Community Forums

Mr_D · 07-11-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

Even recaps have their (acknowledged) problems - they CANNOT be installed on steer axles.

That's on commercial vehicles only and it's a Federal rule. Private vehicles can still use recaps on the front, although I would never use recaps anyway except on my utility trailer.

Ray,IN · 07-11-2011, 07:56 PM

Check out Sailun truck tires. I make it a point to check the brand of tires on semi's as I walk by when we stop for fuel. My guesstimate is that about 1/4 are running Sailun tires. I now run Sailun on my 5er (S637 commercial trailer tires)

azloafer · 07-11-2011, 08:44 PM

I had a conversation with a taxi driver and he said that he had to furnish the the tires if he wanted new ones because the company would only use recaps. He said that he hated the recaps because he would be on a run and a tire would blow especially when it was 100+ outside. He said a flat happens rarely with new tires compared to recaps. That's all I know about recaps. I think that I will bite the bullet and buy new when mine get too old. This is the first time that I have ever heard of remolded tires. Thanks for the film, it was very interesting, but I'm just not sure about those tires. Who knows, maybe that will become the standard for trucks and MH's. Joe

stepside454 · 07-11-2011, 08:51 PM

I avoid buying anything made in China , I always check where things I buy are made, if it's made in China, I'll shop around , I only buy made in China if I can't find that itemade elswhere. I sure wouldn't use Chinease made tires .

Rick Long · 07-11-2011, 08:57 PM

We've all seen them... beautiful tire treads laying all over the freeways.

blackf3504dr · 07-12-2011, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

That's on commercial vehicles only and it's a Federal rule. Private vehicles can still use recaps on the front, although I would never use recaps anyway except on my utility trailer.

The regulation against recaps on the steer axle only applies to buses. It also addresses regrooved tires,they may not be used on the steer axle of a bus...

Ann n Gene · 07-12-2011, 01:32 PM

Well.......the steer axle ban also applies to ANY COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE that is subject to DOT inspection. A private vehicle you can do what you want but recaps can not be used on any commercial vehicle. The main problem with RV tires is the age issue and recaps use OLD caseings, therefore, why would anyone put them on an RV imho they are just asking for trouble.

RustyJC · 07-12-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackf3504dr

The regulation against recaps on the steer axle only applies to buses. It also addresses regrooved tires,they may not be used on the steer axle of a bus...

If the perceived potential risk to 50 or so passengers is great enough that the government does not allow recaps, remolds or regrooves on the front axle of a bus, isn't there a message there about risk associated with using these same "reclaimed" tires on the steer axle of a MH???

At the end of the day, though, it's not my rig, my family, my money, or my choice.

Rusty

rpasetto · 07-12-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalone

Here's a YouTube video from "How it's made".

YouTube - ‪How It's Made Remolded tires‬‏

I can't find much other information on them but they are inspected before being used.

With the advancement in tire tech over the years I can't say I wouldn't use them. I may just use them on the rear axle since there are 4 of them back there if one lets go. The fronts are another story.

Even if it could be proven that the casings of the remolded tires were "as good as new", which I doubt, there are other issues"
- One is that there's be no way to know that there wasn't a flaw in the casing, due to its age.
- Another is that the casings are would quite possibly be from different tire makes/models; with that much variation you'd have a pair of mis-matched tires (if only slightly).

azloafer · 07-12-2011, 02:47 PM

rpasetto,
I think that you hit the nail on the head. That is covering an old casing with a new part. You still have an old casing that you hope was inspected well. I was surprised when the tire guy shoved a tool right through the tire and then patched it. I wonder how many patches are allowed in one tire? Also, what kind of warranty do these tires have? I'm not sure this is a good idea, but time will tell. Happy Trails, Joe

digitalone · 07-12-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpasetto

Even if it could be proven that the casings of the remolded tires were "as good as new", which I doubt, there are other issues"
- One is that there's be no way to know that there wasn't a flaw in the casing, due to its age.
- Another is that the casings are would quite possibly be from different tire makes/models; with that much variation you'd have a pair of mis-matched tires (if only slightly).

I may be replying to you rpasetto but I promise I'm not singling out. One post for clutters sake, right?

Mismatched tires isn't a real concern to me. I'm not driving a sports care here and I'm not going much over 60mph at any given time. Also, from further research I've heard they Xray every tire for internal damage *speculation*.

*Just some links I found, nothing spectacular though*
Electronic inspection and spin balanced
No Xray here but confirmed electronic inspection
"It's too bad that the retread industry gets painted with a broad brush when consumers see rubber on the road" -- Harvey Brodsky, Managing Director of TRIB, the Tire Retread Information Bureau

So they seem pretty well inspected if that's true. I have no hard proof of that beyond those links. Information is scarce on the internet about these things.

Semis and alligators
To be legal for interstate travel with no extra permits the legal limit is 80,000 lbs. I'm not driving an 80K lbs rig but at those kinds of weights I'd expect "tire issues". Especially with the amount of mileage those guys drive.

Personally
I've always put used tires on my trucks and Cadillacs but on my sports cars and motorcycles I've always bought new. The difference was average speed. A blow at 60mph is whatever, a blowout at 100mph is a big deal. I've also taken tires with plugs in them to well over 100mph more then I care to admit.

I'm not saying your wrong for buying the way you want and feel. I'm just saying it's not illegal to run these and save some money. If your not competent in your driving skills for handling a blow out and having brand new tires makes you "feel good" then that's fine. New tires experience blow outs too though.

I'll run tires that I trust. My RV tires were already on my RV when I bought it and are only 2 years old at the moment. So, I have no plans to buy any tires for at least 8 more years. Per the manufacture specs.

Anyway, I've never used them but I can't say I won't. It just seems a lot of people here are very dramatic about tires. "No more then 5 years", "cover them to protect them from the sun", "Only american", "only brand new", etc, you've all heard it or even spouted it. I really don't get it. Flats happens, to all cars and all tires at all ages. All tires must pass the same government tests. Proper maintenance, regular use and well timed inpections will do more for any tire then personal opinions.

Perry White · 07-12-2011, 03:56 PM

That's what we need . More Alligators laying out on the highways.

rpasetto · 07-12-2011, 07:14 PM

So, what's your point here, digitalone?

Are you saying you are willing to risk a blowout at 60 mph?

Aside from safety issues mismatched tires (in radius) on the drive axle may cost wear in the differential.

Chuck 1935 · 07-12-2011, 07:37 PM

My 92, 32ft Fleetwood Flair Diesel had Chinese Dynatrac's, 19.5 on it and I never had a problem. I was told by a bus service guy that they used them on their busses and worked well. On my Winny I had Michleins which I removed because of sidewall checking and put on Yokohamas. They have given me very good service for the last 20,000 miles. I wouldn't use Michleins on a Motorhome because of their cracking and checking problems. For a passenger car, I think Michleins are great.