Had A Blow-out today

[Wayne M]

This is a sequel to Why We Should Check Our Tires:

Well, it happened to me. Today on I-5 in Washington State, about 1/2 mile for the exit of Old Highway 99, there was this loud bang and it felt like I ran over a metal object. But, it was a blow out. A zippered blow out on the upper casing of the inside dual that went flat in the linked post above.

Apparently there was internal damage that could not be seen, even by the professionals.

I was able to pull to the side of the interstate within 100 yards of the POP. Looking at the tires did not reveal any problem. I had to get the tire gauge and measure the air. the very first tire I hit indicated zero air. I limped at 5-10 mph to the exit and was able to park in a safe place. As I was sitting there trying to get assistance on the phone, a good Samaritan in a pickup, named John, stopped. He said he was at work, and I would guess a good 500-1000 yards off the freeway and felt the concussion when the tire blew. He also said he had a friend, just across the freeway, that had a tire shop. Ah the good fortunes at last. He drove to the tire shop called "Pacific Tire," in Mount Vernon, WA, and in no time I was contacted and asked the usual questions of tire size.

Unfortunately, they did not have the 22.5 in stock but were expecting a shipment. He did have a used one, and when I saw it, it was in good shape and good tread. So, temporarily, while awaiting 2 new tires, the used one was put on and we finished our 30 mile trip.

Now folks, Pacific Tire is service exemplified. I followed the service truck back to the shop. Jim Kaufman was my contact at the shop, and is either the owner or a manager, I am assuming. When I asked what the costs were up to that point, he said, we'll take care of it when you come back on Tuesday. Don't you just love that kind of service and service attitude? He said that one way or another he would have tires for me

I think I'll go to a Casino while I'm in the area, my luck has to change sometime.

[Tom and Patty]

Yup it is a zipper.

ZIPPER RUPTURE DEFINED: A zipper rupture is a circumferential rupture in the mid sidewall of a steel cord radial tire. Weakened steel cables in the tire's sidewall, caused by running underinflated or flat…defined as, a tire that carries less than 80% of proper inflation. The resulting rupture and air blast can explode with the force of as much as three quarters of a pound of dynamite, leaving a 10-36 inch gash in the sidewall that looks like a zipper.

IIIRC I read that the explosion could launch a 16 lb bowling ball 1/4 mile.

Take note of the 80% inflated , 100 psi norm at 80 psi you have problems starting.

Glad you were safe. Thank you for your service!

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Wayne, had you checked the tire pressure before the blowout?? I recently had a sidewall separation on a Michelin 305/70R 22.5 that was 4.5 yrs old with 60 % of tread remaining. I contacted Michelin via Email and they responded with a phone number for the tire shop to contact once the tire was dis-mounted and inspected...bottom line I was allowed 60% off on the new tire $395 out the door vrs over $600. I have a Hawkhead TPMS and keep daily records of tire pressure and temp at the start of a days driving.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M This is a sequel to "Why We Should Check Our Tires" ...

Wayne, I would encourage and invite you to join us for our inaugural chat from Truck Systems Technologies (TST) on Wednesday, June 23rd at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. The subject will be Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS).

TST's Dan Covington To Host TPMS Technical Chat

I am glad to hear that you didn't sustain any additional damage.

[greystroke]

Wayne,

Thanks for sharing the story and posting the Pixs. I am new to the MH side of RVing. Had a few blowouts with my old 5th wheel but never any damage and in all cases it only slowed me down by 30-40 minutes.

Can't get used to not having a spare. I am going to figure out a way to carry one. At least so I can get to tire shop.

Glad you didn't have any damage.

Starting a long trip in a few days and tires is my main worry.

[Wayne M]

Ronnie,
I check the tires before every trip, and that includes between destinations for the day. All were at 110 psi that morning. About 5 miles before the blow-out we stopped at a rest stop. I did not check the air, but I used the IR Temperature device to check the temperature on all tires, including the TOAD. All was within a few degrees of each other.

Tom,
I'm well aware of the reason behind a zippered blow out. After my last episode, as posted, the tires were inspected (NOT X-RAY or Electronically checked) by professionals and there was no visual evidence of any problem with the tire.

Driver,
I do "plan" on being on that chat session. I do have some questions for Dan. I do not have confidence in the TPMS monitors since I did have them installed on the TOAD and was constantly having problems with air pressure loss, even though I did use Teflon and super glued the swivel for easier installation, as recommended by Dan. Since the first flat was caused by a leak in the valve extension casing, I need to wait to get some good "dually valve" by Borg supply installed.

Thanks.

[Chuck 1935]

MICHLIN, Nuff said !!

[Tom and Patty]

I posted the zipper note for others who might not know what a zipper is, or what is the cause. We don't want anyone airing up a tire that has run low without inspection. Let the experts air the tire up in a cage!

Be safe.

[Vegasdan]

Thank god you guys are ok.

[astonge]

Ditto, Vegasdan. I think there are three points to this story:
1) thank God you guys are OK.
2) Things happen, and it is how you respond to them.
3) Thank God for people like John and Jim, and I hope I do the same as them someday.
Regards,

Andy from Calgary

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935 MICHLIN, Nuff said !!

Chuck 1935, That's not a fair statement. I am very pleased with my Michelin Tires. On the road they are monitored 24/7 using a TPMS. Michelin tires are made in South Carolina, by Americans. I am proud to be a Michelin owner.

A failure like this can happen on ANY tire.

[Chuck 1935]

Driver, I too was a happy Michlin man until all the cracking,checking. They also have a chart that shows the acceptable amount of cracking before the tire is unsafe. To me any cracking is unacceptable. The amount of tire failures that are reported on irv2 seem to be heavily weighted toward Michlins. Granted, Michlins are the predominant tire on RV's so therefore they would have more failures than other less popular brands. It was the cracking issue that put me off to the brand. Like you I am very aware of my tires and their care and would not leave my driveway without a TPMS. So far I have driven my RV's about 100,000 miles without a tire problem and I aim to keep it that way. Thats my story. Happy trails !!

[greystroke]

I like my Michlins and I trust them.

I noticed when looking in the tire guide on the zipper effect, I saw that the max speed of the XRV is 75. I usually drive at 60-65 but there are MHs that pass me at a very high rate of speed. If they blow I hope they don't blame Michlins.

Now days you don't know where a tire is made unless you check the first two digits of the DOT code. Then check
Tire Codes A7-DN

I think some XRVs are made in France now. Mine have the Carolina code.

I will be checking the plant code of all tires I buy.

I wanted American tires for my toad and just bought 4 coopers that are made in Findley Ohio. There are not many American tires left.

[Wayne M]

Greystroke,
Thanks for that link.

Tom,
No offense intended. I should have posted a link to "Zippered" effect.

To all,
After the loud "pop" and what felt like hitting something in the road, I lost no control over the coach. It was easy to bring it to a stop. I was very lucky that it was the inside dual. There were no marking at all on the frame or surrounding area. I can only assume that it blew when in the "down" position. When they pull the tires Tuesday to replace them I'm going to take another look-see.

Yes, I thank the Powers That Be every day.