Cheap tire = cheap results

[supton]

3 years ago or so I bought a well-used popup in high hopes that we, as a family, would like camping. After fixing the broken lift cable I needed to replace the 17 year old tires. Since I was being cheap, and since the cheapo tires from HF were the right size, I did that. I put less than 3,000 miles onto this, a very lightly loaded camper, two summers ago; it sat this summer (as I bought a bigger camper).

Fast forward to today. Since the tires on my utility trailer are the same cheapo HF tires, and they are pushing 10 years old, and because I have need of the utility trailer, I was going to swap tires. These "new" tires have a date code of 1112, so no problem, right?

This was the bottom of the tire, where it's been sitting--so no UV exposure at all. [I can tell as there was an imprint of the chock block nearby.]

Tire is a King's Tire. Guess I need to order a set of Kenda's or something.

These tires are rated for 55mph max, maybe the cracking is my fault? I did lots of 60mph, and on one trip 70. Tires never felt warm, and I'm 99% sure I was not near their weight limits at all (and always fully inflated).

 

[Jimzz]

Speed(heat) will usually cause them to just come apart so age, speed(heat), and quality all play in what you see.

 

[JHZR2]

Despite those who will duel to no end over HF stuff being as good as anything else, we see stuff like this time and time again. This junk is meant to be disposable, built to the lowest standards it can, and stuff like tires put everyone at risk.

 

[Nick1994]

The cheap comes out expensive...

I'll never buy cheap tires, my grandpa had a set of Discount Tire's cheapest on his Jeep and after a day of driving dirt roads he got onto the freeway at about 75 mph and it blew out, almost rolled the Jeep over. Those cheap tires had punctured multiple times. After that we put on some BFG's and have put on a couple thousand off-road miles, heavy use offroad on that set along with plenty of 80+ highway driving, never a problem.

 

[supton]

Well, the Duro ones that came on my HF trailer seemed ok. Didn't realize I had deviated from that brand. The ten year old Duro's have about the same cracking. Except the spare which has none. But I guess they didn't see the same loading.

Started looking for tires. Not sure what brand I will get.

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Despite those who will duel to no end over HF stuff being as good as anything else, we see stuff like this time and time again. This junk is meant to be disposable, built to the lowest standards it can, and stuff like tires put everyone at risk.


Shopping there is definitely an exercise in being careful. I've gotten a few tools from there that have been absolutely great (and held up better than Craftsman and a few others), but I've also gotten and seen other things that were total [censored] (their dremel knockoff is garbage).

Good things have included sockets, the 1/2" drive extendable ratchet (I've jumped on it countless times and routinely use it like a breaker bar, neither of the ones I've got has missed a beat yet). The cheapo angle grinder has been decent too (although it's loud as [censored]).

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: supton
Started looking for tires.


http://www.etrailer.com/

Not bottom dollar...but good products, fast shipping, and excellent customer service.

 

[supton]

I was hoping for DTD but I didn't see any on their site. But etrailer has free ship today. So I might order three and be done.

I also ought to start my shopping for trailer brakes. My "new" camper lacks those, and now ought to be a good time to start that install.

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: supton
Started looking for tires.


http://www.etrailer.com/

Not bottom dollar...but good products, fast shipping, and excellent customer service.

 

[eljefino]

Round black thing comes from HF, not round.

I sent it back (was before they had stores near me) and a month later I got a good replacement. They paid shipping both ways.

 

[CT8]

Originally Posted By: eljefino


Round black thing comes from HF, not round.

I sent it back (was before they had stores near me) and a month later I got a good replacement. They paid shipping both ways.
They don't have to be round as they are made in China.

 

[MNgopher]

I've been happy with the Kenda trailer tires I've been getting from etrailer. They have been delivering decent service under our boat trailer. These are still bias-ply and have delivered acceptable service (no freeway blowouts anyways) though they are checked annually and rotated through spare duty so the oldest tire on my rig is 6 years...

 

[Bgallagher]

Get what you pay for. There are some middle of the road companies that are making some quality tires. General and Cooper aren't considered at the level of a Michelin but are making some darn good tires for example.