Alpine Hi Spec Failure

Conyers · 06-13-2023, 09:25 AM

I have a 2022 Alpine with the HiSpec tires and one let go (first the tread came off and then the tire overheated and blew out). I want to go to a higher load rated tire. Currently a G rated tire. In order to do that using the Sailun tire, i have to go to a 235/85R16 tire. I will be upsizing the tire. I don't know if there will be a clearance issue between the two tires, but i've read that this would jeopardize my warranty on the unit. The current G rated tires do not cover the GVW of the trailer. They are short several hundred pounds.

wiredgeorge · 06-13-2023, 09:46 AM

The CURSE OF THE HISPEC! Suggest you do go with the Sailuns but in your current size and load range. Upsizing but getting larger tires is not likely something someone can tell you will work for clearance definitively.

**sourdough** · 06-13-2023, 10:41 AM

Welcome to the forum!

You may want to rethink trying to upsize the tire. Your trailer gvwr is 16,500lbs. with a carrying capacity in excess of 2800lbs. The load capacity of 4 Sailun S637s LRG is 16,320lbs. If you deduct the pin weight (gvwr x 23%) you come up with 16,500lbs. minus 3795lbs = 12,705 lbs. carried on the tires.

NOW, I don't subscribe to that theory. I like the tires to support the gvw of the trailer realizing that some of the weight is transferred to the pin...which I don't like to consider. In your case the LRG tires are probably sufficient because I doubt you are carrying 2800lbs. of gear in the trailer which would lower the trailer weight, your loading with a front kitchen like that will probably increase the pin percentage (I hope you have a dually) thereby decreasing the load on the tires and Sailuns are tough tires (I own them).

Another benefit IMO is that you stay with the tire size designated for your trailer and don't have to worry about the increased size of the 85 series tires. Others have gone to the 85s and have done OK as far as I know and I'm sure someone will chime in. Just throwing some numbers out there for perspective.

ChuckS · 06-13-2023, 10:57 AM

The Sailun ST235/85x16 tire will be just fine on your Alpine.. currently running a set of Sailuns in that size for the second year..

The Oracle Hispec OEM tires are junk and there have been numerous posts with pics of the tire failures and damage incurred..

Yet Alpine continues to send out their new units with same tire.. 2023 units same tire..

Keystone was made aware of the issues owners are having with Oracle tires last year at the Keystone Alpine rally..

The difference is size from 235/80 to 235/85 is 1/2 inch.. you will have plenty of tire clearance from tire to tire and plenty of clearance above the tire..

The tire you are looking at is rated at 4400 lbs at max cold psi of 110.. the wheels are rated at 110 psi but their load rating is 3750..

Do yourself a favor and get the Sailun ST 637 series tire or Hercules H901 ST series tire and you will have worry free towing ..

** provided you tow at sensible speeds, maintain proper cold psi inflation pressure for the load and keep the tires covered when not towing ..

I have been running 102 to 105 psi on my 2014 Alpine with excellent results, no tire wear and great stability

ChuckS · 06-13-2023, 11:01 AM

Here are just a small sampling of blown Oracle Hispec tires on Alpine fifth wheels

ChuckS · 06-13-2023, 11:04 AM

Here is what the OEM Oracle Hispec tire looks like compared to a Hercules H901 St 235/85x16 G rated tire. The Sailun S637 will look the same as the Hercules compared to that Hispec tire..

wiredgeorge · 06-13-2023, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Welcome to the forum!

You may want to rethink trying to upsize the tire. Your trailer gvwr is 16,500lbs. with a carrying capacity in excess of 2800lbs. The load capacity of 4 Sailun S637s LRG is 16,320lbs. If you deduct the pin weight (gvwr x 23%) you come up with 16,500lbs. minus 3795lbs = 12,705 lbs. carried on the tires.

NOW, I don't subscribe to that theory. I like the tires to support the gvw of the trailer realizing that some of the weight is transferred to the pin...which I don't like to consider. In your case the LRG tires are probably sufficient because I doubt you are carrying 2800lbs. of gear in the trailer which would lower the trailer weight, your loading with a front kitchen like that will probably increase the pin percentage (I hope you have a dually) thereby decreasing the load on the tires and Sailuns are tough tires (I own them).

