6000lb camper, blown tire on the highway

[Boatycall]

First, I'm only guessing the weight. I can feel it's a little heavier than my former AF 1150. The DOT scale by my house has been closed since I got my new camper.

But anyway...
Coming back today from Labor day, all of a sudden I hear a very loud PSSST PSSST PSSST coming from the drivers rear. I couldn't pull over immediately, so slowed way down, hit the hazzards, and pulled over about 1/4 mile down the road. Pulled over without much fanfare. by this time, the tire's empty. Caught a big chunk of metal of some sort in the outside dual. If left a much bigger hole than your standard nail.

Took some weight off the axle by dropping the jacks. I carry a 20ton bottle jack, that made quick work of jacking the axle up. And of course had to deal with getting the spare out from under the truck while the camper is on. I hate those stupid tire hoists.

Got it off and put the spare on, put the bad one back on the spare tire hoist and was off. I hate those stupid tire hoists.

Not sure if this would have ended different if I hadn't had the window open to hear the air leak.

I'm not trying to start yet another SRW vs. DRW fight, but that extra tire carried the load very well until I could safely pull over.

Other than that, my weekend was great.

[deltabravo]

kerry4951 wrote:
You mentioned the TPM systems. I used a system on my previous motorhome. I suspect the weight of one of the monitors on the end of the valve stem actually caused one of the stems to crack over time, causing a flat. I'm wondering if the weight of the monitor on the OEM valve stem may have caused your tire failures.

I'm convinced that's what caused the problem.

The TPM system did recommend all steel valve stems. I bought some new valve stems for my trailer fleet, and upgraded them, but didn't do anything with the truck valve stems. I guess I was naive to thing that the partial metal valve stem would be rigid enough to survive the weight of the sensor.

[Airstreamer67]

I wish I had a hoist to hate.

My old 96 F250 has no hoist mechanism for the spare. So, the spare has to be manhandled up and down under the truck without a hoist mechanism to help. It's all muscle power while laying on your back.

I sometimes use a jack rigged up in some fashion or other to help, but it's not easy to do in any case.

Actually, it did seem easier to do when I got the truck in 1996 at the age of 53.

Not so much today at 70.

But I count my blessings, I can still do it!

[Nautique200]

I had a flat recently with TPMS. I was rolling down the road and felt something going on in the front end. At first I thought it was the road surface getting rougher. I eventually pulled over only to discover my tire was half flat and loosing air fast. I turned around and started heading back towards town. Then the TPMS light finally came on. They don't seem to do much good for me. Keep in mind mine does not display the tire pressures, its only a dummy light. Maybe the ones that come in trucks that show the actual pressure would do a better job. However, a dually is not going to come with a TPMS. At least not from Ram

[kerry4951]

deltabravo wrote:

kerry4951 wrote:
... that long handled tire iron thing that the truck manufacturer gives you.

I hate that stupid thing too!!

Last year's flat tire episode, I had the shaft inserted in to the hoist with the wrong end. I battled it for a good 30 minutes and couldn't figure out why the hoist wasn't working. It sort of seemed like the shaft wasn't fully engaging in the mating coupler in the hoist. Finally I pulled it out, tried the other end and VOILA, problem solved.

I did the same thing, just this morning as a matter of fact. I ended up marking the end of the long rod that goes into the hoist for next time.
You mentioned the TPM systems. I used a system on my previous motorhome. I suspect the weight of one of the monitors on the end of the valve stem actually caused one of the stems to crack over time, causing a flat. Im wondering if the weight of the monitor on the OEM valve stem may have caused your tire failures. I remember on my TPM system it was recommended not to use the monitors on rubber stems. I dont use a TPM system and so far (knock on wood), I havent had any issues with the OEM valve stems on my 09 silverado.

[deltabravo]

kerry4951 wrote:
... that long handled tire iron thing that the truck manufacturer gives you.

I hate that stupid thing too!!

Last year's flat tire episode, I had the shaft inserted in to the hoist with the wrong end. I battled it for a good 30 minutes and couldn't figure out why the hoist wasn't working. It sort of seemed like the shaft wasn't fully engaging in the mating coupler in the hoist. Finally I pulled it out, tried the other end and VOILA, problem solved.

[deltabravo]

I hate those stupid tire hoists too.

I had a valve stem fail in Nevada last year. Outside dual.

I used the same technique you did for changing the tire.

I carry a 12 ton bottle jack. I had those stupid OEM crank jacks.

Two weeks ago I had another valve stem fail. I hate those stupid half rubber, half brass OEM valve stems on HD trucks.

The valve stems have all been replaced with steel ones now.

This reminds me, the flat tire on my previous truck was also due to a failed valve stem, near Ritzville on I-90.

I hate those stupid half rubber, half brass OEM valve stems on HD trucks.

I have a TPMS system, but when changing the tire last year, I accidentally left the TPMS remote unit on the ramp door of my trailer. When I closed the ramp door, I smashed the remote unit between the door and door frame. I haven't replaced it yet.

I think I will make it a point to call and order a new remote unit today.

[kerry4951]

I made spare tire crank out of a standard ratchet that I keep in the glove box. There is no need to use that long handled tire iron thing that the truck manufacturer gives you. I can crank down my spare tire with TC loaded and its no problem.

[Butch50]

Glad to hear all is ok. I have wanted to ask for a while if you went back to work or are you stll enjoying life without working.

That was one thing I checked on my Northern Lite when I first got it. It has no drop down in the back so I can crank down the spare and use full 360 degree swing on the crank. It works fine for me bad knees and all (no knee surgeries yet).

[sleepy]

When you get old you'll mount the spare on the front hitch receiver... no kneeling or working while on your artifical knees

I even go one better... OnStar road service...

sleepy

[Scott16]

Glad everyone is alright after the blow out.
Where did you go for the holiday with your new
camper.
Scott

[BigToe]

jimh425 wrote:
"Its going to take more to cause one of my srw tires to go flat since they are much tougher than a typical tire."

I wouldn't be so sure about that. I've had more 19.5 tires blow than any other type of tire.

OP... good job driving!

[Camper_Jeff___K]

Glad you folks are ok. That's the main thing.
Where'd you go for your maiden voyage?

[garryk6]

jimh425 wrote:
Glad it turned out OK. Its going to take more to cause one of my srw tires to go flat since they are much tougher than a typical tire. Also if it would have been a front tire, the second tire wouldn't have been there.

X2
Garry

[jimh406]

Glad it turned out OK. Its going to take more to cause one of my srw tires to go flat since they are much tougher than a typical tire. Also if it would have been a front tire, the second tire wouldn't have been there.

[bobndot]

I'm glad to hear that you're ok and you were able to keep things under control.
If an outsider signed onto this forum and began reading the posts, they would buy a tent. :):E