Just joined the Blowout club..

[TXBobcat]

Well I had my first blowout. My Michelin XPS Rib blew out an inside sidewall. Was in a cold area and got to a warmer area and on blacktop. Sorta lucked out and didn't do to much damage to the trailer.





I would like someone to take some photos of the area in front of the right front tire and the steps. It tore out the clearance light wiring and some thin fibre/plastic type matrial. I don't remember what it looked like just behind the steps.

Could have been worse. When I left the campground today, it was cold, about 46*, and I checked the tire pressure and set it to 80#. When was down the road around 1pm the tire monitor went off telling me the tire pressure was high on a tire. Altitude also was a lot different. Dropped around 2000ft. I let about 5lbs out and had no further problem. Never experienced this before.


Thanks
BC

 

[jmgratz]

Hey Bob, here is a photo of the damage when ours blew last Thanksgiving week. Our last blowout had the same damage. The plastic trim around the steps is available from Customer Service. Also the 'J' wrap that bent tucks in underneath (tucks in the bottom covering.). There are only two wires that go to the clearance light. It ripped mine out too but I was able to splice it back together. The J wrap can be removed very easily by taking the screws out of the trim piece. If you remove the trim piece you can see how it comes off. The trim around door comes off when you take off the screws. Glad that is all that go tore up.

 

[brianharrison]

You have TPMS and the tire blew? No warning on the tire that blew?

That does not make me feel too sure of catching a blowout with my TST system.

Sorry cannot help with the picture.

Brian

 

[jimtoo]

A tire pressure monitoring system can only tell you if your low or high on air pressure or temperature, depending on which system you have. A blow out is something that happens instantly. A monitor cannot predict the future.

Two weeks ago I drove my truck 10 miles with no load, parked walked around the front going to passenger door and the right front tire exploded when I was right beside it. Why???? Michlen XPS less than 20,000 mile pressure was checked that morning before driving because it looked a little low, but just was it was sitting in yard. Saw no outside bulges and when driving had no vibration or steering wheel wiggle like with tread separation. The tire exploded across the tread area,,,not the sidewall..wish somebody could explain that.

I almost fainted when it happened, it scared me so bad. People heard it over 1/2 block away. I have had blow outs and tread separations, I was in car and truck repair and tires sales for 34 years and never had seen this before.

Jim M

 

[jmgratz]

A tire pressure monitoring system can only tell you if your low or high on air pressure or temperature, depending on which system you have. A blow out is something that happens instantly. A monitor cannot predict the future.

Two weeks ago I drove my truck 10 miles with no load, parked walked around the front going to passenger door and the right front tire exploded when I was right beside it. Why???? Michlen XPS less than 20,000 mile pressure was checked that morning before driving because it looked a little low, but just was it was sitting in yard. Saw no outside bulges and when driving had no vibration or steering wheel wiggle like with tread separation. The tire exploded across the tread area,,,not the sidewall..wish somebody could explain that.

I almost fainted when it happened, it scared me so bad. People heard it over 1/2 block away. I have had blow outs and tread separations, I was in car and truck repair and tires sales for 34 years and never had seen this before.

Jim M

I had a tire 'expert' Mr Dupree, at the tire shop I use in Lufkin Tx (Dupree Tire) expain it to me. He showed me a tire I had a blowout with. He pointed out 'bruising' on the tire that occurred when pot holes or curbs were hit. He showed me how the blownout area ran straight across the tire at an angle versus going straight like a tread separation would. He also showed me weak areas that had bruises that had not failed yet. His explaination continued by saying when you hit something hard with the tire it causes a weak spot and if it does not fail immediately it weakens it to a point that over time it will fail. Sometimes it takes awhile but sometimes quicker. With the heat we have been having it hastens the failure. The only solution to this is to try not to hit those curbs and potholes. Sometimes it is impossible to avoid them though. Just regularly inspect the tires and if you see anything suspicious get it checked out. The blowout we had in our previous post was without warning from our TPMS. The TPMS alarm went off after the blowout occured.

