Anyone who has owned an RV for some time, or has perused this (or any) RV forum for any amount of time has learned of the trials and tribulations associated with flat tires and blow-outs, more specifically the damage they can cause to the coach once the flat occurs. With that, I thought of a solution that I have not seen identified here yet. Would installing steel fenders directly above your tires be beneficial to mitigating the damage from a flat or blow-out? These fenders, available in tandem configurations, could be welded or bolted to the frame directly above the tires. This would take some ingenuity to make work, and there could be further implications such as interference with the slides, but it could be doable. With the often-times catastrophic damage from blow-outs (let alone safety concerns), I'm just curious why I haven't seen that yet. What other factors make this non-feasible? I'm certain a recommendation would be to simply buy Brand (fill in the blank) tire, but it's fair to say that there is no bullet-proof tire out there, let alone a consensus on what that tire would be. I'm not looking for a tire discussion, just some feedback on the plausibility of installing steel fenders in order to mitigate the damage in the event of a blow-out or flat. Could be cheap insurance.Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Had a blow out on my truck right rear last year. Destroyed the fender and exhaust system. Would take some really strong steel and probably reinforced under side of slide and inside of fender skirt area to prevent damage. But all that would probably interfere with slide operation. And probably be expensive also. High quality tires, not too old, well taken care of, and a TPMS is the best option. Although a high quality tire can also blow, it seems the majority reported on RV sites tend to most often be from brands previously noted for that problem. IMHO of course.

Open Range aka Highland Ridge has these mounted above their tires on the majority of their product lines, I would believe there are a few other manufacturers that do the same. Hard to say if it will mitigate 100 percent of the possible damage that occurs from a catastrophic tire blowout, it should at least help minimize overall destruction when such an event occurs. You would think this is a no brainer for RV manufacturers, unfortunately many of the designers, engineers, and assemblers on the factory floor do not partake in the RVing lifestyle.

I think the first priority should be for the RV trailer industry to demand better quality tires and to stop using crappy tires from China. I've never had any tire issues because I use truck tires on my trailers but not everyone can do that. Many upgrade to a higher load rating and that seems to also work. Putting steel in the wheel wells might work on some trailers. I had a Chinese tire blow on my boat trailer (before I knew those tires were a problem) and it mangled the steel fender but saved the boat from damage.

Would be extremely tough to mitigate damage caused by a steel belted tire whipping around at the speed of (don't know but very fast) and with a tremendous force. I kind of thing the tire, especially a steel belted, one would win.

We had a rear tire blowout on a previous motorhome that nearly destroyed a 14 gauge steel storage bin. It was easier to repair the torn up wiring and generator fuel line than it was to pound out and reweld the steel bin.

Solution for damage from flat tires - thoughts?

28 Replies

down_home
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2016
I have thought, for a long time, that steel cans or inner fenders may save lives and damage.
It would take cad/cam or sharp pencil, and just a bit, to draw up plans, for them and attachment points anchoring them to reinfor,ced area, around fender opening, of the coach body, leaving plenty of room for axe and tire movement and to shield body and engine, exhaust, wires and lines etc. Made of 3/8 inch high strength steel or neoalloy, it would weight maybe 120 lbs to 140 lbs each. Sure an exploding tire might or probably will ding it, pretty badly, but not the expensive coach, maybe. On the front, there is all kinds, of room. Extra cost for the steel and forming and mounting etc, but should not be more than 200.00 per axle side. 800.00 and maybe some lives saved, and destruction, of the coach.
Not quite as simple as I say but it would be a great selling point especially to Rrepeat RV Buyers, who have witnessed or experienced a blowout.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 10, 2016
My last tire that let go never lost pressure, just the tread cap.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
Kind of like trying to build a bullet proof airplane.

Most tires on trailers lose air from a puncture, get hot and come apart. Common to what a lot of people think, most just don't blow up (blow out).

The best prevention is a TPMS not armoring up like a tank.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 09, 2016
Tire punched a large hole through two layers of plywood just missing some water pipes.
Now it will also need to get through some added diamond plate.

Going to damage, my concern is lost usability while on the road.
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
1968mooney wrote:
Works with NASCAR. Never see a fender tore off of a vehicle when the tire blows. :S

Because we all drive at 180 MPH:S :S
westend
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
When I bought my Starcraft, you could see the ground and the tires through the kitchen cabinet. The 120V disconnect box was covered with mud. THere was very little wheel well left.
What I did was make a wooden frame, insulate it. and install 404 steel inside the well. This is the same steel they use in Humvees for IED proofing and garbage truck waste box liners. I have a lot of plumbing and electrical in this area so didn't want a repeat.
The other wheel well got reinforced with sheet tin.
Tin_Pusher
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2016
I'd think you'd need a welded "box" or liner, 1/8" steel minimum, 3/16" better, mounted to solid structure to prevent damage when one throws the whole tread.

Heavy? Yeah. Practical? Dunno.
kep5niner
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
The replies thus far have covered the spectrum! My initial inclination is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But, the "ounce" may be cost-prohibitive, and the "pound" may not prevent that much damage in the end.

Interesting, though...
Beaker
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
Had a tire blow at about 62 MPH. My fiver has a metal sheet above the wheel and no damage there. Skirt cracked in one place and I glued it back together. Also the axles are flipped, perhaps the increase in height also helped.
Homer1
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
The steel fender liners are not going to be any better than what they are anchored to. We all know up front, these RV's are just thrown together with minimal mechanical strength. I think it best to use good tires and maintain them by the book.

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Solution for damage from flat tires - thoughts?

28 Replies

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