Bad tires on new fifth wheel

[Jackfish3]

We brought our 2021 reflection 278bh home October 2020 and stored it on the north side of our home shielded from the sun and weather. While checking tire pressure before our first trip last week we noticed small cracks between the side wall and treads on two of the Goodyear endurance tires. Date code 12/2019. Contacted the dealer, who then passed info to grand design. Waiting to hear back from the dealer. How can the tires possibly be bad already, everyone raves about the Goodyear’s. We put less than 200 miles on the tires. Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated, this is our first trailer and don’t know the ins and outs of warranty issues. I was going to contact grand design myself also. Couldn’t find anything on the internet of someone having bad tire on their unit right away! I didn’t closely examine the tires when picking up the unit, assumed new tires would be in good condition.

 

[Second Chance]

That seems a bit soon for cracking on Goodyear tires. You've done the right thing, in my opinion. If you don't hear something back relatively soon, I would go ahead and contact GD directly. You can confirm that your dealer did, in fact, submit the issue to GD and, if not, get things rolling with GD on your own.

Rob

 

[geotex1]

They'll be replaced under warranty. You will likely get a faster resolution speaking with GD yourself.

Once you see how the rigs are transported from the factory, you will gain a steep appreciation as to why the PDI should include a full suspension inspection.

 

[Wicked ace]

For even quicker resolution look in your information pouch that has all the manuals, warranty cards and trailer data sheets for information on the Goodyear tires. In there is probably a warranty registration card too which you need to fill out and register. From experience I can say with almost certainty that GD will say you need to take it up with Goodyear. While looking through the pouch look for other items such as your appliances and axles that need to be registered, it saves time later.

 

[dryfly]

Yes. While waiting to hear from GD, talk with a local Goodyear dealer.

 

[Jackfish3]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I will register the tires (and all the appliances). Also give grand design and Goodyear a call. I’ll post an update once this is resolved.

 

[SolarPoweredRV]

We brought our 2021 reflection 278bh home October 2020 and stored it on the north side of our home shielded from the sun and weather. While checking tire pressure before our first trip last week we noticed small cracks between the side wall and treads on two of the Goodyear endurance tires. Date code 12/2019. Contacted the dealer, who then passed info to grand design. Waiting to hear back from the dealer. How can the tires possibly be bad already, everyone raves about the Goodyear’s. We put less than 200 miles on the tires. Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated, this is our first trailer and don’t know the ins and outs of warranty issues. I was going to contact grand design myself also. Couldn’t find anything on the internet of someone having bad tire on their unit right away! I didn’t closely examine the tires when picking up the unit, assumed new tires would be in good condition.

Generally speaking your tires are not covered under the warranty because bad things can happen to tires that are out of the Manufacturer's control. However, if the tires are defective from the factory, then they should be covered by the warranty. You should easily prove that they are defective if the damage is as bad as you say it is.

 

[darvin01]

Hi there,

We had a slightly different problem Jackfish. We purchased a brand new Reflection 31MB and didn't notice until our second trip out that our new goodyears had 2 bubbles on two of the tires. The bubbles were on the outside sidewalls. Just replaced one w our spare tonight as we leave tomorrow. Anyone else had this problem? They are 235 80r 16's.

Thank you kindly,

Don

 

[Jackfish3]

Our tires that were cracking are 225/75r15. After getting the run around from both grand design and the dealer we took the tires off the rv and took them directly to a Goodyear location. They did cover the cost of the 2 tires that showed weather cracking. We had the other 2 replace for piece of mind. Goodyear also had the tires in stock and the job was done the next day.

I’m not sure what you mean by bubbles but the sidewalls on trailer tires do have slight lumps. See the pictures in this post:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f438/goodyear-endurance-sidewall-defects-225852.html

If the tires have a gumball shaped bubble that’s definitely not good and probably not safe to drive on.

 

[jleonard]

I currently have this "bulge" on all 4 of my GY Endurance tires. GY dealers say it's impact damage from travelling thru potholes, over curbs, etc.
My guess it it happened when my trailer was towed from Indiana to the dealer in Tampa (trailer is only 1 month in my posession and I towed it 40 miles to me house).
GD referred me to Lions Head who is warranteeing the 4 tires under their 1 year no excuses policy.
I expect to see the tires later this week or early next week.

 

[geotex1]

View attachment 36701

I currently have this "bulge" on all 4 of my GY Endurance tires. GY dealers say it's impact damage from travelling thru potholes, over curbs, etc.
My guess it it happened when my trailer was towed from Indiana to the dealer in Tampa (trailer is only 1 month in my posession and I towed it 40 miles to me house).
GD referred me to Lions Head who is warranteeing the 4 tires under their 1 year no excuses policy.
I expect to see the tires later this week or early next week.

Lions Head took very good care of you because your picture, at that angle, is not sidewall impact damage. That's super characteristic of belt lap, and some tires do show it was worse than others because it's way more manual manufacturing still than maybe realized. It would be great if you could share what your new tires look like in comparison when received and mounted.

 

[Jackfish3]

That’s great lions head is replacing all the tires. Lions head, as well as our dealer and grand design, denied any responsibility for our Goodyear tires even though we also have the 1 year no excuse policy. Ours had weather cracking on one side of the rv, I’m assuming from sitting in the grand design parking lot while waiting to be built/shipped. To be fair, lions head literature says they don’t warranty Goodyear’s. (But then how is it a no excuse policy?)

