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grovepark · 07-09-2021, 03:13 PM

I was just about to enter I-26 South Bound from South Carolina heading back to Florida. An Active Duty Army Sergeant stopped us at a Shell Station before entering the Interstate and informed us that there was a bulge on the inside of my 2017 International Serenity 19 Ft Airstream. Here is a picture of what he saw. Thank Goodness he flagged us down and we changed the tire before coming back to Florida. My question is what could have caused this to happen? It is a GYE ST 225/75R15.

Just ordered three new Michelin Defender LTX M/S 235/75R15 to replace the Goodyear Endurance Tires. Can you blame me?

rideair · 07-09-2021, 04:42 PM

Wow, that looks like the "Kim Kardashian" of trailer tires with the blown out backside

Is there a reason why you did not also move up to the 16" wheels with new tires?

Glad you caught it, that could have caused some damage if it had blown out.

Stay Safe,

MMCMRET · 07-09-2021, 05:13 PM

I had one that produced a much smaller version of that about 2 months after I hit a curb really hard.

I was sure I had enough room on that corner, why slow down?

tbrowne · 07-09-2021, 06:21 PM

You're very fortunate that someone noticed it and you were able to change it before it blew out. It maybe time for four new tires.

Fungus · 07-09-2021, 07:22 PM

One reason not to get 16” wheels is because they’ve been unavailable. I needed new tires before a 21-day trip in May. Couldn’t get the 16-inch wheels even with a two-month lead time. No choice but to keep the 15-inch wheels.

Martee · 07-09-2021, 07:47 PM

I think hitting a curb or even a bad pothole at speed, will weaken the sidewalls and even the steel belts. Good thing it was brought to your attention. And it sure makes a strong case to get in the habit of doing a walk around and visually check all tires on Tow vehicle, Trailer and checking the hitch, each time we stop for fuel.

**richard5933** · 07-09-2021, 07:49 PM

Likely a result of hitting a curb and nothing to do with a factory defect. I barely nudged the corner of a curb a few years ago with my car tire and the result was an immediate bulge just like yours. It doesn't take much to force the sidewall to separate like that.

tjdonahoe · 07-09-2021, 07:52 PM

Lol…broken cords…maybe it took a hit from a curb

**Action** · 07-09-2021, 08:22 PM

The inner part of the tire came apart from the outer part of the tire. Generally due to physical damage. As stated above.

Unless the tire is very very new and had a defect that showed up on the first outing.

If my first guess is correct, a different tire manufacturer will have the same result.

Action

grovepark · 07-11-2021, 07:48 AM

Just wondering if I should upgrade to 16 inch rims and Michelin LT tires?

Bill M. · 07-11-2021, 08:18 AM

I run the 15" wheels with Michelin Defender tires on my trailer. Be sure you have the tires that are designated XL and will take up to 50 lbs pressure. Be sure that the maximum load rating of the tires exceeds the load rating of the axle by at least 10% (a legal requirement for running P tires on a trailer). I run a 2 axle trailer and the tires have plenty of capacity. I do not know your weights. I assume you are running a single axle trailer? I think the 2 Michelins will be good for about 3900 lbs but I am not sure of that. The newest ones might go 4000 after the 10% derating.

grovepark · 07-11-2021, 11:32 PM

Single Axle GVWR = 4500 lbs
The Factory Weight of trailer is 3938 lbs
The Max Cargo Weight is 562

Will the Michelin AGILIS Crossclimate LT225/75 R16 115Q E1 XPS tires be better than Goodyear Endurance ST225/75 R15 tires?

smithcreek · 07-12-2021, 04:27 AM

The Endurance tires have a fairly short but excellent track record so far. You may want to consider just sticking with them unless you want to get into new rims.

**richard5933** · 07-12-2021, 05:18 AM

What's the reason you're considering going to a light truck tire rather than one designed for use on a trailer?

CapriRacer · 07-12-2021, 05:59 AM

These were 4 month old tires? (meaning 4 months since you purchased them?) Do you have the date codes from the tires?

If they were that new, then it is too soon for there to be the usual durability failure.

Best guess, mounting damage. Whoever mounted the tires tore the bead toe and that allowed pressurized air to enter the fabric of the tire, and that is what caused the bulge.

To confirm this, look for a torn bead toe when the tire is dismounted. Also look under the part of the rubber that was separated off. Is the under lying structure basically intact - especially the belt edges. If both of these is true, then that's it.

Bill M. · 07-12-2021, 06:49 AM

With a 4500 lb axle I do not think any of the 15" Michelins will work at all. I do not know about the 16" XP rib. It is reported to be a good tire. Look at the load rating and be sure it is high enough for the axle.

There have not been many reports of failures of the Goodyear Endurance. Another set of them might be a decent solution. Especially if there is a supply problem for more desirable wheels or tires. Kick the can down the road for a year or two. You would really only have to buy 1 tire that way.

thewarden · 07-12-2021, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

What's the reason you're considering going to a light truck tire rather than one designed for use on a trailer?

Because trailer tires have started to get the rep that they do not hold up as evidenced by the many reported ST tire failures noted here and on most every other trailer forum out there.

Many have switched over to Michelin tires because of their excellent reputation for holding up really well on trailers. I have been running Michelin LT tires on my trailers for close to 10 years now and have never had an issue.

In the early days, I experienced numerous blowouts of ST tires, along with the ensuing damage to the trailer that occurs along with it.

Having a single axle trailer is all the more reason to have the best tire you can get because when they blow you could have a real bad handling problem if it occurs at highway speed.

Airstream installs Michelin tires as standard fare on a number of its trailers from the factory, Classics for example, and makes Michelins a factory option on other lines.

Coloradobus · 07-12-2021, 08:54 AM

Hmmm, OP stated tire bubble was on inside sidewall. Hard to curb that side.

Mounting tear to me seems the likely culprit. Im on second set of Defenders on inless than 6000 miles, on our ‘03 C Class Mercedes wagon. They ride like bricks, and if car sits for a minumum of three days, the tires develop “flat spots” from inactivity.
We use 205/90/15 ST radials and biased tires. They are similar rolling circumference to old style 7.00/15 tires. Great performance Additional trailer height appreciated

**GCinSC2** · 07-12-2021, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapriRacer

Best guess, mounting damage. Whoever mounted the tires tore the bead toe and that allowed pressurized air to enter the fabric of the tire, and that is what caused the bulge.

To confirm this, look for a torn bead toe when the tire is dismounted. Also look under the part of the rubber that was separated off. Is the under lying structure basically intact - especially the belt edges. If both of these is true, then that's it.

CapriRacer,

Any chance for a picture of this type damage to help identify?

Gary