Three weeks ago we left the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to go to a wedding in Key West. We took 2 vehicles because of the large group we were taking.
It was supposed to be a 2400mi trip. So before we left I checked the tires as usual for date, tread etc. I even converted them to nitrogen for less temp/pressure swing. We did the trip down I95 with the big boys. We were near Savanna GA when we had the first blowout.
We lost a lot of time at a Walmart trying to get a tire for a spare, as we were now running a spare. All they had that would fit was a car tire (not a trailer tire) and I was insistent that they put it on as I did not want to go any further without a spare.
It’s a good thing I did, because a couple hours later we blew another one.
. The first blowout I didn’t feel a thing. My wife pulled into the lane beside me, flashed her lights and called me. When she told me I had just had a blowout I was surprised. I was still doing 70mph and had no idea. We pulled over at a pilot and changed it, and got a new spare at Walmart.
We were in Kingsland GA we blew the second one. This one was on the same side. This time I felt a vibration, but absolutely no sway. I got out to change it, and it still had air! The tread had delaminated. We limped into a campground for the night and spent the next morning gathering up replacement tires and wheels at the tractor supply stores in South Georgia and North Florida.
After replacing all 4 tires and losing a day on the schedule we counted our blessings. No one was hurt, there was no accident. A blowout on a trailer can end a trip at best, lives at worst, and we had suffered through two!
I believe the Hand of God was on us but I do have a few lessons learned.
1. We bought this camper used. I will ALWAYS put new tires on a used unit in the future.
2. I’m glad I had a rechargeable 18v impact along the way. We bought it just before the trip special for the camper.
3. I need a special jack just for the camper. It’s a lightweight trailer and uses C-channel frame instead of tube, on the last 2 tire change out the trailer kept falling off the jack, it didn’t help that we were in sand. I always keep a few extra 2x6 pressure treated planks around which made it easier.
4. Always have a backup plan. I knew if we needed tires Walmart’s and Tractor Supply’s would be useful.
5. We bought a Hensley Hitch just before the trip. I believe this is why we didn’t have problems during the blowouts.
TLDR: after two blowouts on the same day and a 3000mi trip on I95 pay attention to your tires, and pay the extra for the Hensley it could save your life