 

[Wicked ace]

That’s great lions head is replacing all the tires. Lions head, as well as our dealer and grand design, denied any responsibility for our Goodyear tires even though we also have the 1 year no excuse policy. Ours had weather cracking on one side of the rv, I’m assuming from sitting in the grand design parking lot while waiting to be built/shipped. To be fair, lions head literature says they don’t warranty Goodyear’s. (But then how is it a no excuse policy?)

I'm confused, Lionshead replaced your tires and by doing so it would seem assumed responsibility. How much or little did they replace? What are the date codes of your cracked tires? You'll find a four digit number in an oval, first two are the week the next two the year. I.E. (1220) 12th week of 2020.
How much or little did they replace? When I had a Westlake tire blow out they offered a replacement Westlake or 105$ towards a new tire, nothing to cover installation. Mounted, balanced and installed 4 new Goodyear Endurance were $165 apiece.
Hearing your experience with these Goodyear tires I'm wondering if they are heading back to the Bad 'Ol days of the Marathon tire. It's a distant memory but the Marathon was as bad as any "China bomb".

 

[jleonard]

Lions Head took very good care of you because your picture, at that angle, is not sidewall impact damage. That's super characteristic of belt lap, and some tires do show it was worse than others because it's way more manual manufacturing still than maybe realized. It would be great if you could share what your new tires look like in comparison when received and mounted.

I'm sorry but 3 tire dealers including 2 Good Year dealers verified that the bulges are from impact damage to the sidewall. They saw the tires in person and said they were no longer safe. They also pointed out the mark/scuff in the tire where it was impacted.
And Lion's Head agreed.
And it was not a ploy to sell me new tires because neither of the GY dealers had any and they can't get them until 2022.

I just received the new tires about an hour ago (with a recent date code). I'll take a picture next week when I get them mounted.

Here's the sticker that's on the outside of my trailer describing Lion's Head's policy

 

[geotex1]

I'm sorry but 3 tire dealers including 2 Good Year dealers verified that the bulges are from impact damage to the sidewall. They saw the tires in person and said they were no longer safe. They also pointed out the mark/scuff in the tire where it was impacted.
And Lion's Head agreed.
And it was not a ploy to sell me new tires because neither of the GY dealers had any and they can't get them until 2022.

I just received the new tires about an hour ago (with a recent date code). I'll take a picture next week when I get them mounted.

Here's the sticker that's on the outside of my trailer describing Lion's Head's policy
View attachment 36714

You posted a single picture looking down the sidewall at an above angle. All that can be seen is an undulation and marks from a China marker or such. In my youth, I worked in a tire shop and my hobbies have made tire knowledge important. I can walk into my cousin's tire warehouse and provide a quick dozen pictures of how heavy carcass tires have characteristics that look just like what your picture shows. If there's more than we can see that led others to decide it was road damage - OK. However, do understand the general level of knowledge at your typical tire shop is very, very low for anything outside of passenger tires. Again, great you have had your concern addressed. The point being driven is that a ripple in the sidewall of a trailer tires does not necessarily mean it's damage or failure. Could definitely be as equally as it definitely could not be. Goodyear publishes a book of characteristic defects for all of its dealers. Take a look at this Endurance sidewall, it was characterized as an asthetic defective only:



The owner has had no issue with the tire. The owner of the Heritage Glen I recently rebuilt and reinforced the suspension on bought 6 new Endurance tires (two spares), all were fresh - all less than 4 months old. Out of those 6, 2 were just as pronounced, 3 more noticeable.

 

[darvin01]

Our tires that were cracking are 225/75r15. After getting the run around from both grand design and the dealer we took the tires off the rv and took them directly to a Goodyear location. They did cover the cost of the 2 tires that showed weather cracking. We had the other 2 replace for piece of mind. Goodyear also had the tires in stock and the job was done the next day.

I’m not sure what you mean by bubbles but the sidewalls on trailer tires do have slight lumps. See the pictures in this post:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f438/goodyear-endurance-sidewall-defects-225852.html

If the tires have a gumball shaped bubble that’s definitely not good and probably not safe to drive on.

yes, sorry should have said lumps. very similar to the pictures provided. I think we’d just prefer to be safe and replace.

thank you kindly

 

[BobLandry]

A lot of press has been given to the Endurance tires. While they may be better than the China bombs, they are still ST tires with the same problems inherent with the other ST tires. Maybe they don't come apart as fast. Who knows.

I upgraded my last trailer to 16" Cooper LTs. They were almost new when I traded for my Reflection so I transferred them to the new trailer.

Upgrading to 16" alloy wheels and Cooper LTs...Not cheap
Peace of mind.... Priceless

 

[Hoopy Frood]

As long as the LT tires are rated for the weight, you're good, but for 7,000 lb. axles you need at least either a G-rated tire, or an ST tire. A LT tire rated for 3,000 lbs. won't cut it.

 

[jleonard]

I do know about "undulation" as it is sometimes called. I had the discussion several times recently.
What I have is not that.
You are not the only person who knows about tires.
You are welcome to buy these from me, just make an offer.