What We Should All Do With Tires

[Guest Wayne77590]

And check tire pressure again, especially before every trip, even the overnighters.

I reported about the slideout problem we had, and the short ride we took. Well, I didn't check the air pressure in the tires before that trip.

Today, before we were leaving, I checked and found the left rear dual was flat, and the tire broke away from the rim. Apparently that short ride pulled the tire from the rim and there was no way I could re-seat it.

On the bright side, I called Progressive Road Service and they sent a tire person to the house. They found a valve extension leaking, and not from the valve but around the body of the valve. I asked them to remove the extension and just use the regular valve stem attached to the rim. So far, so good.

I was very lucky that there was no other apparent damage to the tire. So far, so good.

Had I just jumped in the coach and started down the road, I most likely would have had some other failure on the good tire supporting that side, and a shred of tire on the flat.

I will be a little more diligent in my tire pressure checking; that is, until I get my TST installed. They have been sitting here just waiting for the opportune time. I need a-round-tuit. I have one somewhere, I just need to dig it out.

[wolfe10]

Wayne,

Glad you caught it before it caused an accident.

Any time a tire has been run flat be sure to have a tire professional dismount and check it for internal damage.

If in a duals location, they will need to check the other tire at that wheel position as well, as it will have been run EXTREMELY overloaded.

http://www.michelinrvtires.com/assets/pdf/...re_June2009.pdf

On page 8:

UNDERINFLATION

This condition is often referred to as a “run-flat†tire.

It is caused by operating a tire at very low or zero air

pressure. When a tire is run at normal highway speeds,

underinflated, it flexes too much and builds up heat.

This heat damages the inner liner, casing, and outer

sidewall of the tire. If not remedied quickly, the tire will

be irreparably damaged.

In extreme cases, the sidewall of the tire is destroyed,

from the excessive heat and the weight of the vehicle

crushing/cutting the tire against the wheel as it rolls on

the uninflated sidewall. According to guidelines put out

by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), any tire

that has been run at less than 80% of recommended air

pressure for the load it is carrying should be inspected

for possible damage.

When one tire in a dual configuration comes out of

service due to under-inflation/run-flat damage, the other

tire in the dual configuration should be inspected

immediately. If the unserviceable tire was underinflated,

that means the serviceable tire was carrying more and

more of the load for that wheel position. Consequently,

it too may have suffered some casing damage.

FATIGUE RUPTURE

This type of damage is sometimes called a “zipper ripâ€

because of the zipper-like effect it creates in the steel

casing cords of the damaged tire. When a casing cord is

damaged or repeatedly and excessively bent due to overload

and/or underinflation, it will eventually break and

subject the cords on either side to even more stress. When

enough strength has been lost due to additional cord

breakage, a rupture occurs and can progress rapidly along

the path of least resistance in the upper sidewall. This can

happen hours, days, or even months after the initial

damage event when all evidence or memory of the initial

damage or overload/underinflation is gone.

Casing cords in the MICHELIN® truck tires used on

motorhomes are very strong twisted steel cables. Extreme

over-deflection of a tire, that can occur during improper

blocking of tires or high energy impacts, may weaken the

structure of the cable so as to make it less tolerant of the

repeated bending stress encountered in normal use. If in

addition, the integrity of the steel cords is degraded by

corrosion from moisture reaching the cords through cuts

or tears in the rubber, their tolerance of these conditions

will be even further reduced. This corrosion may result

from mounting damage, foreign objects left inside the

tire, road hazards, tire mishandling, or even improper

repair of a nail hole.

[Guest Wayne77590]

Brett,

Thanks for the valuable information.

As soon as I hear from you on my PM, I'll schedule the inspection.

Thanks a bunch.

[Guest Wayne77590]

Today, I had the tires inspected by A & A Tire, in Kerrville, TX. I pulled in, was directed to the back yard, and immediately a tire man was there taking the duals off the street side. They were inspected, and no damage was evident. I asked, and they supplied, straight valve extensions. They also stated that there was a problem with "braided" extensions leaking. About 45 minutes to an hour later, I was back on the road. It cost me $10.35 for the valve extensions, and no other charges. Kerrville is not that far off of I-10, so if you are in the need for tires, or a check, give them a holler. It may not be as cheap as mine was, but the service is great.

Check out their web site and the RV section. They have 24 hours service and will service within 150 miles radius.

A & A Tire Service, Inc.

2934 Junction Hwy., Kerrville, Texas 78028

Office 830 367 4640

â–ºToll Free (TX only) 800 341 0409

â–ºFax 830 367 4929

[Xplorer]

They have an excellent rep with local rv'rs

[tireman9]

Today, I had the tires inspected by A & A Tire, in Kerrville, TX. I pulled in, was directed to the back yard, and immediately a tire man was there taking the duals off the street side. They were inspected, and no damage was evident. I asked, and they supplied, straight valve extensions. They also stated that there was a problem with "braided" extensions leaking. About 45 minutes to an hour later, I was back on the road. It cost me $10.35 for the valve extensions, and no other charges. Kerrville is not that far off of I-10, so if you are in the need for tires, or a check, give them a holler. It may not be as cheap as mine was, but the service is great.

Check out their web site and the RV section. They have 24 hours service and will service within 150 miles radius.

A & A Tire Service, Inc.

2934 Junction Hwy., Kerrville, Texas 78028

Office 830 367 4640

â–ºToll Free (TX only) 800 341 0409

â–ºFax 830 367 4929

I have read your post on the subsequent "Zipper" failure. I note in this post you say the tires were inspected. Did the tire tech dismount the tires and inspect the interior or did he just look at the outside of the tires?

[Guest Wayne77590]

Before I answer let me say that I have learned a lot since the original post.

No, he just inspected the outside. (My bad - but know now.)

(Darn! I hate telling on myself.)