Tire Replacement Question

[RJEJ]

We recently had a tire blow (rear inside) when I was adding air, not a good experience. The replacement tire brought out by the service company is a 245/70R/19.5, G rated. It replaced the blown F rated tire. Our class A, 32ft, is a 2008 and has 13,000 miles.

On another post I was advised that there shouldn’t be a problem running the new G rated tire next to the F rated tire but I should check the mfg. specifications and compare the two tires to make sure that they were compatible. I can’t find this information on Goodyear’s site. Any suggestions on where to look will be appreciated.

I’ve lost faith in the Goodyear’s and wanted to replace the remaining 5 tires with Michelin’s but it seems from other posts that mixing different brands of tires is not a good idea. Since I just bought a very expensive Goodyear tire, I will stay with it but would like to move to G rated tires all around. I was going to wait until early summer but we have a short trip, 100 miles round trip, coming up in the next few weeks. I’ve also read that if one dual blows the other should be replaced too. I hate to buy 5 new tires, take one short trip and then not use the MH for 3-4 months. I would rather wait and buy the tires when we know we will be able to use the MH again. Your thoughts are appreciated.

FYI, I’ve weighed twice and all within limits also have a TPMS which did not alert for low pressure. I have no idea how the tire lost pressure but the service tech thought it was caused be a nail but couldn't say for sure. I run 90 in the front and 86 in the rear.

Thanks,

RJ

[wolfe10]

RJ,

You don't state what series of Goodyear tires you are running, but if the G670RV, here is the comparison table:

http://www.goodyear.com/rv/products/g670.html

Diameter appears identical, so as long as the old tire was not worn (reduced tread, so smaller diameter) AND as long as the old tire was not damaged by carrying the full load that it and its "partner" tire on that side of the dual were supposed to share, this should not be a problem. But, if that older tire carried the full weight of that side of the rear axle for any distance, it would be very suspect since it would have been carrying close to twice its rated load.

Mixing different brands of tires on the same axle is not a good idea. I know of no such issue with one brand of tire on one axle and another on the other. Same for new tires on one axle, older safe tires on the other.

Only you can make a decision on whether to buy now-- 3-4 months may not be that significant in the overall life of the new tires/your ownership period of the RV. Peace of mind and your safety may.

Brett

[hermanmullins]

Brett is correct. Let me go a little further. Tires that go into service at the same time will wear at the same rate. However when one tire has been in service for 5,000 mile and you put on a new tire there will be a difference in dia. of the two tires. If you replace one of your front tires there is no problem since they turn independently of each other. However if you change just one rear tire out of four on a tandem axle you have several problems. One tire is now larger then the other three. It will have to carry more load and it will try and roll at a different rate then the other side. This can lead to problems with your differential. If I have to change a one of my tires on the rear, I bite the bullet and replace all four. At that point all four turn and wear at the same rate. Just my thoughts.

[RJEJ]

Thanks! This really helps.

I only have 450 miles on the new tire but I've decided not to take a chance and replace the other 5 now. It looks like there is no difference between the F & G rated tires, so does this mean that there won't be a change on how the spedo reads? Too much ice and snow on our Texas backyard so I can't check if G670RV's are on the MH. I want the best tire I can get but know very little about RV tires. Is there a better way to go than the G670?

Thanks again for your help.

RJ

[wolfe10]

Yes, if the diameter/revolutions per mile specs are the same, the speedometer and effective axle ratio will be the same.

Not sure we can realistically address your "best" question-- that kind of a question generally elicits "what I chose is best". Kind of like Ford vs Chevy.

Brett

[RJEJ]

Brett,

Thanks. I understand the best call question. One last question. If I go with the G rated tire, the max load inflation is 110. Per the charts my weights put me at about 90 PSI on the front and 85 PSI on the rear. Since the G rated tire max load inflation is 110 but I only need 85-90 will I get a softer ride with the G's when only inflated to 85-90?

Thanks again,

RJ

[wolfe10]

RJ,

Let me suggest that you contact Goodyear with that question: 800 321-2136.

Brett

[Guest Wayne77590]

Something also may be worth considered regarding tire wear. Put the new tire and remaining dual on the front(s) and put the two fronts on the dual. It is assumed that both front tires wore the same and the diameter will be the same.

Just thinking out loud.

[DreamBelievers]

I'm wondering why a tire would burst when filling with air? Did you check it for a defect: bubble, bulge, etc. was the tire driven on for a distance with very low or no pressure at all?

If a tire has been run with as little as 20% less then normal air it should be checked by a pro before it is used/refilled again. When a tire is run low it suffers very severe construction abuses, steel cord fatigue or breakage, side wall flex/separation, etc.

