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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
