Karrier KR35 Tow Dolly Tire Blowout on I-495

[Lette-WO]

In 2022, we purchased a TowBlazer Stow and Go tow dolly from USA Trailer. We RV throughout the New England states from April through October each year, averaging approximately 1200 miles on these tires annually with a total of 7000 to date.. The tires still appeared nearly new with substantial tread remaining. During the off-season, the tow dolly is stored on blocks with the tires covered throughout the winter months.

We opened the season last week and completed our first trip without issue. However, during our second trip, while traveling southbound on I-495 near mile marker 36, we experienced a tire blowout — the first we have ever encountered. Fortunately, dashcam footage confirms we did not strike any road debris and road conditions were clean.

The blowout was severe enough to completely tear off the fender assembly. The tire involved was a Karrier KR35 Load Star ST205/75R14, properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended 60 PSI.

We contacted the trailer company, and to their credit, they immediately involved Karrier. Karrier responded that these are safe, top-selling tires within their product lineup, citing an extremely low reported failure rate.

That said, I come from an engineering background and understand the importance of long-term quality standards, durability testing, and failure analysis. This incident raises legitimate concerns.

My questions to the community:
• Has anyone else experienced a failure with the Karrier KR35 tires?
• Should this incident be formally reported for tracking and monitoring purposes?
• Any thoughts from others towing heavier loads or traveling long distances?

This is not something to take lightly when operating a 23,000 lb motorhome while towing an additional 2,500 lb vehicle behind it.

Appreciate any insight or shared experiences.

 

[Lette-WO]

Here are the pictures of the failure

 

[bgilly]

Yes, I've had similar with the Load Star on my ACME Tow Dolly. They use a Radial ST145 R12. I had a number of miles on the original when it blew. Similar to yours, a lot of tread left, but just blew out at the tread driving straight on the interstate, nothing on the road. Fortunately, I purchased a spare when I bought the dolly, so I was back on the road in quick time.
I replaced the blown Load Star with a Carlisle Radial Trail. I replaced the original remaining Load Star as well. Within a year, one of the Carlisles blew (it was still under a year), so I got a direct replacement, minus the mounting and disposal fee. Six months later, the other Carlisle blew. I was not impressed with the Carlisle and did some internet research and went back with Load Star, but this time with a load rating E (10 ply) versus D (5 ply at the time, now 8 ply). I noticed ACME Tow Dolly now ships their tow dolly with Load Star 10 ply. In desperation at a remote location without a spare, I Amazon ordered a Rainier ST. It seems OK, but haven't really used it yet.

FYI, Bass Pro carries the Load Star 10 ply Load E on the rim cheaper than most places.

Bobby

 

[Grapehound]

I worry that your dolly tire was near the end of its useful life.

As we know, RV (and dolly) tires are not replaced because of excessive treadwear. They need to be replaced due to age and disuse. You said you cover the tires while it sits in winter. The summer sun can dry out the sidewalls if they are stored without cover.

You purchased the dolly in 2022 so it's likely the dolly tires are dated latest 2022 or more likely 2021, which would make your tire five years old. Depending upon your tire's history, it could be older than that. These tires can sit in the shelf in storage for a year or two before being mounted on your tow dolly.

A five year old tire is an old tire. A tire used 1,200 miles a year is a tire that sits aorund quite bit. Your intro talked about tire wear and air pressure, but it did not indicate inspections for cracks or aging of the sidewalls. The greatest enemy of these tires is not high mileage; it's sitting around unused for many months with very few miles.

Can you still inspect both original tires and tells us their four digit week and year of manufacture? The good tire date may be similar to the blown tire, if the old tire has been discarded or is unreadable. How old was the tire that blew?

 

[Lette-WO]

I worry that your dolly tire was near the end of its useful life.

As we know, RV (and dolly) tires are not replaced because of excessive treadwear. They need to be replaced due to age and disuse. You said you cover the tires while it sits in winter. The summer sun can dry out the sidewalls if they are stored without cover.

You purchased the dolly in 2022 so it's likely the dolly tires are dated latest 2022 or more likely 2021, which would make your tire five years old. Depending upon your tire's history, it could be older than that. These tires can sit in the shelf in storage for a year or two before being mounted on your tow dolly.

A five year old tire is an old tire. A tire used 1,200 miles a year is a tire that sits aorund quite bit. Your intro talked about tire wear and air pressure, but it did not indicate inspections for cracks or aging of the sidewalls. The greatest enemy of these tires is not high mileage; it's sitting around unused for many months with very few miles.

