Check your tires! I had a close one!

happycamperbrat · August 02, 2011, 05:43:02 AM

I took my suburban to go get my son on the coast Sunday. I was going west on 166 (a mountain twisty 2 lane highway). I was about midway in a line of cars and in the opposite lane there was a line of cars going east. In the middle of the east going cars was about a 30' motorhome pulling about a 15' enclosed trailor. As the motorhome came around a bend about 2 car links in front of me, a tire EXPLODED on it!!! Right in front of the car in front of me!!! The car in front of me, myself and the car in back of me, as well as 2 or 3 cars behind the motorhome....... we all had to swerve and dodge pieces of flying rubber everywhere!!!

REally, really, really SCAREY!!!!

Mex-Busnut · August 02, 2011, 06:38:52 AM

That is awesome that it didn't cause anybody any damage or injury! I wonder if the person was maybe using recaps?

Busted Knuckle · August 02, 2011, 06:50:38 AM

Dr. Steve,
I doubt that recaps are what caused this event HCB experienced.

Many (most in fact) of the tire failures we see on the highways are usually in fact improperly cared for "virgin" tires.

Very few people take the time to check the air in their tires on a regular basis like they should. Most of the time if it ain't sit'n on the ground they feel it's good to go.

BK

trucktramp · August 02, 2011, 07:48:57 AM

Hey, the tire is only flat on the bottom. The rest of the tire is good.

TomC · August 02, 2011, 07:52:19 AM

Best argument for having a wireless air pressure sensor system. I have Pressure Pro on both the bus and my towed. It sounds off if the tire pressure is either to high or to low. Worth the few hundred bucks to set up your vehicle. Good Luck, TomC

Lin · August 02, 2011, 09:04:50 AM

Anyone who knows me knows that I am frugal (read cheap), and even I bought a PressurePro. Fortunately, I can not claim that it saved me millions on my last trip, but I was easily able to check the tires at least daily and make adjustments when climate or altitude caused variations. My biggest fear is a tire going bad on the toad, and me dragging the car to destruction.

kyle4501 · August 02, 2011, 04:55:24 PM

I am amazed at the number of people who overload their tires.
Some manufacturers encourage this by placing the minimum tire on the vehicle that can easily be overloaded . . . .
There is a reason they put the load rating on the tire . . .

happycamperbrat · August 02, 2011, 10:58:26 PM

Quote from: Mex-Busnut on August 02, 2011, 06:38:52 AM
That is awesome that it didn't cause anybody any damage or injury! I wonder if the person was maybe using recaps?

The bend we were on quickly obstructed the view behind me so Im not sure how it turned out for the people in the east bound lane, including the motorhome and cars behind it. But for us in the west bound lane, everyone handled their vehicles good and we were all alert and retained control despite it all.

All I can say is that God isnt ready for me yet.

chev49 · August 03, 2011, 01:26:37 AM

With cameras now, toad problems such as tires are reduced.. I have had a couple of incidents where towing something across country, either a tire was flat or there was some other problem..but its usually fixed really soon, as someone drives up besides you and starts yelling or pointing...