Tow Max tires - Page 3

Jmooney · 05-07-2015, 08:16 AM

If I understand the math correctly ( TT GVWR - tongue / # of single axel tires) I come way under:

Load on my tires is only 70% of capacity, so I don't suspect a problem

jerbs280 · 05-07-2015, 10:21 AM

Just returned from a trip towing my 2014 Jayco 33.5RETS. Had a street side rear Tomax 235/80R16 tire blow and was lucky it didn't do any damage to the trailer. I just happened to be looking at that side in the mirror when it came apart and was able to stop real quick. I tow at 59/60 mph with the cruise control set. Weighed the trailer before I started the trip, check tire pressure every morning when I start out and check the tire temperature at every stop. Trailer is well under gross loaded, tire pressure was 80/81 psi cold that morning and had checked tire temperature 90 miles before blow out. Temperature was between 104 and 109 on all tires. Don't remember what the temp was on the blown tire. It was between 104 and 109 though. I was very nervous the rest of the trip because I had never had a tire fail in the 32 years I have been towing campers.

Jmooney · 05-07-2015, 10:49 AM

File Compliant About Tires Here
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues

We can continue to banter back and forth on this forum about XX brand tire failures, or we can actually try to do something about it.

Use the link above to submit your actual failure information.

DocBrown · 05-07-2015, 03:11 PM

X2. If there really is a problem, reporting it creates some hard numbers and will force changes. No complaints. No changes.

eldermike · 05-07-2015, 03:32 PM

Consider that loading on your tires is dynamic and not static. When you go around a curve the outside tires load while the inside tires unload. On an uphill your tongue weight goes down and it goes up on the other side of the hill. Weight is a static force but movement makes that force dynamic and also adds momentum to the equation. A bump in the road or a hole in the road adds velocity squared to the weight on the tire.

RV tires should be rated for the dynamic loads of pulling a big heavy box down the roads and around the curves.

Jmooney · 05-07-2015, 03:46 PM

Mike - any average formula or capacity % that should be considered when sizing the load range of the tires to account fore the dynamic load shift?

DocBrown · 05-07-2015, 03:47 PM

Actually I believe they are, hence the ST designation. The idea being that they can take those twists and bends better than a regular tire. I think its what you said earlier (I think it was you) that part of the issue is the tires are exactly what's needed on the trailer, with no margin.

MantyGary · 05-11-2015, 07:28 AM

I just had one "explode" yesterday. Can't explain why. Temps were in the 50's, tire pressure was 75 psi (max 80 psi on tire wall) before leaving home. Driving approximately 50 mph. Tire spread over approximately 3/4 mile. I can only guess the cause. Luckily, I was within 2 miles of campground. Limped in and changed to the spare. Also, luckily, I'm trading this competitor's model in for a new Jayco in three weeks.

DocBrown · 05-19-2015, 02:28 PM

Here's an observation. Another thread today and MantyGary's post about TowMax failures. Something in the recent posts struck me, large rigs with 15 in tires. So I did some searches both here and on rv.net.

Guess what I found? Granted this is very unscientific, all but a few TowMax failure posts involved big trailers, 30+ ft, often 5vers with 15 inch tires. A couple of smaller trailers with 13 inch, and a couple of 14 inch.

I'm not drawing conclusions on cause. But the common thread seems to be larger rigs. Interesting too because the recent recall about the incorrect tire stamping on some tires were also 15 in.

MantyGary · 05-19-2015, 03:27 PM

Interesting observation. Unfortunately, I still have 3 Towmax (a.k.a. Blowmax) tires on my rig. I will be towing it to Colorado for a family reunion next month so am very worried about tire safety. I decided to purchase/invest in a TPMS. If the system works as advertised, it will go a long way to give me peace of mind on both the fiver and the truck.

MantyGary · 05-19-2015, 03:28 PM

I should clarify that the Blowmax tires are on the rig I'm trading in for my new Jayco 36RSQS which hasn't arrived yet and probably won't before my trip to Colorado.

