After 17 years finally happened (tire blow out)
We have been yanking one type or another trailer around the country for over 17 years now. I have been very diligent about keeping tabs on my tires. 4 years is about the longest I will keep a set of "chinas" on a trailer. The previous trailer took six maxxis tires.
As my tires were hitting the 4-year mark, I had been shopping already with plans to replace over the winter. We didn't make it.
Northbound on I65 just south of Nashville, we lost the rear driver's side tire. Everyone in the cab heard it. Thankfully, I have made a habit of "over trucking". I am currently towing a 10,000 trailer using a Hensley Hitch and an F350 dually. So we never lost control or had sway problems during the blowout. I had to travel over a mile on the shredded tire due to the absolute refusal of anyone on the road willing to allow me over to the shoulder even as I slowed to about 45 with my hazards on.
After replacing the blown tire with a spare we were able to get back on the road. I know had no confidence in my remaining tires. Since it was late on a Sunday with nothing open and at the risk of whatever the dealer had in stock, we decided to risk it and continue on. 335 miles at 55-60 mph. I normally cruise around 65-70 mph. I now understand why some people choose to travel at that speed as I never had to worry about passing anyone; therefore, less stress. However, watching the miles to go on the gps never ever go down was stressful. After the first hour, it seemed we had traveled only 30 miles.
We made it home safe, and the next day it was time to survey the damage:
-took out my sewer discharge pipe
-took out a clearance light
-ripped off the fender skirt
-the tire ground out the fiber floor cloth covering, the luan, and the styrofoam. It did not damage the subfloor.
I checked all my tanks connected to the discharge pipe and all were fine with no damage.
I then replace all four tires with Goodyear Endurance (test mule here). I have been busy online buying replacement parts and I will be back up soon.
After fixing the underside I am thinking about welding some metal to the frame above the tires and then undercoating it all to prevent any problems again.
All in all, we were all safe and no one got hurt. It just made my trip more expensive and more time consuming when we got home.
Safe travels.
As my tires were hitting the 4-year mark, I had been shopping already with plans to replace over the winter. We didn't make it.
Northbound on I65 just south of Nashville, we lost the rear driver's side tire. Everyone in the cab heard it. Thankfully, I have made a habit of "over trucking". I am currently towing a 10,000 trailer using a Hensley Hitch and an F350 dually. So we never lost control or had sway problems during the blowout. I had to travel over a mile on the shredded tire due to the absolute refusal of anyone on the road willing to allow me over to the shoulder even as I slowed to about 45 with my hazards on.
After replacing the blown tire with a spare we were able to get back on the road. I know had no confidence in my remaining tires. Since it was late on a Sunday with nothing open and at the risk of whatever the dealer had in stock, we decided to risk it and continue on. 335 miles at 55-60 mph. I normally cruise around 65-70 mph. I now understand why some people choose to travel at that speed as I never had to worry about passing anyone; therefore, less stress. However, watching the miles to go on the gps never ever go down was stressful. After the first hour, it seemed we had traveled only 30 miles.
We made it home safe, and the next day it was time to survey the damage:
-took out my sewer discharge pipe
-took out a clearance light
-ripped off the fender skirt
-the tire ground out the fiber floor cloth covering, the luan, and the styrofoam. It did not damage the subfloor.
I checked all my tanks connected to the discharge pipe and all were fine with no damage.
I then replace all four tires with Goodyear Endurance (test mule here). I have been busy online buying replacement parts and I will be back up soon.
After fixing the underside I am thinking about welding some metal to the frame above the tires and then undercoating it all to prevent any problems again.
All in all, we were all safe and no one got hurt. It just made my trip more expensive and more time consuming when we got home.
Safe travels.
