I felt it was my duty to report this to the forum. Had a complete tire failure on the way to Cedar Point this weekend. I have seen a lot of threads about ST tires and Maxxis so I thought I should post up my blow out. Background on these tires, DOT code 5009, load range C(original load range was B), all 4 tires PSI checked before leaving were 53-54PSI. I was on OH-2 running 55mph(had been running 70mph on the interstate before), luckily I had friends behind me to let me know I had a flat(I did not feel it, hear it, or see anything). The other tire on the same side started to wear and scuff pretty good(holding all the weight) after this tire blew, but finished the trip with no issues. The spare that I used was the original spare, DOT code from 2003, load range B, Marathon made in New Zealand(never used, still had dimples). Iam still a fan of Maxxis(run them on my quad), but not ST tires. I will be taking what's left of this tire to Discount Tire today to see if they can replace it under warranty. Lastly, I would like to give a shout out to the Ohio state patrol for pulling in behind us with flashers on and actually helping to change out the flat(hands on grabbing tools and caring the tire to the truck).

I'm glad no other damage was done from the blowout. I doubt you will have much luck getting it warrantied since the tire is almost 5 years old unless they were recently installed, in which case, I would be talking to Discount about why they installed such old tires.

DOT code 5009, means that tire was almost five years old, at the the far end of, or past, its life expectancy, and traveling at 70 mph, above the 65mph ST tires are rated for, probably caused overheating which didn't help either. Glad you were able to complete your trip without further incident. Thanks for sharing and the heads up.

Reminds of the RETREAD days when living in TEXAS back in the 60s... Used to see these full circle tread only on the roads all the time...Roy Ken

p220sigman wrote:I'm glad no other damage was done from the blowout. I doubt you will have much luck getting it warrantied since the tire is almost 5 years old unless they were recently installed, in which case, I would be talking to Discount about why they installed such old tires.The tires were only a couple months old when they were ordered and installed, figure I would give it try and see.

welcome to the well populated blow out club.

Who knows what this is? (Hint - Maxxis) | Good Sam Community

41 Replies

mileshuff
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
Just had a tread separation on a Michelin LTX M/S2 tire. 3 1/2 yrs old and only 25,000 miles on them. All 4 tires showed signs of dry rot and side wall cracking. Dealer told me thats normal....I get that from every dealer every time when pointing out side wall cracking or tread dry rot on the edges. Very first time I've ever had trouble in several decades of using Michelin tires.
LoneStar1
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
If it was a snap-in valve stem, that could have been your failure. Back in '06 a rash of valve stem failures happened. Several million defective snap-in valve stems were distributed in North America made by a company in China. They were supposedly recalled, but no telling how many were not. In my line of work, I have seen a very large increase in valve stem failures since 2006.
Raften
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
I try to run at least load range D or better and LT tires on boats,trailers, ect. I had several bad experiences with ST tires, none with LT.
Rvpapa
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
And it is possible that there is no puncture at all. Valve stems do not always seal 100% the first time. Years ago when I worked at a gas station after school and weekends was taught to always check for a valve leak after checking / airing tires. Very complicated procedure, you spit on the valve and watch for bubbles.
As you say that you checked air pressure before leaving ???????
Art.
BubDelicious
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
kvangil wrote:
So what I'm getting is that some as-of-yet unknown road hazard caused the tire to go flat, resulting in the tire failure, and OP could potentially get at least some reimbursement from Maxxis for the tire. Sounds like a possibly good outcome to an unfortunate circumstance...

Anyway, we bought our camper last year which had 10-year-old Maxxis tires on them (original owner never changed them). Considering they lasted 10 good years, we just replaced them this year with the same model Maxxis tires. There may be 21 people posting on RV.net about Maxxis tire failures, but I'm sure there are thousands others out there who are perfectly happy with them....

Discount Tire could not find any damage to the tire(what was left of it)from road hazard, but seemed sure that's what it was. They never really gave Maxxis(didn't call the second # given) a chance to prorate it, the service guy at Discount Tire offered it through Discount Tire, so I took that offer.(same as Maxxis warranty, based on remaining tread)
kvangil
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
So what I'm getting is that some as-of-yet unknown road hazard caused the tire to go flat, resulting in the tire failure, and OP could potentially get at least some reimbursement from Maxxis for the tire. Sounds like a possibly good outcome to an unfortunate circumstance...

Anyway, we bought our camper last year which had 10-year-old Maxxis tires on them (original owner never changed them). Considering they lasted 10 good years, we just replaced them this year with the same model Maxxis tires. There may be 21 people posting on RV.net about Maxxis tire failures, but I'm sure there are thousands others out there who are perfectly happy with them....
Keith_Haw
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
Man if they do pass that it will put a lot of second hand tire shops out of business.
LoneStar1
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
I find this very odd: 5/13/14 ABC News reported that the Rubber Manufacturers Association (tire industry trade group) are fighting laws that would require mandatory inspection of tires tires for age. Ford, GM and Chrysler all urge owners of vehicles to replace tires after six years of age. But the RMA says the six-year limit is ”an arbitrary date” not supported by facts and has hired lobbyists in various states to defeat laws that would require mandatory inspection of tire age. The executive director of the RMA said "We oppose legislation that have some sort of age limit on tires".
I would put the link to the news article, but not sure if it is permissible here on this forum.
CapriRacer
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2014
I just want to point out that Discount Tire says it was run flat - and I agree. The proof would be finding the puncture. 90% probability it was in that hoop of tread. The other 10% is that the puncture is in the damaged area and is completely obscured.

And the condition pictured can happen as quickly as the ability to slow the vehicle to a stop.

Just keep this in mind when people report tire failures. The reports sometimes are road hazards.
Vulcaneer
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
Over the rated speed? The max rated speed is 65 MPH. So 70 MPH is what...7.x % over the rated speed? If you use that for an excuse, there is not much designed in safety margin. Poor design standards. And I don't think Maxxis are of poor designs. And I wouldn't think speed would have any part in the problem.

As far as running flat, the OP stated that when he checked before leaving they were up to recommended pressure. I do agree they were run flat. But only after they came apart. Only takes a couple of revolutions to have a steel rim cut through an ST tire. Could have very possibly been up to full pressure before they self destructed. Pure speculation on everyone's part.

To me the biggest contributor is age, near, or past, due. But even at that, there does not seem to be much safety margin built in. We can speculate about curb hops, potholes, overloads, road hazards, in the tires history. But a certain amount of reasonable abuse is designed in to a reliable tire.

Just my opinion.