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Sometimes all the trip pre-checks don’t help
So just shy of our CA place, on our way back from the east coast, front steer tire blew. Was doing about 65 at the time. Luckily the interstate wasn’t busy. The Michelin tire is only 1.5 years old and has maybe 15K miles on it. Did not see anything on the road so I don’t think we ran over anything. Felt the rubber let loose, then the air releasing and the fun began. All in the manner of seconds. Had the bus in Prevo before the trip to inspect brakes, etc to make sure all was good and I always do a pre check of tires before we hit the road each day. Michelin / dealer can’t determine the cause because not enough of the tire is left. Without knowing the cause, my concern is the other 3 tires that I had put on at the same time as this one. Went back the next day as it was only 30 min from the house and found the tread piece as well as pieces of my front fender. I just reinspected everything on the front end and all seem normal. Nothing to indicate anything on the bus caused the situation. I will replace the other steer tire as a precaution. Marathon is fabricating a new fender for me $$$, and I have to paint sections of that side of the bus $$$. I do not have a TPMS so, time to get one, don’t know if it would have helped in this case, but certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Alex
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5 Replies
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These things do happen, We just finished a 3K mile trip to up to Washington state and back, and as I pulled in the driveway, I blew out the seal on the top of my transmission filter. I carry spares and fluid so other than a mess on the ground I am back up and running.
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Here are the Filter pics
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OMG
Thank god your OK
How hard was it to maintain control as the steer tire went flat. All the years we have been RVing that has been my #1 fear.
Had a tire on a 5th wheel blow while I was in the left lane passing an 18 wheeler. I believe the only reason I was able to keep control was because the truck was a dually and gave me the stability to maintain control. Although I still use TPMS I don’t put a lot of faith in them. As noted I was in the left lane when the tire blew, I was able to get back to the right shoulder and stop before the TPMS went off to warn of Lost PSI. I guess better late than never.
Chuck
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL-
The bus handles surprisingly well as long as you remember to NOT hit the brakes and accelerate to maintain control and gradually slow down. It does want to pull some to the side of the blowout, but it is controllable and a lot of vibration until you get slow enough. I am amazed that other than the body panel, there is no other damage with all that rubber and metal flying around and riding on the bead. The sound alone makes you believe everything is being torn up. This is why it is so important to always be prepared and constantly know what is around you because there is no time to think, just act.
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OMG! I am glad you are ok and the bus didn’t sustain more damage.
2005 Thompson
Co-Owner Prevost Community
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