Karrier Load Star Tires - FYI

These are discussions that contain lots of good info, so did not want to eliminate it. It has closed so we can take advantage of making the forum easier to find what you are looking for.
mikenmarge

Karrier Load Star Tires - FYI

Post by mikenmarge »

Our 2004 Cardinal 33TS/LX initially came with the Kenda tires. After reading the posts about these problem tires, contacted Kenda and they promptly sent me five Karrier Load Star Tires. After having about 10,000 miles on them, started reading posts about tire separation, etc. with the Load Star Tires. Took the rig in to the tire shop this morning and Yep, side walls were separating and bulging. So the Load Stars came off and Bridgestone All Steel V-Steel Rib 187 LT 235/85R16E went on. :D
FYI
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geeksrus

Post by geeksrus »

Did Kenda compensate you for the replacements for the Karriers?

Regards
bbgun

Post by bbgun »

We have the 06 30ts and we got the karrier tires on ours. After reading the posts my husband got rid of them and got new tires as well. DH contacted Roger Ansel at 1-800-225-4717 x-231 and he insisted that they have had NO troubles with the Karrier tires and that we would not get compensated for it. Good luck, maybe they will help you.
mikenmarge

Post by mikenmarge »

Since we had put on about 10,000 miles on the Karrier Load Stars and they are about two years old, decided to just bite the bullet and not contact Kendra.
Mike
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Post by Future Fulltimers »

bbgun wrote:We have the 06 30ts and we got the karrier tires on ours. After reading the posts my husband got rid of them and got new tires as well. DH contacted Roger Ansel at 1-800-225-4717 x-231 and he insisted that they have had NO troubles with the Karrier tires and that we would not get compensated for it. Good luck, maybe they will help you.
Mr Ansel gave me the same story. After we had 2 tires fail we replaced all 4. I wrote a letter to Mr. Ansel, explained what had happened and included invoices for the replacement of the 4 tires. Then I sent a copy to Forest River. Four months later we recieved a check for 2 tires. I felt grateful that I recieved anything at all.
Wayne & Peggy Williamson
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Post by pops91710 »

After reading here and in other forums the bad news about these Kendas and Loadstars, I have decided to dump mine before they can do any damage to my rig.

On my last outing I noticed one of the tires had a very small chunk of tread missing from it. It almost looks like it had been cut out with some sort of sharp metal object, but why wouldn't the forward tire have the same damage? My conclusion is they are beggining to fail with less than 2,000 miles on them.

I do not understand why FR opts to put cheap tires on their better rigs? I would gladly pay the price difference! Don't they know that?
Mike Harrington, Chino, CA.

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Post by Future Fulltimers »

pops91710 wrote:I do not understand why FR opts to put cheap tires on their better rigs? I would gladly pay the price difference! Don't they know that?
When I went to replace mine, I had 3 tire dealerships tell me that there is no such tire size. :shock: :shock: :shock: When I insisted that I was looking at 4 tires in this size they thought I was crazy. The fourth tire dealership I called said they were special tires and it would take 2-3 MONTHS to get them and I won't even tell you what the price was. :shock: . It gets better. My other half suggested looking at the trailer paperwork. Forest River had put on a different size tire than what was shown in the brochure. :shock: :x :evil:
Point is manufactures put on what they can get cheaply. If they can save $5 per tire by putting on junk, that adds up to be a lot of money ($5x10k tires =?).
Please don't get me wrong. I like my Cardinal and I expect some flaws in it as with anything. I believe most people feel the same way pops91710 does; give me the upgraded tires.
I'll get off my soapbox now. :roll:
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Post by Chief409 »

What recomnandation's does anyone have for replacement tires. While I was at the RV dealer getting the 5er hitch installed I saw a Cedar Creek which had had a blowout/tread seperation come in, and there was a considerable amount of damage to the trim and the coach body (it was a right rear tire). I replace coach tires every 3 or 4 years and haven't had a problem yet, but the 'Bird is roughly twice as heavy as my last coach, so now I'm thinking I need to pay attention to brands. And pay VERY close attention to the tires at every stop. :)
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Post by Future Fulltimers »

Many of our members are running the Michelin XPS LT235/85R16-E. Some are trying the Goodyear G614 RST. Check out this posting:
http://www.cardinalrvclub.org/crvc/viewtopic.php?t=1162
Hope this helps
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Post by pops91710 »

Future Fulltimers wrote:Many of our members are running the Michelin XPS LT235/85R16-E. Some are trying the Goodyear G614 RST. Check out this posting:
http://www.cardinalrvclub.org/crvc/viewtopic.php?t=1162
Hope this helps
The problem I see is Michelin's tire specs don't come close to recommendations. That puts me off.
Mike Harrington, Chino, CA.

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With one happy wife now 45 years ago!
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Post by Traveler II »

We just ordered a new Cardinal this week. I just checked at the Forest River web site and I can't see a way of contacting them. I called my dealer and he said they have not had any reports of tire problems this year. Does anyone know what tires they are using on 2008 models?

Thanks
Jim & Jane
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Post by pops91710 »

If it is any help, I have an '06 with Kenda's Karrier Load Stars. I have had no problems. But then, I also keep the air up to 90 in them per tire's recommendation.
Mike Harrington, Chino, CA.

2006 Cardinal WB/LE 30'
2003 F250 Superduty V10, 4X4, 4.30 axles and Gear Vendors over/underdrive.
With one happy wife now 45 years ago!
USAF Weapons/Munitions Specialist 1966-1973 Vietnam Vet 1970-71
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Post by Sneakypete & Cowgirl »

We have kenda tires on our 5er have made trips east coast,minn.wisc, never no tire troubles, but they are only rated for 65mph. stay below that and there is no heat build up.
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Post by markj »

I just traveled 2400 miles. When I got home I too had a small chunk of rubber gone from the tread. My air pressure limit says 80 PSI. The tires never felt hot, just warm.
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Post by Chief409 »

I put the Michilen XPS tires on my trailer. As others have mentioned, LOTS more tread then the Load Stars (I kept one Load Star as the spare, so it is easy to compare). All the extra rubber means there is reduced clearance in the wheel wells. On the left rear (on the slide out) the plastic trim rubbed against the tire. Trimmed that, no futher problem. With the tires rated at 3042#, on a trailer with a MGVW of 12,400# and around 2000# on the hitch, I'll have the trailer overloaded before the tires are.

These tires arn't cheap at around $220 ea, however I think the trailer tows better in strong, gusty crosswinds (common condition driving in the Mojave), and with the peace of mind I have now, make them worth it for me. :D
Jeff & Terry
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