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Thread: Toss the Westlakes?
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06-19-2019, 08:29 AM #1
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Toss the Westlakes?
To make my question even more inane , I’m actually a 40+ year master tech. So - when we got the Reflection I replaced the E Westlakes as soon as I towed it home. Solitude has G’s which seem to have a better rep. Have 8000 miles so far , balanced them first thing , and run TPMS. They look fine with no noticeable wear , but we have two 2500-3000 mile trips coming up in late July (read really hot ) and October.
So what do you folks think in my informal poll?
Thanks , CharlieVickie & Charlie
2019 310GK-R
2020 RAM Longhorn DRW Cummins /Aisin
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06-19-2019, 08:35 AM #2
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I have G rated Westlakes on my Solitude. The hold air and don't leak down while sitting. They are round and do not wobble. They have no discernible wear on them after a few thousand miles. I have used them up and down long Arizona grades in >105* heat with no issues.
Yeah...I'd listen to the Internet and replace them.Jeff and Jen
2016 F250 CC Lariat 4x4 6.7L, Firestone Airbags, Pullrite Superglide
2017 Solitude 310GK, a little solar, a little lithium, disc brakes and a few suspension mods
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin
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06-19-2019, 08:49 AM #3
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So far the G rated Westlake tires have a good reputation. The E rated Westlakes on heavier 5th wheels? Not so much. Lots of threads on the subject.
IMO, the decision to replace E rated Westlake tires on heavier 5th wheels boils down to how much risk a person is comfortable taking. If you'd rather not spend the money to replace your factory E rated tires and don't really mind getting flats, keep the Westlakes. If the last thing you want to do while towing a huge 5th wheel is change a shredded tire on the side of a busy freeway in the rain, replace your tires. I fall into the latter category.
Even though the G rated Westlake tires seem to be holding up really well, they were too new for me to trust based on the history of their E rated tires so I replaced them with Sailun S637 which have an excellent reputation. If the G rated Westlakes would have had a longer history in the RV world, I would likely have kept them. As it is, I have no regrets. The Sailuns only cost me $344 net after selling the Westlakes. A minor expense in the scheme of things.Last edited by bertschb; 06-19-2019 at 08:57 AM.
Brian & Kellie
2020 Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, 1,460w solar, 540ah BBGC3, MORryde IS w/disc brakes
2020 F-350 Platinum SRW Powerstroke Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
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06-19-2019, 08:52 AM #4
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Jeff and Jen
2016 F250 CC Lariat 4x4 6.7L, Firestone Airbags, Pullrite Superglide
2017 Solitude 310GK, a little solar, a little lithium, disc brakes and a few suspension mods
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin
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06-19-2019, 08:58 AM #5
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Brian & Kellie
2020 Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, 1,460w solar, 540ah BBGC3, MORryde IS w/disc brakes
2020 F-350 Platinum SRW Powerstroke Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
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06-19-2019, 09:42 AM #6
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My personal opinion is that there are a lot of people that haven’t said much because they haven’t had an issue. Those that do, tend to speak up. Those that haven’t, not so much. I don’t plan to let the opinions of the few that have had issues influence mine. My trailer (less than 12,000# GVWR) isn’t too heavy for my E-rated tires (3,520# each), so I’m not too concerned at this point.
Along the same line, I’d be interested in knowing the actual percentage of failures for the Westlake tires compared to others of a similar size and rating.Last edited by Richter; 06-19-2019 at 09:47 AM.
Tom and Janice (known as Tom in PGH on the “other” forum)
First came the 18' Comfort bumper-pull, was great for 20 years.
Now a 2019 Reflection 303RLS, second air, double glass, table and chairs
2019 F350 Lariat (Diesel) 4x4 Crewcab with lots of goodies
Andersen aluminum with the puck system holding it all together
Cranberry Twp. PA, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh
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06-19-2019, 10:36 AM #7
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I'm also a certified Medium/Heavy Duty Master Tech and have been both a wrench bender and in management of fleet maintenance for over 40 years to include military, public transit, and now school district fleets. Our Momentum has the Westlake G's. So far I have no complaints with the tires. Granted I only have about 3k miles on them, but they have been over some of the worst roads out hear in the desert southwest (I40 between Flagstaff and Kingman, and I15 between Vegas and LA). Last weekend we came home from San Diego across the Mojave Desert in 105+ weather without issue. My TPMS recorded tire temps just shy of 130 degrees, and the pressure increased from 110 to about 124 PSI. I most definitely kept an eye on them but felt confident they would be okay. I did check them at every fuel and potty break and they seemed fine. At this point, I'll probably run them for another season or two, then change them out. To what is undecided at this point. On a side note, I've had many trailers over the years (boat, ATV trailer, RV's) with a good cross section of tire brands. Some lasted longer than others, but here in the Desert Southwest, 3 years on a set of tires seems to be the sweet spot. Any longer than that and you're gambling...
John2018 Silverado LTZ 3500HD CC LB 4X4 DRW Duramax/Allison
2019 Momentum 381M w/Full Body Paint
2016 Can Am Spyder F3 Limited Special Series
2017 Can Am Outlander 1000 XT-P
2016 Wrangler Hard Rock Unlimited
1997 Bayliner Capri 1950 affectionately named Skinnydipper
MSgt, USAF (Ret)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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06-19-2019, 10:53 AM #8
I am upgrading the LR G Westlakes on my Solitude to Sailuns just for peace of mind. On initial inspection (and I am no expert) the construction between the 2 seems pretty similar, similar bead thickness, sidewall thickness, weight, both are all steel construction, etc.
I plan to sell the Westlakes which should make the "peace of mind" less expensive2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Diesel DRW (Crew Cab | 8 Ft bed | OEM Puck System | Curt Gooseneck Ball for OEM Puck | Timbrens on rear axle)
2019 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R Fifth Wheel (Onan 5500W LP Generator | MORryde CRE3000 and HD Shackles/Wet Bolts | 3x MORryde Cross Members | 8k Axles and Disc Brakes | Sailun S637 ST | Reese GooseBox 20k 2nd Gen | Splendide Stackable Washer and Dryer)
Full Suite of Victron Energy Products (2x 5k 24v Quattro Inverter/Charger | 2x 25.6/200 LFP Smart LiFePO4 Batteries | 2880w of Solar Panels across 4x MPPTs | Cerbo GX)
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06-19-2019, 02:26 PM #9
Can't give you percentages, but one of the original Westlakes on our rig had to be replaced at 2 months because it kept going flat (couldn't figure out why). Then a second one developed a major bubble on the inside sidewall after about 1,000 miles. Since we had a major (10,000 mile) trip upcoming, we replace all of them at that time with the Goodyear Endurance tires. 10,000+ miles later, they were just checked for our summer trips, and they are holding just great, lots of tread and no cracks.
2017 Reflection 26RL "Mili"
2016 Ford F250 Extended Cab Gas Engine "Buck" (the truck)
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06-19-2019, 02:45 PM #10
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I'm leaving them on my momentum.
No issues so far this last year. I have G rated tires though and I wouldn't have ordered a heavy coach with E rated.Last edited by Aridon; 06-20-2019 at 11:57 AM.
2019 Momentum 395
2018 Ram 3500 DRW 4.10 AISIN
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