Do tires actually just Blow Up?

[RickV]

Like the title says do tires just blow up or is it just the end result of loss of air due to a leak or delamination? I have had tires "blow up" twice since we started RVing about 12 years ago. The first one did minimal damage about 4 years ago. The latest one did quite a bit more https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=50721 I have had the same TPMS system on both rigs and while it has alerted me to slow leaks on other occasions it didn't on these two until well after the "blow up" occurred. I have the TireTraker TT-400 and it does not do real time monitoring and I am exploring getting a new system. So I have been researching different brands and models of TPMS, TireTraker has a newer model the TT-600 but a call to their tech dept basically said that while it updates more often it still is not real time. So the bottom line is if blow ups just happen could any TPMS alert me in real time so I could avoid some of the damage?

[notanlines]

Yes, tires do actually just 'blow up.' Probably not the most common occurrence, but if you hear the loud POP then it just 'blew up," and no TPMS will help you out unless it was due to extreme temperatures.

[RickV]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Yes, tires do actually just 'blow up.' Probably not the most common occurrence, but if you hear the loud POP then it just 'blew up," and no TPMS will help you out unless it was due to extreme temperatures.

When it happened 4 years ago I heard it, got stopped as fast as I could, probably why there was minimal damage. This time I didn't even know it was blown 5ver was still rolling fine, just about the time I noticed the fender skirt flapping in my mirror someone driving past me was pointing so I knew what had happened.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Yes, tires do actually just 'blow up.' Probably not the most common occurrence, but if you hear the loud POP then it just 'blew up," and no TPMS will help you out unless it was due to extreme temperatures.

What temperature are you suggesting would be necessary to cause a tire to blow just go "POP"? Since pressure only changes by about 2% for each change in Temp of 10F, and since most undamaged ST type tires can tolerate well over 150 psi.
If we start with 80 psi at 100F the math indicates that if the temperature increases by 100F (to 200F) we might see a 20% increase in pressure or a hot pressure of 96 psi. But most TPMS come from the factory with a High Temperature warning of 158F.


Maybe if you could provide the situation and conditions that would support your idea it would help others understand what you are saying.

[wiredgeorge]

On our current camper, a 2002, the spare "just blew up". Can't recall brand but it was an off brand I am sure. First developed a large bump where the cords on the inside separated and it BLEW. Tire chunks all over the parking spot.

[Badbart56]

We had returned from a weekend at Lake Seminole with our Fusion a few months after we got it and it had been parked in the yard for two weeks. I was outside doing something that Saturday morning and was about 50 yards from it when one of the six Goodyear Marathons blew out.

With my law enforcement background I immediately found myself on the ground thinking someone had taken a shot at me. And while I was relieved that no one was actually shooting at me I wasn't thrilled with the idea of having to replace six tires on the RV once I determined what had happened. But when I took it to the tire store they found that the Goodyear's tread was separating on two other tires as well. That's when I went with the Super Cargo's. A much better, heavier duty tire. No problems since then.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

On our current camper, a 2002, the spare "just blew up". Can't recall brand but it was an off brand I am sure. First developed a large bump where the cords on the inside separated and it BLEW. Tire chunks all over the parking spot.

Yes under certain conditions such as years exposure to direct sunlight heat the rubber in the belts of a tire can be degraded to the point that they lose strength. I have confirmed and demonstrated that this is possible in laboratory situation but the tire also needed to be significantly over-inflated and years old. Also this can occur in tires that do not have a layer of Nylon above the steel belts. You can learn if your tires have nylon by reading the tire sidewall.
You should also protect your spare tire from long term direct exposure to sunlight by using a white tire cover. I have demonstrated this in a test, with data, that I published in my blog post. "White covers do they do any good".

[rhagfo]

The issue with "real time" monitoring is device battery life.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

The issue with "real time" monitoring is device battery life.

