Sunday, April 5, 2015

This Time….Motorhome Tire!

Motorhome Flat Tire

Between Van Horn and Fort Hancock Texas, we heard a noise that sounded like something fell out of place on our counter top area, or refrigerator, than a slight rattle.  Marcia got up, I slowed down to 45 (we were only going our normal 60), within 30 seconds or so, a BAM!  At that point, I knew it was a tire, just wasn’t sure which one.

Motorhome Flat Tire

It was the outer passenger side tire.  Even after the BAM there was not a whole lot of vibration until I really slowed down.  After looking over things, I decided that I needed to be less than a tenth of a mile further down the highway so that I could pull further off the highway, but still be in good spot for the tow truck driver that I knew we would have to call.

blue sky Insurance

We have Blue Sky RV Insurance which includes Roadside Assistance.  I give them a call, and although that process took 15 minutes, within 25 minutes we knew we had a tow truck on the way, and 20 minutes later he was there, and 30 minutes later we were on the road.

R & S Tire & Mechanic Service

Blue Sky had called R & S Tire & Mechanic Service, and a nice Hispanic man came out and took care of us.  Although I asked his name, I did not write it down….he was super nice.

Spare tire

We carry a spare on the back, and after getting the cover off I look for a tire date.  This tire has never been used, but is ten years old.  We cannot use it safely for very many miles.

Discount Tire Store

So tomorrow we are going to this Discount Tire Store in Canutillo, Texas.  We are at a Good Sam’s RV park near by which is costing us $23 for full hookups, including around 100 TV stations on cable.  Our current tires are only 4 years old, but since we have had the motorhome for less than a year, and have no idea how it was stored, we are thinking that we might put new tires on tomorrow instead of waiting another couple of years…especially since Alaska is on our radar…as is a tire pressure monitoring system.

I-10 between Van Horn and Fort Hancock Texas

For the most part, Easter Sunday highway at 9 am was pretty bare.  There were a few trucks who blew by that, because they were being passed at the time, were unable to move over into the inner lane...but other than rocking the motorhome a little bit, all was well.

Gaslight Square Mobile Home Park

So we are staying at the Gaslight Square Mobile Homes Estates and RV Community.  It is a mobile home park,  but they dedicate a small area near the entrance for this RV park which holds about 25 RVs.  Not the ideal place to park, but ok for the night.....sure hope to be back on the road tomorrow.

8 comments:

  1. So thankful there was not an accident caused by the tire! You were alert and avoided more problems. Way to go!

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    1. Thanks.....when we "heard" something strange, I slowed down from 60 (our normal speed) to around 45. Just could not believe it was a tire....but it was.

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  2. I just don't believe you have had 3 blow outs in about as many days. Well that should be it for Murphy in your life for the rest of your trip. You've had your 3 problems. Glad all is well. You sure have a great attitude about it all. New tires sounds like a good idea to me too.

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    1. Actually two in just a few days....the third one was back in 2011. See my next reply to Karen as to WHY, and tomorrow's post will surely have it too.

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  3. I'm glad you managed to slow down and get off the road with your tire intact. I've seen the damage caused by a shredded tire. Not pretty!

    Do you have any idea why the tire blew? Four years seems like a short period of time for something like this to happen. I think getting new tires all around is a good decision. The roads in Alaska are pretty good but they're still hard on tires and you could be miles away from a tow truck.

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    1. Karen, you know me....I did some research, and found out that the 2011 tires are on a recall with Michelin LTX M/S LT 225/75R16 115/112R LRE produced between January 2010 and June 2012 with DOT Code of B3JH AKEX....which is these tires! So "if" I am correct, and I am 99% sure I am, Michelin will be furnishing us six new tires.....and I will buy a seventh one for a spare (it is a 2004 tire, not on recall). This tire is known for having tread loss and/or rapid air loss....which is what this tire did.

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  4. Sorry to hear about another tire problem but so glad everything workout. Yes, you should get a tire monitor system for the car and MH. A great piece of mind:)

    Happy Easter, Dave and Marcia:)

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    1. Yes, having a monitoring system will help a lot. Already know where to put it too. Thanks. Happy Easter to you all too. --or, as Marcia's Greek up-bringing would say, "Christos Anesti!" or "Christ is risen!" (which they would say to other Greeks for the next forty days (Easter and the next 39 days)

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