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.
Posted 2010-01-15 9:22 AM (#115303 - in reply to #115294) Subject: RE: Old Tires continued
Expert
Posts: 5870 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.
Posted 2010-01-15 10:55 AM (#115313 - in reply to #115294) Subject: RE: Old Tires continued
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
I may stand corrected, but at one time Dexter specifically suggested against using their Torflex axles in a triple configuration. What does this manufacturer use? On another front, when used on my flatbed GN, I had numerous tire problems on my triple trailer that were generally accused of being related to the extreme side scuffing that a triple can impose.
Not trying to pick a spat, nor highjack a thread- but in many places there is a strong sentiment againt triples, yet the mfg. you reference seems to make it sound as the solution to all problems....
Posted 2010-01-15 11:08 AM (#115314 - in reply to #115294) Subject: RE: Old Tires continued
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
It is only a solution when two axles aren't sufficiently capable of carrying the total weights. There are draw backs to triple axle configurations, but do they over ride the safety of you and your rig?
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?
Posted 2010-01-15 4:46 PM (#115321 - in reply to #115294) Subject: RE: Old Tires continued
Location: centrally located amongst the "NUTS"
I'm not sure what is meant by "scuff" but the issue that I have experienced with tri axle trailers is the amount of torque that is put on either the lead or trail axle, depending on how the weight is distributed. The tighter the turn a driver makes the center axle acts as a fulcrum and twists the tire and puts increasing presure on the axle components. Also the greater the distance between the axles the more torque you will create. I agree with Gard that you have to pick your poison so to speak. I am just bringing this to the attention of those who might not have heavy hauling experience. This can be somewhat reduced on air ride axles by installing an electric "dump" valve on, I prefer, the trail axle. (it shortens your turning radias)
Old Tires continued
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