China Bomb Tires

[TnK]

I’ve been reading a lot about these “China Bomb Tires” on some other forums and that got me to wondering…
How many of you have had issues with the factory tires on your unit? Do you know where/when they were made?

Even though I find it very hard to believe a company like Mercedes’ would install a substandard anything on their name I don’t decided to do a little research Continental tires that came on my unit.

What I found was they were made in June of 2021 in Czechoslovakia.
I’d have thought Germany for sure.


On another note:
Have any or you added a TPMS system to your Sprinters? Is it a DIY kinda thing?
I already know I gotta take it to the tire shop anyway to get vale stem extensions put on so I guess I could get one installed at that time.
and another shocker…these no longer come with a spare!! Wonder when that change happened?? I’d gladly purchase one but…there’s really no place to put it…lol

[crockettlarry]

I have always heard good things about Continental Tires but was not aware of where they are made. It would not scare me away from purchasing them however. I used to maintain a fleet of five to 15 half ton and three quarter ton trucks that were heavily loaded and we always put Firestone Transforce tires on them with pretty good luck. They had to tolerate a lot of twisting and turning even though they were not on a trailer. These trucks were used to maneuver into and out of parking lots to deliver fuel to individual Vehicles so they did a lot of sharp turns. I don't remember the average mileage on these tires because we didn't usually keep them very long. We just worked out the bugs and sent them to other cities to be used in our company.

[JFlightRisk]

I had Continentals mounted on the DWs car when the OE tires needed replacing. She's put 32,000 miles on them so far. Everyone's experiences will be different, but ours has been fine.

[rockymountainRVer]

Originally Posted by TnK

I’ve been reading a lot about these “China Bomb Tires” on some other forums and that got me to wondering…
How many of you have had issues with the factory tires on your unit? Do you know where/when they were made?

Even though I find it very hard to believe a company like Mercedes’ would install a substandard anything on their name I don’t decided to do a little research Continental tires that came on my unit.

What I found was they were made in June of 2021 in Czechoslovakia.
I’d have thought Germany for sure.


On another note:
Have any or you added a TPMS system to your Sprinters? Is it a DIY kinda thing?
I already know I gotta take it to the tire shop anyway to get vale stem extensions put on so I guess I could get one installed at that time.
and another shocker…these no longer come with a spare!! Wonder when that change happened?? I’d gladly purchase one but…there’s really no place to put it…lol

I have the same Czech Continentals on my Melbourne. The right front tire is wearing badly on the inside, so I know the front end alignment is out of whack. The rig only has 10,800 miles on it. So I am already scheduled to have both front tires replaced and aligned and will be installing the same tires. The rear duals are wearing fine. I have been pleased with the ride of these tires and have driven in heavy rain and some snow with no issues. Everything I have read about these tires has been decent reviews. Not sure what I will use when I need to replace all six tires down the road.

[rockymountainRVer]

Originally Posted by rockymountainRVer

I have the same Czech Continentals on my Melbourne. The right front tire is wearing badly on the inside, so I know the front end alignment is out of whack. The rig only has 10,800 miles on it. So I am already scheduled to have both front tires replaced and aligned and will be installing the same tires. The rear duals are wearing fine. I have been pleased with the ride of these tires and have driven in heavy rain and some snow with no issues. Everything I have read about these tires has been decent reviews. Not sure what I will use when I need to replace all six tires down the road.

To your further issue about a TPMS, my tire guy at GCR Tires said not to bother installing a TPMS or the long extensions on the inside dual on the aluminum wheels at these wheels are problematic on Sprinters. He suggested checking pressure regularly when on the road and maintaining the proper pressure. And yes, checking the inside dual is a PITB, but it is doable with a long gauge. Staying within the proper weight limitations of the rig is certainly important as well.

[Midnightmoon]

My Sprinter was delivered with Kumho tires (South Korea). They were actually very good tires. I just replaced them last week at 7 years of service, not because of wear, but because the were starting to show some age cracking between the tread.

MB is no different than any other manufacturer. They source parts from many different vendors. Don't expect Mercedes to have any greater or worse quality components than anyone else.

[TnK]

RockyMountainRver…
I did note in my owners manual that it specifically recommends getting an alignment done after the coach and everything it involves is installed. I’ll be taking mine in for an alignment as soon as I can locate a place to get it done. None of my local shops have a rack large enough.
The main reason I need to have the valve extensions installed is because I cannot reach the stock valve stems to check the tire pressures.

