Time for a Westlake tire update

[JCR GD]

Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of any actual Westlake tire failures?

(I know a lot of folks change them out almost immediately because of the "china bomb" issues but this is for those that have not)

If so... Please give us some info...

Size, running pressure, load, age, reason for failure, etc ??

Thanks

[Scott and Jan]

5,700 miles so far, no problems!
Ironically my BF Goodrich Commercial TA truck tire blew out on way to Anchor Down last week. Thanks to Chris & Debbie (mtpocket) I learned of a recall my tires were part of, so hopefully tomorrow I'll find out if they will help pay for all the damage.

[roadkingfl]

5,700 miles so far, no problems!
Ironically my BF Goodrich Commercial TA truck tire blew out on way to Anchor Down last week. Thanks to Chris & Debbie (mtpocket) I learned of a recall my tires were part of, so hopefully tomorrow I'll find out if they will help pay for all the damage.

Hope they pay for the damage to your truch and rv...Also hope they reimburse you for the replacement tires...Say hi to Jan.

Sorry no experience with Westlake tires...Have had bad experience with other off brand tires.

[WhittleBurner]

We also have about 5000 miles on ours with no problems. Just guessing but I suspect that people that do have problems tend to drive faster than what they are rated for,

[JCR GD]

Just guessing but I suspect that people that do have problems tend to drive faster than what they are rated for,

...and/or possibly overloaded.

[James D.]

5,700 miles so far, no problems!
Ironically my BF Goodrich Commercial TA truck tire blew out on way to Anchor Down last week. Thanks to Chris & Debbie (mtpocket) I learned of a recall my tires were part of, so hopefully tomorrow I'll find out if they will help pay for all the damage.

I had that happen to me during the early summer this year. When I took it in to get the tire replaced, I found out about the recall and they replaced all four tires for the cost of the upgrade I requested. This was at Costco. It was like pulling teeth to get Michelin (Goodrich) to pay for the damage to the wheel well though.

[Cate&Rob]

Hi JCR,

A fair question.

To be more specific (if I can jump in on your request) . . . has anyone who monitors their tires with a TPMS experienced a Westlake tire failure without warning ? Outside this forum, I have talked with folks (not GD owners) using TPMS and learned that TPMS has found leaking valve stems, cracked rims and tire punctures, all leading to low tire pressure which stresses the tire but is not the tire's fault.

I am very much aware of my RV tires. I am new to this and have read much about the "China Bomb" experience and the ST vs LT debate. I have posted comments on this on several different threads on this forum. I watch my TPMS constantly. We stop every couple of hours (the "crew" in our avatar demands regular ball chasing sessions in trade for quiet travel ). At each stop, I scan my tires across the tread with the IR temp readout discussed elsewhere on this forum.

Tread depth is equal across all four tires. I can't find any of the cracks reported by others. Maybe it's an age thing ? Maybe Westlakes only last 3 years when other brands will last 5 ?? So far . . . from all I can measure . . . there is nothing to fear from Westlake tires.

Rob

Addendum: We have 5000 miles under the wheels, plus delivery mileage, so not far behind Scott and Jan on miles travelled.

[tonyself]

Hi All
We just had a blow out and the TPMS did not give any warning its taken out the trim, damage the side body and under belly, I would like to now change the Westlake (should have done the before!) for a better make who has change the set and what make did you go for?

I would also like to know what pressure you run at on your 385TH's I do not like the the way the 16 ply run hot my pressure jump from 123 to 138 psi today!

PS we have put 12,000 on in 15 months

Tony

[MidwestCamper]

Cate&Rob,

From what I see on the web, the China bomb issue was around 2014 where NHSA got involved. A recall was initiated and I have not seen any recent news in regard to failures of these tires. I will however eventually replace them with a US made tire when they are due for replacement. I'm a firm believer in a TPMS system as well and agree a failure can be caused by many issues outside of the actual tire. Without monitoring, a tire failure of any make can cause damage to the RV.

[Cate&Rob]

Cate&Rob,

From what I see on the web, the China bomb issue was around 2014 where NHSA got involved. A recall was initiated and I have not seen any recent news in regard to failures of these tires. I will however eventually replace them with a US made tire when they are due for replacement. I'm a firm believer in a TPMS system as well and agree a failure can be caused by many issues outside of the actual tire. Without monitoring, a tire failure of any make can cause damage to the RV.

The only NHTSA recall for Westlake tires (that I can find) was in 2007 for 2004-2006 Westlake LT tires. So, that info is not for ST tires and is over a decade old. http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=3463197 Just about every tire manufacturer has had a recall of some tire for some reason in the last decade.

There is obviously much "China Bomb" discussion on many forums, but no NHTSA involvement for Westlake ST tires. I am not particularly a fan of Westlake tires, but I ran them for two years with no problems and have chosen to replace them with Maxxis.

Rob