Westlake Tread Separation

[lawdog1]

Well Westlake got me. 6 month old trailer, approximately 2500 miles of use, keep it under an RV carport with tire covers, had the tires off before the trip and visually inspected them all, 80 lbs air pressure cold, checked tire temp with a laser each stop (tread temp was never over 117 F), and the tread on one separated. Tire still has air but no tread. Initial estimate to fix trailer damage, $3K. ...It’s all good though because Westlake has my back with a “no excuse” guarantee, so a “free” replacement tire awaits. It is 100% ridiculous to have a tire failure on a new trailer when you properly care for and use the tires,...frustrated is an understatement. Shame on me for not dropping $800 on 5 new tires at the time of delivery, but that should not be a requirement.

[Sarge33Army]

Well Westlake got me. 6 month old trailer, approximately 2500 miles of use, keep it under an RV carport with tire covers, had the tires off before the trip and visually inspected them all, 80 lbs air pressure cold, checked tire temp with a laser each stop (tread temp was never over 117 F), and the tread on one separated. Tire still has air but no tread. Initial estimate to fix trailer damage, $3K. ...It’s all good though because Westlake has my back with a “no excuse” guarantee, so a “free” replacement tire awaits. It is 100% ridiculous to have a tire failure on a new trailer when you properly care for and use the tires,...frustrated is an understatement. Shame on me for not dropping $800 on 5 new tires at the time of delivery, but that should not be a requirement.

Sorry for your troubles. I agree that we should NOT need to replace tires, nor several other "cheap/least-expensive" items (i.e. plastic spring bushings). Good luck with your insurance claim as well as your new tires. Maxxis and the new Goodyear seem to be the most recommended.

[phonemannn]

It is funny that trailer tires fail so often compared to truck tires.......

[bertschb]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. That kind of damage would make me sick. Hope the repairs make your RV "like new".

I'm assuming you have the "E" rated Westlake tires. I replaced mine when I took delivery of my 2016 Reflection. Too many reports of failures although many here have thousands of trouble free miles. The "G" rated Westlake tires actually have an excellent record - so far.

[lawdog1]

Insurance is covering it under comprehensive and may engage direct about the defective tire. I have a 285BHTS with E rated Westlakes. I believe I am going with Goodyear Endurance, considered the Hercules H901 but in a 15 inch rim the load improvement is less than 100 lbs on a tandem axle for the expense (and the Endurance is N speed rated).

Best part of the deal (roll eyes) was the family using a step ladder to get in and out of the trailer while camping at Disney. Bent stairs were unstable. Good news, upgrading to Glowsteps as part of the repair.

[cfowler55]

When we picked up our second GD fifth wheel the company rep happened to be at the dealership. I mentioned tires and how I replaced the ones on our Reflection as soon as we got it home. He started in on the tire warranty so I asked if GD would pay for damage caused by a tire failure while under warranty , and he responded that they would indeed. One of the reasons I’m still running my G-rated Westlakes after a year and a half. Thankfully I haven’t had need to prove his claim , but it wouldn’t hurt to check.
Good luck , Charlie

[lawdog1]

I called GD, they passed me to Lionshead lightning quick. I may circle back, we will see how plays out...insurance has the lead for now.

[Banshee94]

Lionshead gave me $105.00 for one tire, since that was all that went. I replaced all mine before we came back from our trip, as this happened on the way to Disney.

[livinthelife]

Well Westlake got me. 6 month old trailer, approximately 2500 miles of use, keep it under an RV carport with tire covers, had the tires off before the trip and visually inspected them all, 80 lbs air pressure cold, checked tire temp with a laser each stop (tread temp was never over 117 F), and the tread on one separated. Tire still has air but no tread. Initial estimate to fix trailer damage, $3K. ...It’s all good though because Westlake has my back with a “no excuse” guarantee, so a “free” replacement tire awaits. It is 100% ridiculous to have a tire failure on a new trailer when you properly care for and use the tires,...frustrated is an understatement. Shame on me for not dropping $800 on 5 new tires at the time of delivery, but that should not be a requirement.

Insurance is covering it under comprehensive and may engage direct about the defective tire. I have a 285BHTS with E rated Westlakes. I believe I am going with Goodyear Endurance, considered the Hercules H901 but in a 15 inch rim the load improvement is less than 100 lbs on a tandem axle for the expense (and the Endurance is N speed rated).

Best part of the deal (roll eyes) was the family using a step ladder to get in and out of the trailer while camping at Disney. Bent stairs were unstable. Good news, upgrading to Glowsteps as part of the repair.

We, also, had a bad tire when the rig was only 2 months old. Went to pick it up from storage, and it was flat. We filled it up, and took it (slowly) to the dealer. No questions asked, they just replaced the tire. Then at about 6 months, we were starting to pack up in a campground to head home, and when my husband checked the tire monitors, one of them showed 20 pounds of pressure. In checking the tire, there was a big bubble on the inside of it. We took it off and went into town and bought a Goodyear Endurance. We had already done some researching on new tires. Once back home we bought 3 more Endurances and junked the remaining Westlakes.

[papermakermd]

I purchased my 2019 Reflection trailer in may last year. I struck the deal with the salesman and then told them I would not pull the trailer off the lot with the Westlake tires on it. They replaced them with Goodyears and I paid for the mounting.