Loadstar tires

[fallsrider]

I just received today 2 new LoadStar tires mounted on white rims. My PU has 5.30-12's, Load C. I will mount them this weekend and determine at some future date whether I like them or not. I purchased them from Southwest Wheel Company out of Dallas.

Does anyone already have opinions on these tires?

Thanks.

[kampingkoge]

I just received today 2 new LoadStar tires mounted on white rims. My PU has 5.30-12's, Load C. I will mount them this weekend and determine at some future date whether I like them or not. I purchased them from Southwest Wheel Company out of Dallas.

Does anyone already have opinions on these tires?

Thanks.

They came standard on my new PUP, havent had any problems yet.  This is my 3rd summer with them.

[fallsrider]

They came standard on my new PUP, havent had any problems yet.  This is my 3rd summer with them.

That's great to know! Thanks for sharing it.

[daldricht]

Since there is mention of tires in this link, would like to hear what you think should be about the amount of time before replacing tires? We go out once a month and usually do not exceed 250 miles to get to any one camping area. This is our third summer season. Do you normally get 3 or 4 seasons or do you really detrermine the life of them by the depth of the tread?

[AustinBoston]

Since there is mention of tires in this link, would like to hear what you think should be about the amount of time before replacing tires? We go out once a month and usually do not exceed 250 miles to get to any one camping area. This is our third summer season. Do you normally get 3 or 4 seasons or do you really detrermine the life of them by the depth of the tread?

Depth of tread is only useful if the wear bars are actually showing (i.e. the tires are worn out).  Much more common with trailer tires is for them to "dry rot," where various factors (sun exposure, parked on dirt/grass, lack of use) cause the rubber to crack long before the tires are worn out.

I've had one set of tires last more than 5 years and 25,000 miles, and another not last 18 months or see 5,000 miles.  I think there were three factors - the short-life tires were cheap (Tow-Master brand), our use dropped a lot, and the trailer was parked in a spot where the tires sat in a puddle for extended periods.  I have no idea which of these was the biggest factor, but I believe they all contributed.

Austin

[daldricht]

Thanks for the feedback on the tires. I figured we would have to self-determine the wear on the tread. We just bought the white tire covers so when the camper is parked on the driveway for the other three weeks we do not use - hopefully will have less rubber rot?
We are planning to buy tires (including a new spare) and then we can determine better what we are dealing with. Previous owner had for 13-months and claims they only went out 6 to 8 times. The popup was so clean you would swear it was never used. The guy really took great care of it.
Tires - any recommendations to a brand that might last longer? Not interested in going to the low end product - too much invested to chance a blowout - and would almost bet my last dime it will happen in a rain storm!!!

[flyfisherman]

Since there is mention of tires in this link, would like to hear what you think should be about the amount of time before replacing tires? We go out once a month and usually do not exceed 250 miles to get to any one camping area. This is our third summer season. Do you normally get 3 or 4 seasons or do you really detrermine the life of them by the depth of the tread?

Tire size makes a difference in tire life, too. I've had both the 13" tire (on a previous popup) and 12" on the present camper. The 13" tires go more miles than the 12" tires, however, the 12's cost less. At the peak mile useage running the roads with the 12's, I replaced them annually with orginal equipent Carlisle tires and my then tire guru charged $30.00 a tire, including taxes and mounting. I could afford that kind of expense. However, changing out the 13 inchers previously cost about twice that amount, but like I said with significantly longer
mileage.

There has been criticism of Carlisle tires on this and other boards in the past, however, I've had pretty good service with them overall. One time I was having the wheel bearings re-packed and the servicing RV dealer noted a split in the thread of a quite new Carlisle tire and changed it out for the spare. I called Carlisle who promptly dispatched UPS to pick-up the defective tire (at their expense) and just a few days later called to tell me it was indeed a defective tire and asked me if I wanted a replacement or for them to pay for a replacement in the event I had already did so. I opted for the later (as I had really replaced the tire) and they said to send them a reciept, which I did, and there was a check for the full amount in my mail box very shortly afterward.

How you store the camper has some bearing on tire life, too. For openers, it's pretty well recommended the camper not be parked where the tires are standing a bare ground. If that has to be, make certain there's something between the tire and the ground, like a block of wood or something like one of those slim patio cement slabs. Also, Starcraft recommends that if long term storage is going to be a factor, to block the camper up (by the main frame) and reduce the air pressure in the tires down to something like 20psi.

Lots of factors play into tire life, all the way from how the camper is parked and stored,  to running them on down the road.



Fly

[daldricht]

Thanks FLY,
You covered a lot and gave me quite a bit to contemplate. We are going to be buying replacement tires or upgrading to a 16' High Side Fleetwood - depends on whether the house sells or not? We have contemplated buying a Class C and a Class A but do not think we use it enough to warrant the expenditure of $150,000 to $225,000 - YET??? When we retire we are considering full time - then we are going Class A - I can imagine what those tires will go for???

Thanks again for all the info - great help.
Dave