This Is info I have gained from over 40 years in the trucking industry, and too many hours spent in truck tire seminars/trainings sessions. Just my thoughts, Gary

[RJEJ]

Wayne,

Thanks for the suggestion. I probably will have the remaining tires inspected and make a decision then. DreamBelievers, this is what happened:

Last fall we went from the Ft. Worth area to Port A. The last leg of the trip was only about 160 miles and according to our TPMS, no problems. Set up for 8 days and checked the tires before leaving. TPMS still showed no problems but I always check with a tire gauge too. Inside rear showed no pressure on the gauge. Thought it was low so decided to add air and see if it held overnight. Bad idea. While watching the compressor at about 40-50 PSI the tire blew. I've since learned that adding air to a tire that could be flat is really dangerous but still not sure what options one might have if on the road. Guess you just wait for the service truck. Anyway, no harm to me or the MH. So, I don't know when I started losing air. I sent the TPMS back and was told nothing wrong with that sensor. The service tech thought I picked up a nail but the tire blew on the side. After two blowouts on the 5th wheel we used to have I consider us extremely lucky that we were sitting in a nice RV park by the ocean for this one.

I'm not overloaded and always check the tire pressure. I know going to a G rated tire won't prevent a blowout but I'm leaning towards replacing the F's with G's. We did enjoy an extra day at the beach this time but I doubt we would be that lucky should it happen again.

RJ

[gilbour]

Whose Tire Pressure Monitoring System are you using?

Gil

[hermanmullins]

Wayne,

Thanks for the suggestion. I probably will have the remaining tires inspected and make a decision then. DreamBelievers, this is what happened:

Last fall we went from the Ft. Worth area to Port A. The last leg of the trip was only about 160 miles and according to our TPMS, no problems. Set up for 8 days and checked the tires before leaving. TPMS still showed no problems but I always check with a tire gauge too. Inside rear showed no pressure on the gauge. Thought it was low so decided to add air and see if it held overnight. Bad idea. While watching the compressor at about 40-50 PSI the tire blew. I've since learned that adding air to a tire that could be flat is really dangerous but still not sure what options one might have if on the road. Guess you just wait for the service truck. Anyway, no harm to me or the MH. So, I don't know when I started losing air. I sent the TPMS back and was told nothing wrong with that sensor. The service tech thought I picked up a nail but the tire blew on the side. After two blowouts on the 5th wheel we used to have I consider us extremely lucky that we were sitting in a nice RV park by the ocean for this one.

I'm not overloaded and always check the tire pressure. I know going to a G rated tire won't prevent a blowout but I'm leaning towards replacing the F's with G's. We did enjoy an extra day at the beach this time but I doubt we would be that lucky should it happen again.

RJ

RJ,

When I decided to replace my 7 year old tires, I thought they looked fine. When Thomsom Tire in McKinney dismounted them I took a good look between the treads. All 5 tires that I replaced had cracks all the way around each grove.

I then inspected the three remaining 2 year old tires and found them to be OK. So don't just look at the side walls for cracking look into the groves between each tread.

Good Luck.

[tireman9]

dbik86i

Sorry to hear about your problems. If you don't mind, let me add a few observations based on 40 years as Tire Design & Quality engineer and Tire Inspection Specialist with about 15,000 "autopsies" under my belt.

You didn't say if the "service co" was a Goodyear company store or independent dealer that happened to sell that brand. Very few if any tire techs get training in tire failure analysis. It's not their job as tire manufacturers have engineers specifically trained to do basic tire inspections to make a call on warranty replacements.

The info about matching OD is spot on. I suspect that trying to match a tire with >5,000 mi with a new one might not be a good idea so all things being the same I would move your two fronts to the dual location and "mix" new & worn on the front axle.

Finding no dimensional difference between LR-F and LR-G is rather normal as manufacturers normally will use the same mold and make internal structural differences between the two load range tires.

I doubt that you will be able to feel any ride difference between a F and G tire if both inflated to same psi.

Your additional info on discovering the inner tire with no air is very telling. This means it was probably run some unknown number of miles doing permanent internal structural damage. The damage weakened the tire and that is why it blew.

Duals with one tire at 15 psi

"Zipper" failure of steel body tire

Glad you were not injured. Clearly with the TPMS showing all OK there is a problem with that system and I strongly suggest you get it checked out ASAP.

I am also concerned about the tire that was mounted next to the dual that blew. Not knowing if or how much usage at 100% overload it was exposed to it is very suspect. I urge you to have a GY COMPANY STORE dismount it and do a complete internal inspection. Tell the store manager exactly what happened to both tires.

Good luck

[RJEJ]

Thanks for all the help. Today we are going to a Goodyear truck tire dealer in FWT and will most likely replace the remaining tires unless the inspector can assure that they are in very good shape.

RJ