NHTSA Complaint #10135193 — 2002 GULF STREAM FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER

I PURCHASED A RV, 5TH WHEEL, ON 4/25/02. IT CAME WITH CARLISLE ST225/75R15 LOAD RANGE C TIRES. THE DOT MANUFACTURING DATE WAS 4501. WHEN RETURNING HOME FROM A VACATION ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2005 HAD A BLOWOUT ON ONE OF THE TIRES. I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED THE RECOMMEND TIRE PRESSURE (50#), AND CHECKED THEM OFTEN FOR DEFECTS. THE INSIDE WALL SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD, AND THE OUTSIDE WALL HAD A 10" HOLE AND TREAD SEPARATION. THE BLOWN TIRE NEVER RODE ON THE GROUND IT WAS SUPPORTED AND SUSPENDED BY THE WHEEL IN FRONT OF IT. THESE TIRES HAVE 7200 MILES ON THEM AND THE TREAD WEAR IS NOT NOTICEABLE. THE SIDE WALL CONSTRUCTION LOOKED GOOD -- BUT WAS APPARENTLY LESS DURABLE THAN THE TREAD. THESE TIRES SHOULD HAVE A SIDE WALL THAT WOULD LAST AT LEAST AS LONG AS THE TREAD. I BELIEVE THIS SITUATION HAS CAUSED MANY TRAILERS TO TURNOVER. *AK