Heartland Bighorn tire blowout 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 ##

Filed Jul 1, 2017 · ME

Towmax tires blow out. All tires where up to the correct presure.

Filed Jan 8, 2016 · Tires · 15,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 heartland bighorn equipped with power king tires, tire line: towmax, tire size: 215/80/r16, and dot number: 83b5gpb. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the rear driver's side tire exploded which caused damage to the propane fuel line and brake line. In addition, as a result the flooring above the defective tire was severely damaged. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The damaged tire was replaced with a spare. The contact planned to replace the four tires on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage of the tire and vehicle was 15,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Dec 7, 2015 · Wheels · CA

Same old story with these tires, towmax power king st235/85r16. We had these tires as original equipment for our 2014 heartland bighorn 5th wheel rv. We were traveling outside of moab utah when the left rear tire had a catastrophic blowout. Once we read about the issues with these tires, we decided to replace all 5 before continuing on our trip. That decision was perhaps one of our best since the removed tires all showed signs of internal failure ply separation. The tire distributor (dynamic tire co.) denied any manufacturing defect and refused to pay for the damages to our rv. What a joke that these tires are even considered suitable for service on any vehicle or highway. The tire company points the finger at the user saying that the tires were either under-inflated or over-loaded. Really!!! I think that they just have a standard list of excuses such that they don't have to accept liability for their product.

Filed Nov 4, 2015 · Wheels · 3,000 miles · CT

We purchased our big horn as a left over in april 2015. We took several short trips to prepare for our us tour to to west coast and back. We put less than 3000 miles on the camper before the 1st power king towmax tire blew. While we were traveling on the highway, speed less than 60 miles per hour on the entire trip, camper below the manufacturer weight limit, and tire pressure of 80 psi cold. Stopped in a small town in co to have the tire fixed and the repair guy had a similar customer a short while before with the same tire. He replaced all 5 of his tires with another brand. We left this town for another stop and all was okay. When leaving the next stop again on the highway we had another blowout on the same side of the tire I just replaced. Damage to the camper which needs repair. This time I replaced the other 2 tires as well. Heartland wants nothing to do with this a keeps sending us to the tire manufacturer. Seems like the company I bought the camper from should have more ownership in their product especially seeing all the other blowout complaints on their product.

Filed Aug 2, 2015 · Tires · 2,000 miles · TN

2013 heartland 3610 re 5th wheel rv. Oem tires. Power king tow max st235/80r16 str tires. Checked tire pressures with tire gauge before trip. All at 80 psi cold. Installed tps sensors and checked monitor. Working. 6 miles into trip after pulling out from a red light at around 20 MPH the rear left axle tire blew out throwing plastic trim pieces across the road. Top of thread blew apart. Replaced with spare tire. Went about 23 more mile and right after checking tire pressure monitor, for pressure and temp. Both ok. The right front axle tire blew out while driving 55 MPH, throwing fender trim pieces across the road. Found right side rear axle tire with pieces of the tire belt strains starting to come threw thread part of the tire. Didn't blow out yet. Had all four tires replaced. Kept all tires. Now have replaced the spare. Both sides of camper wheel fender areas damage.

Filed Oct 26, 2014 · Steering, Tires · 2,000 miles · NJ

Traveling approximately 60 MPH on route 78 west just outside of allentown pennsylvania, the left rear tire -power king towmax st 235/80 r 16 load range (e) on our heartland bighorn 3185 (2013) sustained a blowout causing severe damage to the left rear end of our 5th wheel trailer including but not limited to cosmetic damage (fenders etc) rear axl damage, brake damage, hydraulic lines, brake lines, undercarriage damage etc. Thankfully all passengers were unharmed and no other vehicles were involved with this incident. Further inspection of the tire suggests either tread separation or a side wall blowout that lead to the tread separation. The tread did not tear off of the tire allowing the separated tread to cause the extensive damage as previously stated. The trailer was not overloaded and had weight evenly distributed. Tires were meticulously kept, and pressure was at suggested 80 psi.

Filed Sep 21, 2014 · Tires · 1,500 miles · FL

Saturday, 9/20/14, we drove approx 300 miles from fl on interstates 95 and 26, speed 65 MPH or lower, towing our 2014 heartland bighorn 5th wheel trailer equipped with power king tow max st235/80r16 tires. Tire pressure (80 psi) and lug torque (120 ft/lb) checked before departure. Exited I-26 in lexington sc and had driven 2-3 miles, speeds 35 and under, on surface street when left rear tire blew, separating 2/3 of the tread circumference creating a 3 1/2 foot long 8 inch wide steel belted flail that destroyed the lower valance and wheel well on left main slide, throwing debris on adjacent traffic. Thankfully, due to low speed at time (20-25), there were no injuries, damage to other vehicles or loss of vehicle control. Trailer purchased new jan 2014 and had less than 1500 miles total use. Internet search revealed lots of similar stories and a full complaint log (50) since 6/2014 on the federal safety agency site. No faith in these tires; replaced two (all the local goodyear tire dealer had on a sunday) but will replace them all when available. Heartland and tbc, the tire maker (?) will hear as well. Serious safety hazard!

Filed Jun 16, 2014 · Tires · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 heartland bighorn trailer equipped with (na) commodore tires size 235-80r 16, dot number ryb5omac, serial number 3211. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH the tire blew out due to tread separation and caused damaged to the trailer skirt, metal panel and valve damage. The tire mileage was 2,000. Updated 9/18/14*cn updated 02/05/2015

Filed Jun 15, 2014 · Tires · 2,000 miles · TX

Purchased my heartland bighorn 3670rl 5th wheel new in january 2013. The rv came standard with power king towmax str tires, st235/80r16 lr "e". My first blowout occurred in may 2014 with fewer than 2000 miles on the tires. Luckily no damage to the trailer. Sent the tire to the distributor who claimed that it was a road hazard issue and would not warranty the tire. I know I hadn't hit anything in the road to have caused the problem. Then two weeks ago we were returning from a trip to the texas hill country back to the houston area when the second blowout occurred. Because I was on a major freeway (I-10) I limped along to the next exit where I was able to change the tire. Again, no significant damage to the rv. After stopping for about 45 minutes the next blowout occurred. Again I had to limp off the freeway completely ruining the aluminum rim. Luckily I had carried two spares and was able to change it as well before heading into houston. I stopped at the first tire store I found and replaced all the towmax tires with carlise trailer tires and made it home. The last blowout completely separated the tread and broke several brake wires and slightly damaged the fiberglass fender cover on the rv. No major damage to the rv other than the aluminum rim. All of the towmax tires are dot 83b5 manufactured in (1012) and (1112). I've always been very careful to check the air pressure on all my tires before leaving or returning from the trip. I maintain 80 psi on all tires per the load rating on the tire. I also maintain a speed of 65 MPH or less when pulling the rv.