Tires Samson GL283A Big Problems

[GlennLever]

I could not find a category here on tires but wanted to put out a heads up on these tires, the adjustment center in Georgia, and the brand.

When I purchased my RV from Sunland Sales, Leasing & Rental Glendale Az (another place to stay away from) 07/09/2013.

Part of the deal was the replacement of all the tires with new tires.

When I picked up the vehicle the tires had been replaced and the date codes were correct for new tires.

I did not check the weight rating and it turned out that the front tires were under rated for the max weight of the front axle.

I have been keeping a close eye on them for any signs of problems and at the end of this past season found some problems.

I have the receipt for the purchase of the new tires and have been dealing with a very well know large tire dealership here in Rochester.

They have been tiring to get the the adjustment center in Georgia to respond. Just received this note form the tire dealership.

" To be perfectly honest with you, I haven't been able to get in touch with anyone yet at the adjustment center in Georgia....The world headquarters is in Sri Lanka and heaven knows the time difference and language barrier...I'm about ready to try them if Georgia won't return my call. I try every other day, and so far, no luck..I'll keep you in the loop.
"

I would warn anyone thinking of purchasing Samson tires to be aware that price wise they appear to be a good value, but if you have a problem be prepared.

Every one of the tires are cracking. I believe them to be unsafe at this point and I will have to replace them all in the spring.

Below are pictures from the Left Front, Right Front and Right Rear Outer

[deandec]

What was the manufactured date of the tires?

Did the dealer get a good deal on old tires?

[mel s]

Originally Posted by GlennLever

I could not find a category here on tires but wanted to put out a heads up on these tires, the adjustment center in Georgia, and the brand.

GlennLever
Is the DOT OD K D12 shown in your pics the "manufactured on date code"?
Or is the date code JL27-73?

In either case me thinks you need to find out when those tires where manufactured before anyone can resolve anything.
Mel
'96 Safari

[Grey Ghost I]

Those tires are very old or have been run grossly underinflated. I have the same size samsons on mine. Mine are load range H.

[FormerBoater]

DOT Code is incomplete.

-tires manufactured from 2000 on have a 4 digit date presentation
-tires manufactured prior to 2000 have a 3 digit date presentation

[SilverBob]

I'd also like to see the actual "Born On" date.

You stated that the tires were " ....under rated for the max weight of the front axle." Why would you keep running them for two years, instead of making the seller install the correct tires, as promised?

[slowmachine]

The full DOT code may only be on one side of the tire.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=172
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11






Mike
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40PBD
Freghtliner XC, CAT 3126B

[SilverBob]

Oh yeah, I also don't know where the idea of an "adjustment center in Georgia" came from. According to their web site,
http://gtcna.com/docs/product-warran...e-Warranty.pdf
you should be contacting:

GTCNA
4580 Stephen Circle NW
Suite 202
Canton, Ohio 44718
Phone: 330-498-5000
Fax: 330-498-5002
E-mail: sales@gtcna.com

A lot of things aren't adding up here!

[Crasher]

I'm a little confused as to why you did not specify what replacement brand and size you would accept for you to buy the MH. I am also curious to see the actual build date for them. They look very old for a two year old tire. So far, it appears that a dealer took advantage of an uninformed buyer. But to add to it, why did you continue to drive it when you new the tires were overloaded. Owning a MH is a learning curve. For some, it can be a steep and costly experience. Hope you get a good resolution for your problem.

[mike brez]

I have the same tires that are four years old and they look brand new.

[NHRA225]

Originally Posted by SilverBob

Oh yeah, I also don't know where the idea of an "adjustment center in Georgia" came from. According to their web site,
http://gtcna.com/docs/product-warran...e-Warranty.pdf
you should be contacting:

GTCNA
4580 Stephen Circle NW
Suite 202
Canton, Ohio 44718
Phone: 330-498-5000
Fax: 330-498-5002
E-mail: sales@gtcna.com

A lot of things aren't adding up here!

Lets cut the OP a little slack Here- there a few unanswered questions on His Tires- Me ? I think He trusted someone He shouldn't have and is in a Learning Curve on Tires !

[GlennLever]

Originally Posted by mel s

GlennLever
Is the DOT OD K D12 shown in your pics the "manufactured on date code"?
Or is the date code JL27-73?

