Tire blowout damage

[Les Staley]

Just bought a 99 Safari, 23'.. in Tuscon Arizona.. returning home to Wyoming, Blowout on left rear tire.. on Interstate..tire lost cap after beating the tar out of the grey and black water holding tank outlets.. broke T handle and valve from both tanks.. (guy behind me was useing his windshield wipers..) Insureance Adjuster isn't here yet.. some damage to rocker panel behind rear tire, w/courtesy lite and switch, also moulding around tire well.. question is, if holding tanks themselves are okay, could I do the repairs? (Trim carpenter for 35 years..) your thoughts? thanks Les

[Bob Thompson]

Most of the work around the holding tanks isn't high tech, just nuts and bolts kind of stuff. Rebuilding or replacing valves isn't very difficult. Once you get started, you'll quickly be at ease with it.

Just curious, was the tire that blew out a Goodyear Marathon?

[Torii]

Sorry to hear your tale. Hopefully it can all be repaired. How old was that tire? Was it original equipment?

If you look around in these forums you will find lots of info on tires. The Goodyear Marathons have a bad reputation for blowing out. When I had mine installed a few weeks ago I asked the installer about it and he told me that they did have a bad mold for awhile but it had been fixed... (pointed out a "s" marking on the sidewall that indicated the new version. Take it with a grain of salt... )

In my humble opinion 5-6 years is a long time on a trailer for a tire. (any brand) Mine were about 7 years old and had allot of hatching and the beginnings of tread seperation. They also had plenty of tread left and looked to be in great condition at first glance.

[Les Staley]

Bob Thompson, and T man: yes the tires are Goodyear Marathons.. I'll be changeing them before I roll out again.. What type of tire do I look for? they say "trailer" on the sidewall. Thanks for your replies.. Les

[Les Staley]

I bought this trailer from the dealer in Tuscon.. he said he had sold it as a new unit, and stored it for the first owner.. I'm the second (actualy, my signifigant other is the second, I just pull it for her).. (and I guess, fix it)... the tires are original, so six years old.. time for a change. Les

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Les Staley

I bought this trailer from the dealer in Tuscon.. he said he had sold it as a new unit, and stored it for the first owner.. I'm the second (actualy, my signifigant other is the second, I just pull it for her).. (and I guess, fix it)... the tires are original, so six years old.. time for a change. Les

Yes it was time to change those tires. Personally I believe the dealer shouldn't have left you off the lot without advising you that they needed replacement. I won't leave a tire on any trailer once it hits year 5, no matter what the brand. I've never had a tire failure in 25 years of towing. My last 3 trailers have had Marathons with no failure ever occuring. I don't think I would be wrong in stating the major causes of trailer tire failure are either underinflation, or keeping a tire on past its useful service life.

Jack

[Tinsel Loaf]

Good, well maintained tires, brakes, axels and hitch are money in the bank.