Tpms does not have all the answers

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

I have been using a TPMS system logging in cold pressures/temps and end of travel pressures/ temps as well as monitoring in transit.
I continue to do my walk around at the beginning and end of travel...it finally paid off. I just completed a relatively short drive of less than 100 miles. Front air pressure about 114 PSI and tire temps around 87 for the front tires as I did my post trip walk around the curb side front tire has a hugh bubble on the side wall...all other tires appear normal. My tires are Michelin XRV 305/70R 22.5 with 46.8 K miles and 53 months in service.
I need to talk to the Michelin dealer about replacement and possible warranty support...BUT the bottom line is, I think, always do a visual walk around and the TPMS should hopefully give you warnings for in transit failures.

[Mike Canter]

Wow, yep you are lucky. That is why pilots do walk arounds before a flight. Usually a bubble in the side is caused by impact with road debris or a pothole. Could have hapen some time ago. Do you remember hitting anything? I wonder how fast the air would come out if the bubble burst. Hopefully it would have just been air trapped between the inner and outer parts of the tire and would have been slow enough that your TPMS would have alerted you.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Mike, I was driving the Ca I 5 most of the way and it is like the rest of the Interstate system with hard transitions at bridges and overcrossings and the normal potholes,,,nothing out of the ordinary that I remember.

[bdaball]

DO NOT TOUCH THAT BUBBLE. It could burst any moment and things get real messy real quick.

FYI,I had Michelin product in service beyond warranty and a call to Michelin netted me a considerable discount off the next set. They do stand behind their product very well.

[Chuck 1935]

As my dear mother told me a long time ago, " If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". I think that holds true about products as well !

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

My comment was not ment to be dragatory only a suggestion that a walk around and visual could detect potential problems.

[Mike Canter]

Chuck, a walk around is the same as checking your oil or antifreeze level. You don't want to wait until that oil light comes on to tell you that you were low on oil or you overheat to find out you are low on antifreeze. I always do a walk around and make sure it is OK. In the Navy we always did a walk around the aircraft to make sure all was good even though we had good instrumentation and we go through a before engine start checklist. I think that Ronnie proves the point of how important this is. The TPMS would have indiacted a problem after the bubble had burst and the tire pressure is going down maybe in the middle of nowhere or in the middle of a freeway in downtown Atlanta in the rush hour.

[Chuck 1935]

Mike I agree with you completely. I too check everything before taking off. This was just my smart A-- way of saying, I don't care for Michlins. Like you, I do all of my own maintanance and repairs and routinely check everthing under, over and in , so I don't have a problem on the road. So far it has worked. I have never had a break down. I did lose a transmission, a 4L80E in my old motorhome, but had the Good Sam ESP and Camping World Roadcare, so everything was covered except for the $250 deductable. Love traveling but don't need problems. Happy Trails !

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Just an update on my tire situation. I replace the XRV tire today. Michelin stepped up and gave me 60% pro rated discount on the new tire after inspection and discussion with the tire center representative.
I have driven motor homes over 200 K miles, but I have to tell you the 15 miles to the tire shop today was the most nerve wracking of any miles I've ever driven. The small bubble had expanded to the size of a cantaloupe on the out side and when dismounted the interior bubble was even larger...if I had known that probably would have needed to change my underwear.

Just a reminder to do a visual each day of driving.

[RickO]

Good post Pidlin... I hate those "pucker miles".

I do use a TPMS but also do a walk around before the coach ever moves. I'm still exposed to things like bubbles on an inner dual or inside a front tire but it's all about trade offs I guess.