As an actual Tire Design and Quality Engineer, I know from my 40 years experience, including 20 with a primary focus on failed tire Forensic Inspection that tires fail from two basic causes.
Low air pressure
and/or
Long term degradation of the rubber usually from excess heat.
Low pressure (active leak from puncture or loose valve stem or valve core are the most common reasons) can lead to a Sidewall Flex failure or more commonly called a "Blowout". The sidewall cord can melt (polyester) or fatigue (steel). Many TT owners fail to realize that they will never "feel" the results of a tire losing air till it is too late and they are surprised when the sidewall lets go. The rapid air loss "bang" even when the tire only has about 10 to 20 psi in it, is a big surprise IF they even hear it. A TPMS can provide warning of air loss so is good insurance and a TPM system can easily pay for itself.
The long term degradation of the rubber at the edges of the belts in radial tires can lead to a belt and/or tread separation. Even if the tire keeps its air you can have this type of failure so a TPMS will not provide a warning. This degradation comes with age as the rubber is always losing flexibility. Just think of those rubber bands you found in the back of the desk drawer. Even in cool and dark they got brittle. HOWEVER, running at or near or above the load capacity of a tire will result in increased heat generation. Increased heat actually can accelerate the aging process with a doubling of the rate with each increase of 18F. Running a margin of at least 15% between tire capacity and measured load is a good first step. Running at higher speed will also generate excess heat. For ST type tires this means faster than 65 mph.
Realizing that over half of the RVs on the road have one or more tire in overload is one main contributor to the high tire failure rate. Simply thinking that a tire will fail because the tire plant building is painted blue rather than green is not logical, but many still have feelings along those lines when it comes to where a tire is made.
Buying the lowest cost "no-name" tires is, IMO a major contributor to poor results. If the main objective is the lowest cost tire why would anyone be surprised with short tire life.
Just paying more however is no guarantee of better quality. I believe the best tool available is comparing Warranty and service support.
Can you get a multi-year warranty on the tires? Is it possible to get Road Hazard coverage? Is there a nationwide network of dealers who stock the brand you are considering?
Low air pressure
and/or
Long term degradation of the rubber usually from excess heat.
Low pressure (active leak from puncture or loose valve stem or valve core are the most common reasons) can lead to a Sidewall Flex failure or more commonly called a "Blowout". The sidewall cord can melt (polyester) or fatigue (steel). Many TT owners fail to realize that they will never "feel" the results of a tire losing air till it is too late and they are surprised when the sidewall lets go. The rapid air loss "bang" even when the tire only has about 10 to 20 psi in it, is a big surprise IF they even hear it. A TPMS can provide warning of air loss so is good insurance and a TPM system can easily pay for itself.
The long term degradation of the rubber at the edges of the belts in radial tires can lead to a belt and/or tread separation. Even if the tire keeps its air you can have this type of failure so a TPMS will not provide a warning. This degradation comes with age as the rubber is always losing flexibility. Just think of those rubber bands you found in the back of the desk drawer. Even in cool and dark they got brittle. HOWEVER, running at or near or above the load capacity of a tire will result in increased heat generation. Increased heat actually can accelerate the aging process with a doubling of the rate with each increase of 18F. Running a margin of at least 15% between tire capacity and measured load is a good first step. Running at higher speed will also generate excess heat. For ST type tires this means faster than 65 mph.
Realizing that over half of the RVs on the road have one or more tire in overload is one main contributor to the high tire failure rate. Simply thinking that a tire will fail because the tire plant building is painted blue rather than green is not logical, but many still have feelings along those lines when it comes to where a tire is made.
Buying the lowest cost "no-name" tires is, IMO a major contributor to poor results. If the main objective is the lowest cost tire why would anyone be surprised with short tire life.
Just paying more however is no guarantee of better quality. I believe the best tool available is comparing Warranty and service support.
Can you get a multi-year warranty on the tires? Is it possible to get Road Hazard coverage? Is there a nationwide network of dealers who stock the brand you are considering?
