249 views
1 comment

On August 25 2011 we were traveling south on I-5 in Oregon to Grant Pass to visit family. We were about 10 miles north of our exit when we heard a loud bang and I pulled over immediately. When I went to look we had a blow out on the back left tire of our fifth wheel. When the tire blew it did some damage to the back skirt. I called our road service and within 45 minutes they came and but our spare on for me. The next day I went down to the local Les Schwab Tire Centers at 1694 NW 6th street in Grants Pass, OR. They told me they could get me in so I went back to our friends and got our fifth wheel and arrived at the tire center. After looking at the blown tire and the other tire on the same side the manager informed me that the failure was due to tire separations. The manager inspected the other side and found no damage to those tires. I told the manager I wanted all four tires replaced even with the other side showing no separation. These tires were bought on 2/6/2008 ST235/80R-16/10 TOW MAX TRAILER HIGHWAY BLACKWALL. The previous tires on the rig were the same size and rating and were on the rig for 5-1/2 years, but because of their age I decided to have them replaced even when the thread was still good for safety reasons. When I got the tires from Les Schwab they told me that these tires were there best for trailer use.

While the dealer was putting on my new tires they told me to but in a claim for property damage because of the tire separation. The dealer prorated the two tires that had tread separation for a credit with the tire showing 44% tread life. The manager of the store was very helpful taking pictures of the damage to the rig and helping me fill out the report; he told me that he would send the damage tire to their headquarters in Bend, OR. On Sept 15 I received a letter from Les Schwab Headquarters that they were forwarding the claim to the tire manufacturer which is Dynamic Tire Company in Brampton, ON. Because Les Schwab is only the tire retailer. I called the tire manufacture in Canada on 10/12/2011 and talked to Castor *** about my claim and he informed me that they had not received the damage tire form Les Schwab because of some problems with transporting the tire across the border. On Nov 8, 2011 I received a letter from Dynamic Tire Company stating that the claim was denied because the damage tire showed signs of operating under highly stressful conditions. They also stated that it could have been cause due to overloading, under inflations, Damage from a road hazard, and improper or defective valve stems. They also stated the tire was worn out.

The bottom line is that I didnโ€™t even think about putting a claim in for the damage to my rig until the manager of the Les Schwab dealer said the reason the tire failed was due to tread separation. Know both the dealer and manufacturer is passing the buck and denying any responsibility. And trying to say the failure was because I overloaded or didnโ€™t keep the correct tire pressure for the tires. We have been traveling with this rig for the last twelve years and before we leave on any trip I check tire pressure on all of the tires including my F350 dually. I even carry a portable air compressor with me. About overloading the rig is a much of ***. These tires were just over three years old. The reason I replaced all four tires was because I didnโ€™t feel safe after two of them had thread separation. Iโ€™m not asking for money for the tires and I understand damage to a rig can happen when a tire blows but the bottom line is that the damage was done because of the tire separation Failure. The two estimates I got for repair of our rig were $2345.99 and $1674.10. What ever happen to the saying we wonโ€™t sell any tire us wonโ€™t guarantee. Iโ€™m so disappointed in both Les Schwab and Dynamic Tire Company trying to pass the buck on this issue. When I called Les Schwab Headquarters in Bend Or. They said that the warranty covers damage to the tire not the vehicle, then why did the dealer have me put a claim in property damage if they donโ€™t cover vehicle damage as the form states. Iโ€™ve been buying tires from Les Schwab for about 35 years and after this run around I would have to think twice again about going to this company. Any help in resolving this issue would be very much appreciated. I WILL NEVER BUY A TIRE OR ANYTHING FROM LES SCHWAB.

Reason of review: Damaged or defective.

Monetary Loss: $1800.

Do You Have Something To Say ?
Write a review

Comments

chat-icon

Please avoid publishing any personal information and promotional content

You will be automatically registered on our site. Username and password will be sent to you via email.
Post Comment
Guest

Last week I had a truck tire tread separation causing about $3,000 in damage to my truck. The Les Schwab manager took the tire casing to send to the manufacturer along with a damage claim and my damage estimate.

The tire pressure had been checked two weeks ago, and the truck was not overloaded. Any guess about when and if I will get a response from Schwab?

Les Schwab Tire Centers Reviews

  1. 120 reviews
  2. 58 reviews
  3. 25 reviews
  4. 13 reviews
  5. 14 reviews
Les Schwab Tire Centers reviews