Westlake tyres ?????

[choppedfan]

A guy at work brought a set of Westlake tyres for his Mazda and was happy with the price and handling, last night I had a look at the Westlake website and a general Google search. Appears they are a chinese company been around fifty years and produce tyres for Cooper tyres under license. Tyres by brand name can be deceptive, I run Pirrelli's on the front of my FJ and they were made in South America?? I know its cheaper labour etc and because tyres aren't an every year purchase (for me anyway) there is so much variety out there

Anyone using these on their Holdens ??

Mick

[parisian62]

Can't say I've heard of them. 13s or 14s...?

[choppedfan]

Looks like they cover just about anything, just spoke with our local independent tyre place and he has been dealing with them for a while.

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j ... KDkbETjypg

Like I said just wondering if anyone here is running them??

Mick

[rosco]

Hi Mick,
I can throw a bit of light onto Westlake tyres.
We have them fitted to our tandem caravan. The chassis manufacturer (G&S chassis) must have got a good deal with them - as they were fitted to the "Chinese" alloy wheels when supplied to the van manufacturer.

We have done around 40,000 km's on them so far. One of them shows signs that it is about to break one of the tread blocks - most likely from a protruding cattle grid or unseen jagged rock - but otherwise, they all appear to be performing well.

The four are under a van with a weight of about 2 1/2 tonnes - so, I guess - they are pretty much loaded at twice the load of an FB/EK and at 50 psi.
We have subjected them to some terrible roads (outback) - and they appear to have stood up very well - the walls have been scuffed around kerbs at roundabouts and in caravan parks - but show no signs of damage.

I wouldn't hesitate re-fitting replacements of the same tyre after returning from our next trip. (195 x 14).

I should also mention that these are not used for traction, but do suffer enormous stresses when cornering in tight turns.
Braking, on occasions has had the rear ones lock up and skip which does not appear to have been detrimental to them.

In a perspective of using them for a seldom used vintage car - they would probably suit needs well. I wouldn't, but this is just me...

The sidewall pattern is similar to that of Bridgestone Turanza.

As used on a caravan, which is somewhat similar to that of a vintage vehicle - the "use by date" of some 3 - 4 years recommended life-span will short-live the actual wear of the tread - and would suggest that replacing them at a reduced price than that of a nationally reputed brand - is viable, if coupons are considered a priority....

However - I should stress here, I would not fit them to my old bus.... we all have many, many thousands of $'s invested in our vehicles - for the sake of the saving of perhaps $100 for a set of 4 - would you?

There is a very large difference between dragging something around behind a suitable "tow" - to that of dragging the "tow" down the strip.....

frats,
Rosco

[choppedfan]

Hi Mick,
I can throw a bit of light onto Westlake tyres.
We have them fitted to our tandem caravan. The chassis manufacturer (G&S chassis) must have got a good deal with them - as they were fitted to the "Chinese" alloy wheels when supplied to the van manufacturer.

We have done around 40,000 km's on them so far. One of them shows signs that it is about to break one of the tread blocks - most likely from a protruding cattle grid or unseen jagged rock - but otherwise, they all appear to be performing well.

The four are under a van with a weight of about 2 1/2 tonnes - so, I guess - they are pretty much loaded at twice the load of an FB/EK and at 50 psi.
We have subjected them to some terrible roads (outback) - and they appear to have stood up very well - the walls have been scuffed around kerbs at roundabouts and in caravan parks - but show no signs of damage.

I wouldn't hesitate re-fitting replacements of the same tyre after returning from our next trip. (195 x 14).

I should also mention that these are not used for traction, but do suffer enormous stresses when cornering in tight turns.
Braking, on occasions has had the rear ones lock up and skip which does not appear to have been detrimental to them.

In a perspective of using them for a seldom used vintage car - they would probably suit needs well. I wouldn't, but this is just me...

The sidewall pattern is similar to that of Bridgestone Turanza.

As used on a caravan, which is somewhat similar to that of a vintage vehicle - the "use by date" of some 3 - 4 years recommended life-span will short-live the actual wear of the tread - and would suggest that replacing them at a reduced price than that of a nationally reputed brand - is viable, if coupons are considered a priority....

However - I should stress here, I would not fit them to my old bus.... we all have many, many thousands of $'s invested in our vehicles - for the sake of the saving of perhaps $100 for a set of 4 - would you?

There is a very large difference between dragging something around behind a suitable "tow" - to that of dragging the "tow" down the strip.....

frats,
Rosco

Rosco I take your point, I guess part of my original posting was two part asking about the Westlake brand and the second part acknowledging that even well known brand names e.g. Pirelli are made under license in third world enviroments.

Funny you mentioned the "life span" of tyres I've got mates in hot rodding and I know of some cars running the same tyres for ten years plus given the low yearly mileage of these cars. I've got a pair of 235/50/13"B F Goodrich tyres on 9"early holden rims in the shed and they are yearsssssssssss old

Mick

[rosco]

Yes, Mick - agree with all you post.

I too, have tyres which are probably older than many members here....
I have an FJ ute "project" car which has 13 x 7's & 13 x 8's with TA radials fitted - they are "new" but are 25 years "old"....

The caravan fraternity attract many retirees, some of whom are pretty much "pedestal" posters - they "know" their stuff, but sadly - browbeat others from their lofted position.

There is absolutely no argument that modern tyres have a "service" life - I don't believe it's the "rubber" component which is issue - but more likely the composition.... some of which we will never realise. There are compounds added which are intended to "ooze" out depending on exposure to UV (that's the brown colouring we often see).

I won't begin to profess I have a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies, and for some time believed it to be "spin" - promoting sales..... but, as a result of my "education" - I am aware that modern tyres do in fact have a time limited "life"....

It is probably worthy to note, Mick - that insurance companies might delve to such depths as to the roadworthiness of a "dated" tyre, should attention be drawn to "expired" use by dates...... I don't believe it has occurred yet, but in this litigation excited legal opportunistic population we are becoming.... watch this space...

I would not suggest members contact the popular insurers to enquire - I believe I possess the likely response "condition of roadworthiness" - the likely position. A trend in such an enquiry would probably attract unwanted attention to review...

frats,
Rosco

[rosco]

Tim,
you would have to ask the question - it is most certainly "topical"...

Not sure about white walls - perhaps as in "the great white wall.." of China... where everything else seems to be coming from (except ore).

frats,
Rosco