bluck
Silver City, NM 88061 USA
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Joined: 01/01/2002
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After two blowouts this summer. I got to thinking about reinforceing my fender wells. I have plenty of clearance to put 3/4 in plywood above the tires in the fender wells. I realize this might not protect the finder skirts but would give the floor some more protection.
2004 Chevy.
Duramax-Allison
2004 Thor Mirage
Kawasaki Prarie 700
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2oldman
WA
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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That's probably a good idea, but finding the cause of the blowouts would be a good idea too.
Blowouts don't just happen.. you could be overweight, under- or over-inflated, running sub-par tires, or simply driving in dangerous places.
Blowouts are dangerous as heck and I would be doing everything I could to reduce/eliminate them.
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tpautler
Eastern Washington
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Joined: 07/18/2006
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I haven't done that but know a couple guys that put some metal shields above their tires. This problem bugs me big time. After blowing a couple tires on my previous RV (Class A MH) and doing thousands of dollars worth of damage, I think that some better shielding should be standard. Tires can and will occasionally fail for a variety of reasons. It should NOT result in some sort of catastrophic event. One can expect to go through the hassle of getting the tire changed but not have to face a reconstruction project on the RV.
Just my rant. And no, I haven't done anything about protecting my fifth wheel but would like to...
Tom P
’05 F350 PSD King Ranch CC 4X4 SRW Copper
’07 HR Alumascape Suite 33SKQ, TrailAir Pin Box, Equa-Flex
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stripit
Clinton Twp, MI
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Joined: 02/24/2004
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bluck wrote:After two blowouts this summer. I got to thinking about reinforceing my fender wells. I have plenty of clearance to put 3/4 in plywood above the tires in the fender wells. I realize this might not protect the finder skirts but would give the floor some more protection.
yes, I have done this for very little cost. I had a sheet metal shop cut and bend me new longer/thicker panels and screwed them up into the existing panels. Cost about $40 each and took only 1/2 hour total to install.
Stacey Frank
'04 Mobile Suites 36 TK3 #1341
'99 Int'l 4700 Lo Pro MDT
'04 PT Turbo
'Direcway satellite
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camping man
Central Fla.
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Joined: 09/01/2001
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I have thought about it, but haven't got to it yet. I'm thinking 1/8 aluminum sheeting.
05 Dodge 2500 Quadcab CTD NV5600/3.73rears
97 27ft.Sprinter 5er
Website
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bluck
Silver City, NM 88061 USA
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The tires were nearly 4 years old, less than 15,000 miles, The brand All American (never heard of them), made in USA, 235-85-R16 load range E.First blow-out going into Durango Co. Tires were checked at 80 psi 100 miles from Durango.No water in any holding tanks. Not over loaded. Second blow-out east of Mesa AZ, 2 months later, complete tread seperation. Air pressure was 80 psi checked just before leaving Mesa. Holding tanks empty. Have replaced all 4 tires and the spare.
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AGBAT
Las Cruces, NM, USA
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Joined: 04/12/2004
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I have 3/4 inch plywood above my wheels. I have had 5 blowouts. The only damage was one cut the brake wires (wrapped around the axle) and another ripped the screws out of the wheel well outside rubber guard. I was able to splice the wires and re-screw the guard using washers over the screw heads. I cannot say for sure if the damage would have been worse without the plywood but the blowout on my truck did more damage than any 5W blowout I have had.
F-250 PSD, 30ft Prowler, 18ft Bass Boat, 2 big dogs,
Boondocking at Rio Costilla, NM
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dms
Walburg, Texas
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Joined: 09/17/2007
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Bluck,
Here's one approach.
http://community.webshots.com/album/180262704smXHmj?start=12
- d
2008 GMC 3500 CC D/A DRW 4WD
2007 Wildcat 27BH
2007 Lance 835
uva uvam vivendo varia fit
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bluck
Silver City, NM 88061 USA
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Thanks for the info. I'm going to check and see just what I can do.
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pmschmi
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Joined: 04/24/2005
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You might also want to consider Pressure Pro's. I've had them now for a year and they already paid off when the system alerted me that I had a fast decrease in pressure on my driver side, rear tire. I pulled to the side of the road just as the tire was coming apart. Good old Goodyear Marathon's all got pulled that day and upgraded to TowMax tires from Les Schwab. Just to confirm, my pressures were all right on and my weight was well within specs for the D rated tires. However, Marathon's seem to commonly come apart for unknown reasons. I figure that is what keeps Pressure Pro doing such a brisk business.
Paul and Barb
2004 2500HD Duramax
2005 Titanium 34E39SD
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