The owner of this coach told me to go ahead and post this picture with the hope that it will help somebody else avoid what happened. They had a front blow out, went off a soft shoulder and ended up at about a 45 degrees angle or so, scraped the side of the coach, few small trees injured. No injury to driver and spouse, both with seatbelts on and about 60 mph when tire blew. Obviously did a good job controlling as best could, hard to not slow down even if read you need to accelerate at first (there is the video to explain why, but not your normal thought!)
The owner knew the tires were getting limited in their life due to age so had them inspected and was told they were good to go due to the load range of the tire (he thinks were G, not sure) and no sidewall cracks. They came on the coach.
His hope is that this will remind people of what can happen so, inspect, protect and change tires when timely. He keeps the coach inside, keeps inflated properly, knew the tires and any injury history, keeps covered from UV. But at ten years age, my thought would be that for me and Jackie we will change at six years if not sooner due to an event.
The owner is a kind, considerate fellow urging that we learn from his experience. He said the folks coming to his rescue were sure someone must have been injured. Another illustration of the integrity of the FT.
(hope the photo attaches, cannot see to tell)
Mike
trying again to post....
Mike
Mike,
Did he know how old the tires were?
Terry
hope they have good insurance and can get it to Xtreme in Nacogdoches....
yes, were originals. ten years, if not more.....needs to read the DOT info but seemed to rely a lot on the dealer recent evaluation, and so now the question, how do you tell if going or are bad? Think be good if he reply on Forum, he may be willing to get into it, I have others hoping he will respond, they have question, think could save someone
mike
One data point though. There are also many blowouts on tires that are 1-4 years old.
Increased safety margin if replacing load range G with load range H, a highly recommended change.
I was reading a Michelin manual for RV tires (dated 11/14) which said that after 5 years of use , tires needed to be inspected yearly by a professional. It also said .....
" It is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their calendar age alone. However, the older a tire, the greater the chance that it will need to be replaced due to the service-related evolution or other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.
While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit.
For tires that were on an original equipment vehicle (i.e. acquired by the consumer on a new vehicle), follow the vehicle manufacturer's tire replacement recommendations when specified (but not to exceed 10 years). "
So ... there you are. Just very glad that everyone is OK ... everything else can be replaced. It could happen to any of us!
Since I am at FOT, thought add some pix of the coach that was involved with an occurance.
Surprised to not find a flat tire, was changed to load on flat bed.
Shows a 2005 model with wipers above windshield..
Last year I took my couch in for a leaking valve stem. Tire shop would not let me leave with out replacing both front tires. Date code was 01 and the receipt from PO was 11/2011 so they sold him 10 year old tires.
When they broke the tires down there metal belts where sticking out on the inside. It was a very good dealer in my opinion. I did replace with h load range. I'm certain I would have like that coach or worse. They look new but rotten inside. Very glad they are OK bet there shorts weren't.