It happens when the bead gets ripped by incorrect installation. Air gets between the sidewall and the belts and causes that bubble. It was the tech's fault 99% of the time. These tire shops hire people off the street with little or no experience so they do not have pay them good wages. Also a decent way of telling a good tire shop is to look at there tire changing machines. If they have newer style rim clamp or even the style that does not touch the rim when mounting a tire, usually means they want to do it right. If you see an old Coats 20-20 tire machine and it is a "tire shop" then run away!

James

 

x2 good post

 

I've seen these before. Never linked it to installer error. I don't see how an installation erroe caused that massive of a blister. Looks like a belt issue when manufactured to me. I was one of those guy hired and trained on site. So no formal training, its not exactly rocket science. I've seen tires before the tread seperates, both blistering tread and when plugging tires. I've used used tire on cars with bead damage when removed from rim without issue, had a delivery route in early AM that was hard on tires. That blister can even be from some sort of driving damage like hitting a curve at the right angle.

How does some one install 4 tires incorrectly. I've seen that before, "No I wanted the lettering out" after guy takes it home and the wife likes the white letters better than the black wall and the guy realize he'll have to pay for the tire swap.

IDK wasn't there seems rather too easy to pass blame when could be several things. Beside does it really matter. You got the tires you wanted for the price you agreed on, with the warranty covering these things. Could've happened to anyone.

 

ive bought these tires used and all four of them have a little inward bulge on the sidewall on one spot. could it pop like the outward bulge

 

I just had a set of AT2s mounted with studs for my winter getup, put about 1500 km on them so far with no troubles. IIRC General is owned by Continental. Also, I had a set of Cooper ATRs that had a minor bulge in the sidwall on two tires (not as bad as the OP's) so it's not just General.

 

I've been BFG's with bubbles too. Should we start a thread about how they suck too? Every manufacturer has bad tires.

 

To the OP, I think it was the dumbass that installed your tires who screwed you over. I have had 3 sets of these tires and they ROCK. They kick ass in snow, mud and handle the occasional ice storm perfect. They also ride real smoothe for me.

Had them on Tacoma 4x4, Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 and Jeep Wrangler.

 

I hope that you have better luck next time.

 

I run these exact tires and have for some time. I have had nothing but a great experience. You definatly had a bad experience, weather it was the tires or the installer who knows, but I think posting that these tires are garbage may be a bit much. If General made a good mud terrain I'd go with them again for my next set.

 

those general grabber sidewalls are pieces of junk. so thin

 

I am on my third set of General Grabber AT2's and I have yet to have any issues. They have seen rocks, snow, mud, dirt, and pavement. I have never cut a side wall on these, not true with the BFG TA KO's. IMO the Generals are a better tire and cheaper too. The only real downside to these tires is the amount of weight needed to balance some of them. I have seen brand new Michelin tires do this. Potholes are a large contributor to sidewall blisters. As an AT tire and priced fairly low comparatively, they are an excellent tire. I wheel maybe once a month, and drive mostly highway and back roads. Take it for what it was, either manuf. defect, or a bad bump in the road, but you can't really bash General for a defect that EVERY tire manuf. can make. Just my .02

 

I have 265-70-16's on my toyota truck, and 265-75-16 E's on my one ton diesel chevy, both are grabber at2's and both hold up great.. the ones on my chevy have been on it for 4 years and still work great plowing...