Tire Blowout RV-DE-FENDER Protection

[JeepersCampers]

Interesting new product to prevent damage from a tire blowout. For those of you that have built your own fender wells, what are your thoughts on how this might work? Looks like it will be available this summer.

https://rv-de-fender.com/lets-go/?re...refSource=copy

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by JeepersCampers

Interesting new product to prevent damage from a tire blowout. For those of you that have built your own fender wells, what are your thoughts on how this might work? Looks like it will be available this summer.

https://rv-de-fender.com/lets-go/?re...refSource=copy

First issue I see is that they want you join up before you ever see a price, that alone seems questionable. Sounds like they may be phishing!
That may reduce some of the damage inside the fender well, but those tire remnants may still take out the side of the rv.
Then what if that chunk of tread hangs up in the opens on that piece & wraps the whole works around the axle, may need a torch (I don't carry one, do you?) to remove all of it.
IMHO spend the $$ on some good quality properly load rated tires inflated to the suggested pressures & a TPMS so that thing won't be necessary.

[JRTJH]

Held in place behind the brake backing plate by 4 or 5 (depending on axle size) 5/16 bolts that then "serve a dual purpose" of holding the brakes in place PLUS now holding a large steel device that is supposed to stop a tire from slinging debris into the trailer wheelwell.

Thinking about all the "tire containment cages" that I've seen in tire shops, none of them are "held in place by 4 or 5 bolts...

This new technology may help, but I don't see how it can "prevent an exploding tire from destroying a wheelwell"... There's just not enough "structure there" to keep a rapidly spinning rubber flapper from taking out the whole mess, bending the axle spindle and if things go really wrong, causing that "reinforcement device" from becoming an even bigger and heavier "flapper"...

Honestly, that's why I carry insurance on the trailer, so I don't need the additional investment of something like this..... YMMV

[bobbecky]

Looking at the picture of this device, I don’t see how many trailers will have room above the tires for this to fit and not hit the bottom of the trailer’s wheel well. Also, it appears that those brake backing plate bolts are the only place this is attached, so not only do you have the axle, brake assembly, and the tire/wheel assembly bouncing up and down, you will also have this chunk of iron bouncing up and down too. Also, like was said, the minute the tire explodes and hangs up on this device, those backing plate bolts will shear off and you will have an even bigger mess on your hands to deal with.

[flybouy]

Looks like someone is trying to cash in on the "exploding ST tire issue". Count me in before you can fing out ANY information? Nope, COUNT ME OUT!

[ChuckS]

Money spent for quality RV tires that are driven sensibly, properly maintained air pressure and tire covers when not towing are the key to not having a blowout..

To me it’s another “snake oil” scheme out there on the RV market and it’s full of take your money stuff these days

[sourdough]

I agree Chuck. Looks to me like it has every possibility of taking a regular blow out and turn it into a real mess. I think I'll pass on those things.

[flybouy]

I wonder if they give you a free set of static straps if you buy 2 sets?

[rjrelander]

The link also has a referral number in the query string which is a little sketchy.

[wiredgeorge]

I noted that the links associated with the site didn't work... See what happens when they go to market with this product.

[bobbecky]

This is the link that shows what this device is supposed to look like. https://rv-de-fender.com/#features

[chuckster57]

Links worked for me. I’m not sold on the idea that the little bolts that hold the backing plate on are used to mount this. I would hate to see the results of a blowout that took the defender and sheared the mounting bolts. MAYBE if they provided some grade 8 or better bolts to mount them, it might be a LITTLE more practical. JMO YMMV

[German Shepherd Guy]

I think money spent on new tires would be better.
John once showed in a thread how RV tires degrade on a yearly basis. It was a percentage that was remarkable. This year I am replacing all 5 of my Goodyears, not because I have put so many miles on them but because they are now 4.5 years old.
Not only do I think that the device pictured would NOT work to prevent damage from a blowout, I would wager that the price will be comparable to that new set of Goodyear's or Carlisle's .

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Links worked for me. I’m not sold on the idea that the little bolts that hold the backing plate on are used to mount this. I would hate to see the results of a blowout that took the defender and sheared the mounting bolts. MAYBE if they provided some grade 8 or better bolts to mount them, it might be a LITTLE more practical. JMO YMMV

Links working for me today. Would be interesting to see the gizmo installed on an actual hub.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by German Shepherd Guy

I think money spent on new tires would be better.
John once showed in a thread how RV tires degrade on a yearly basis. It was a percentage that was remarkable. This year I am replacing all 5 of my Goodyears, not because I have put so many miles on them but because they are now 4.5 years old.
Not only do I think that the device pictured would NOT work to prevent damage from a blowout, I would wager that the price will be comparable to that new set of Goodyear's or Carlisle's .

Completly agree. I'm a firm beleiver that " an ounce of prevention is worth a bound of cure" - Benjamin Franklin.

[wiredgeorge]

Perhaps when this gizmo gets on the market and someone who has actually purchased it will give a report after a blowout regarding any damage or non-damage, that would be more useful than speculating on the gizmo at this point.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Perhaps when this gizmo gets on the market and someone who has actually purchased it will give a report after a blowout regarding any damage or non-damage, that would be more useful than speculating on the gizmo at this point.

It wont be me

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

It wont be me

Just wanted to point out that this is a very new idea and may or may not be worth whatever they want for it. I would prefer to wait until facts are in to cast stones at this gizmo although, like you, I prefer to use fresh tires and a TPMS but if those things actually did protect from a blow out destroying the wheel well, they would be worth the money.

[Courser Farm]

We are #396. Phishing? So much is known about me already that I'm not afraid to get emails from this firm. Not saying we will invest. But want more info. Harmless.

[JRTJH]

This looks like one of several "startup businesses" that sometimes get off the ground and other times, remain a dream concept that may someday get off the ground.

Back in 2009 we signed up for Elio Motors new concept commuter vehicle and for a time, considered investing the $100 deposit to "reserve our Elio for future production in early 2010"

We didn't invest or reserve our "concept vehicle" but are still interested in one, if it ever does go into production. It's been 13 or 14 years now and they've not yet produced/sold the first vehicle.... So, I'm not holding my breath, but here's the link to their website if anyone else is interested in a "concept".... Seems now they've discontinued production plans (never built a single one) of the gas engine model and are "shifting focus" to an all electric model that's sure to fill the void in America's transportation needs.... Oh, and the price went from $6800 to $15,000 with that change in models...

https://www.eliomotors.com/gas/

I'll hold my breath on "tire defenders" and wait until they're available at PepBoys or AutoZone.... "I'm becoming a "touchy/feely" sort of shopper.....