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Old 07-25-2013, 09:51 PM   #1
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Pipe routing....no protection?

We were on our way to go camping today and we had a major blowout shortly after we came out if a construction zone. My tires were properly aired up before we left and aren't that old. My guess is that I ran over something sharp. The tire was nearly blown in half down to the rim. Many years of towing I've never seen out heard (it was loud) one like this. I was lucky and could stop very quickly in a safe place.

When the tire came apart, it ate right into the black fabric above it, ripping out a lot of insulation. It also tore a big chunk out of the plastic fender trim, bent part of the rear stairs, and beat up the lower metal body trim.

The I noticed a small water leak dripping from the damage areas. I looked into one area and found several hard plastic water pipes and one had a pinhole.

My question is this: is it normal to route water lines right over the tires?

If it is normal, why wouldn't you provide some kind of armor or protection from blowouts in this areas?

Should I contact Keystone about this?
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Old 07-25-2013, 09:55 PM   #2
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Very normal. And the manufacturer can't armor plate every place that might take hit by a tire.
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Old 07-26-2013, 05:14 PM   #3
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Normal 100%. Odd if they actually protected them.
When I fix blowouts (have two to do right now) I put a metal wheel well, sort of, to help protect later on. It'll get destroyed anyway, but hopefully protect everything else from smaller blowouts.
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Old 07-26-2013, 07:49 PM   #4
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On my Pace American trailer it has a typical metal box wheel well. It gets beat up, but has survived a few blowouts. Never allowed penetration to the interior. They also didn't route any wires in this area. Just seems crazy to me that you'd run actual water lines directly above the tires and not protect them. Now I have a much more involved and expensive repair than just replacing a tire. I will also be installing wheel well armor to protect those pipes. Thin metal is better than fabric.

I know I'm new to RV'ing but I didn't think all those stories about the crazy things RV manufactures will do to save money were true....two years in and I'll be a much more informed and savvy buyer when we decide to upgrade.

Thanks for the responses, this site as usual is always very helpful.

Joe
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Old 07-26-2013, 08:28 PM   #5
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If you can access the leaking pipe easily, you might use a PEX fitting to repair the pipe. You don't even need any tools, other than a cutter to cut the tubing so you can install the splice fitting.
Even heavy duty semi's sustain damage to their fiberglass/plastic cabs when they have a blowout.
jesilvias offered the only option for protecting the RV from blowout damage, a utility trailer fender installed inside the present wheel-well.
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Old 07-26-2013, 08:50 PM   #6
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It's Keystone, I'm not surprised.
And I wouldn't install a utility trailer fender unless it fits really easy. I use roof flashing, make a long flat piece to fit between the frame and floor, and then extend out and make a 90* bend up around the floor on the outside edge.
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Old 07-27-2013, 05:19 AM   #7
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Good idea about the Pex fittings. I used a tire patch and two hose clamps for a quick fix.

Roof flashing was what I planned on. My father has a break so i can make a flange an screw it right into the frame.

Joe
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