Me Again wrote:
Given that 4x4 models weighed around 4470 lbs, the 5100 GVWR could easily be exceeded with just passengers and a small amount of cargo. Now really load it and you could easily exceed the tire ratings at 26lbs. Sorry but in my book Ford screwed the inflation up. Chris
Funny, Edmunds says the curb weight of a 1998 Ford Explorer was 3692#:
Edmunds - 1998 Ford Explorer SpecsBut then again, you pointed to 4X4's and this was a 4X2, but could there possibly be a 700# difference? And surely much of that weight was on the front where there is plenty of extra capacity.
Surely there were failures on 4X2's, otherwise NHTSA would have required the 4X4's to be recalled - and they weren't. Only the tires.
Besides, Goodyear also produced a tire for this vehicle and there were no reports of failures.
But did you read Dr. Govindjee's report? Even though it was commissioned by Firestone, it points out what was wrong with the tire. Pretty damning. It doesn't mention the vehicle at all - and if that was the source, surely Dr. Govindee would have thoroughly examined all the permutations of vehicle/tire, etc - and not spent the entire report talking about the tire.
I'm sorry, but the inflation pressure was a red herring thrown out there by Firestone to defuse some of the intense scrutiny they were getting - and it worked. After all, it convinced you.
Besides, you are not being consistent. On the one side, you are blaming the inflation pressure (and by extension, load carrying capacity), and on the other hand blaming the tire - for the same failure mode. I'm saying it is the tire in both cases. I am NOT blaming the type of tire - just the way it is constructed - and that applies to both situations.
