Dont let a rock get stuck between duals

[PalmSprings]

I was driving on a dirt road and didnt see a fist sized rock in the road. i realized the rock was between my duals once I hit pavement.
I tried to remove it,but usually removal of a tire is the only successful option.
i drove about a mile and the centrifigal force threw it out without damaging anything.
Well several hundrrd miles later.both tires (new) finally blew from the penetration from the sharp edges of that rock. Fist size is all it was
Fair warning.
Dually trucks pickups can run into similar issues.
Anyone ever have this happen? RV truck etc?

[pkmesser]

Quarry rock trucks have a bar that hangs down between the rear duals, it is free to pivot on it's attachement point, but it forces the rocks from between the tires within one or two revolutions. They are mounted behind the axle, so that the tires carrying a rock bring it up, into contact, and then forced out. (The bars wear over time, and have to be replaced). Never saw one damage a tire either.

[Mr_D]

A mean "trick" is to wedge a glass bottle between the tires, the tires compress and break the bottle, ruining both tires. Truckers do it to competitors or other unlucky people, like RV'ers.

[PalmSprings]

A larger single tire in place of a dual would be a nice alternative.
I know Im not staying off dirt roads,so its a matter of time before it occurs again.

[pkmesser]

Originally Posted by PalmSprings

A larger single tire in place of a dual would be a nice alternative.
I know Im not staying off dirt roads,so its a matter of time before it occurs again.

I haven't looked into them for motorhomes, but single, wide wheels and tires are made to replace duals on some applications, transit trucks (concrete ready mix trucks) for example. Supposed to decrease rolling resistance vs duals, (translates to better fuel economy). After the initial wheel purchase, one wide tire is supposedly then cheaper than two conventional sized tires. Would work for you, if you can find the wheel and tire diameter, that matches what you have, as well as a lug pattern that matches.

[Jackm]

Last week, we ran over a tow dolly hold-down strap that was abandoned on the road. Within a millisecond, it wrapped around the axle and crushed the extended tire valve on one of our rear tires (the inner one of course). The tire instantly lost all of its air and we lost the rest of the day.
Luckily, the very competent mechanic replaced the tire valve on the spot so we (he) didn't have to deal with our spare. Used Good Sam ERS and we were back on the rode in less than 2 hours. Not bad for late on a Saturday in Edison, New Jersey.

Jack

[MuckSavage]

Regarding the single wide wheel.....A few years ago, Freightliner made a cahssis called the EcoFRED, a hybrid. It utilized the single wide rear wheel/tire combo.

Last year I realized a rock wedged itself between my duals in a campground. Luckily, my spotter noticed me run it over & not come out as I passed over. It was so stuck, prying on it with my toads lug wrench wouldn't dislodge it. Finally, I thought to use the winch on my Jeep toad to pull the rock out. Fortunately, it was river rock (no sharp edge).

[Luckiest Dreamer]

I once got my dully 1 ton stuck in the mud. Once out I did not notice the mud was packed between the dullys and it dried there overnight before I had put many miles on. Once back on the highway at highway speeds the vibration was extreme as the mud put the wheels in a terrible out of balance condition. Rocks do the same thing!
At least with mud you can flush it out with a hose.

[Eric_H_E]

For those that have on board air, wouldn't be possible to deflate one tire, remove the rock and re inflate?

[jfran304]

Originally Posted by PalmSprings

A larger single tire in place of a dual would be a nice alternative.
I know Im not staying off dirt roads,so its a matter of time before it occurs again.

Michelin has your alternative if you want to pay the price:

Michelin Americas Truck Tires X One® XRV® Page

Jon

[pkmesser]

Originally Posted by jfran304

Michelin has your alternative if you want to pay the price:

Michelin Americas Truck Tires X One® XRV® Page

Jon

Little bit bigger diameter than the 235/80/22.5 on the Workhorse gas chassis, might work for some the the diesel rigs with bigger tires.

[MegaRoadie]

Pk:

That one tire replaces both dualies so why would an inch and half different diameter from 235/80R/22.5 be unusable on W-22 Chassis ????????

[Mike Thomas]

Going to a wide single tire is not as simple as buying a rim and a tire. Your axle has to be designed to carry the weight on one rim. Several truckers tried it and found out the hard way that axles and bearings are designed for one tire or two. They don't mix.

[PalmSprings]

Ive gotten 3 rocks in my RV duals over the last 25 yrs and deflating one tire wasnt enough. Hammers,prybars didnt work. Remove the outer wheel to remove.
Hydraulic levelers sure make changing tires easier.