Second "BIG" Problem

[DandS]

After my experience with the BR slide and North Trail RV in Fort Myers, I was hoping for the balance of our Florida trip to be without incident. Well, we almost made it. Coming thru Louisville last thursday, on our way home since DW needed to get back to her business, we heard a loud bang and didn't have any idea what had happened. Since we were right in traffic downtown on I-65, there was no place to pull over and inspect things and the MH was driving and running fine. We elected to drive to the next rest area about 15 miles up the road where we were able to pull in and look things over. Couldn't find any evidence of damage either on MH or Toad so assumed what we heard was not us. Continued on our way with no further noise or indication of a problem for about 150 miles until a kind motorist flagged me down and informed me I had a flat on the I/S passenger side tire. Again found the closest rest area and pulled in to inspect. Sure enough when I reached over the O/S tire and felt the tread on the I/S tire there wasn't any. Got hold of Ford Emergency Roadside Service who got a tire service to me promptly and got the tire changed - thank goodness I had bought a used spare prior to our trip. When he took off the tire, it had a hole in it the size of a football and the tread was all but gone (pic attached). What really fooled me was my TPMS gave me no indication of loss of air, turned out that I had a bad battery in that tire sensor, what are the odds. At any rate, got back on the road in short order and will be gettin with Mr. Michelin shortly to give me new tire.
Assume bang we heard was either a blow-out or tread separation which hit bottom of MH.

Morale of story: When you hear a bang, assume something happened and double check everything. I shudder to think I drove that far on one dually tire on that side - could have been a disaster.

[Baby Bear]

Dave: Have you checked the underside for additional damages?
Can't believe you have a tire in this condition, considering all the older your MH is!
Good luck with Michelin and let us know how this was your fault. I have blown 4 Michelins and they were ALL my fault!

["007"]

Glad to hear every things a go for now. Don't want to be a pita but you had coach weight and tire pressures adjusted for tire table of MFG.
You may have hit on something on road surface, I hit a hand wrench once went into tire but tire didn't blow just lost air.
Guess you not only have to check tire pressures you have to also check the tire sensors on every trip.
Safe travels.

[DandS]

Lee - Tire guy said he could see no damage on underside. How could it be my problem on brand new MH with 4000 miles on it? Tire guy's opinion was it was defective. I am telling my dealer to give me a new tire, let them deal with Michelin. How did you get stuck with fault on your tires?

Yes 007, I had coach weighed on all four corners and set pressure per Michelin charts last fall. Also checked pressure several times on trip even though I have a TPMS. I am positive I didn't hit anything.

[Flagelpater]

Just Wondering: Do you check the tire pressure via the TPM system frequently? Are you also going to go after Michelin for the second tire? I think you have exceeded the weight limit on the remaining tire on that side. If this is true hidden damage may cause you problems "Down the Road." Pun intended. If your coach is that new how do you have a sensor with a dead battery? Shouldn't your TPM system report not receiving that signal? I would check into that too. I hope all your troubles are behind you.

[GaryKD]

Hi Dave,
I agree the TPMS should have provided a warning that the sensor was not reporting PSI. The "other" tire has been severely overloaded. If it was me, I'd have two new tires installed. Good luck getting a warranty claim. Please post here and tell us how all this closes.

[Goodturn]

What TPMS do you have, and was it installed new on you MH ?

[GaryKD]

Hi Goodturn,
I'm not sure your question was directed at me. I own a Pressure Pro TPMS. Purchased in 05. If I ever need to purchase another TPMS it will be one where I can replace the sensor batteries myself. Other than the batteries, mine has worked as advertised.

[a k]

GaryKD
Check out the tire sensors from N Vision. Made by the same makers of Pressure Pro and you can get them for about$60 for two. They are made by Brake Buddy.

[Flagelpater]

Thank you for the tip a k. My sensors are 4 years old so I must be getting close to needing batteries. So far all is working as advertised!

[lllkrob]

Keep us informed what Michelin / dealer has to say about your damaged tire, that will be interesting.

[DandS]

Taking MH with tire to dealer mon. 3/8. Will keep all posted on outcome although some of you have me scared. My dealer says they will handle negotiations with Michelin and check other tire for damage but also stated they will determine if defective or road hazard cause, not sure how they do that. Prefer not to name my TPMS at this point since I'm also dickering with them over a new unit - it was not a battery problem, the unit is not responding to any of the sensors at this point. Will also report how that turns out.

[Baby Bear]

Dave: the magic words just appeared "road Hazard". Michlen uses that excuse more often than not.
In one case I was in the same situation as you are now. You have ran a tire overloaded and "propably" damaged the sidewalls. I had an inner dual blow and ran on the outer for about 8 miles before replacement was made. That tire also blew and good old Michelin noted the overload and said good luck. The cause of the inner blowout was "Road hazard". I know my corner weights and run the pressures recommended by the manufacturer plus 5lb cold.
Hold your ground, but, remember you can't argue with a fool. You will never know if you won!
keep us posted.

[KIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by a k Check out the tire sensors from N Vision. Made by the same makers of Pressure Pro and you can get them for about$60 for two. They are made by Brake Buddy.

A K Do the N Vision sensors work with the Pressure Pro system positively? Or are you just saying they look the same? Thanks