Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-03-2011, 12:46 PM   #1
Winnie-Wise
 
Belgique's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hickory, NC
Posts: 419
35J Tire Pressure (had a blow out)

Please don't weight police me....I know I'm a bad guy and I promise to rectify it ASAP.

Been running 92# as is on the Winnie placard....I KNOW that this should be adjusted after a proper weighing. I can't find a scale right now, esp one that will do 4 corner etc. Yesterday I had a right front blowout (25K on the tires and 3 years). Talking to a trusted tire guy today and he said I probably had too low of pressure! I thought I was on the high end. There was no warning and I have a TST pressure system that was showing all ok, minutes before. Thus, I'm curious as to what other 35's run for pressure. I'm heavy.

Another thought: about 1 hour and 50 miles earlier I had run across those little half ball shaped lane markers at slow speed (5mph)....I thought I had cleared them but they really shook the rig. I'm wondering of this could have weakened the tire? Everyone says no.

BTW...I was amazed that the front blowout did not cause any steering issues. Was in the right lane on 95 at 60mph. I just eased over on the shoulder. The pow scared the devil out of me...son-in-law- 4 car lengths behind me heard it.

Thanks in advance! Steve
__________________
Hickory, NC. 2007 Fleetwood Discovery 40X
Belgique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2011, 02:08 PM   #2
Winnebago Owner
 
FDchief's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 137
Glad to hear all is good. As far as pressures, which tire do you have, 22" or 19.5". Makes a difference.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Greg & Lynn (Full-Timing)
2011 Phaeton 42 QBH / Spartan Chassis
2003 Jeep GC Overland in Tow
FDchief is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2011, 02:16 PM   #3
Winnebago Owner
 
JohnRR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Marquette, Michigan "Da UP"
Posts: 219
Do you have any pictures of the tire damaged areas you could post?

You would have more chance of doing damage to the tire plies running over those markers if you were substantially overinflated rather than under.
__________________
John & Cathy R.
06 Pace Arrow 38L W24
08 Lincoln MKX AWD
See My RV Upgrades
JohnRR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2011, 02:23 PM   #4
Winnie-Wise
 
Belgique's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hickory, NC
Posts: 419
19.5. I'll see if I can get a pix. Essentially it blew on the inside and left about 12" of separation from the sidewall...some of that may be from the slow down and getting on the shoulder. It is at the tire guy's. Going to get a used one as the spare. I think 92 is high too...that is why I was wonder what similar coaches (that have been diligent about weighing), run.
__________________
Hickory, NC. 2007 Fleetwood Discovery 40X
Belgique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2011, 02:44 PM   #5
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 177
Hi Steve,
thanks for sharing your experience. Had my rig weighed but I may be heavier because I have diesel. My tires are Michelin XRV 255/80R22.5 LRG. I weigh 9000 on front axle and 16000 on rear axle with less than 400lb differential. After a chat with Michelin they confirmed the load rating table and I got 85# for rear and 90# for front.
From these I concluded that 92# cold would be a safe minimum pressure.
However, the Michelin truck tire service center said that he would always recommend 80% of max pressure as the minimum pressure (this would be 100# for me). Dont know who is right.
Can you answer a few questions:

What type, model of tire blew out?
Was your 92# a cold pressure?
How hot was it when your tire blew.
Are you towing? Tongue weight?
A pic, as asked for above, would be great.
Were your gas & water tanks full?

jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H
jimmccreary is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2011, 03:04 PM   #6
Winnie-Wise
 
Belgique's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hickory, NC
Posts: 419
What type, model of tire blew out? Factory OEM Goodyear 245/70R19.5. Load Range F. Rig is a F53/V10. I'm sure I have always been at/over CCC thus the ostrich approach to weighing because I don't know what I'd do about it anyway...DW doesn't weigh much and I'm trying to lose. There are the 2 cats that could buy me some pounds Looking at the Goodyear tables I'm not far off on pressure....assuming my weight is reasonable. Gotta look for some scales.

Was your 92# a cold pressure? (92# was cold; the TPMS was showing about 100# and 70deg, as I recall).

How hot was it when your tire blew. Air temp was 60 deg; tire temp about 70.

Are you towing? Tongue weight? Yep; no clue but heavy since it is a Grand Cherokee. In my defense, that Jeep has been towed for 25,000 miles everywhere, including LONG trips in Mexico. Curious about this: it would not seem that the TOAD would add downward force on the tires...just lateral...and on the scales I don't see how the TOAD would effect real axle weight?

A pic, as asked for above, would be great. Rgr

Were your gas & water tanks full? Gas full-70 gal; water and holding essentially empty...always run that way when I can.

