Expert
Posts: 3802
![2000](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/2000.gif) ![1000](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/1000.gif) ![500](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/500.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | That's another one that should go up as a "STICKY" at the top of these messages, along with scammers, help wanted, etc... Add in the "CHINA" factor and that six years they are talking about drops back to two years or less. I too, am looking at/for a "run around" trailer. Looked at a new one last week that had Charlisle "Radial Trail" ST235/85R16, chinese built tires on it, we really liked the trailer except for the rubber. Asked the dealer to swap out the chinese tires for a set of Goodyear, Uniroyals, BF Goodrich, Michelin, LT truck tires .... He says no. Told him we would buy the trailer if they would change all five tires. Again he said no. He still has the trailer on his lot and we're still looking that perfect run around trailer.... Some good info from the "ADAM" horse trailers website. http://www.adamtrailers.com/TireSheet/Tire_Safety_Information%5b2%5d.pdf Sorry GARD, don't mean to hijack your thread...You know how I can be...
Edited by retento 2010-01-15 7:18 AM
|
Expert
Posts: 5870
![5000](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/5000.gif) ![500](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/500.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) ![25](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/25.gif) ![25](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/25.gif) Location: western PA | I spent much of yesterday at a trailer manufacturer, giving some ideas of what a consumer wants for and from his trailer. One of the main points I discussed, was the Chinese tire situation, and my reluctance, even refusal, to purchase any equipment with them installed. I have now seen the other side of the coin, and there are a couple of issues. First is the availability from a manufacturers' standpoint, of access to American made trailer tires in "D" and "E" ranges. Most of the American tire manufacturers now source their trailer tire supplies from China. Cost is not the only consideration. Second is a liability issue which effects both the manufacturer and dealer. If a manufacturer or dealer installs a tire, that is not specifically intended for that application and there is a failure, he can be held liable for the accident. The only tires that are specifically intended for trailer usage are the ST ratings. They feature a heavier sidewall construction and have a fairly low, speed limitation rating. The LT truck tire, which I use and like, is specifically designed and rated for truck usage. The tire manufacturers would not honour a warranty for damages, if an incident occurred while it was in service on a trailer. Speaking specifically of the Carlisle brand of tire, the tires this particular manufacturer uses, he stated, that in over the three thousand tires he has fitted, he has had two failures. I asked why his failure rate was so low, while other manufacturers had chronic problems. His answer, axle load ratings. If you take a 4HGN trailer, 8' wide, 7 1/2' tall, with a 14' LQ, many manufacturers will install 2 8000# axles, hope the truck will carry a lot of the weight, and run the gear at or above its maximum rating. There is no reserve capacity. This builder installs a third axle. The gear is under stressed, the tires run cooler and the tires don't fail. Many builders will put 2 3500# axles under a 2HGN trailer with 15" tires. He installs 5200# axles and 16" "D" or "E" range tires. By over building his product instead of making it just good enough, he has achieved the tire reliability we all need. While I still dislike Chinese tires and don't consider them an American equivalent, I fully respect the considerations this builder uses in his products and construction, to provide a safe trailer. As an aside, I had first asked him if he would consider bolt on fenders instead of a welded construction, for ease of changeability when the tires blow. He offers them on his stock and construction trailers, because of the constant body damages they receive. Out side his factory, was a competitor's brand 4HGN trailer with a 14' LQ, mangers, all the goodies, beautiful looking trailer. We went around to the curb side and he pointed to the fender. The front was badly bent out of shape, the rear was almost destroyed. This trailer had a history of multiple blow outs and the owner finally traded it off, thankful to be rid of it. The trailer had two axles. Gard |
![500](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/500.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) ![25](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/25.gif) Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain... | On the Dexter info under Torflex, in big letter "CAUTION Triple axle assemblies are NOT recommended for Torflex Axles". http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/1080235/f/6-8K_cat_4-07/8000_lbs.pdf I agree that there are times when you need more axle, and there are times when you need three axles, but when it is not recommended by the axle manufacturer, except in spring axles, does the trailer manufacturer know better? If the axle comes apart, or torques itself to the point that it is always out of alignment, who is responsible? |
Expert
Posts: 3802
![2000](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/2000.gif) ![1000](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/1000.gif) ![500](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/500.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) ![100](https://horsetrailerworld.com/forum/images/decorations/multiple/100.gif) Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Wonder how much these scuff...? None of these stated if they were air ride or not.... I wouldn't expect any of them to be on leaf/slipper springs!!! <script> window.setTimeout("watermark()",50);
<script> window.setTimeout("watermark()",50);
<script> window.setTimeout("watermark()",50);
<script> window.setTimeout("watermark()",50);
<script> window.setTimeout("watermark()",50);
|