Goodyear tires - BAD

[RWW]

Don/Gary

I may not have asked my question correctly. I know what and how 'proper' tire pressure is -- based on axle load and the manufacturer's recommendations from their tire charts.

My question was directed to theresponses to the original poster (tred separation and tire failure at 4K miles on Goodyear tires - from another forum member, not me). One response to the poster was immediately questioning whether the tires were 'overinflated'.

My question should have been ,,, even if the owner had the tires at the maximum pressure marked on the sidewall; even if it was not the 'proper / correct' pressure for the axle weight - is the tire 'over inflated' for purposes of claiming cause and fault of the tire failure? Keeping in mind the tires had only 4,000 miles.

Seems scary to me that a manufacturer could blame tire failure due to overinflation above the pressure recommended by the tire charts for the axle weight, yet not above the max pressure stamped on the sidewall. I can see the manufacturer denying responsibility for premature wear, but tred separation?

If over inflated is defined as above the pressure recommeded on the axle weight charts, but below the max stamped on the sidewall, we all have a problem, as we consume our freshwater and fuel; drop off passengers, consume supplies and unhook trailers, etc. That can add up to a lot of weight being taken off the axles, which would put our tire pressures above the pressure recommended by the tire charts. We set our tires for the max load on the axle per the charts, we don't lower pressure as our load reduces on a routine basis, but 'technically' we have 'over inflated' tires for periods of time.

Roger Webb

91WL

Cedar Rapids, IA

RWW

On Jul 3, 2009, at 3:20 PM, "trekkersmith1" <"gl_smith@ix.netcom.com""gl_smith@ix.netcom.com""gl_smith@ix.netcom.com""gl_smith@ix.netcom.com"> wrote:

Roger,

In the senario Don described, YES, inflating to the max pressure is overinflated. Correct pressure is determined based on the load the tire is supporting, and anything above that is overinflating. Most of the tire makers (Goodyear, Michelin, etc.) have a guide to determine how much pressure to inflate each tire to. To use the guide, you need to know the weights at each tire position and the tire size. There's more to it than this, but they generally have a buried footnote advising that under certain conditions you can carry 5-10 psi more than the chart calls for.



The proper pressure is thus obtained from a chart, not from what's on the sidewall of the tire. The amount on the sidewall is max pressure to carry max weight for the design of the tire. There's also a psi rating for your rims. If your tire can be inflated to 110 psi, but the rim is only rated for 100 psi, then 100 psi is your limit. For other folks here who don't understand all this, if you happen to be going to the FMCA Convention in a couple weeks in Bowling Green (Ohio, not Kentucky), there is a seminar (maybe several) on this topic, and they will weigh your coach so you get those important weights, as well as a report giving you the proper pressures for each axle.

Gary

SOB

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", RWW ...> wrote:

>

> Is a tire inflated to it's max pressure 'overinflated'??

>

> Roger Webb

> 91 WL

> Cedar Rapids, IA

>

> RWW

>

> On Jul 3, 2009, at 11:00 AM, "Don Bradner" ...>

> wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > A quote from one of many articles on the topic: "An overinflated

> > tire is stiff and unyielding and the size of its footprint in

> > contact with the road is reduced. If a vehicle's tires are

> > overinflated by 6 psi, they could be damaged more easily when

> > encountering potholes or debris in the road, as well as experience

> > irregular tread wear."

> >

> > The 6 psi was in reference to a car tire - equivalent to something

> > like 20-25psi in our big tires.

> >

> > Since the proper inflation of a 315/80R22.5 could be as low as 85

> > (typical tag axle) or 90 (typical drivers), going to 130 is 40 to 45

> > lbs too high!

> >

> > On 7/3/2009 at 7:11 AM RWW wrote:

> >

> > >This statement confuses me ...

> > >

> > >... there are those who just go to the max. That would probably be

> > >over the proper (way over for some tire positions) level.

> > >

> > >I have always believed that as tire pressure is increased (up to the

> > >max PSI) you increase load capacity and decrease ride quality. In

> > >other words, having your tires above the PSI 'needed' for the weight

> > >at that position (but not above the max) will NOT increase the

> > >probability of tire failure. However, you do sacrifice ride quality.

> > >

> > >Roger Webb

> > >91 WL

> > >Cedar Rapids, IA

> > >

> > >

> > >On Jul 2, 2009, at 11:33 PM, "Don Bradner"

> > ...>

> > >wrote:

> > >

> > >> of 130 psi, and there are those who just go to the max. That would

> > >> probably be over the proper (way over for some tire positions)

> > level.

> >

> >

>

=