Goodyear G159 Tires not Safe for RV Use

Richmond, VAConsumers who drive RVs should check to see what type of tire they are driving on and if they find the Goodyear G159 275/70 22.5, make arrangements to have their tires changed. This is because the Goodyear G159 was not designed for use on recreational vehicles but was still used on some.

Manufacturers of recreational vehicles used the Goodyear G159 because Goodyear gave the tires a rating and recommendation that indicated the tires were appropriate for larger RVs. From between 1996 and 2004, several RV companies used these tires, not realizing that they were actually designed for regional delivery trucks. Furthermore, Goodyear has not tested the tires to show how they perform under the stresses caused by being used on RVs.

Tires that are used for purposes other than those for which they were designed have a risk of failure. In the case of the Goodyear 159 tires, the design and manufacturing process are not appropriate for the loads that big RVs carry. These inadequacies lead to tire tread and outer belt separations. If tire failure happens while driving at high speeds, serious accidents and injury can occur.

One consumer wrote at MotorhomeMagazine.com that his right front Goodyear G159 tire blew out. When the accident occurred, he was driving at 70 MPH and the temperature was around 97 degrees. "Happened so fast I came at least half way into the next lane and possibly all the way into it before I was able to get control back. If something had been over there I would certainly have gotten it," he writes. He later notes that he no longer trusts the G159s.

Goodyear G159 tires have been used on Fleetwood and Monaco RVs. Fleetwood has recalled RVs with the G159 tire so they can be replaced with Michelin tires. Monaco, in cooperation with Goodyear have begun a Customer Satisfaction Change Over program to replace the G159 with larger and stronger tires.

Lawsuits against Goodyear are in the discovery phase, although Goodyear is refusing to produce any documents or witnesses without a secrecy order in place. A secrecy order would keep problems with the tires confidential. Despite wanting a secrecy order, Goodyear still argues that the tire change over at Monaco was due to customer abuse of the ties.

If you have Goodyear G159 tires on your RV, make arrangements to have the tires changed. If you had Goodyear G159 tires and they failed causing an accident, contact a lawyer to discuss your options.