Another FW tire story...

[BIG JOE]

Did a Pre-trip prep, checked tire pressures, lug nut torques and overall tire/wheel inspection... on the truck & FW.

Took off for Oregon.

About 100 miles up the road.. the right rear FW tire did a COMPLETE tread separation, wrapped itself into a Double over-handed Granny Knot... around the axle & brake drum. No, useual, trailer body damage... my homemade (metal) Mudflap & it's hanger bracket took the "Hit".

The point here is... Thee old addage about RV tires getting Old >in Age<.. >Not miles< is, in fact, TRUE. I have alwayz been a believer in this but thought I could get another 2K trip outa the OEM tires. I had about 30K miles on these tires.. Lots of tread left. BUT they were 6 years old.

These tires were: 235/85/R16, Load Range "E", General "Grabber's" The Build Date was, March of 2000. The FW is an 02. This means; they prolly sat somewhere for 2 years, were mounted/installed in 02 and had 30K on'm, in 4 years.

The thing I guess we need to remember is.. RV tires >SET< more than they ROLL. They may LOOK OKay but things >Can Be< comeing un-done Inside, where we can't see. Due to AGE, Not MILES.

I'm a Quik Learner. If ONE came un-done (?), how 'bout the other three. I had 4, 235/85/R16 Cooper, "SRMs" mounted, Balanced and filled with Nitrogen.(First time with Nitrogen... any comments ?)

Just something to think about.... IF you have Tires that have AGE, not MILES
on'm.

Joe

 

[bushpilot]

re: the nitrogen...you SHOULDNT have to check the pressure,
its less prone to leak down & its almost completely unaffected by
temp.

how's your RV stored...do you cover the tires (blocking harmful
UV rays ?)

 

[Scar13]

On all my trailers, I prefer to block them and not let the tire site with pressure on one side.

And I coat the fronts backs and all over with a thick silcone spray. I have never had to change my trailer tires when blocked. And very rarely when I cant block and just silcone spray them up once every 3 months.

 

[bushpilot]

do you do the silcone spray on both sidewalls (inner & outter) ?

 

[Scar13]

I do both sides, and some times the tread IF I know its going to sit for awhile. When I need to use it I check my treads to make no more silicone is on them, a one over some sand paper, but its rare i do the tread the walls is plenty

 

[BIG JOE]

Yes to both.

I cover the tires, even when at an RV site.

I spray'm with a silicone tire dressing (not the Wet Look stuff), both sides & tread, 2-3 times a year.

And, I have a concrete RV parking pad here at the Casa. I also park the RV tires on 2X12's... and, the dead weight is off the tires when parked. (I have electric jacks on all 4 corners)

I think these tires just got OLD. I never have been a "General Tire" fan anyway. I was going to replace them when I got back from this trip, just because they were 6 years old.

Talked to my local tire guy today.. he said: many customers have not had much luck with General tires.. on RVs, I'm lucky I got 30-40 K out of'm.

Thanks for the info on Nitrogen.. I guess if NASCAR uses it.. it must be the way to go

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

Nitrogen seems to be the choice now at Belle Tire. The Nitrogen molecules are larger than the normal air molecules so it doesn't seep out the bead/valve stem like the air does.

 

[powerboatr]

big joe
we use turtle wax tire wax it looks like .... well its a nasty creamy white stuff like ivory soap. but does not spin off and actually soaks in and builds up a layer of protection. been using it for years, oooo reiiillles carries it.
it does a wonder on the sidewalls .. i periodically scrub the sidewalls on curbs and it looks terrible but its just the tire wax rubbing off, tires stays pretty good and scratch free
sorry to hear about blowouts they suck big time on a fiver.

 

[WD40]

Big Joe, Sure hope it didn't do to much damage to your trailer, that can be a real bummer. Get new tires and make sure wheel bearing are greased up good and trailer brakes are working like they should and you should have lots of good trips in the RV.

 

[BIG JOE]

big joe
we use turtle wax tire wax it looks like .... well its a nasty creamy white stuff like ivory soap. but does not spin off and actually soaks in and builds up a layer of protection. been using it for years, oooo reiiillles carries it.
it does a wonder on the sidewalls .. i periodically scrub the sidewalls on curbs and it looks terrible but its just the tire wax rubbing off, tires stays pretty good and scratch free
sorry to hear about blowouts they suck big time on a fiver.

Just got some of that Turtle Wax tire stuff. My tire guy recommended it.

Yer right.. Blowouts suck ! anytime, anywhere. The Rest of the Story:

I limp to a Rest Stop.

My 1/2" drive, 3/4" socket.. sidewall busted out. (OLD)

My 1/2 drive to 3/8 drive adapter sheard off. (CHEAP)

My Star wrench broke at the weld. (also CHEAP)

Then... I turn, look up, and there stands the wife.. with Burt (our Dog) & Bob (our Cat), sitting on the end of their leashes... look'n at me. She sez: Why don't you use yer PINCHER LOCKER thingy (Vise Grips) ? I got the " Jack Nicolson" look.. but about then... a Trucker, who had been watching all this..sez, from his Cab window.... Need a Socket ?? He climbs down, hands me a 1/2 drv, 3/4' scocket... I take the tire off, remove the smashed mudflap, untie the knot tread parts, put the spare on. Done Deal.

The Good Side of all this is:

I NOW have.. 4 New tires, a New set of (Impact Type) 1/2" drive sockets, a New (up-graded) 3/8" drive socket set and New (Heavy Duty) Lug wrench.

Life is Good