In either case me thinks you need to find out when those tires where manufactured before anyone can resolve anything.
Mel
'96 Safari

Attached below at pictures taken all the way around one tire. The only date code I found was DOT OD K D12. Tire Representative that examined the tires was satisfied they were manufactured in 2013

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost I

Those tires are very old or have been run grossly underinflated. I have the same size samsons on mine. Mine are load range H.

The tire Representative that looked that the tire verified the manufacture date was the same year I purchased the coach (2013). These tires have never been run under inflated, I have a tire monitor for all the tires on the motor home and for each of the trailers I pull with the motor home. I do not remember of the top of my head what the GAWR rating on my front axle is but if memory severs me the rating of the tires on only the front axle was off by a total of 500 pounds or 250 pounds a tire. I need a load range H (16-Ply) to legally carry the front end

Originally Posted by FormerBoater

DOT Code is incomplete.

-tires manufactured from 2000 on have a 4 digit date presentation
-tires manufactured prior to 2000 have a 3 digit date presentation

I have taken pictures and posted below one tire all the way around.

Originally Posted by SilverBob

I'd also like to see the actual "Born On" date.

You stated that the tires were " ....under rated for the max weight of the front axle." Why would you keep running them for two years, instead of making the seller install the correct tires, as promised?

I went after the seller for a couple of things, wrote to the Arizona State Attorney general on several glaring false claims made in the ad for the motor home. He essentially laughed at me. I was and still am a complete novice on RVs. I did not discover the problem of the weight rating until I was back in New York after driving across the US after picking up the RV in Az. Try dealing with a disreputable RV dealership clear across the US, or even a repeatable dealership across the US.

Originally Posted by SilverBob

Oh yeah, I also don't know where the idea of an "adjustment center in Georgia" came from. According to their web site,
http://gtcna.com/docs/product-warran...e-Warranty.pdf
you should be contacting:

GTCNA
4580 Stephen Circle NW
Suite 202
Canton, Ohio 44718
Phone: 330-498-5000
Fax: 330-498-5002
E-mail: sales@gtcna.com

A lot of things aren't adding up here!

I have forwarded this information to the tire dealership that is trying to get an adjustment on these tires.

Not sure what you think is not adding up.

No matter what happens this spring I will have to buy six new tires.

The tire dealership I am dealing with here is one/or the largest here in Rochester. I used to own an auto repair shop and had dealings with this dealership for MANY years, within the normal business had adjustments made with them on tires. They handle everything from cars to earth moving equipment. They have the equipment to do alignments on commercial trucks. They know what they are talking about. I trust them.

Originally Posted by Crasher

I'm a little confused as to why you did not specify what replacement brand and size you would accept for you to buy the MH. I am also curious to see the actual build date for them. They look very old for a two year old tire. So far, it appears that a dealer took advantage of an uninformed buyer. But to add to it, why did you continue to drive it when you new the tires were overloaded. Owning a MH is a learning curve. For some, it can be a steep and costly experience. Hope you get a good resolution for your problem.

The learning curve has been extremely steep and costly. I have not had one trip yet without a problem. If you read my projects thread you will see it has been a very troubled road. There are only 51 pages of repairs made to this motor home. The one major thing I have learned is do the research nessary ti fix it yourself, because RV service centers are far worse that any mistake I would make.

Originally Posted by NHRA225

Lets cut the OP a little slack Here- there a few unanswered questions on His Tires- Me ? I think He trusted someone He shouldn't have and is in a Learning Curve on Tires !

You are so right.

Sorry I have not responded before this, I never got any notifications of posts to this thread until today

Below are pictures all the way around the right rear outer dual (certainly never overloaded).

The only shot missing is the max load rating and air pressure for the tire.

There is a inconsistency in the writing on the tire, in one shot it clearly states 120 PSI but in another area (which I have not pictured but will Sunday) is the max load for the tire stating max pressure is 110 PSI

[Grey Ghost I]

This is a far out idea, but I believe that dealer had some ancient tires from July 1973 (JL27-73) and stole the tires your coach came with. Call me a nut, but stranger things happen. This forum has some excellent tire people who can verify or or deny. You really have me curious about it.

[77Travco]

I ordered and installed (with hand tools) my own set of new tires from a place on the internet call simpletire. My new set of Samson 283A tires all have "DOT 1315" for date codes.
I could be wrong but I also think your tires are pretty old according to the weird DOT code shown. If you think those are weather cracked, you should see the 4 year old Michelin XZE's that came off my coach!