Just went through and replaced all my batteries on the sensors before my trip a few weeks ago..also my remote monitor has a built in battery..coming home I glanced over and it was blank…had to have DW quickly find the charge cable and plug in to usb…took about 5 long min for it to synch with all the sensors…won’t make that mistake again

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by jasin1

Just went through and replaced all my batteries on the sensors before my trip a few weeks ago..also my remote monitor has a built in battery..coming home I glanced over and it was blank…had to have DW quickly find the charge cable and plug in to usb…took about 5 long min for it to synch with all the sensors…won’t make that mistake again

My monitor holds a full charge for over a day of driving. While therr might be a claim of 2 or 3 days for monitor battery life, I simply shut the monitor off and plug it in for an overnight charge. Never had any monitor problems since 2010.
Following the above, each morning when I get up, I unplug the charger, turn the monitor back on and after starting my coffee I can go and get the morning, cold tire pressure reading to know that all tires have the desired pressure for that travel day.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

My monitor holds a full charge for over a day of driving. While therr might be a claim of 2 or 3 days for monitor battery life, I simply shut the monitor off and plug it in for an overnight charge. Never had any monitor problems since 2010.
Following the above, each morning when I get up, I unplug the charger, turn the monitor back on and after starting my coffee I can go and get the morning, cold tire pressure reading to know that all tires have the desired pressure for that travel day.

Mine holds a charge for multiple days…. And I shut it off when done driving but I didnt pay attention that it needed to be recharged…was driving over 2700 miles round trip and it just slipped my mind until it went blank…I’ve been really happy with the performance but it needs regular charging…it wasn’t monitor problems it was human error

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

The issue with "real time" monitoring is device battery life.

My TST 507 is going on year 3 with original batteries. We haven't gone anywhere yet other than getting the tires replaced about 12 miles away. I'll replace them before our first trip but typically I do that every spring. I buy the very common button cells on Amazon for less than $2 each on a card of a 8 or 10.

I also replace all batteries in the spring, just good practice IMHO. I remove all batteries (remotes, sensors,etc.) in the fall and throw them in a jar at the house. Put in fresh in the camper AND I have new spares in the camper as well. Use the spares, replace them with new spares, typicall shelf life is several years. I've found that much easier and more economical than "a trip to town in search of a $1.50 battery that'll cost $6 at some pharmacy.

Just my experience, YMMV

[RickV]

Is anyone using this system and if so are you happy with it?

TireMinder i10 RV TPMS with 4 Transmitters https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...k_ql_qh_dp_hza

[Bandit12]

Originally Posted by RickV

Is anyone using this system and if so are you happy with it?

TireMinder i10 RV TPMS with 4 Transmitters https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...k_ql_qh_dp_hza

Yes I'm using it and so far I'm happy with it. We just got home from a 1K mile trip and the only issue I've ever had, was on this trip. I gotta believe it gave me a false alarm. I checked tire pressure before we left and once the sensors sync'd to the monitor and updated, they were within a pound of what I set the pressures to with a digital pressure gauge. We rolled out for the 1st leg, and after 200 miles stopped for the night. As we pulled into the campground, I got a slow leak warning on the right front trailer tire. I was watching the pressure it only dropped to within of cold pressure. We got set up in our site, I raised that wheel, rotated the tire, inspected it carefully, found no visible damage or leaks. Checked pressure and it was still within acceptable range again using my digital pressure gauge. We completed the remainder of the trip without any other alerts.

[RickV]

Originally Posted by Bandit12

Yes I'm using it and so far I'm happy with it. We just got home from a 1K mile trip and the only issue I've ever had, was on this trip. I gotta believe it gave me a false alarm. I checked tire pressure before we left and once the sensors sync'd to the monitor and updated, they were within a pound of what I set the pressures to with a digital pressure gauge. We rolled out for the 1st leg, and after 200 miles stopped for the night. As we pulled into the campground, I got a slow leak warning on the right front trailer tire. I was watching the pressure it only dropped to within of cold pressure. We got set up in our site, I raised that wheel, rotated the tire, inspected it carefully, found no visible damage or leaks. Checked pressure and it was still within acceptable range again using my digital pressure gauge. We completed the remainder of the trip without any other alerts.

