How far is it safe to drive on a blown tire?

Not one foot farther then absolutely necessary to get your entire rig well off the traveled portion of the roadway when enough danger lurks, is the most logical answer. If you value your safety and like your rig/vehicle to stay in the condition it was immediately after the event had happened! The heavier the rig is, the less distance it's likely to go at even walk speed until the wheel rim cuts thru the tire carcass and ruins it too. Why is this even a question as the answer is so obvious. Driving 5 miles on a blown tire isn't even logical or makes any sense at all! Why do you think there's even exists such a thing as "Road Service" and why do think they carry high capacity jacks to lift vehicles, trucks, and RV's? The road service vehicles aren't just there for decoration on a road sitting close to a customer in need of their service!

However, a lot of dumb people do stupid things and suffer the consequences they created! Can't fix stupid!

As the OP, I would request that this not turn into a tire quality post. Things happen to tires. In my case the two year old tire hit a piece of road debris. Rub of the green.

No one has really addressed my original question. Obviously, there are places you absolutely cannot stop, like bridges, construction zones, no shoulders, etc. How far is reasonable?

smkettner wrote:
....................................I will drag it on the axle in 4lo before I sit in a dangerous spot.

I think that would be plain foolishness, plus very hazardous. There are better alternatives than to do something like that. :S

dave17352,

Yes, they were all Tow Master made by Greenball Tire Mfg and were 225/75/15 "E" 10 ply rated radials with 2830 capacity each at 80 PSI which is what the had for inflation. First blew when the outside temp was in the 30's F while near Kokomo, Indiana. Second blew when the temp was in the upper 50's on I-10 going past Tallahassee, Florida. The 3rd blew on I-65 just south of Cullman, Alabama coming back home.

2 where on the passenger side and one on the driver's side. All tires were just at 3 years old per the date code and all were kept covered when in our backyard. Zero cracks or weather checking and was noted on our tire replacement bill as I asked them to check and put on what they saw. Thought it may be important for an insurance coverage info. Our scaled 5th wheel axle weight is always just below or just over 10,000 lbs and has been scale weighed twice now. Rest of the 5th wheel weight is on the pin. Always drive at max of 60 mph and on cruise as we are long retired and not in any hurry. One stated in writing on our bill that the tire was defective and had no perforations or visible other damage inside. all 3 blew out at exactly the same place on the tire.

Our ordered new 5th wheel came OEM with Goodyear Marathons 225/75/15 "D" tires with 65 psi and 2540 weight capacity and never had a problem with any of them or the second set of the same either. They just wore down to under 3 mm (1/8") tread depth as we RV a lot and I had decided to get even a higher capacity 15" tire this time for more capacity and safety. I am not remotely happy with what had happened at all and the over $1000 it cost us due to the blow outs!!!

Drive any distance on a blown tire? Never and we know why!

Is this enough info? NO, I sure didn't replace the blown tires with more Tow Masters again! Color us "very pissed"! Sure wish Michelin made an "E" tire for our 5th wheel! Planning to "flip" the axles and put 16" Michelin LT's on this summer as we love the Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel and going to keep it forever as we also have other type RV's too.

Coach-man wrote:


"It probably won't hurt anything" ?? First as stated, you will hurt your other tire, and possibly the wheel, and if the rubber slings off, your rig! Secondly, Interstates have minimum speeds, "to limp to a safe location.." Is to create a hazardous situation on the highway! This could cause accidents, and traffic tie ups for hundreds if not thousands of people! IMHO, this is the worst advice, and from an ex trooper?

In nearly every state, minimum speed limits do not apply if it would result in unsafe operation. Under Florida statute, a vehicle on a limited access highway which is forced to travel below minimum speed must travel in the right lane. It is not clear to me whether or not the use of flashers is required or prohibited. The language is confusing.

So, the choice is between two hazardous situations. What if the tire that needed to be replaced were on the street side of the trailer. With the narrow shoulders is some places, that might require having a travel lave closed in order to complete the repair. That seems to me as creating a more hazardous condition than limping along at below minimum speed.

Coach-man wrote:

geoedgerton wrote:
Your idea of driving to a safe location is really the only safe option. I spent 32 years with the CA Highway Patrol and can vividly remember the cases where somebody did not want to ruin a wheel or something else and the result was injuries and/or fatalities. It probably won't hurt anything to limp to a safe location---pick one that is as far from the traffic lanes as possible. But, even if it did ruin a tire, a wheel, etc., so what! Going 5 miles to the next ramp might not be necessary since likely there will be some extra wide shoulder spot along the way. If not, continuing to limp on may be the best choice (with flashers going, obviously) It is always amazing how some people are willing to roll the dice working on a vehicle right next to vehicles traveling 100ft per second or more. Replacing "things" is a lot easier than the possible alternative.

"It probably won't hurt anything" ?? First as stated, you will hurt your other tire, and possibly the wheel, and if the rubber slings off, your rig! Secondly, Interstates have minimum speeds, "to limp to a safe location.." Is to create a hazardous situation on the highway! This could cause accidents, and traffic tie ups for hundreds if not thousands of people! IMHO, this is the worst advice, and from an ex trooper?

You know your own capabilities, if unable, or unwilling to change the tire from the side of the road, it is your responsibility to have some kind of road side assistance! You call them, and either sit in the TV, or get out away from the side of the road depending on the situation, and wait until the fix your problem!!

What rubber slinging off? You are doing 5MPH at best. "Yep Im all crippled up but by golly I saved my rim"

geoedgerton wrote:
Your idea of driving to a safe location is really the only safe option. I spent 32 years with the CA Highway Patrol and can vividly remember the cases where somebody did not want to ruin a wheel or something else and the result was injuries and/or fatalities. It probably won't hurt anything to limp to a safe location---pick one that is as far from the traffic lanes as possible. But, even if it did ruin a tire, a wheel, etc., so what! Going 5 miles to the next ramp might not be necessary since likely there will be some extra wide shoulder spot along the way. If not, continuing to limp on may be the best choice (with flashers going, obviously) It is always amazing how some people are willing to roll the dice working on a vehicle right next to vehicles traveling 100ft per second or more. Replacing "things" is a lot easier than the possible alternative.

"It probably won't hurt anything" ?? First as stated, you will hurt your other tire, and possibly the wheel, and if the rubber slings off, your rig! Secondly, Interstates have minimum speeds, "to limp to a safe location.." Is to create a hazardous situation on the highway! This could cause accidents, and traffic tie ups for hundreds if not thousands of people! IMHO, this is the worst advice, and from an ex trooper?

You know your own capabilities, if unable, or unwilling to change the tire from the side of the road, it is your responsibility to have some kind of road side assistance! You call them, and either sit in the TV, or get out away from the side of the road depending on the situation, and wait until the fix your problem!!

Remember Johnny Carson, He quipped in California they change tires at 55 mph

Ummm, I guess what kinda tires is classified. :h

Safety first, get to a safe area. I can replace anything that is damaged. Won't matter if it's not damaged if I'm not around to enjoy it.