trailers are overloaded. At least one tire on every trailer is under inflated/overloaded or both.

Read chapter #4 in the following reference. It has everything one needs to know to keep their RV trailer tires properly serviced. It has weight and balance info and replacement tire recommendation standards.

https://www.ustires.org/sites/default/files/CareAndService_PassengerAndLightTruckTires.pdf

[Muddflap]

Just a little nugget of information, Simple Tire sells Sailun S637T tires pretty cheap. They are Chinese tires but are built to a very high standard, have an impressive load rating and are good for 75 mph speed rating. Quite a few folks on the Redwood forum swear by them, and Redwoods are moderately heavy 5ers. Mine maxes at 17,900 lbs. I have 17.5 load range H tires and when it’s time, I’m getting the Sailuns.

For the folks who wear 16” tires, take a look:

https://simpletire.com/sailun-235-80r16-5541960-tires?stmodel=s637t&stcategory=other&sttype=commercial&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxt30j67o2gIVlK_sCh1qUQCfEAQYASAB EgKCn_D_BwE

[Muddflap]

Oh yeah, get a good TPMS too.

[Notanlines]

Yep, what Muddflap ^^^^said. Sailuns AND TPMS both. We run Goodyear on the Suites, but ran Sailuns on the Raptor.

[Txtower]

Ended up lifting the camper to get the required lift for 16” wheels. Axles good for the load. Needed 30.8” for 16” and only had 30”. With the larger wheels, I was able to get 600lb increase per tire. Ended puttting Goodyear Endurance on for the tires. All torqued (standing by to re-torque). Found a good company in Canada for the lift product. Gonna triple check weights for the heavy areas and adjust the load plan. Thanks all for the help, advice and discussion.

[wingnut60]

When you say lifted, how did you do it? What is the Canadian company product?
Thanks,
Joe
We are originally from Arlington/Burleson and may be thinking about finding a home space in the Glen Rose area.

[Txtower]

I lifted leaf spring higher above axle. They startred from sitting on axle to being raised 3” abiove the axle. I used this site and the parts were superb, https://www.trailerblocks.com/products/trailer-lift-lowering-kit-4000lb-7000lb-round-axle-1-3-4-wide-spring-tie-plates
Sorry I would show you pictures but the site is not too friendly with attaching pictures, you have to use URLs…

[Txtower]

And Glen Rose rocks, PM if u have questions!

[TSTMike]

Hello,

If you all have any questions regarding the TST TPMS please let me know. I am always to help or answer questions.

Thanks,
Mike Benson
TST TPMS
210-420-0132

[BanditK6]

I have a 2004 Starcraft Homestead 290 BHS. I keep blowing tires and am not sure what the issue is. It is always the left side under the slide out. Rear one seems to be the one that has blown most. I have 15” Wheels with Carlton ST225/75R15, Load E. I have them at 68-70psi.

I found some threads out there where others have went to bigger wheels and a stronger Load Range J type tire. Not sure if this is a viable option. I don’t know if axel is bent or not true, but admittedly don’t know how to check that. The other side tires operate fine so I think it is fine.

We just finished an 800 mile found trip and the tire went in the last 10 miles. The left rear blew again and wrapped itself around the axel. I can not tell if it is tread separation or what kind of failure.

It seems the slide out side is the issue and I am wondering if it is a weight issue, too low psi, need bigger sturdier wheel/tire?

GVWR 11,580
CCC 3065

Any ideas? Thanks
Are you pulling level? The center link can only do so much. Maybe you are overloading the rear tire if you are pulling nose high.

[Stripit]

What is the max tire pressure allowed written on the tire, PSI and what is the max load carrying capacity at that max pressure? It should be obvious that it is not normal to have one location always the spot where a tire would fail if it was not overloaded or under inflated or a combination of both. Not being able to run over a scale that would give you each tire load makes you have to guess and we have found guessing is normally inaccurate. One side of the trailer might be much heavier than the other side. Not having a equal load on the axles could then overload one tire position. Not all trailers need to run level, scales prove that out. You try to equal the loads on each axle, and depending on the interior layout, the items stored and carried and the hight of the hitch all play into the weights being moved and carried by the axles/tires.
Some folks just go buy a larger wheel/tire combo and fix the overload issue that way, actually they don't fix the overload, just get a higher capacity tire and then the tire failures stop. The overload is still there just not exposing itself any longer..