Can you still inspect both original tires and tells us their four digit week and year of manufacture? The good tire date may be similar to the blown tire, if the old tire has been discarded or is unreadable. How old was the tire that blew?

The tires have no cracks inside seams or on sidewalls. When I store the trailer its up on blocks and covered. I use a tire protector for RV (used by airlines) through the summer but again, I barely put miles on these things. I am switching away from Chinese made tires. Went to Goodyear Endurance usa made (supposedly) which also has higher load range. But you may be right, these companies are using whats left in stock at a discounted price to bundle with their trailers. That would make sense. No one pays attention to the dates. Its hugh disappointment that we as end users are beginning to have to be the 2nd line of quality...1st is failing!! Deming would role over!!

 

[Lette-WO]

Yes, I've had similar with the Load Star on my ACME Tow Dolly. They use a Radial ST145 R12. I had a number of miles on the original when it blew. Similar to yours, a lot of tread left, but just blew out at the tread driving straight on the interstate, nothing on the road. Fortunately, I purchased a spare when I bought the dolly, so I was back on the road in quick time.
I replaced the blown Load Star with a Carlisle Radial Trail. I replaced the original remaining Load Star as well. Within a year, one of the Carlisles blew (it was still under a year), so I got a direct replacement, minus the mounting and disposal fee. Six months later, the other Carlisle blew. I was not impressed with the Carlisle and did some internet research and went back with Load Star, but this time with a load rating E (10 ply) versus D (5 ply at the time, now 8 ply). I noticed ACME Tow Dolly now ships their tow dolly with Load Star 10 ply. In desperation at a remote location without a spare, I Amazon ordered a Rainier ST. It seems OK, but haven't really used it yet.

FYI, Bass Pro carries the Load Star 10 ply Load E on the rim cheaper than most places.

Bobby

Thank you....I've had some other ideas....seems Uhaul uses some interesting tires...they can't afford for their customers to break down!!!
Was forwarded these by a tire guru - These have worked well.

https://www.tires-easy.com/205-75-14/hercules-tires/strong-guard-st/tirecode/98493

If you rent a U-Haul trailer you will find that they still do not use radial tires. Bias Ply tires are still made for trailer applications. While they do roll as easy and still do heat up, they tend to not have the sudden failures that radial construction tires do. Here is an option.

https://www.tires-easy.com/205-75-14/rubbermaster-tires/highway-rib-h187/tirecode/489222

Then you can also have the Semi-Steel.

https://www.tires-easy.com/205-75-14/american-road-star-tires/st-semi-steel/tirecode/AMST004

Or a true commercial van, truck tire.

https://www.tires-easy.com/205-75-14/armstrong-tires/tru-trac-van/tirecode/1200060624

 

[Grapehound]

The tires have no cracks inside seams or on sidewalls. When I store the trailer its up on blocks and covered. I use a tire protector for RV (used by airlines) through the summer but again, I barely put miles on these things. I am switching away from Chinese made tires. Went to Goodyear Endurance usa made (supposedly) which also has higher load range. But you may be right, these companies are using whats left in stock at a discounted price to bundle with their trailers. That would make sense. No one pays attention to the dates. Its hugh disappointment that we as end users are beginning to have to be the 2nd line of quality...1st is failing!! Deming would role over!!

Did you check the dates? Tires SIX years old or older should probably be replaced whether you cover them or store them up on blocks. Mileage is irrelevant because you'll never put enough miles on them to wear them out. Time is the biggest enemy of safe tires.

 

[Lette-WO]

Did you check the dates? Tires SIX years old or older should probably be replaced whether you cover them or store them up on blocks. Mileage is irrelevant because you'll never put enough miles on them to wear them out. Time is the biggest enemy of safe tires.

Yes, today I checked the original dates on the spare and passenger tire. 0521! The new tire sent by Kenda is 5025. They are 5 years old…. Lesson learned.

 

[Grapehound]

Thanks for posting that information. They should be OK as far as age but then again there are always tires that are the exceptions for whatever reason. You do a good job of trying to take care of the tires as far as sun shielding and storage so let's hope you have better luck with the new one.

 

[vermontcc]

I use 10 ply tires rated to handle 1800lbs each. They are 80 PSI cold tires. 1520 lb E rated Rainier Metal stems. If a stem leaked and deflated quickly the tire can blow before you know it. That being said. I carry 2 extra tires on rims ready to go. I have had a blow out like this one and I have a spare fender as well. My tires typically wont last more than 5 K. My toad is approximately 3300 lbs with dolly about 500. Rated for 5000 but I dont beleive it. Tires wear pretty quickly.