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mr__ed's avatar
mr__ed
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014

Had My First Blowout Today

I was towing my fiver west on I-40 today near Hickory, NC when I heard a loud BANG! I hoped vainly it was a truck somewhere near me but that wasn't the case. I could see a small portion of my tires in my side mirrors and didn't see any evidence of shredding. Assuming the bang came from my fiver, I slowed down somewhat and kept going about another mile to my destination exit (fortunately the incident took place very close to my exit). I pulled over to inspect my tires and sure enough I incurred a blowout on one of the fiver's tires. Since I was very close to the RV park I kept going at a crawl, mostly in 1st gear until I reached it. I'm not worried about possibly overloading the tire next to it since I plan to replace them all before moving on in about a month.

I called my road service (Coach Net) and they sent a capable technician In reasonable time to install the spare. That's not the end of the story, though. As we were lifting the bad tire into the spare's position under the fiver the lifting mechanism broke. The technician had no choice but to cut into the plastic underbelly to see what was going on. It turned out a cotter pin had fallen out of place and after re-installing it we were able to lift the tire into position.

Well that's enough excitement for one day! I'm gonna relax the rest of the evening. AND, I'm sure glad there was no damage at all to the fiver. My habit of traveling 55 to 60 MPH payed off. :C

Here's the tire:

  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Apr 25, 2014
    My first one (and last) on a RV trailer came on a new '84 26' Aljo with a new set of BFG ST H78-15 C bias ply tire between Clayton, NM and Boise City, OK. Temp was in the 105-108 range.
    We were coming back from CO where temps were 30-78 degree every day.
  • mr__ed's avatar
    mr__ed
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    RAS43 wrote:
    The Uniroyals on my HH were also 7 years old when I replaced them. No blowouts or issues, just weather checking. I bought BFG,s which were recalled 16 months later. Maybe I should have bought more Uniroyals.:E


    My Uniroyals appeared perfect, also. They've always been covered when parked and show no sign of weather checking (sun damage) and the tread is perfect. Goes to show you can't tell a book (tire?) by its cover.
  • RAS43's avatar
    RAS43
    Explorer III
    Apr 23, 2014
    The Uniroyals on my HH were also 7 years old when I replaced them. No blowouts or issues, just weather checking. I bought BFG,s which were recalled 16 months later. Maybe I should have bought more Uniroyals.:E
  • larry_barnhart's avatar
    larry_barnhart
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    7 years is a long time to keep you fingers crossed hoping nothing happens.

    a friend was given a 7 year old G-614 and he wanted to test the tire stories. It blew 200 miles from his home on a trip to the East from Seattle wa.

    chevman
  • REWahoo's avatar
    REWahoo
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    mr. ed wrote:

    Uniroyals, about 7 years old. 80 lbs pressure, meticulously maintained.

    mr. ed wrote:
    All tires are the originals that were on the fiver when I bought it new in 2007.

    Did you check your tire date codes? You may find those tires were a year or more older than the trailer. My 2007 was manufactured in November of 2006 and came with tires made in 2005...
  • Duck's avatar
    Duck
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    I had a 2008 HH similar to yours. It came with Uniroyal tires. I had a blow out on one of the tires and replaced them with Ribs. Accoding to the guy that came out to change the tire he said the cords were burnt which indicates low air pressure. Did not have a TMP then.
    Don
  • Essay's avatar
    Essay
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    You were a long way from home..That's something I hope I never have to face.
  • mr__ed's avatar
    mr__ed
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    REWahoo wrote:
    Full-timing since 1987 and your first blowout?! That's amazing.

    As asked above, more info please. How old was the tire?


    To be more specific, it's the first blowout on my fiver. I did have a blowout on an older motor home some years ago. Inside dually. No damage here, either. Someone's look in' after me,,,,,
  • mr__ed's avatar
    mr__ed
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    45Ricochet wrote:
    Is that the same one Wally World wouldn't fix for you last week? Glad there was no damage.


    No, it was a different tire. The recently repaired tire (at Sears) has been installed in place of the flat. As I mentioned earlier, I'm replacing all tires before I leave this location.
  • mr__ed's avatar
    mr__ed
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    What tire brand, how old and what air pressure?


    Uniroyals, about 7 years old. 80 lbs pressure, meticulously maintained.

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