Tire change/change and repair in the Gatlinburg area?

[Farm_Camp]

Oops! Just pulled into Gatlinburg this evening for a unplanned couple of days visit to the area on our way home from Disney. No issues towing today... But tonight I went out to drain our grey tank and see that I have a flat tire...

Thank the towing gods it didn't give up the ghost while I was coming across the mountains at least. All I can figure is that I must have picked up a nail or something, can see no visible issue with the tire, except for lack of air.

I'll try to pump it back up in the daylight, but thinking I likely need a repair/replacement. Anybody know of a good local place used to dealing with campers?

Thanks.

[ken56]

Gatlinburg is a great place to get stuck. Lots of good food places and lots of things to keep you occupied. Go to Ol'Smoky Distillery and drown your sorrows with some local moonshine.

[Farm_Camp]

Thanks folks! It's the rim... Three different tire guys told me they think it was a defect there all along waiting to bite me. New wheel should be here tomorrow. In the meantime I killed my portable Air compressor as well. LOL! It never rains... I get a extra night camping out of it, so it's all good...

[Mr_MrsSchleppro]

93Cobra2771 wrote:
Air it back up, mix a soapy water solution and see where the bubbles start coming out at.

^^This..and when you see bubbles, as long as they're not in the sidewall of the tire, go to Oreillys or any other parts store and get yourself a tire plugging kit and fix it yourself. Very easy and cheap. When your finished, air it back up and recheck for bubbles.

Never mind, I didn't read the entire thread. Keep moving folks nothing to see here.

[93Cobra2771]

Air it back up, mix a soapy water solution and see where the bubbles start coming out at.

[Ron3rd]

See if there is an America's Tire/Discount Tire (same company) in the area, they are usually everywhere and have always given me good service.

[dyb]

I have had loose stems related to a flat tire. I keep a valve stem tool in the TT.

[pira114]

That sounds like a damaged rim. Something as simple as a pothole can do that. Unless they reused your valve stem and it was damaged, I'd be checking that rim

[Farm_Camp]

And... After traveling 0 feet... My brand new tire is flat as a pancake this morning!!! Sheesh...

[Farm_Camp]

I found a place locally and just bought a new tire. Also went up a load range while I was at. Figured I'd just play it safe for the price and start fresh with a brand new tire.

[Farm_Camp]

Yah, I've been eyeing a TPMS, guess I'll move that up my list! Not sure if/how long it ran low. At the last fuel stop yesterday it was fine. When I leveled up at the campsite I noticed it looked low and made note to check it out again. Came back two hours later to open the grey gate valve and it was obviously flat. I'm gonna get the spare on today and most likely just go buy a replacement just to be on the safe side.

[93Cobra2771]

I do not, right off hand. However, I would check with your campground and see who they suggest. I would also suggest picking up a tire pressure monitoring system for your future travels. You would have been alerted of the tire dropping pressure. There are several mobile rv repair shops in area.

The tire needs to be looked at VERY carefully by a professional. Broken down off the rim and checked for damage/tread separation. If it ran at low pressure for very long, it could be a time bomb ready to go off.

To be safe, I'd definitely replace it. I'd also air it up and then see how quick it is losing pressure. That can help give you an idea of whether it might be damaged or not.

Might be best to throw the spare on, and then buy a new spare.