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10-14-2016, 01:38 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,076
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Why do china bombs let go?
After reading lots of answers to my other questions my focus now is on-
What is everyone's feeling as to why we hear/have so many problems with china bomb STs?
If they are made to an "industry standard" is the standard to low in performance criteria or are they letting go due to underinflation/age/too high of speed/overloaded OR are they just marginal load carriers from the git-go?
Has there ever been any failure analysis published on them?
Why do we not hear of similar failure stories on passenger car tires?
Why do passenger car and truck tires seem to last so much longer?
I'm sure they have the same age/underinflation/speed but maybe not load issues.
Does it all just come down to an inferior product by all manufactures all around the industry?
Does that point to the "standards" that they are built to?
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10-14-2016, 03:00 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,663
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IMHO the majority of tire failures are "china bombs" because the majority of tires on trailers are "chiba bombs".
I have talked to several people during the last RV season and most of them did not have a clue about speed ratings on ST tires, and they all towed at or above the speed limit. When the US speed limit was 55
(90 KPH in Canada) from 1974 to 1995 this was not and issue. With speed limits now up to 75 and higher it is now an issue. The combination of low inflation and overheating to higher speeds is the main culprit.
__________________
2008 F450, 2016 Outdoors RV Glacier Peak 26 RKS
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10-14-2016, 05:00 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 351
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Arent some of the better tires like Sailuns made in China?
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10-14-2016, 07:46 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 48
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Excellent question cliffy. I'm going to take a stab at answering with my thoughts & I have nothing to back up any only my thoughts.
Why so many problems with china bombs? I think something like 90% or more of ST tires are made in China, thus more problems.
I do think they are made to industry standards. I also don't think there is any one reason for the "blow outs", so one size does not fit all.
Under inflation: Yes.. Several folks say they check tires before leaving & have no TPMS. Pulling out of the campground, home or wherever run over nail, screw or piece of steel, slow leak & 100 miles down toad tire blows.
Age: Yes.. Some people do not know about the general 5-6 years max use for ST tires or do know & try to squeeze another year out of them before replaceing.
High Speed: Yes.. As rickeoni said in his post, a lot of folks do not know about the 65mph on most ST tires. I pull a 5er from Pittsburgh to Florida and back each year & I see a lot of 5ers & TT pass me running at least 70-75 mph. They are not speeding above the speed limit posted only well over the ST tire limit.
Overloaded: Yes.. How many folks have not weighed there unit. A lot of people won't even go in a truck stop to get fuel and are intimidated by all the trucks etc & if they do fuel, they will not go near a CAT scale because they have never used one or are intimidated by it.
I think car & pick up tires last because they are used daily or at least a few times a week. Even if they are underinflated they just run 4 or 5 miles to the grocery store etc. But they still get to flex the tire & sidewall etc. A 5er or TT also sits parked for various amounts of time, maybe even 6-7 months at a time, flat spot, no flex of the tire & side wall etc.
So my bottom line is they are not an inferior product, just the way they are used & abused. Only my thoughts, I have no data to back anything up.....
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10-14-2016, 08:03 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas
Posts: 610
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Trailer tires are most of the time not as well maintained and most folks (including me) are reluctant to change out tires that on the surface appear good and have plenty of tread. What I do is check the pressures in mine before the first trip of the year and before any long trip. I also carry a IR Gun and check all tire and hub temps at each stop enroute to help watch for any impending problem. I think under inflation building heat from sidewall flex coupled with higher speeds is what gets the most of them.
__________________
"Cracker Box" 2007 Jayco Greyhawk 33DS on a Chevrolet C5500 Kodiak
"Yellow Hammer" 1982 Jeep CJ5 V-8 4x4 Tow'd
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10-14-2016, 09:07 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ca
Posts: 1,076
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The problem is specs, quality control, inspection, and money. Defective tires can be built in any country.
The Goodyear Marathon ST tire story is a classic example. Originally made in the USA, they were considered very good trailer tires.
When production went overseas, the QC team apparently missed the boat.
At some point, Marathon production was rumored to have been brought back to the U.S. I don't know where they are made now or their current reputation.
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10-14-2016, 09:40 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: La Verne, Calif
Posts: 3,649
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I always thought the "china bombs" were an evil plot by the Chinese government against the American RV owner.
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10-14-2016, 03:19 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timetogo
The problem is specs, quality control, inspection, and money. Defective tires can be built in any country.
The Goodyear Marathon ST tire story is a classic example. Originally made in the USA, they were considered very good trailer tires.
When production went overseas, the QC team apparently missed the boat.
At some point, Marathon production was rumored to have been brought back to the U.S. I don't know where they are made now or their current reputation.
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What you wrote is correct. To add information, they are again made in China.
I think that too many people defend the cheap tires that are put on trailers. Many other components of an RV would not be accepted if installed in a home, but somehow cheap junk that can cause damage or injury is acceptable.
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10-14-2016, 03:40 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,055
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Given the number of folks blowing by me on the expressways speed is a big factor. I would not be surprised by age or inflation as I seldom see anyone checking tire temps at a rest stop.
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10-14-2016, 03:43 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 680
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If you have a TPMS that also monitors temps I wouldn't think you would need to manually check tire temps at rest stops would you?
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10-14-2016, 03:59 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,756
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As many have pointed out, people pull at faster speeds these days because speed limits are higher, tow vehicles are made better and can handle faster limits, but tires don't seem to be keeping up with today's driving habits and demands...so it does beg the question to whether the industry standards are high enough. RV and tire manufacturers should know that people don't want to be ran over on today's modern hi-ways by driving at 55-60 mph while the flow is going 75-80. I see many tractor trailers going 70 without as many problems it seems.
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10-14-2016, 04:49 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,794
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Am I lucky?. I'm on my 3rd set of Goodyear Marathon ST's for my 2003 Featherlite car trailer with no problems. The trailer came with Marathons made in New Zealand (!), then USA, and China for the 3rd set installed earlier this year. I have a TPMS for the motorhome and trailer and also cover the tires when not in use.
Quote:
Originally Posted by timetogo
The problem is specs, quality control, inspection, and money. Defective tires can be built in any country.
The Goodyear Marathon ST tire story is a classic example. Originally made in the USA, they were considered very good trailer tires.
When production went overseas, the QC team apparently missed the boat.
At some point, Marathon production was rumored to have been brought back to the U.S. I don't know where they are made now or their current reputation.
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__________________
George Schweikle Lexington, KY
2005 Safari (Monaco)Trek 28RB2, Workhorse W20, 8.1, Allison 1000 5 spd, UltraPower engine & tranny, Track bars & sway bars, KONI FSD, FMCA 190830, Safari Int'l. chapter. 1999 Safari Trek 2830, 1995 Safari Trek 2430, 1983 Winnebago Chieftain, 1976 Midas Mini
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10-14-2016, 06:23 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ca
Posts: 1,076
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Good to hear from a happy customer George.
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10-14-2016, 07:24 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,076
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Maybe the best answer is- "all of the above"?
Are there any STs made in the USA?
Do they have any history of failures?
Inquiring minds want to know.
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