Why tires fail ?

[mnoland30]

If I remember correctly, I had to go with a larger width tire to get the load range C in a 14" tire.

[Willhound]

2018 Cherokee 39 RL permanently blocked in a park. Delivered to site mid May this year and all the tires looked great although probably original. Blocked in four evenly spaced locations on the main frame rails as well as the tongue jack and all four leveling jacks extended just enough to take weight. Brought it up just high enough to take weight off the tires but still touching surface, as I've seen recommended in case a jack or block fails. Went to dump my black tank today and noticed one tire flat. Closer inspection and my jaw dropped. Owned many vehicles and several RV's but never seen a tire let go like this where the steel belts are blown outward and severed. Thoughts? Lightening? Aliens? Kid with a knife? Trailers never going anywhere as long as I own it, but I'll likely change out the tire for safety's sake....and because it bothers me.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Willhound

2018 Cherokee 39 RL permanently blocked in a park. Delivered to site mid May this year and all the tires looked great although probably original. Blocked in four evenly spaced locations on the main frame rails as well as the tongue jack and all four leveling jacks extended just enough to take weight. Brought it up just high enough to take weight off the tires but still touching surface, as I've seen recommended in case a jack or block fails. Went to dump my black tank today and noticed one tire flat. Closer inspection and my jaw dropped. Owned many vehicles and several RV's but never seen a tire let go like this where the steel belts are blown outward and severed. Thoughts? Lightening? Aliens? Kid with a knife? Trailers never going anywhere as long as I own it, but I'll likely change out the tire for safety's sake....and because it bothers me.

I have seen this a number of times in older tires that do not have 'Nylon" listed as a belt material. All tires list the reinforcing materials.


How old are the tires. Simply "looking great" is not a proper inspection. SUggest you do a "Free-Spin" inspection at least once a year.
I cover this in my RV Tire Safety blog

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Willhound

2018 Cherokee 39 RL permanently blocked in a park. Delivered to site mid May this year and all the tires looked great although probably original. Blocked in four evenly spaced locations on the main frame rails as well as the tongue jack and all four leveling jacks extended just enough to take weight. Brought it up just high enough to take weight off the tires but still touching surface, as I've seen recommended in case a jack or block fails. Went to dump my black tank today and noticed one tire flat. Closer inspection and my jaw dropped. Owned many vehicles and several RV's but never seen a tire let go like this where the steel belts are blown outward and severed. Thoughts? Lightening? Aliens? Kid with a knife? Trailers never going anywhere as long as I own it, but I'll likely change out the tire for safety's sake....and because it bothers me.

That's exactly the way the Castle Rock spare exploded that had never touched the ground. Cheaply made tires.

[Willhound]

Originally Posted by 5picker

That's exactly the way the Castle Rock spare exploded that had never touched the ground. Cheaply made tires.

Yeah, they don't look like the best tires on the market.
Also agree on the comment from Tireman about regular inspection and when I've owned actual "travelling" travel trailers it was a regular routine. This 40 foot 12,000 pound monster is never leaving the lot in one piece, at least as long as I own it. I'm only bothering to change the tire because I like to keep my stuff in good condition, should a situation arise that I need to re-block or a block fails I want tires under it, and also, it's a condition of our park that all units must have properly inflated tires to satisfy zoning and insurance conditions that it is a seasonal resort park.
Thanks for the input, I was just curious as to what could cause a tire to blow like that without the trailer moving and most of the weight off it. My current theory is that it did have a weak spot, developed a slow leak so went partially flat and the stress of the weight on the tire caused it to blow. Only thing I can think of.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Willhound

Yeah, they don't look like the best tires on the market.
Also agree on the comment from Tireman about regular inspection and when I've owned actual "travelling" travel trailers it was a regular routine. This 40 foot 12,000 pound monster is never leaving the lot in one piece, at least as long as I own it. I'm only bothering to change the tire because I like to keep my stuff in good condition, should a situation arise that I need to re-block or a block fails I want tires under it, and also, it's a condition of our park that all units must have properly inflated tires to satisfy zoning and insurance conditions that it is a seasonal resort park.
Thanks for the input, I was just curious as to what could cause a tire to blow like that without the trailer moving and most of the weight off it. My current theory is that it did have a weak spot, developed a slow leak so went partially flat and the stress of the weight on the tire caused it to blow. Only thing I can think of.

I have been able to duplicate this in the Laboratory. Basically old age plus a lack of a Nylon Cap ply. Read the material list on the tire sidewall.

[Willhound]

I take from it that my thought is correct then?

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Willhound

I take from it that my thought is correct then?

Not quite. Whille damage can result in a failure. My laboratory test was on brand new from the warehouse tires.


The construction materials make a difference. IMO selecting tires with Nylon cap ply is a good move. Lower cost tires may not have the Nylon. Read the tire sidewall.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

Not quite. Whille damage can result in a failure. My laboratory test was on brand new from the warehouse tires.


The construction materials make a difference. IMO selecting tires with Nylon cap ply is a good move. Lower cost tires may not have the Nylon. Read the tire sidewall.

Here's a link to a pdf that explains in detail a tire's construction including how the nylon cap ply helps along with other components (like shoulder insert) that are often omitted in cheap tires.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aai...9-9d17b449f345.

[JimM2109S]

Thank you for posting that link. Having been raised on tires (my dad sold them for over 40 years), that was an interestingly good read.