How far is it safe to drive on a blown tire?
Here is the scenario. Traveling on a busy interstate. We hear the trailer tire pop an the curb side. We pull to the shoulder and get out and inspect the tire. It is definitely unreapairable. There doe...
Forum Discussion
RRinNFla wrote:JIMNLIN wrote:
Richard,
as you see there will be no single answer as much to consider from a safe perspective to yourself and other vehicles. In your case
I've changed flat tires in the dirt at 2am in the morning on low traffic state highways to side of the road on I-35 in Dallas in rush hour traffic.
JFYI the flat tire is still carrying most if not all its load ......do to the action of the suspension equalizer bar. The biggest danger the tire next to it is damage from wire tread from the flat tire.
Once the tire is worn off which can be rather quickly then the wheels rim starts to wear as its rolling at speed. I've seen steel wheels on my equipment trailers make a beautiful spark shower at nite.....which was the first indication I saw that I had a flat tire.
Thank you for an answer that was thoughtful, informative, and not judgmental
That only applies where the trailer suspension utilizes equalizers, and then only within the range of travel of the equalizer. In the case of my 5th wheel with MorRyde independent suspension, the load carried by the flat tire will be reduced by the distance the suspension drops x the spring constant (number of pounds per inch of travel) x the mechanical advantage of the suspension link. If the suspension on the wheel with the flat tire reaches its maximum travel, then the flat tire is carrying no weight.
Rusty
