Well my Superbowl day has not went well. First had issues with my daughter, had to go to Austin Friday night and bring her back to Houston. Now today had to take her back to Austin. Left late and was suppose to attend a SuperBowl party at friends house. I was in a hurry, it is about a 5 1/2 hour round trip if I stay in it hard all the way.

About halfway between Columbus, TX and La Grange, TX running a little over 85mph, just cruising nicely when; vibration, looked in mirror and saw rubber flying from rear drivers tire. Was able to slow down and pull over without any real trouble.

BFG All Terrain A/T KO 285 was completely separated from tread to sidewall all the way around. Although I was planning on new tires in the next few weeks, the tires have decent tread all the way around. I have ran BFG All Terrains on most of my trucks for 25 years probably and I have never seen one blow like this. These tires were take offs from a Power Wagon, had about 4k on them when I got them and they have about 30k since. Have been balanced and rotated regularly.

Big problem was I did not have a matching spare, had an original BFG Rugged Trail 265. No tools except for the jack under the front seat. I was able to change the tire without issues even using the little screw jack on the shoulder. Very uncomfortable with traffic wizzin by at 80+ and I am 3 feet off the road. Since the difference in tire size and LS rearend I was afraid to drive it far or fast. Limped about 4 or 5 miles to the only gas stations on the 40 miles between towns. Had to call for help and leave the truck parked there overnight until I can find a tire and go back and get it.

Just needed to vent, I hate to leave the truck anywhere without me. Hopefully it will be ok for a night and day.

Pics of the tire.

Closeup of damage:


Damage was all the way around:


Tread is/was still decent:


BTW I meant to post in non drive train forum..

 

Sorry to hear about your bad luck! Hopefully your truck will be alright until you can get back to it. I'd grab a cold one, watch the second half and drink all the problems away!

 

Thanks for the encouragement. I am already on the third Corona and calming down. Almost as bad leaving the truck as it is my daughter.

Game is better than I thought it would be so far.

 

I always wondered about using a smaller tire on the LS backend. Could you switch it out with a front tire and put the smaller spare on the front?

 

It would have been less of a risk on the front. I am not really sure how much more of a problem in 2wd. I just did not want to take a chance, and with just the small screw jack on the shoulder, with little to even block the tires with I would have had to change two tires and jacking the front is a lot harder. Still would not have liked to drive the 100 miles back to Houston that way. Plus I had a child that was already having emotional issues. Just could not take the time and try.

I will not be without a proper spare again.

 

good thing u got okay out of it and didn't have a big accident.85 is a little to much for me since my cdl is my career.

 

Well I normally set cruise at 75-78 depending on traffic. Was in a hurry and I make this trip 3-4 times a month at least. Was good road, good weather conditions, light traffic and I know where to slow down. But it is a little fast on that size tire and this size truck I agree.

Just very glad it was not a front tire.

 

Glad your okay. That's scary fast for a blowout.

What does LS stand for?

I know what it means, just don't know the actual term right now.

 

I'm glad no one was hurt. You said the tires came off a Power Wagon so does that mean they are load range D tires? What happened to you is why I make sure my tires are load range E, that and I don't know of very many truck tires rated to run at 85+ MPH.

 

Well we looked at the tire after it was unmounted and it appears that I ran over something, nail, screw etc. That started a slow leak until it got too low a pressure and that caused the tread/sidewall separation. Pressure was checked a week ago so it had to be in the last few days and just did not see it.

The tires are rated for over 90, and I always keep tires balanced rotated and checked weekly. Like I said I don't usually go over 80 except maybe passing, but even with the 315s the truck just likes to cruise at 78mph. Load range E would not have stopped this from happening according to the tire guru.

 

Wow. Over 90. Cool. Coopers are rated at 70? I've put too many Coopers tires on the highway.

Merrick

 

Glad you're ok.

 

How do you figure that ?

 

Tire Spec: BFG Goodrich All Terrain A/T KO LT285/70R17/D 121R

121R is the load index & and speed rating for the tire:

121 is the load index: 3195@65 pounds at psi

R is the speed rating: 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires

 

Limited Slip