2018 Heartland Bighorn problems

Filed Nov 17, 2018 · Wheels · 1,500 miles · NY

****note - need info on tires**** I purchased a new 2018 heartland bighorn traveler 39mb fifth wheel rv on 10/11/2017. On 09/17/2018, I discovered a flat tire on this rv, which turned out to be an issue of tread separation rather than a puncture. On 09/20/2018, while still under the one year warranty period, I replaced all five tires (including spare), with load range "g" tires. At the time of manufacture, heartland installed trail king st235/85/16 load range "e" tires on this rv. The maximum load rating for these tires is 3640 lbs times four tires is a total weight rating capacity of 14,560 lbs. The gvwr of this rv is 15,500 lbs. The tires that heartland installed are 940 lbs. Below the gvwr of this rv, therefore causing excessive heat and tread separation. Upon contacting heartland about this matter, I was informed via email that, "those are the correct tires being used during the production period when your unit was built. The reason those tires are adequate is because the entirety of the weight of the unit is never on just the tires. It is spread over the total length of nearly 42' of unit." heartland refused to do anything about my situation and is now installing load range "g" tires on the 2019 models (which carry the same specifications as my 2018). Heartland further stated that this is because heartland went "above and beyond their responsibility", not because there was a problem. It is my opinion that heartland installed under rated tires on this rv, which caused a substantial risk of failure or blow out, which in turn, created a substantial risk of accident and personal injury on our highways. ## VIN passed ## heartland bighorn traveler 2018 ##