Tire popped off at 80 mph skin ripped 9/17/06

[IndyAnne]

Just happened today! I won the 68 Tradewind in an auction yesterday, very nice, mostly original inside, wonderful specimen, looking forward to polishing it up and tinkering/overhauling over the winter to travel the the Wet Coast next summer. The owner was driving it down from the campsite to meet me tomorrow (Monday) and one of the wheels came off. A buddy was helping him grease the hubs for the trip, someone forgot to tighten the lug nuts on the wheel. Wheel popped off in traffic going 80 on the interstate. Now the owner says he'll let me out of the deal because there is a tear in the skin above the wheel well. Who knows what else? The wheel went bouncing back into traffic. Thank G-d no one was hurt. I assume this kind of thing has happened to others because someone described a tear or crease in the skin at the wheel well. Maybe from a flat tire? The tandem axles probably saved some b-tt, too. Any advice? I'll post pictures when the owner sends them. He assumes I will let go of the purchase, but before this the trailer looked really sweet. I wonder if I'll be inheriting some bad karma?
Anne

[overlander63]

This has happened to people before, and it usually involves damage to the skin around the wheelwell. Depending how bad the damage is, maybe you and the seller can come to terms (a nice way to say deep discount), and you can still have a pretty nice coach.
Good luck with whatever the final outcome is.

[85MH325]

80mph? Trailer tires are only rated at 65mph max. He's lucky he didn't have the other tire on that side fail too! Those panels are repairable, but it's tough to make them look like they've never been damaged.

Good luck!

Roger

[Tinsel Loaf]

No one got hurt. That is the important thing. Is there insurance coverage?
Maybe time to take another look at the AS and make a much lower offer. If it was sweet, a lower price to cover parts, frustration and repair work, it may be still worth it. Hey 80 MPH is a little fast. Tell em to slow it down.

[3Ms75Argosy]

Well, there's the good luck in that a) no one ELSE was hurt b) it happened before you took possesson of it c) it may not be so bad.

But - I'd wait and look at it myself (instead of pics). I'm assuming you drove to Seattle to get it? Do you have the orginal Ebay # for us to look at? It would depend on how much you bid to buy this one - what type of shape is it in?

I'd offer to look at it for you (if it's close to Seattle), but unless it's in Seattle itself, it would be hard for me to squeeze in a look prior to Tuesday (I work tonight and tomorrow).

Also - where in this area can you DRIVE 80? I5 is mostly 60 mph - 70. I 90 gets 70-75 ish, but what idiot drives 80 with a trailer? Sorry, off soapbox.
Let us know how this works out.
Marc

[IndyAnne]

The trailer is in Grand Rapids, MI, not Seattle. I bid on it on eBay. Here's the item #330027004640. (Gosh, now you know I'm vandygrad1.)

Right, Marc, I may be reading the karma thing all wrong. No one hurt, #1 best news.

Is anybody near Grand Rapids, could take a look? Owner says he has to move it out of the apartment complex tomorrow, either to me or some other local guy who was bidding. I'm waiting now for some pics.

Thanks,
Anne

[summerkid]

I have zero expertise in bigger, newer trailers, but I can tell you that both 50-year-old trailers sitting in my driveway have obviously had blowouts on BOTH sides at some point. I've sort of assumed it to be a fact of trailering. It's not the end of the world.

[IndyAnne]

Thanks for the perspective. I still am waiting for pictures. I'll keep you posted.

[Frank S]

Hi seattlebound--On another thread I indicated that I believed more damage resulted from improper greasing and reassembly, than from bearings infrequently greased. Looks like another case of improper reassembly after greasing.--Frank S

[IndyAnne]

Looks like it, yep.

[Fyrzowt]

That's not bad Karma, that's bad judgement. Buy the trailer if it still makes $$ sense and if he'll reduce the price for damage. My .02 worth.

[IndyAnne]

Thanks. I'll take those 2 cents. I'll run up to MI tomorrow and see what's going on. A wise person suggested taking a check plus some cash, for a margin to deal.

[2airishuman]

hi seattle bound...

certainly a blowout at any speed may cause problems...

so too a story that doesn't ride well...

so let me offer another view...

you won the auction on a very desireable size vintage unit...

at a very good price...

from a seller with ZERO feedback?

said trailer and seller are nearby?

it is possible that everything is not as it seems...

will await photos sure,

but perhaps someone here on the forums can take a look?

it you cannot.

micheeganers?

cheers

2air'

[IndyAnne]

Hi, human,
Wise you are, and, indeed, I would be quite chuffed if someone in Grand Rapids or thereabout would trot over and take a look. Would you advise me about how best to find such a kind person?

[2airishuman]

hi seattlebound...

there are threads here on having someone inspect who is closer to the trailer.

also members have listed in their info who will inspect and where

so look at the member map or member ship info...

or just wait...

someone will post much better how and who can take a look.

any money change hands yet?

cheers
2air'

[IndyAnne]

No money has changed hands.
Thanks,

[lebolewis]

Originally Posted by seattlebound

Hi, human,
Wise you are, and, indeed, I would be quite chuffed if someone in Grand Rapids or thereabout would trot over and take a look. Would you advise me about how best to find such a kind person?

Hi Anne,

Bummer! Bad things do happen. When I was looking for my AS, an owner near Dayton had one for sale and the exact same thing happened to their AS as it was being delivered...tire came off, bounced across the freeway into another car, resulting in injury and a law-suit. Not for them, but the PO who was delivering it! So it always could be worse.

My advice is, if you are still interested in this AS, then go see for yourself, personally. Pics will not tell the whole story. Don't be pressured by the owner threatening to sell to the next highest bidder. He had to put it on eBay for a reason.......find out what the reason is. Good luck, Bill

[IndyAnne]

Thanks, Bill, that's encouraging. I am looking for someone now in Grand Rapids who might go and make an inspection.

[MarkR]

Just so you know, I was born a skeptic so everything "smells fishy" to me . . . but I think I'm getting a whif of tuna - I hope I'm wrong. And I hope it all works out for you, looks like a nice trailer.

[55inyo]

-----80 mph, that is really fast with a trailor. Maybe he can
try for 100 mph next time. Still the same sorry about your trailor. Sounds
like alot people here will help you and give you good advice. It sounds
like its not that bad.

55inyo/roger.