Catastrophic tire/wheel failures, please read

[jlongsta]

This is a really scary thread. We had bolts shear off on a Jayco foldout camper. We had come through a small town in western Kansas and hit a huge dip and we bottomed out. We are sure that is what caused the problem. The trailer was about 10 years old. Upon returning home, we replaced about $400 worth of axle stuff then traded in the camper. We recently replaced all four camper tires on our Sunset Trail Reserve. All four of the original tires were getting old and we had valve stem failure on all four tires. Our local tire shop recommended Maxxis M8008 ST Radial tires, 10 ply, load range E. They weren't cheap, $600 for the set. I have seen some horrible damage done by blowouts. So scary.

[smw57]

I had started a thread regarding tires earlier. I have the Lionshead Vail ST tires, and Mark5W was very direct with his response; "Be very careful"...

Now I see this and I'm really concerned. My TT is pushing 6000 Lbs GVW. That's small compared to a lot of the units you guys have, I know, but towing it is new to me. I've probably towed it about 50 miles total, 1/2 on freeway, so I'm getting the feel for it back there, but this thread is scaring the hell out of me. I have a 500 mile R/T coming up in November, and I'm thinking I need to replace these tires before I leave...

[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by smw57

I had started a thread regarding tires earlier. I have the Lionshead Vail ST tires, and Mark5W was very direct with his response; "Be very careful"...

Now I see this and I'm really concerned. My TT is pushing 6000 Lbs GVW. That's small compared to a lot of the units you guys have, I know, but towing it is new to me. I've probably towed it about 50 miles total, 1/2 on freeway, so I'm getting the feel for it back there, but this thread is scaring the hell out of me. I have a 500 mile R/T coming up in November, and I'm thinking I need to replace these tires before I leave...

It's your call, but I understand. I had the exact same make, model and size tires on my Z-1. I promised myself I would replace them at the first sign of problems. I picked up a nail at 6,000 miles. Enough, I said, and bought four of these. I was AMAZED how out-of-balance the NEW tires were. They don't come balanced! Get good tires and balance them! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[mark5w]

I wouldn't panic about your tires. I just said to be careful with them. Which to me is checking the pressure often, feeling the tread for any bubbling or separation and especially not exceeding 65 mph when traveling. A lot of blow outs, IMHO, are caused by overheating the tires by running at a higher then recommended speed.

[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by mark5w

A lot of blow outs, IMHO, are caused by overheating the tires by running at a higher then recommended speed.

I agree Mark. Even more important that balancing is keeping the speed at/under 65. But if you're at a safe speed, not overloaded, and properly balanced, then I think you're OK.

[johnboytoo]

the ambient temps and the road surface also affects your tire temps...
the sun side is always hotter on mine (I check with this many stops)

and while lower psi allows the tire to flex more to soften the ride, it also generates more heat in the tire each revolution...

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

the ambient temps and the road surface also affects your tire temps...
the sun side is always hotter on mine (I check with this many stops)

and while lower psi allows the tire to flex more to soften the ride, it also generates more heat in the tire each revolution...

Even tho I agree with you on most of it, I have add this.
Some are running tires that are rated for more then the load they are carrying. In my opinion, those tires do not need the PSI stated on the sidewall to run safely and cool.

[johnboytoo]

for sure over rated tires CAN be run at lower pressures, have done it on most of our rv's...

but the flexing still generates more heat

[travelin texans]

For now instead of replacing your tires immediately, use the $$ to purchase a good TPMS setup to monitor the pressures & temperature.

[cubfan]

I try to follow Marty's rule of keeping it under 65 mph. Sometimes when I fuel up I will do a walk around the TT. My TT came with nitrogen in the tires and I converted my Tundra to nitrogen. Has anyone experienced problems with nitrogen vs. air? Also are the TPMS systems used mostly on 5 wheels?
Thanks
Eric

[travelin texans]

The TPMS system I have has 10 sensors, on the truck & in my case a 5er, but they will work on any thing with valve stems up to 18 wheels with the TST 507 model.