Yet another GYM blowout

[FLMarine]

So after a fun July 4th weekend with my girlfriend on a trip in my 2009 27FB Ocean Breeze I was one mile from my home exit when I heard thumping and noticed styrofoam in the mirror. I immediately slowed down and pulled over while thinking my paddle board on the roof of my truck fell off.

I got out and saw the paddle board still attached and walked back to my airstream when I heard the smoke alarm going off. I got my keys and when I went into the trailer I noticed a burning rubber smell, styrofoam, insulation, and pieces of wood everywhere on the floor. At first I thought my water tank blew up but I went outside and noticed the right front tire had blown and the wheel well plastic trim was sticking out. All the styrofoam I saw was from tire debris destroying my water tank.

I had been driving 65mph for the entire trip and the tires looked fine before the trip and at every fuel stop on the trip. I changed the tire, looked at the damage, and drove one mile to a hotel where I filed my insurance claim and got a tow company to pick up my trailer the next day to take to the closest Airstream dealer. After the trailer got to the dealer they gave me an estimate of just over $5,000. I need a wheel well liner, new wiring, gas lines, water lines, a new oven, water tank, and cabinet repairs.

I had been thinking about upgrading to 16" LT tires but now I will be for sure. I've decided on the silver Sendel T03 with BF Goodrich commercial T/A tires. I had 4-5 year old good year marathons that looked in good shape with about 7-10k miles on them.

I included pictures below and will update on the repairs and new tires. By the way USAA insurance has been great. Authorization and complete coverage of all my damages including my tow was done within 5 days of the blowout. Updates and pics of new tires to follow.

[thecatsandi]

That is one nasty tread separation!

I hate to see any Airstream damaged.

What were the conditions at the time of the incident?
Outside temp, Tire pressures, trailer load, age of the tires?

[FLMarine]

It happened in NW Florida temp was 90-92 out, 65 psi, 65 mph, about 7100 lbs trailer weight, and the tires looked in good shape with plenty of tread at 4-5 years old.

[Jenturnr]

We had GYM blowout happen to us last August, near Brunswick, GA. 17' of sidewall on our Classic 34 had to be replaced. Tire less than a year old. That was 3rd blowout in 2012. All GYM. All less than year old.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by FLMarine

It happened in NW Florida temp was 90-92 out, 65 psi, 65 mph, about 7100 lbs trailer weight, and the tires looked in good shape with plenty of tread at 4-5 years old.

Your tires are old by trailer standards. 3-4 years is the replacement age.

Were they wearing evenly? did they look under inflated?

[Luigi123]

Just converted to Sendel and Michlen 16 LT E conversion $2100 at Discount Tire , mounting on 2008 30ft Classic ltd. Hope to avoid downtime and $$$ costs.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Luigi123

Just converted to Sendel and Michlen 16 LT E conversion $2100 at Discount Tire , mounting on 2008 30ft Classic ltd. Hope to avoid downtime and $$$ costs.

Same here, last fall. The reports of GYM's not failing with high mileage of use falls into the category of lucky.

doug k

[Melody Ranch]

Was that a Progressive policy thru USAA ?

[carl2591]

bummer dude,,
to bad that could not have happened a bit closer to home.. that is a nasty gator chomping away user the wheel well for sure..

how long had you been on the road at that point? . where were you coming from.?

be interesting to hear more about the insurance coverage you have, with which company, type of policy and if you get any resistance to "putting it back like it was"..

good time to change all tires now maybe the Michelin or Goodrich brand..??

according to my cousin who was QC engineer at tire plant near Columbia SC the same rubber compound is used in michelin and bf goodrich tires. the raw rubber casing come down a line and are inserted into the molds.. one mold is a has michelin on the side another one may say goodrich on the side..

I don't know that to be the exact truth but he has told me that several times. :_)


good luck to you..

[handn]

FlMarine, Sorry about your loss.
I had two ST blowouts during my July trip in Florida two years ago. One of the tires (a no name) was purchased 200 miles up the road and the other a GYM was 2 years old. Like you, I checked pressure daily and held the speed under 65.
Fortunately, no trailer damage.
Heads up to everyone who gets on the freeway south of the Mason Dixon line. Hot weather, freeway driving and ST tires=blowouts.
I am on my third year with Michelin XL tires with zero issues. Whey did I wait so long to change?

[Snaken49]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Was that a Progressive policy thru USAA ?

USAA only offers their insurance or commercial policies through the Hartford.

[Safari-Rick]

No more GYM's !!

Not ONCE, But Twice this happen! And as you can see, the tread is practically new.

Safari-Rick

[FLMarine]

I have all my vehicles through USAA, I just called up them up before I got the trailer and asked that they put my Airstream on my policy. I have another cargo trailer and my truck insured through them. I also financed my Airstream through them too. Took all of a twenty minute call to get a check mailed to the dealer I bought the trailer through. Granted I have excellent credit, but its always a pleasure dealing with USAA.

Absolutely no pushback from them when I called up to file a claim. Actually I called them up and filed a claim before I changed the blown out tire, only took about 20 minutes to get the initial claim started. They said I could use any repair facility I wanted and even covered a tow using a low boy tractor trailer to the nearest dealer 120 miles away. A couple of days later the adjuster had visited the dealer, agreed with the dealer's quote, and sent a check to the dealer. From the day of the blowout to the check being mailed was five days.

The tread looked fine and I had checked it two hours prior to the incident when I refueled. Overall the tires were in good shape though I was planning on switching over to the 16" rims and tires, but this just sealed the deal for that. Ill keep everyone updated on the repair progress and wheel upgrade.

[daymonjones]

USAA is the best. Every claim of mine has been taken care of quickly and fairly.

[PharmGeek]

Usaa is for military and family only correct?

[Melody Ranch]

Yes...a Military Family.....however that is defined today. I asked about the progressive connection because, as a member of USAA for over 40 years, when I called to get both Motorcycle and Airstream replacement value coverage, I was transferred over to their affiliate....Progressive.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by PharmGeek

Usaa is for military and family only correct?

Yes and children of children...

My dad was Navy, I had USAA for quite a while, don't at the moment. My son and daughter both qualify and I believe my daughter is using USAA.

Aaron

[Luckyducks]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Yes...a Military Family.....however that is defined today. I asked about the progressive connection because, as a member of USAA for over 40 years, when I called to get both Motorcycle and Airstream replacement value coverage, I was transferred over to their affiliate....Progressive.

Maybe they referred you to Progressive because of the replacement value coverage aspect. I have USAA (my dad was in the Air Force) and have my trucks and 2010 Airstream all insured on my auto policy. However, USAA referred me to Progressive for my sailboat a few years ago. Apparently, they choose what areas of insurance to be in. Russ

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Safari-Rick

No more GYM's !!

Not ONCE, But Twice this happen! And as you can see, the tread is practically new.

Safari-Rick

Were the tires properly inflate?

Was the running gear, tire, wheel hub and drum balanced as an assembly?

If not, then the trouble was begging to happen.

Lets not buy Fords, or Chevy's, as they too have issues, especially when not properly cared for.

Andy

[daveswenson]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Were the tires properly inflate?

Was the running gear, tire, wheel hub and drum balanced as an assembly?

If not, then the trouble was begging to happen.

Lets not buy Fords, or Chevy's, as they too have issues, especially when not properly cared for.

Andy

Andy,
How, where do I get the entire assembly balanced?