Great Trip - but Blow Out I-95

[PattieAM]

I left MD Wed for Lake Gaston, NC, and had a blow out (drivers side) on the PUP en-route.  Thankfully I had just crept through an accident slow-down (might have contributed), and was in the right lane when I heard the whistle.  I was lucky to have an exit lane and good shoulder on that.  Due to the accident and it's slowdown, I sat on I-95 from 1:30-3:20, but was back on the road by 3:48.

Lake Gaston was beautiful and I enjoyed both the beach and the pool while there.  It was hot and humid when I arrived, but last night I actually had the AC off and the bunk end windows open!

Amazing the differences in tire prices.....saved almost $60 by coming back home and getting the tires installed.

Tire guy told me that road crowns (truck ruts) can really play a part in the deterioration of tires....I had thought maybe I was over weight, or not distributed properly....but it was only the drivers side interior of the tire that was bald as a baby's butt.....and the passenger side tire is just fine.  I do tend to stay slightly right of center when towing, so that might be it....they said it doesn't take much to chip away at the rubber.

But, the PUP rides so well now that she's got two new shoes!

[Jim K in PA]

So sorry to hear about your tire troubles, but at least there were no other issues or collateral damage.  These things happen.

I am surprised that just that tire was worn on the inside edge like that.  Keep an eye on it.  Take a look at both tires from the back with the camper on a flat, level surface.  Make sure they both are sitting perpendicular to the ground.  If the axle stub is bent, it will give the tire more camber (angle relative to the ground), which will cause the tire to run on the inside edge.  You can also use a level to check camber, but that is trickier.

Glad you had a great trip!  We head to Niagara Falls in about 10 days.

[stankdawg]

Had a blow out dragging mine home from buying it. There was no whistle, it was just a fwap fwap. I pulled of the freeway and had to change the tire in knee deep saw grass in MS at 100 degrees and 95% humidty. State trooper pulled along to see if I needed any help, luckily the previous owner had included leveling blocks which assisted in jacking the trailer off the ground. It took about an hour and about 4 bottles of water but we got her done. I was shocked at how much those tires and wheels cost. My wheel was bent and destroyed within 30 seconds of the flat and me pulling off the road. Swapped out to the spare and got home safe and sound in TN.

Stank

[PattieAM]

I will definately be keeping an eye on the new tires - and, as I was concerned about being overweight, will really be whittling down my PUP contents.

Last July I had my bearings packed, and brakes checked - tires were fine at that point.  

This year my few trips have been on the interstate - and my tire guy might be right in that road crowning may have played a part in the deteriorization of the one tire....sure hope that's the case and not an axle issue.

I do have my Dexter Axle manual and it tells me the 'side wear' is due to loss of camber or overloading.  As the flat tire was the one under my glide out, I had thought maybe it was overweight for the axle....but, when I had the bearings done in July it was when I'd had the roof replaced also, and had to unload the contents of the PUP - and when I re-loaded, I had really scaled back on the contents.  So ?......guess I will watch carefully and if it's not overweight, will take it in for alignment.

The VA State Police were nice enough to stop by during my difficulties, and as I'd had a call back with estimated time of tow guys arrival, I asked them swing by in another hour....to be sure I had received service.

Stank - I fully understand those circumstances...it was 93 and very humid - thankfully I made it to some shade (which tow guy was very appreciative of).

No damage to the rims/wheels - thankfully....both tow guy and tire center checked carefully and I ran my fingers around the rims and felt/saw nothing.

Amazing the amount of crud which was between the camper/spare tire.  My tire center guy and I used scrub brush and water to get it clean - very embarrassing for me.

[SherryandFamily]

PattieAM,
Where did you stay at Lake Gaston?
Sherry

[flyfisherman]

Had a flat (don't think it was a blow-out) after going through an area of highway construction where we had to go off the pavement onto the shoulder for awhile weaving our way through it. Someone had to pull along side of us and roll down their car window and tells our tire had all gone to pieces. Had no idea anything was wrong! Anyway, that ruined the rim and had to replace both rim and tire.

Another time I drove through the aftermath of a collision where debis was still all over the road. Remembering the above incident, pulled off at the next exit (maybe 5 miles) and sure enough the PU tire on the driver's side was half way flat. And was it hot! you could'nt touch it! Cuaght it just in time. Anyway, put on the spare and drove the rest of the way home.





Fly

[PattieAM]

SherryandFamily:  I stayed at Outdoor World's Lake Gaston Campground (membership) - wonderful!  There are others in the area - I believe Americamps' Lake Gaston, and I can't remember the others.