 

[jimtoo]

I had a tire 'expert' Mr Dupree, at the tire shop I use in Lufkin Tx (Dupree Tire) expain it to me. He showed me a tire I had a blowout with. He pointed out 'bruising' on the tire that occurred when pot holes or curbs were hit. He showed me how the blownout area ran straight across the tire at an angle versus going straight like a tread separation would. He also showed me weak areas that had bruises that had not failed yet. His explaination continued by saying when you hit something hard with the tire it causes a weak spot and if it does not fail immediately it weakens it to a point that over time it will fail. Sometimes it takes awhile but sometimes quicker. With the heat we have been having it hastens the failure. The only solution to this is to try not to hit those curbs and potholes. Sometimes it is impossible to avoid them though. Just regularly inspect the tires and if you see anything suspicious get it checked out. The blowout we had in our previous post was without warning from our TPMS. The TPMS alarm went off after the blowout occured.

I figured that's what happen to me Jim. Am surprised that I have not had more. We found the biggest holes and pavement that needed repair this year on the way to Goshen. Worst roads I have traveled in years in some places. I know the tires must be bruised.

Jim M

 

[JohnDar]

Bob, here's some photos of the area around that front tire on my rig. Not sure how similar it may be to yours. I do know that if you're ordering the parts yourself from HL, that you'll have to get both pieces of the plastic tire trim. They come as a set. I had to get both to replace the larger one on the opposite side of my rig after I broke it with my back while working under it. There may still be a tag on the larger section with the part number on it. Unfortunately, the two sides are different or I would send you the short section since I don't need it.

View attachment 15935View attachment 15936View attachment 15937View attachment 15938View attachment 15939View attachment 15940View attachment 15941View attachment 15942

 

[wingfoot]

Jim, had you ever had a flat on that tire? The reason I ask, If the tire was not repaired properly by vulcanizing a patch on the inside and actually melting rubber into the injury, the steel ply will oxidize and cause a separation. I believe you said the crown/tread of the tire was the point of failure, which makes me wonder if you had a previous repair.

As a side bar, Tire failures should be reported to the tire manufacture. With most rubber companies there is not a implied warranty, but most have what they call consequential damage coverage..Now, if you know you are to blame, you probably will have a hard time getting compensation..Some manufactures are more compassionate than others.

 

[caissiel]

If the tire was heating up and you reduced the pressure you only created more heat to the tire and it blew up. I blew up a trailer tire one time when the brakes were dragging to much causing the rim to heatup. Check your brakes or possible source of heat to the rim. Hot air or elevation difference will not cause a tire to heat to much.
I used LT tires on the previous trailer and drove for 6 years with 10 PSI overpressure with no problem.

Revision: I had a tire with lower pressure when cold and it ran much higher pressure once it warmed up then the other 3, so lowering pressure only causes more problems.

 

[jimtoo]

No the tire had never had a repair and I only drove it 10 miles and the pressure was correct, 70#. I think it was due to being damaged by impact on some of the roads this past June and it just decided it was time to let go. I was just so surprised at the fact of no wiggle, ballooning or noise while driving.

 

[kakampers]

What surprises me is that's the first time I've heard of a Michelin XPS Rib blowing....WOW!!!

 

[jmgratz]

Bob (Bobcat) check with Michelin to see if you can file a claim for the blowout and damage. When I had the one with the G614 I filed a claim with GoodYear and they paid for the damage and for a replacement tire.

 

[porthole]

walked around the front going to passenger door and the right front tire exploded when I was right beside it. Why????

Over the last 25 years I have been near dozens of tires that had blown out, but all were due to the vehicle being on fire and we fully expected teh tire to blow and ay second - any you still jump!
No way would I ever want to be near a tire and have it go off like that, that is just plain scary!

This is the good reason to stay away from any tire that is on or near a fire. Jump ahead to about the 30 second mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX8H4d6y4b8