Thanks. I've had that happen with the old TPMS it would happen after a long pull when the tires got heated up good and pressures were high then stopping somewhere or lunch on a cool day and the tires cooling off quickly.
I got the the I10 unit a few days ago and I finished my repairs from the blown up tire damage yesterday and put the new Saliun S637 tires on and added the sensors. I liked the ease of programming the unit. I backed one off and within 5 seconds it alerted me . I wish I had had went with the 6 sensor option though, I could have put sensors on my under carriage spare and the spare I carry in the truck on long trips to monitor them also. Debating on whether I want to spend $80 to buy 2 more sensors.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by flybouy

My TST 507 is going on year 3 with original batteries. We haven't gone anywhere yet other than getting the tires replaced about 12 miles away. I'll replace them before our first trip but typically I do that every spring. I buy the very common button cells on Amazon for less than $2 each on a card of a 8 or 10.

I also replace all batteries in the spring, just good practice IMHO. I remove all batteries (remotes, sensors,etc.) in the fall and throw them in a jar at the house. Put in fresh in the camper AND I have new spares in the camper as well. Use the spares, replace them with new spares, typicall shelf life is several years. I've found that much easier and more economical than "a trip to town in search of a $1.50 battery that'll cost $6 at some pharmacy.

Just my experience, YMMV

Good plan and good practice.

[KJLarson]

I've had TireMinder TPMS for a few years now. Great service when I had a sender stop working, they sent a replacement and return label postage prepaid.

As to blowing up, could be age or incorrect inflation; both under and over inflation can cause tire failure. I see most people don't know the correct PSI for their RV. It is NOT the psi printed on the sidewall, that's the max psi the tire is designed to hold. At sidewall psi tires can be over inflated and thus can prematurely fail. Over inflation will result in less tread on the roadway which is a safety issue. The correct psi is usually less than what is printed on the sidewall and is based upon the weight each tire is supporting; go to the mfg's website and look for the inflation table for your tires.

As an example: our TT weights about 5300 lbs fully loaded out, we have Goodyear Endurance tires, each tire is supporting 1,325 lbs (5300/4). According to the inflation chart for these tires my correct inflation is between 30-40 psi, much lower than the sidewall 65 psi. I keep the tires at 40 psi since the inflation chart says to use the next higher psi. This keeps the max tread width on the road surface and per Goodyear will provide the best tire wear. It's unfortunate that tire dealers are not educated about this or if they know it they don't tell the buyer about the correct tire pressure. I keep a copy of Goodyears inflation chart in the TT to prove my point when I stop to have the tire psi checked and adjusted.

In over 30 years of RVing I have never had a tire fail or blow out and since I boondock most of the time the tires are subjected to very rough treatment.

[notanlines]

There will be a tire pressure/size chart on the front, road side of the RV. Best to follow accordingly, not some campfire chatter started by a guy who says “This is what I do….”

[KJLarson]

For class A's, B's, etc Notanlines is correct; follow the recommendation on the sticker. However, for 5er's and TT you need to determine the correct psi following what the tire mfg recommends as 5er's and TT don't have such information and as stated the correct psi is based upon weight on each tire which can vary depending on how the RV is loaded. Which brings up an additional recommendation and that is to take the RV when fully loaded to a commercial scale and have it weighed to determine the correct tire weight.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by KJLarson

For class A's, B's, etc Notanlines is correct; follow the recommendation on the sticker. However, for 5er's and TT you need to determine the correct psi following what the tire mfg recommends as 5er's and TT don't have such information and as stated the correct psi is based upon weight on each tire which can vary depending on how the RV is loaded. Which brings up an additional recommendation and that is to take the RV when fully loaded to a commercial scale and have it weighed to determine the correct tire weight.

This absolutly backwards! Trailer manufacturers incompliance with RIVA attach a placard with tire size and inflation pressures that are the MINIMUM approved for that trailer. Motorized RVs, particularly large claa A's also have the same standards but it's common for each corner to be weighed and pressure adjusted according to load. However, NEVER deflate below the MINIMUM requirement. Trailer tire psi is not adjusted that way because they are not steer and drive axles.