Many thanks!
__________________
Hickory, NC. 2007 Fleetwood Discovery 40X
Belgique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2011, 04:31 PM   #7
Winnie-Wise
 
Fakrwee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Carlsbad, Ca.
Posts: 310
Hi, another thing to consider is if you are out of alignment. I've seen tires worn uneven on the inside that a fast visual won't catch.
__________________
2007 Itasca Suncruiser 33V
2009 Ford Flex Ltd. AWD Fa. Toad
2010 Jeep Rubicon offroad Toad
Fakrwee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2011, 04:36 PM   #8
Winnebago Master
 
smlranger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 2,169
Four corner weights are not easy to find. Suggest you check with the NC DOT and see if they can weigh you. I called VA DOT and they have roaming portable scales trucks that the troopers call when they have stopped a vehicle suspected of being overweight. They offered to meet me at a local Walmart lot one morning and do a courtesy 4 corner weigh.
__________________
'07 Country Coach Allure 470 Siskiyou Summit #31578, Cummins ISL 425; 2014 Ford F150 toad; Air Force One Toad Brake.
Glen Allen, VA; Smith Mountain Lake, VA.
smlranger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2011, 04:46 PM   #9
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 177
Steve,
thanks for info.
I agree that with no tongue weight a toad should not have been a factor.

Maybe you just had a defective tire. It would interesting to hear the opinion of your tire repair guy if he inspects your tire.

best of luck

jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H
jimmccreary is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2011, 02:08 PM   #10
Winnie-Wise
 
Belgique's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hickory, NC
Posts: 419
Just to close this out: no picture...the tire was gone. Lucked out and they had a great looking exact match Goodyear that someone had swapped out, probably for age...it's a late '99. No obvious dry rot or tread wear. They mounted it and rolled it out the door for $55! I know...it's too old to run with but it'll be a perfect spare. Hope I won't have need for one. Thanks all. Steve (who's going to find scales)
__________________
Hickory, NC. 2007 Fleetwood Discovery 40X
Belgique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2011, 03:19 PM   #11
Winnebago Camper
 
akadeadeye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boerne, Texas
Posts: 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by Belgique View Post
Just to close this out: no picture...the tire was gone. Lucked out and they had a great looking exact match Goodyear that someone had swapped out, probably for age...it's a late '99. No obvious dry rot or tread wear. They mounted it and rolled it out the door for $55! I know...it's too old to run with but it'll be a perfect spare. Hope I won't have need for one. Thanks all. Steve (who's going to find scales)
No offense intended, but why in the world would you risk another blow out by driving off the tire dealer's lot with a 12 year old tire.......even if they had given it to you no charge. Tires on RV's need replacing due to age far more than due to wear. The normal age for replacement is 5 to 7 years.

You would be much safer throwing this "spare" away and buying two new front tires.

Be safe.

Don
__________________
2009 Newmar 42 ft. Allstar 4188, Wheelchair Accessible, 400HP Cummins ISL, Allison 3000, Mastertow Dolly, '98 Riviera
akadeadeye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2011, 03:31 PM   #12
Winnie-Wise
 
Belgique's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hickory, NC
Posts: 419
AKADEADEYE: In about 12 years of MHing, I have never used a spare. I tried to indicate that I know all about tire age but guess I failed. I'd just as soon not spend $400 for a spare when I am going to need to replace all 10 tires in about 3 years because of age (they are all 3 years old now). Hopefully, the $50 spare will never touch the pavement. If it does, it will be just long enough to get off the highway and at reasonable speed to get to a CG where I'll buy a new tire(s).
__________________
Hickory, NC. 2007 Fleetwood Discovery 40X
Belgique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2011, 07:26 AM   #13
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 124
I try to keep the Goodyears on my F53 35J at or above 90 PSI. We tend to be at the high end weight-wise and I don't think I'd notice any tiny improvement in ride quality from a lower pressure even if it was an option to better match my exact weight. I am also inclined to keep the pressure higher if there's any chance it helps with fuel economy, but as with the ride quality, any improvement there is probably negligible. In all cases, I'm inclined to believe that it's better to err on the high side when it comes to tire pressure.

You might be pleasantly surprised if you go weigh your coach. The 35J actually has very good CCC. I've weighed mine a couple of times. The most significant weighing was at the start of our 2008 Montana trip. We had 8 people on board and I was really concerned about being overweight. IIRC, I had the fuel tank full, the water tank at about half, and the waste tanks at or near empty (my preferred configuration for covering a lot of distance with campground hook-ups every night). I used a CAT scale and found that I was close to, but under both the front and rear axle limits. That Montana trip was a special occasion and I don't expect we'll ever be packed that heavily and carrying that many people for that distance again. Since then, I've not worried a lot about weight.

A four-corner weighing would probably be enlightening. I think the 35J is heavy on the right side, especially in the back.

