Replacing Power King Tow Max RV Tires

Last October I had a tire on my RV separate doing $2600 in damage. It only had about 12,000 miles on it and was properly inflated. I even had a tire pressure monitoring system which gave me no warning at all.

Working with a subrogation specialist from my insurance company, I discovered the tire, a Power King Tow Max, was made in China and distributed through a Canadian company, Dynamic Tire, which did everything it could to delay taking the tire back for inspection. After three months, they finally had me ship the tire to them only to deny my claim two months later. The subrogation agent indicated that she would continue to pursue the matter in as much as she had four other claims with this same tire.

Knowing that I had three more of these tires on the RV, I decided to replace them with something else. In doing my research, I was shocked at the number of fifth wheels that have had tire separations. It appears that the RV manufacturers choose to go with tires that are rated too close to their max load for the vehicle. For this reason, I chose to move from “E” class tires to “G” which at 110 psi are rated at 3750 pounds (make sure your rims/wheels are made for 110 psi). Time will tell if I made the right decision.

Here are some links detailing other owners’ experience with the Power King Tow Max: http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Tire/Complaint/Power+King/Towmax/Tire+Tread+and+Belt, http://www.vehicletire.com/Complaint/Power+King/Towmax, and http://www.heartlandowners.org/showthread.php/29525-Tire-separating-after-200-miles-Power-King-Towmaster

Extreme Rock Crawling

Terry and I attended the W.E. ROCK West Round 1 at Thompson’s Ranch - Congress, AZ. It's hard to believe what these custom machines can do until you see it first hand. Click on photos to enlarge.

These next photos are examples of what we here in the park like to refer to as "doing a John Richter"...

Waterfalls Climb

Here's a great video of Chris going up the "Waterfalls" the hard way...

Ride Photos

Rare sight in the desert

Not so rare sight

Genetic Defect

I have often joked that I must have a defective gene that causes me to do things and take risks that normal people avoid (I offer this blog as evidence). It turns out I may be right.

"There is a mutation of a variant of a gene called DRD4, which helps control dopamine, a chemical brain messenger important in learning and reward. Researchers have repeatedly tied the variant, known as DRD4-7R and carried by roughly 20 percent of all humans, to curiosity and restlessness. Dozens of human studies have found that 7R makes people more likely to take risks; explore new places, ideas, foods, relationships, drugs, or sexual opportunities; and generally embrace movement, change, and adventure. Studies in animals simulating 7R’s actions suggest it increases their taste for both movement and novelty."

Please excuse me but I have this sudden urge to explore new places, ideas, foods, relationships, drugs, and sexual opportunities.

Woodpecker Trail

If you are into "rock crawling", then this is the trail for you. It follows a creek bed littered with huge boulders. It took us about two hours to go approximately five miles. Picking the "right line" determines whether you will succeed or not. There are several by-passes around some of the tougher sections but we chose not to use them. Be prepared to use your skid plate...

Here's a photo of a structure at the entrance to the "Highway to Hell" made up of vehicle parts that were lost to the trail...

The Woodpecker Mine is actually a group of huge mines scattered over several acres...

If you enter Woodpecker from Mineral Mountain, you will know in the first hundred yards if this is the ride for you. Here is a video of the beginning of the trail...