Another benefit IMO is that you stay with the tire size designated for your trailer and don't have to worry about the increased size of the 85 series tires. Others have gone to the 85s and have done OK as far as I know and I'm sure someone will chime in. Just throwing some numbers out there for perspective.

Curious as to how you determined weights since he didn't mention his Alpine model?

**sourdough** · 06-13-2023, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Welcome to the forum!

You may want to rethink trying to upsize the tire. Your trailer gvwr is 16,500lbs. with a carrying capacity in excess of 2800lbs. The load capacity of 4 Sailun S637s LRG is 16,320lbs. If you deduct the pin weight (gvwr x 23%) you come up with 16,500lbs. minus 3795lbs = 12,705 lbs. carried on the tires.

NOW, I don't subscribe to that theory. I like the tires to support the gvw of the trailer realizing that some of the weight is transferred to the pin...which I don't like to consider. In your case the LRG tires are probably sufficient because I doubt you are carrying 2800lbs. of gear in the trailer which would lower the trailer weight, your loading with a front kitchen like that will probably increase the pin percentage (I hope you have a dually) thereby decreasing the load on the tires and Sailuns are tough tires (I own them).

Another benefit IMO is that you stay with the tire size designated for your trailer and don't have to worry about the increased size of the 85 series tires. Others have gone to the 85s and have done OK as far as I know and I'm sure someone will chime in. Just throwing some numbers out there for perspective.

I wanted to pitch a couple of clarifiers on the above post. I drew it to a close (it was plenty lengthy anyway) as my pot of ham and cheddar soup needed my assistance. In doing so I didn't finish my thought...sorry.

I left off with it sounding like I thought boing with the LRG tires would be what I would do, it's not. At the start of the 2nd paragraph I posted I don't subscribe to the theory that all you need are tires able to support gvwr less the tongue/pin weight and I don't. In the OPs situation the LRG tires will "almost" support the gvwr but there is no cushion. I like at least a 10% cushion over gvwr. The 235/80r 16LRG won't get there. In that case, and on that trailer, I would go with the 85 series in the Sailun.

It's the only size from Sailun that will increase the load capacity. I've found other brands that have a 16 ply 80 series but not brands I trust. The other considerations on having "just enough" tire is the anomalies associated with an RV tire. None of them will have the exact same weight on them in a static position. Rolling down the highway hitting heaves, holes, dips and flips the weights on those tires vary immensely. In this floorplan and such a heavy trailer the kitchen is right at the front. I have to think that a full loaded front kitchen is going to put more weight on the two front tires if the trailer is level or not.

Anyway, those thoughts did not get out in the previous post. Sorry for the addition. Back to the kitchen.

Conyers · 06-16-2023, 10:45 AM

Thank you for the responses.

art m · 06-22-2023, 02:29 PM

just got our alpine 3712kb in march and swapped out the hispecs for hercules901s 4 trips so far none over 150 miles, they are holding air well and they are way more robust than the stock garbage that came on an 85k trailer

ChuckS · 06-23-2023, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by art m

just got our alpine 3712kb in march and swapped out the hispecs for hercules901s 4 trips so far none over 150 miles, they are holding air well and they are way more robust than the stock garbage that came on an 85k trailer

A very smart decision. If take care of, properly inflated, tow speeds under 70 mph and covered when not towing you will easily see 5 to 7 years use

Depends also on the average temps you tow in, miles per year, etc..

The old adage of new tires every 3 years is just that… old adage

dutchmensport · 06-23-2023, 06:56 AM

I have Hercules 901's on my Montana 4 and 1/2 years now. Very pleased with them.

Just sayin'.

Conanmat · 06-23-2023, 10:42 AM

We have a 2019 Alpine 3651RL and have had the Sailun Tires AS GL285T (or S637), ST235/85R16 for several years no problems.
Load Index is 4409 lbs/3858 lbs (132/127) for these tires you get load capacity of 17,600lbs for 4 Sailun. Right?