I'm happy to hear that yours handled well when the tire blew. It's a scenario that I've played out in my head many times, but I hope I never have to experience.
__________________
2009 Winnebago Sightseer 35J
John Mo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2011, 07:45 AM   #14
Winnie-Wise
 
Belgique's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hickory, NC
Posts: 419
Thanks much for the great info! If you have a second, describe how one weighs on a CAT scale at a truck stop. Do you go in first and tell them or what? Presume it would be 2 passes get get the front and rear separately.
I'm thinking the right side has to be heavy what with the galley, bunks, closet, and the drawer under the bunk that I have loaded. I switched that heavy CRT TV for LCD so gained a little there. Sure Winnie engineered all that though.
I was REALLY surprised when the TPMS showed it was the right front that blew. I was sure it was rear. The steering wheel did not move and there was no action at all. Amazing. I was able to do a moderate slow down onto the shoulder with no issues. And, before someone asks, the steering is just like it came from the factory...no "Steer-Safe" etc. From what I've read, they are not always this was gentle so I was lucky.
__________________
Hickory, NC. 2007 Fleetwood Discovery 40X
Belgique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2011, 08:04 AM   #15
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 124
CAT Scales

Because I was a bit of a noob with the scales, I went to the counter in the store and told them I wanted to weigh my RV. You could probably just drive up to the scale and do it. There's an intercom to the store counter on the scale. When you drive on, they'll pipe up and ask you for your truck number or identification. I just tell them "RV" and proceed. I figure they have cameras too, so they can see what's going on.

The CAT scales are sectioned so you can get a front and rear weight simultaneously. I think most have a third or fourth section so you can get your toad weight at the same time. I haven't weighed with a toad. I wasn't rigged to tow before and my toad is a Suzuki XL-7, so I'm quite sure it's well under the limit. You drive on, communicate with the office, wait for them to tell you they have the weighing completed, drive off, park, and go in to pay and retrieve the print-out. It costs $9 or $12 or something. It's nothing compared to what you've probably just dropped to fuel up.
__________________
2009 Winnebago Sightseer 35J
John Mo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2011, 08:09 AM   #16
Winnie-Wise
 
Belgique's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hickory, NC
Posts: 419
Great! That's a big help. I'll report my findings when I do it next week. Steve
__________________
Hickory, NC. 2007 Fleetwood Discovery 40X
Belgique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2011, 08:28 AM   #17
Winnebago Owner
 
JohnRR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Marquette, Michigan "Da UP"
Posts: 219
If the scale you find has a small single axle pad it's just a matter of the front or rear axle weighed first, then the other axle and add the two together and you'll have total weight of the unit.

If it's a pad you can fit the whole thing on at once you would weigh the front or rear first then pull the whole thing on then subtract the first weight figure from the total or you can weigh each axle separately the difference will be negligible.

There are numerous weight scale configuration at truck stops and moving/storage companies.

If you have a waste management trash transfer station in your area or see one in your travels a lot of them will weigh you for free you just won't get a weigh ticket from them.
__________________
John & Cathy R.
06 Pace Arrow 38L W24
08 Lincoln MKX AWD
See My RV Upgrades
JohnRR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2011, 04:33 AM   #18
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 16
On my 35u and other m/h's I run the pressure the tire mfg recommends for cold max. Even if it's hard to do sometimes I replace tires at 5 to 7 years and also spare. So I run mine at 90 lbs.
Mike & Fran is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2011, 05:27 AM   #19
Winnebago Watcher
 
wackymac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 4
Belgique--After you have the 4 corners weighed, put the cats in the light corner. LOL We try to do that as our orange and white tabby weighs 21 pounds.
wackymac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2011, 10:54 PM   #20
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 22
I have a 2007 Winnebago 35 J on a Workhorse chassis I took mine to the cat scale to have it weighed, The propane and fuel tanks were full the water tank was empty. My steering axle was 6500 lb and my drive axle was 11740 lb for a grand total of 18240 lb. I have Michelin 245/70 19.5 XRV i run 85 psi in all the tires and that includes a big fudge factor for extra weight. My coach handles much better after adjusting the psi for my weight. I used a load and inflation chart on Michelin's web site
steve R is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
HWH Leveling system - pump blow out lymanlouis General Maintenance and Repair 9 10-29-2014 03:58 PM
Dash AC does not blow cold Keith Anderson General Maintenance and Repair 12 07-23-2009 09:55 PM
Dash Air Will Not Blow Cold Wayne M General Maintenance and Repair 12 02-12-2009 04:48 AM
Building a Blow out Plug from off the shelf parts JD Allen General Maintenance and Repair 11 11-28-2005 07:07 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:42 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.