DocBrown · 05-19-2015, 03:41 PM

Manty you might also want to do a visual check for bulges and bumps each time you stop. From everything I've read, the bulges precede the blowouts. Although I'm not convinced my TowMax tires are bad (just started my 3rd season on them), I'm going to be checking them at stops. Mine are 13 in.

Grumpy · 05-19-2015, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MantyGary

I decided to purchase/invest in a TPMS. If the system works as advertised, it will go a long way to give me peace of mind on both the fiver and the truck.

But they are not designed/recommended to be used on rubber valve stems. By the time you pay to have the tires dismounted and metal valve stems installed you might as well get new tires.

3'senough · 05-19-2015, 04:13 PM

I want to change or retract my previous vote. Going to the TPMS and wet bolt system I pulled my rear passenger side tire only to find that it was rounded (belt blown) and a bulge with tearing (blister) on the inside wall (facing brake). There are less than 3000 miles on these and I did one local trip this spring. Had I not checked or pulled the tire I would have had an issue. Last night I invested in a set of Maxxis 8008's and will be changing all 4. I was on the fence before this issue based on all the issues I have read about.

Personally I knew someone that last year had over 4k of damage done to his unit with one blowout that resulted in the tire going through the floor and into the cabin. E rated 16 in Towmax. Yes it was a 5'er, but a light unit for that e rated tire. Meticulous about pressure and temps like me.

Sorry to say, but I blame the manufacturing specs on these. The Maxxis come from Thailand and I feel better about the quality of workmanship there. Should I have gone up to G, possibly, but the rating on my rims are set only in load pounds and make no mention of pressure ratings so stuck with e rating. Time will tell, but I am going to feel a whole lot better behind the wheel this summer with my improvements. Funny that now Jayco is offering an option for Maxxis in 2016 which I saw on the posted changes for this model year.

I did file with nhtsa as well.

**norty1** · 05-19-2015, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

But they are not designed/recommended to be used on rubber valve stems. By the time you pay to have the tires dismounted and metal valve stems installed you might as well get new tires.

When I had my metal valve stems put on they charged me $10.00 per tire. I bought the valve stems at Advance Auto for 2 for $5.00. Worth it to me.

ALJO · 05-19-2015, 06:26 PM

I also noticed the 15" Towmax tires on the bigger blow easier and also noticed it looks like more in the southern US where outside temps are higher.

My 198RD GVWR 5900 lbs. 4500 miles with Towmax ST205/75R15 C-range goes in to the fourth season and still look like new. They haven't seen much daytime travel with extreme heat. My max. speed limit is 63 mi/hour. When replacement comes up I go to a brand available here in Canada and also to D range

Jmooney · 05-19-2015, 07:02 PM

Bigger Trailers generally equals more weight and pushing the limits of the weight range of the tires.

In your research, see if you can get GVWRs

MantyGary · 05-20-2015, 07:30 AM

DocBrown, thanks for the reply. This incident has turned me into a fanatic about tires, and rightly so. I guess when you consider your entire investment is rolling along on 4 pieces of rubber, it makes sense to keep a close eye on things. Next trip I plan to take your advice and check for bulges and other symptoms at every stop. Happy trails!

DocBrown · 05-20-2015, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmooney

In your research, see if you can get GVWRs

That's the elusive part. I'm going to start watching the threads closer and ask more questions. Right now I'm more than convinced that this is more a problem with large units/large diameter tires, but I like to see numbers.

namusmc65 · 05-24-2015, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmooney

File Compliant About Tires Here
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues

We can continue to banter back and forth on this forum about XX brand tire failures, or we can actually try to do something about it.

Use the link above to submit your actual failure information.

X99
If everyone on this forum who has had a blowout had filed a complaint as listed, we would probably be that much closer to a recall.
I too am running the tow max 16 inch tires on my 33.5RETS and so far have had no problems. But believe me, I am watching them very closely.

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