NHTSA Complaint #10947517 — 2000 SUNDOWNER SUNLITE LQ

DURING A ROUTINE HIGHWAY TRIP (60+MPH), A RELATIVELY NEW TIRE (7,000 MILES OF USE), THAT WAS PROPERLY INFLATED (90PSI), MOUNTED ON A LOADED HORSE TRAILER, DISINTEGRATED. THE FAILURE CAUSED A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL, BUT THE DRIVER REGAINED CONTROL AND GOT THE VEHICLE SAFELY ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. A PASSING STATE PATROL OFFICER HELPED INSTALL THE SPARE TIRE. THE TRAILER'S FENDER WAS DAMAGED BY THE FAILED TIRE. THE TROOPER OFFERED HIS OPINION THAT THE TIRE FAILED DUE TO STRUCTURAL/QUALITY ISSUES, RATHER THAN LOW TIRE PRESSURE. THE TIRE IN QUESTION WAS A CARLISLE RADIAL TRAIL RH, SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR TRAILERS. IT WAS NOT A RECAP. BUT IT FAILED LIKE A RECAP. MOST OF THE TREAD PEELED OFF THE CARCASS.