My husband picked up our new (to us) travel trailer this week, and he had a 3 hour drive home. He made sure the tires were properly inflated, but halfway home a fellow driver pulled up beside him and told him that he had a flat tire. The trailer is dual axle and he said it didn't handle any differently, so he was unaware that the tire was flat.
He promptly pulled off and checked it out...the tire was shredded and had clearly blown out. Another kind passerby stopped and asked if he needed help. My husband had his truck jack, but instead the boy went home and brought back his floor jack to help change the tire. (and who says teenagers these days are all punks?? LOL)
As soon as he got home, I looked at the date stamp on the tire and it was made in the 30th week of 2004, so the tires are original to the TT when it was new. We went straight to Farm & Fleet and had 4 new tires and valve stems insstalled. The technician said that when he touched the valve stems, they crumbled. Its amazing that such a well cared for and clean camper could be so neglected in terms of safety. We learned quickly not to ignore those things; luckily no one was hurt or killed by it and the camper is undamaged.
There was a bad run of valve stems a while back, there was even a recall. ALL of mine had cracked. One had leaked, so I replaced it. Then I checked the rest,and they were all bad, even the couple month old replacement (old box). So I got all 5 replaced and made sure they were not old stock. My coworker's DW had to get towed because 2 stems cracked and leaked out.
2007 Expedition EL 4x4 Tow pkg
1981 Palomino Pony, the PopUp (Sold)
2006 Pioneer 180CK (No more PUcampin!)
Yes, very fortunate. Tire maintenance is one of those things that can't be neglected as you say. I wonder if your new TT had been sitting or the previous owner used it all the time? With the latter use, they too were fortunate. One of the factors that contributes to tire degradation is just the fact that they can sit for periods of time between trips. Due to health reasons, we have not been able to travel as much this year and that causes me concerns - the tires. Our driveway, albeit gravel, may be the only "ones" enjoying the benefits of our tires!
2011 Bighorn 3055RL
2011 F350 SD CC DRW 6.7L Diesel Lariat, Hensley BD3 with Ford Under-Bed Adaptor
Dave & Renee plus (Champ, Molly, and Paris in spirit), Missy, Maggie, and now Mica!
I'm glad to hear no one was injured nor trailer damaged. And I'm not surprised your DH felt no difference when the tire blew. I, too, had a similar experience, ie, tire blew, and I found out about it when somebody pulled beside me at a light and pointed it out. The tire was shredded and smoking.
RVs, just sitting and never used can look brand new inside. Even the exterior can look great if a little wax and polish was applied. Tires on those vehicles don't do so well as they age although they may still have almost all of their tread.
You were fortunate you didn't have more damage when the tire blew or went flat. Sometimes they cause damage in the wheel wells.
When I sold my 89 Pace Arrow MH in 95 it only had 8,000 miles on it and looked brand new inside. I kept it covered so the exterior was very clean. I applied the tire coating before trading it off and the tires looked like they had never been used. I was afraid to take it on any more trips without replacing all of the tires.
naturist wrote: I'm glad to hear no one was injured nor trailer damaged. And I'm not surprised your DH felt no difference when the tire blew. I, too, had a similar experience, ie, tire blew, and I found out about it when somebody pulled beside me at a light and pointed it out. The tire was shredded and smoking.
I sure wish TPM systems weren't so expensive.
We paid $200.00 for our 4 tire monitor system. Nice to know what is happening behind you.
chevman
chevman
2001 35 ft avalon alpenlite RK
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy
easyrider/reese airhitch
trailair center point suspension
JT Strong Arm Stabilizers
KSH 55 inbed fuel tank
Garmin 2720
scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
TST tire monitors
Did you have the new tires balanced? Balancing helps extend the life of the tire. And, it also helps the ride of the stuff inside the unit.
Bob
2001 2500 Silverado LS 4x4 6.0, 4.10
2007 Jayco Eagle 288RLS
Cocktails for 6, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2
--------------------
End of dirt road, no signs in sight, sun going down: I am not lost, just getting ready to go camping.
Offline
and the 3 in 3 
2007, DD 
2008
Online
