Tires - Why do they fail
Tires - Why do they fail
Tires fail from two basic causes.
Low air pressure
and/or
Long-term degradation of the rubber usually from excess heat.
Low pressure (active leak from puncture or loose valve stem or valve core are most common reasons) can lead to a Sidewall Flex failure or more commonly called a "Blowout". The sidewall cord can melt (polyester) or fatigue (steel). Many TT owners fail to realize that they will never "feel" the results of a tire losing air till it is too late and they are surprised when the sidewall lets go. The rapid air loss "bang" even when the tire only has about 10 to 20 psi in it, is a big surprise IF they even hear it. [moderator edit] A TPMS can provide warning of air loss so is good insurance and can easily pay for itself.
The long-term degradation of the rubber at the edges of the belts can lead to a belt and/or tread separation. Even if the tire keeps its air you can have this type of failure so a TPMS will not provide a warning. This degradation comes with age as rubber is always losing flexibility. Just think of those rubber bands you found in the back of the desk drawer. Even in cool and dark they got brittle. However, running at or near or above the load capacity of a tire will result in increased heat generation. Increased heat actually can accelerate the aging process with a doubling of the rate each increase on 18F. Running a margin of at least 15% between capacity and the measured load is a good first step. Running at a higher speed will also generate excess heat.
Realizing that over half of the RVs on the road has one or more tire in overload is one main contributor to the high tire failure rate. Simply thinking that a tire will fail because the tire plant building is painted blue rather than green is not logical.
Buying the lowest cost "no-name" tires is IMO a major contributor to poor results. If the main objective is the lowest cost tire why would anyone be surprised with short tire life?
Just paying more, however, is no guarantee of better quality. I believe the best tool available is comparing Warranty and service support.
Can you get a multi-year warranty on the tires? Is it possible to get Road Hazard coverage? Is there a nationwide network of dealers who stock the brand you are considering?
Low air pressure
and/or
Long-term degradation of the rubber usually from excess heat.
Low pressure (active leak from puncture or loose valve stem or valve core are most common reasons) can lead to a Sidewall Flex failure or more commonly called a "Blowout". The sidewall cord can melt (polyester) or fatigue (steel). Many TT owners fail to realize that they will never "feel" the results of a tire losing air till it is too late and they are surprised when the sidewall lets go. The rapid air loss "bang" even when the tire only has about 10 to 20 psi in it, is a big surprise IF they even hear it. [moderator edit] A TPMS can provide warning of air loss so is good insurance and can easily pay for itself.
The long-term degradation of the rubber at the edges of the belts can lead to a belt and/or tread separation. Even if the tire keeps its air you can have this type of failure so a TPMS will not provide a warning. This degradation comes with age as rubber is always losing flexibility. Just think of those rubber bands you found in the back of the desk drawer. Even in cool and dark they got brittle. However, running at or near or above the load capacity of a tire will result in increased heat generation. Increased heat actually can accelerate the aging process with a doubling of the rate each increase on 18F. Running a margin of at least 15% between capacity and the measured load is a good first step. Running at a higher speed will also generate excess heat.
Realizing that over half of the RVs on the road has one or more tire in overload is one main contributor to the high tire failure rate. Simply thinking that a tire will fail because the tire plant building is painted blue rather than green is not logical.
Buying the lowest cost "no-name" tires is IMO a major contributor to poor results. If the main objective is the lowest cost tire why would anyone be surprised with short tire life?
Just paying more, however, is no guarantee of better quality. I believe the best tool available is comparing Warranty and service support.
Can you get a multi-year warranty on the tires? Is it possible to get Road Hazard coverage? Is there a nationwide network of dealers who stock the brand you are considering?
Retired Design & Quality Tire Eng. Read my tire blog www.RVTireSafety.NET to learn more about RV tires, valves & wheels. Read my post on why tires fail .
Re: Tires - Why do they fail
Hey Tireman. How strange...your ears must have been burning and somehow you found your way to AVIONtrailers.net. I believe I just quoted some responses you gave me in a thread from a few years ago on AIRforums.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=785&start=10
How did you happen upon this site anyway?
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=785&start=10
How did you happen upon this site anyway?
KYAvion
1984 Avion 30R
1984 Avion 30R
Re: Tires - Why do they fail
Was invited by an Avion owner who had a question on inflation. He is posting a new topic and I plan on answering so all can learn. 
Retired Design & Quality Tire Eng. Read my tire blog www.RVTireSafety.NET to learn more about RV tires, valves & wheels. Read my post on why tires fail .
Re: Tires - Why do they fail
While I hate to redirect people away from the forum, here’s a link to a former inquiry I made about a tire failure at 13 months. I found the thread really useful, so others may as well.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438/ti ... 40712.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438/ti ... 40712.html
KYAvion
1984 Avion 30R
1984 Avion 30R
Re: Tires - Why do they fail
The post on why tires fail is on this forum.
General info on tires etc can be found in one or more of the 300+ posts on my blog.
I try and post answers on this forum but sometimes the complete answer is long and sometimes people want background info rather than just 'Do this....." I try and provide the "why" in my blog posts.
General info on tires etc can be found in one or more of the 300+ posts on my blog.
I try and post answers on this forum but sometimes the complete answer is long and sometimes people want background info rather than just 'Do this....." I try and provide the "why" in my blog posts.
Retired Design & Quality Tire Eng. Read my tire blog www.RVTireSafety.NET to learn more about RV tires, valves & wheels. Read my post on why tires fail .