ChuckS · 06-24-2023, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conanmat

We have a 2019 Alpine 3651RL and have had the Sailun Tires AS GL285T (or S637), ST235/85R16 for several years no problems.
Load Index is 4409 lbs/3858 lbs (132/127) for these tires you get load capacity of 17,600lbs for 4 Sailun. Right?

Just remember all the extra load capacity really means nothing as far as capacity.. The OEM wheels are rated at 3750 lbs and the stock Dexter 7K axle springs are rated at 3500 lbs ( 7K per set )

dinmi · 07-13-2023, 06:54 AM

We just purchased our Alpine 3220RL. After reading the "china bomb" references and seeing the pictures posted I was wondering approximately how many miles are on the tires before problems are experienced? Talking to my husband about what I am reading and trying to decide since we are staying local this year and probably not pulling more than 1000-1500 miles total for the season if we are OK to keep the Hispec tires on the unit or if we should change them out. We are talking about going from Michigan to Montana/Wyoming/Dakotas next year and definitely want them replaced before that.

ChuckS · 07-13-2023, 07:55 AM

Mileages varied and some failed as early as 500 miles.. others a few thousand miles..

YMMV

ChuckS · 07-13-2023, 07:59 AM

Repost .. tire on left is an Oracle Hispec..
Tire on the right is Hercules H901

There is no comparison with the tires. Sailun, Hercules, Carlisle in ST 14 ply 235/85x16 would all be excellent choices

*** it is not the “country of origin” that matters.. it’s the tire build process

*** one blowout on those Hispec tires will cost you ten times the cost of five new tires.. the spare tire also needs replacing .. IMO.. and the downtime for repair parts, labor, etc is gonna be a pain

**sourdough** · 07-13-2023, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinmi

We just purchased our Alpine 3220RL. After reading the "china bomb" references and seeing the pictures posted I was wondering approximately how many miles are on the tires before problems are experienced? Talking to my husband about what I am reading and trying to decide since we are staying local this year and probably not pulling more than 1000-1500 miles total for the season if we are OK to keep the Hispec tires on the unit or if we should change them out. We are talking about going from Michigan to Montana/Wyoming/Dakotas next year and definitely want them replaced before that.

Knowing what I know and experiencing what I have now I won't let a new trailer leave the lot with OE tires on it. The cost of new tires is aggravating but minimal in comparison to the damage, down time and inconvenience a blow out can cause....not to mention thousands in repairs.

My "lesson learned" came about 25 miles into our 2nd trip with a new trailer. They were Trailer King tires - same reputation/lack of build quality as Hi Specs. $7k in damages, long awaited 3 mo. trip cancelled and the beginning of a series of lengthy stays at the dealership to have all the damage repaired as the parts came in.

With a trailer the size of an Alpine I would be replacing the tires sooner rather than later but that's just me. To not do so is just gambling IMO....and I never have won at gambling.

**flybouy** · 07-13-2023, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinmi

We just purchased our Alpine 3220RL. After reading the "china bomb" references and seeing the pictures posted I was wondering approximately how many miles are on the tires before problems are experienced? Talking to my husband about what I am reading and trying to decide since we are staying local this year and probably not pulling more than 1000-1500 miles total for the season if we are OK to keep the Hispec tires on the unit or if we should change them out. We are talking about going from Michigan to Montana/Wyoming/Dakotas next year and definitely want them replaced before that.

How far is it to a tire shop? Not that I would "trust" them but that would be my next "trip". On my second set of Carslise radial trail HD's and will likely replace them with the same tires. For the 255-75R15 E that I use I don't think the value can be beat. JMO, YMMV

Conyers · 07-14-2023, 09:04 AM

I had about 3000 miles on my HiSpecs when one let go. My tire pressure was on the money, so "low tire pressure" was not the problem. The tread came off first. Delaminated.? then the tire got hot and blew out. I changed the tires out when I got the trailer home after the failure. The tire failure cost is around $6000 to repair the trailer. This does not include the new tires.

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