motor home safety

[JWhalen58]

Rig has nothing to do with it. Tire failure is going to happen, just a question of when. We run a TPMS system on our motor home tires and our trailer tires. It constantly monitors air pressure and temperature. If one of the two varies a little bit an alarm will sound and gives me time to slow down to minimize the problem or more likely to get tires aired up so the heat won't build up and cause tire failure. Only cost about $350 and gives us peace of mind. As my son told me the best money I have spent.

[mykids]

I think the rig does have something to do with it not in Mr.Jeff's case as he probably had 22.5 rubber - however some of the smaller RV's start with 19.5 rubber - I do agree three is alway's a certain amount of tire failure that happens - Hope everyone has a Great Easter

[Jeff Teuton]

Don't everyone get all concerned. You have to remember what you have seen on my rig was after one hour of fireman cutting me out which I think they came in from both sides, and then some 8 hours of big wreckers pulling, dragging, and otherwise finishing it off. It was a total anyway as is the trailer. What I had was a Class 8 truck built in a Day Cab configuration. It had a 16K front axle and 40K rear axle capacity which means a 56,000 Lb GVW. Double frame (C channel inside another C channel) and a big bore motor which means it had hd crossmembers and the motor itself becoming strongest. The front was fiberglass and the cab was aluminum. All NRC conversions are steel frame built on the chassis and reinforced in critical places such as slide outs, windows, etc. The front axle is what the industry calls a Set Forward Axle which is what all big trucks used to be, but turning considerations, axle placement etc have evolved into most trucks are now Set Back Axle. The Columbia Freightliner is a SBA, while the Coronado is a SFA. It is very hard to run in the woods at 70 MPH and not expect this. I now have pictures of the scene and I took down some large trees, but in the end, the trees took me down. Tires are always a concern. It was a cool beautiful day about 55 degrees. Tires are seldom an issue at 55 degrees. Road was smooth, and traffic was light. Did I just blow a tire, or did I hit something or did I pick up a nail or something and then low tire pressure and then blow, only my Guardian Angel can say. They had 40K miles on them since new, and at my last fuel/food stop some 120 miles back in Tallahassee I checked all tires (truck and trailer), hitch, chains, as I planned on getting into Louisiana from there. This vehicle has never slept outside except for at the races and was as near new as any 13 model could have been. I have seen rigs at the races, and I would not run the tires I saw on some. But I'm the one who thought he was Daniel Boone and made a trail. I think a person should make reasonable decisions on his or her equipment. We all know the weak spots and the troublesome items on a particular rig. My 2 cents which always runs 50 cents.

[jims5600]

Regardless of the cause,the main thing is your healthy.

[mykids]

For sure I'll second that

[rognelson777]

Cannot count the amount of stuff I have run over on the highway while towing. (not going to make quick lane changes)
You just cannot avoid some stuff. Next Motorhome will put tire Pressure sensors on.

I say I will check pressure on every stop, Try to but never happens.

Glad your are okay.

[BOB KIRKBRIDE]

After seeing the pictures of the motor home, I think it's a miracle that Jeff came out of that with as few injuries as he had. Those motor homes don't do well in crashes. What damages did the race cars sustain? I didn't see any pictures of the trailer or the cars. I blew a front right tire on my Ford F-350 crew cab at 75 mph towing my race car in the trailer on my way to the track a few years ago. I managed to keep it straight and off to the side, no damage. I changed tires about every three years here in Las Vegas. The dry climate takes its toll on them,

[Dick Butler]

I was reminded today that the tires on the big motorhomes are originally designed to run 1000's of miles on a semi in a year. None of us uses them that much in the time they can dry rot so they may look fine on the tread and be overlooked. On inspection today found my right front dry rot showing up around the lettering by the rim. For safety I will replace it tomorrow. Plan on getting TYRON installed next month.

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

I was reminded today that the tires on the big motorhomes are originally designed to run 1000's of miles on a semi in a year. None of us uses them that much in the time they can dry rot so they may look fine on the tread and be overlooked. On inspection today found my right front dry rot showing up around the lettering by the rim. For safety I will replace it tomorrow. Plan on getting TYRON installed next month.

Out of interest, how old are the tires you are replacing? My truck tire place says 5 years, regardless of miles on motorhomes. Also can you post how much the tyron costs and the before and after ride quality.....

Thanks

Eric

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by Eric Merryfield

Out of interest, how old are the tires you are replacing? My truck tire place says 5 years, regardless of miles on motorhomes. Also can you post how much the tyron costs and the before and after ride quality.....

Thanks

Eric

most say 5 years on big truck tires no matter how many miles or tread. I don't think the Tyron system would be a real advantage on a semi type tire. When I blew a steer tire a few weeks ago on my toter there was not enough left of the tire to help with the handling. I was only running 60 - 65 mph when the tire blew so I had no problem keeping control plus I did not have the trailer with me. The tire completely disintegrated when it blew. Sounded like a shotgun when it exploded. I think a TPMS would be the way to go.