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Topic Closedworn tires.
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sean p View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Feb 2016
Location: athens ga
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Posts: 48 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: worn tires.
    Posted: 18 Aug 2017 at 5:31pm
Just got back from Going from Denver to Butte Mt. 1800 miles round trip. Saw 16 RPODS during that drive.anyway. I noticed before the trip as i needed to take the left side tire for a new stem valve on the morning we left that the tires are wearing greatly on the outside edge ONLY. By the time my trip was over and home now the right side tire's edge is almost into the belts.. stopped at my dealer on way home , they just referred me to a local alignment and axel specialist, I have an apt. this week. ANY thoughts from the experienced guys here. Also the last nite of this trip using the conv/roast mode on the micro ended up leaving the door button stuck in and the door wont close. My appointment is in sept. for that. Thanks everybody. I love this Forum.
2016 179pod--BETTY
2010 nissan frontier
Sean and Doug
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touring the west
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Wood River Pod View Drop Down
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Joined: 30 Sep 2016
Location: Wood River, ID
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Posts: 153 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 2017 at 7:31pm
Sean p,
I just posted this earlier today on another disccusion about tires.  Do you have a Hood River?  Are you tires 235's.  Very curious to see what they replace with.  

Hope the issue is not too serious.
Thanks
Jeff


"My 2017 HRE 179 came with Westlake 235 75 15's.  They are C rated tires.  I want to upgrade to D rated.  But I can't find 235 trailer tires anywhere.  Due to my steep incline driveway, my pod with the 235's just barley gets me up the drive.  I'm afraid if I go with 225's I'll need to lay down boards or scrape my way up the drive.  Anyone have any recommendations?  Any input would be appreciated.  
Thanks"
Smith's in Hailey
Early 2017 179 HRE

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sean p View Drop Down
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Posts: 48 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 2017 at 7:38pm
Yes i do have the same tire as you. And ihave less than 7000 miles on them
2016 179pod--BETTY
2010 nissan frontier
Sean and Doug
Butchie the morkie
touring the west
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 Sep 2016
Location: Massachusetts
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Aug 2017 at 4:43pm
I use Carlisle 14 inch radial trail HD load range D tires. Great tires, track excellent, even in the downpour i drove in yesterday. Cheaper than the GY endurance too.
2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Aug 2017 at 5:44pm
+1
Mike Carter
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" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Blue Highways View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Sep 2016
Location: NC mountains
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Posts: 84 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2017 at 9:48am
Sean: Re: worn tires. I think you may have a mis-aligned axle, or extremely non-conforming axle which is worth investigating this week, and here's why.

We have almost 10,000 miles on our 17 HRE with Westlake 235-785-15s that were filled with nitrogen. Same tire Wood River Pod has. This Unit was purchased while we were living in Alaska, and we brought it down the Alcan Highway, Cassiar Highway, into WA then ran the entire Oregon Coast; back through Crater Lake, Idaho, and all the way out to Western North Carolina. Since then we have explored the Blue Ridge Parkway up into Virginia and back.

Roads starting from Alaska, Yukon Territories & BC ranged from rough frost-heaved pavement, very coarse pavement, sharp (windshield cracking) gravel construction zones, smooth pavement, curves, inclines all the way up to smooth higher-speed Interstate running often at higher summer temperatures.

We never had a flat, never had to add any significant air, the deep Westlake tire lugs are not excessively worn, and there is totally even wear across the crown of the tires. I think it is a "Lippert" trailer axle, but I can check. Not sure if it is a 3500# or 4000# that HRE Pods come stock with, or whether there was a vendor change in who supplies the axles to FR. We did not add the FR optional lifting blocks to the axle.

Since you are having such extreme outside edge wear, you fully deserve to have this finally corrected. If they find the axle is defective and can't be corrected by shims shackles & adjustments, I'd consider making lemonade out of lemons by jumping a step up in axle durability rating, maybe put an inch or 2 of lift on it, and thus upgrade your way out of the problem ending with something much better that must be installed to your tire wear satisfaction.

Is this reasonable? I am truly sorry you have this $$$ hassle to deal with. It's as if your axle has an arch in it; high in the center & curving down beyond spec as you move out to each wheel hub. If you never remember high-centering over a big nasty boulder, this must be a defective axle from its maker, if it cannot be adjusted back into specifications.

I'm really curious as to what you find out on this. I hope things get solved so you can relax. Please let the forum know what you learn !
---brad

2 Questions for Jeff (Wood River Pod) because I don't know a huge amount about tires, beyond brand research:

1) Are the equivalent Westlake trailer 235-75-15 size tires really hard to find? Even at Hailey's Les Scwab?
Reason I ask is that I am old enough to remember almost EVERY car had that size-range back in the day. (I do get that any 14" tire is a 'tough find' for classic cars that weren't upgraded at least to 15s). But with so many muscle and classic cars being collected, would not a top-quality radial vehicle tire do an even better job than a trailer tire for our Pods?

I'm asking this out of ignorance, because I must have some pre-conceptions that must be wrong and wanted to get your knowledge on the subject, even though I don't need to replace the Pods tires until perhaps 2019 season.

2) You mentioned finding that "trailer tires" that size are hard to find. Wouldn't a "vehicle tire" be equal to, or stronger construction than a trailer tire? I always thought trailer tires had less quality, because they don't have to steer or part water for hydroplaning, etc. and have more stringent standards for manufacturer's standards of ride & handling. Do trailer tires have special characteristics that are missed by vehicle tires? 

Really curious / want to learn from everybody

--brad
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john in idaho View Drop Down
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Posts: 610 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2017 at 10:20am
It is my understanding that one should not use radial tires on a trailer.  Too much sidewall flex.  But ask at the tire store.  Also = most trailer tires are not rated for more than 60 or 65 mph.  One certainly sees them going much faster , though.
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Blue Highways View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Sep 2016
Location: NC mountains
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Posts: 84 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2017 at 10:42am
Thanks, John, I had no clue my factory Westlakes might not be actual radials; (Could be true, I'll investigate)....in fact I didn't think non-radials were manufactured anymore for general road use, based on the old "sudden blow-out" reputations from the bias plys of my father's days.

But I do want a tire that can handle 70+ mpg with a load rating approaching 5000#s, because sometimes you have to run that periodically with your trailer to get out of a dangerous tangle of jockeying aggressive 18-wheelers. (Which is not the way mature, experienced truckers with good safety records drive.)

I'll put some thought to side wall flex: I do notice when the very visible R-pod tires hit a dip in the road, they "sponge-out" clearly, softening the shock up through the trailer chassis. That may be the clue to what makes a trailer tire construction different. Hmmmm.

Thanks for the thoughts, john!
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2017 at 11:43am
Lots of opposites of what i've been told here. I've been told the following
1) Radials are good trailer tires because they dont heat up as much as bias tires. 
2) NEVER use auto tires on a trailer. Trailer tires are rated to hold much more weight. 
3) My Carlisles are reted for 4200 pounds, at 81 m.p.h. @ 65 p.s.i.
**** 4200 pounds for both tires together
2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding
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sean p View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Feb 2016
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Posts: 48 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2017 at 11:48am
Omg, thanks guys, lots of info. i have axel apt. tuesday, i will deffinatly be on with results. I wonder if i should contact forest river. 
2016 179pod--BETTY
2010 nissan frontier
Sean and Doug
Butchie the morkie
touring the west
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