Damage from tire blow-outs

[stargirl96]

Occasionally I'll read or hear about someone whose RV was damaged from a tire blowout. What's the usual type of damage suffered in cases like this? Obviously this could could happen to any RV so you have to pay close attention to tires. But, is there a type of RV (travel trailer, 5th wheel, class C or class A) most likely to be damaged.

[bee_46]

Had a blowout in 2005 on a tire on our 1999 Trailmanor trailer which took out the water system, half the electrical system and loosen the toilet. Insurance paid for most of the repairs. The dealership in Columbus that repaired it, retrofitted it with larger tires and we never had a problem with it after that. We just sold it last year. Trailmanor realized the problem and fixed it on later models.

[Ohio_Engineer]

General observation from an engineer.

"Blowouts" are basically an improperly diagnosed Run Low Flex Break which results from a tire being operated at speed while significantly under-inflated or more likely actively leaking. TPMS will most likely provide sufficient warning to prevent RV damage.

Tread separations are basically caused by a failure of the rubber around the belt edges. This rubber can loose it's strength through being overheated which artificially accelerates the aging process which results in lower strength as does basic "old age".
Overheating occurs when a tire is overloaded, under-inflated or run at a high rate of speed.
Doing a "Free Spin" tire inspection can find indications, such as out of round or side to side "wobble", which indicate potential separation. before the tire comes apart. Doing this inspection annually or every few month on multi-axle trailers might alert owners to the need to replace a tire

[Bionic_Man]

Me Again wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:

I tow a lot.

I can think of 5 tread separations I have had. Three on my fifth-wheel. Two were on fully inflated North American LT tires. One was from a brake that stuck and heated up the tire.

Two on my boat trailer with ST Marathons, one made in USA and one Canada. Those were fully inflated as well.

I still avoid Chinese tires, but they all certainly have the potential to fail.

Brand, model and size of LTs?

Chris

It has been over 5 years, so I don't remember the brand or model of the tires. They were not the original set on my 5er, bought at Discount tire at a time where I would only accept North American made tires. They were less than 3 years old.

I still have the same 5er. LT 245 75 16. Cooper Discover is what is on it right now. And the trailer is not over weight - the trailer weighs 11,200 pounds loaded to go, with about 1/3 tank of water.

[rwynkoop]

Here is what happened to the side of my bed when the tread come off.

https://flic.kr/p/upw73F

I had just got the teuck back from the body shop, they had just wielded new metal in to fix some rust.

Tires on rear were from 2009. Was going to replace them this winter.

Truck is now being fixed again. This whole side had to be cut off and replaced.

Next time, I will replace tires sooner. Leason learned.

[ZR1PETE]

Me Again wrote:

C-Bears wrote:
A good way to help lessen damage is to install a TPMS. It will show you the changing air pressure and temperature in each tire monitored, plus it will sound a warning if any tire has a rapid air drop.

My system only cost about $225 and I would not consider towing without it. I know the exact air pressure in each trailer tire as soon as I hook up in the morning and the whole time while towing.

Does nothing for a tire that throws a cap or has sudden air loss. The damage to the trailer will occur before one can pull over. A tool yes, a complete answer to the issue no!

A good start is to have high quality tires to start with. Chris

I agree Chris, You pretty much hit the nail right on the head.

[Me_Again]

C-Bears wrote:
A good way to help lessen damage is to install a TPMS. It will show you the changing air pressure and temperature in each tire monitored, plus it will sound a warning if any tire has a rapid air drop.

My system only cost about $225 and I would not consider towing without it. I know the exact air pressure in each trailer tire as soon as I hook up in the morning and the whole time while towing.

Does nothing for a tire that throws a cap or has sudden air loss. The damage to the trailer will occur before one can pull over. A tool yes, a complete answer to the issue no!

A good start is to have high quality tires to start with. Chris

[C-Bears]

A good way to help lessen damage is to install a TPMS. It will show you the changing air pressure and temperature in each tire monitored, plus it will sound a warning if any tire has a rapid air drop.

My system only cost about $225 and I would not consider towing without it. I know the exact air pressure in each trailer tire as soon as I hook up in the morning and the whole time while towing.

[Me_Again]

Bionic Man wrote:

I tow a lot.

I can think of 5 tread separations I have had. Three on my fifth-wheel. Two were on fully inflated North American LT tires. One was from a brake that stuck and heated up the tire.

Two on my boat trailer with ST Marathons, one made in USA and one Canada. Those were fully inflated as well.

I still avoid Chinese tires, but they all certainly have the potential to fail.

Brand, model and size of LTs?

Chris

[Me_Again]

ZR1PETE wrote:
Yes I believe an inferior product will end up with a catastrophic ending. In the photo's above my Cedar Creek had B.F. Goodrich Commercial TA 10ply LT tires, And no not the one on recall. I to am a stickler about my tires making sure the pressure is correct and watching my weight of the coach very carefully before each trip. It just happens and we have to deal with it when it does. As the old saying goes there are RV'ers who have had a blowout and RV'ers who are on the blowout list.

The head of the Cardinal club had a similar TA failure. BFG no longer sells that tire, as it was replaced by the TA 2. BTW BFG/Michelin paid to repair his trailer and gave him credit toward XPS Ribs.

The Bridgestone Duravis R500HD is one of the few poly carcass LT's I would consider for RV trailer service. I am currently almost 4 years on R250s after 6.5 years on XPS Ribs.

Chris

[3ares]

I have reduced almost all damage due to blow outs by installing jeep fenders up into the wheel wells. Jeep fenders are narrow and have square corners that fit perfectly into the wheel well. I took measurement and made a trip to Tractor Supply. Check for something to screw the fender to. We've been RVing for 48 years, the jeep fenders seem to give the best protection against blow outs.

Happy Camping

[ZR1PETE]

Progressive Insurance (Yes) It covered it all, No Problems Great customer service.

[stargirl96]

Did your insurance on the RV (comp. & collision) cover the damage to the rig?

[ZR1PETE]

Yes I believe an inferior product will end up with a catastrophic ending. In the photo's above my Cedar Creek had B.F. Goodrich Commercial TA 10ply LT tires, And no not the one on recall. I to am a stickler about my tires making sure the pressure is correct and watching my weight of the coach very carefully before each trip. It just happens and we have to deal with it when it does. As the old saying goes there are RV'ers who have had a blowout and RV'ers who are on the blowout list.

[Bionic_Man]

Me Again wrote:

stargirl96 wrote:
Occasionally I'll read or hear about someone whose RV was damaged from a tire blowout. What's the usual type of damage suffered in cases like this? Obviously this could could happen to any RV so you have to pay close attention to tires. But, is there a type of RV (travel trailer, 5th wheel, class C or class A) most likely to be damaged.

Most likely to be damaged? Those with cheap ST tires 95% of the time. Chris

I tow a lot.

I can think of 5 tread separations I have had. Three on my fifth-wheel. Two were on fully inflated North American LT tires. One was from a brake that stuck and heated up the tire.

Two on my boat trailer with ST Marathons, one made in USA and one Canada. Those were fully inflated as well.

I still avoid Chinese tires, but they all certainly have the potential to fail.