[etex211]

China bombs are Chinese made trailer tires, not the tires on motor homes.

And yes, the original China bombs on my trailer were junk. I don't think they made a year. I've had good luck with two sets of Maxxis trailer tires since.

[16WhiteColly]

Ran my China tires for 2 years, no problems.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by crockettlarry

I have always heard good things about Continental Tires .

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

I had Continentals mounted on the DWs car when the OE tires needed replacing.

I know GM uses them as OE not sure about Ford or Chrysler.

[Jpreuss]

I have a different issue (Jayco 27N) - the stock tires show a maximum inflation of 80psi. The suggested inflation per the sticker on the drivers column is 80psi. I installed aftermarket pressure monitors which show the high temp pushes the psi as high as 90psi. So, do I under inflate the tires to say 70psi so the max doesn’t go over 80psi or do I inflate to the recommended 80psi and let the actual psi rise to above what the tire indicates is the maximum PSI?

[JFlightRisk]

I inflate ours to the recommended pressure. They're designed to accommodate the slightly higher pressure when they warm up. The same with the truck we tow with.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by Jpreuss

I have a different issue (Jayco 27N) - the stock tires show a maximum inflation of 80psi. The suggested inflation per the sticker on the drivers column is 80psi. I installed aftermarket pressure monitors which show the high temp pushes the psi as high as 90psi. So, do I under inflate the tires to say 70psi so the max doesn’t go over 80psi or do I inflate to the recommended 80psi and let the actual psi rise to above what the tire indicates is the maximum PSI?

No the tires are supposed to increase pressure and temperature while driving

[Jpreuss]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

I inflate ours to the recommended pressure. They're designed to accommodate the slightly higher pressure when they warm up. The same with the truck we tow with.

Thanks! It didn’t make sense and from what I read, they say never exceed the PSI. I’ll take your advice. I’m surprised though they didn’t use a slightly heavier tire just to comfortably accommodate the increased pressure

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Jpreuss

I have a different issue (Jayco 27N) - the stock tires show a maximum inflation of 80psi. The suggested inflation per the sticker on the drivers column is 80psi. I installed aftermarket pressure monitors which show the high temp pushes the psi as high as 90psi. So, do I under inflate the tires to say 70psi so the max doesn’t go over 80psi or do I inflate to the recommended 80psi and let the actual psi rise to above what the tire indicates is the maximum PSI?

If you choose to run your tires at the sidewall full inflation pressure you put them at 80 psi cold, do not reduce it to compensate for the pressure rise while driving.

But many of us utilize the tire manufacturer's Load/Inflation charts to determine the pressure we use. But it does require the coach to be weighed loaded as it will be for travel. Ideally you get a 4 wheel weight, but most of us just get front/rear axles weights. Then inflate to the chart's recommended cold value and leave it there.

[Jpreuss]

Originally Posted by Robbbyr

If you choose to run your tires at the sidewall full inflation pressure you put them at 80 psi cold, do not reduce it to compensate for the pressure rise while driving.

But many of us utilize the tire manufacturer's Load/Inflation charts to determine the pressure we use. But it does require the coach to be weighed loaded as it will be for travel. Ideally you get a 4 wheel weight, but most of us just get front/rear axles weights. Then inflate to the chart's recommended cold value and leave it there.

Good suggestion as to weight. I leave the coach pretty much loaded for travel so it would be easy for me to get a reasonable reading. I’ll try that. I’ve heard too many horror stories about blowouts so I’d definitely like to do what I can to minimize that risk. Thanks

[crockettlarry]

Measure cold. If you are going for the max sidewall pressure, as others have said, the tire will accommodate when heated.

[bucko]

China bombs? Does not sound like a good marketing name for tires.

[Bugzilla46310]

Not defending China bombs, never had issues and have Goodyear on our new camper. I check pressure before each trip. I rarely get over 70 mph, and only on good stretches of interstate. When I see campers blowing by me in the left lane most likely hitting 80+ mph, it doesn’t surprise me that there are so many horror stories.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by Jpreuss

Thanks! It didn’t make sense and from what I read, they say never exceed the PSI. I’ll take your advice. I’m surprised though they didn’t use a slightly heavier tire just to comfortably accommodate the increased pressure

Your car tires have been like that ever since you were a teenager don't check your tires until they cool off. I remember being told that ever since I was 16. I had times where I had a low tire when I was driving, so I added air to get where I was going, then I waited till the tires cooled and filled them all to the proper pressure