Monday morning I headed down to San Angelo, TX (Goodfellow AFB, where I was stationed for 4.5 years) for 2 days of work. I decided to drive down and pick up my Mustang I had left there, since work was paying for the trip, might as well knock it all out in one shot and get the car back.

I had just passed Texarkana and had a tire blow out on my trailer at 10:30 PM. None of the 24-hour tire shops were answering their phones of course. I was stuck until the morning. Unhitched, locked the trailer, went to Wal Mart, picked up a jack, jack stands, and a 4-way wrench and headed back out to the trailer. Took off both wheels on one side and headed back to the rest area until morning when I could get my new tire @ 7:30. Was back on the road at 9.

I had 4 Load Range E tires on my trailer. One picked up a nail a couple trips ago, and the trailer shop only had Load Range D tires so that is what I replaced it with, and this is the one that blew. I don't know if that's coincidental or what.

I also had my TP set @ 40 PSI since I didn't have a super heavy load. I learned after that TP should be set to max PSI all the time. I also need to replace this new "D" with an "E", so they all match. E's are @ 80PSI and D's are @ 60 PSI. I will keep the D for a spare though.

That's the second thing. No matter how new your tires are, you have to account for the ****-happens factor, and keep a spare, jack, and lug wrench with you anyways. I didn't, and it bit me.

Some other good info that some people may or may not be aware of.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/inf...rTireFacts.dos

It states that ST's should tow no faster than 65 MPH. How many of you adhere to that?

I'm also not excited it says you should change out the other tire on that side on a tandem trailer.

Lastly, why does this stuff always happen at night?

EDIT: Tried to change it to 'crappy' but it won't fix it.

 

 

Glad you are ok and everything eventually worked out for you. I gotta let my wife read your post. She always wonders why I take half the garage with us when we travel up to visit my family in Ohio. Knock wood, haven't ever had to brake out any tools yet in dozens of trips, but I know the one time I don't load em up, something will go wrong.

 

Yep. I always "plan for the worst and hope for the best"!
It wouldn't have helped you in this case but I also carry a "Boonie Box" from Geno's Garage and a tool box.

 

Yep! I used to have a tool box in my other Dodge (still have it, haven't decided if I want to put it on the Mega yet...that's a lot of bed room to lose), and I always had it packed with spare tools/fluids/belts/hoses/tensioners etc. I will just keep this set for the truck now. Absolutely better to have it and not need it, then need it in the middle of the night and be stuck until the morning.

 

I keep a tool kit of bare essentials; large sockets for bearing and tire changes. Small wrenches for little stuff that would keep you from going, 1/4" and 3/8" sockets for other little stuff. I also have the truck equipped with an air compressor, so I can carry an impact.

I actually had to use it 2 weeks ago. Loaded up the car for the move from Phoenix, got halfway to tucson, and lost a tread. With the onboard air, I was able to change the tire and be down the road in 20 minutes.

Tony

 

Sounds like a bummer. Sorta like being in the middle of the desert with two tires blown at 7 pm - - don't ask how I know.

Note - - not ALL ST's have the 65mph limit. Several are 70 and 75.

Bob

 

And the bad part about it was Bobby was out there changing the tires in his flip flops and speedo.

 

Glad you and the load were OK. I have read post on here and on other sites that when a tire fails they will damage the trailer and sometimes the load.

My wife too complains about what I carry when we go camping. The truck has a complete set of tools open end, box end and sockets along with the other items that are needed. I carry a torque wrench also for tire lug nuts and what ever else is required to be torqued.
The trailer also has it's own hand tools along with the electrical tools that are required for trouble shooting and fixing electrical issues. I hate to chase after tools when I need them.

 

I never leave home when towing or having my camper on without tools, air hose to connect to my onboard compressor, 2 ton jack. In 9 yrs I've only had to use said tools once & it was twice on the same trip with blown tires on my 5vr. I've also learned if tires on my trailers are more than 5 yrs old no mater how much tread left I replace them.

 

What about Beer??? Never leave home without it. Good post Dave. Think its time a changed all four of my trailer tires with something better.

 

Tires fail due to heat and age. If they've dragged over some curbs, underinflated, that can start damage, etc. Running down the road 10% underinflated can start to cook them.

Check date codes. Replace at 5-years or recommendation. Correct load range. Lugs nuts tightened EVERY time trailer moves. Shock absorbers added if not present. Axle alignment.

There's plenty that can be done. And towing above 60-mph (and, at night) is not on the smart list of risk minimization.

Tail wags the dog.

This dog got wagged once, and that was enough. Trailer towing isn't a casual task.

 

I;ve always been prepared for disaster, and only changed two tires out on the road, because I was running two crap tires. I try to stay on top of Prevent. maintance. My GF travels with two spares for her trailer. I try to keep the bearings, TP, brakes, lights, etc working/maintained. Nothing worse than having to hook up to tour trailer in the late night and finding out u have a flat, or no lights or something broke.

 

"I also had my TP set @ 40 PSI since I didn't have a super heavy load"

The moment you said that I knew this was gonna be all about a load of tire troubles. You got to run those tires set at max psi cold at all times. You got to check them every time you use the trailer.

 

It sucks because I've tried to find out in the past what TP to run and couldn't get a straight answer. I did CHECK and inflate them before my trip, I just did it incorrectly. At least I attempted to do it right. Now I know, and won't be making that mistake again.