The Truth about Tire Blowouts

When you think about traveling in your RV, Trailer or Pop-Up Camper it is common to have some concerns. One of the biggest concerns out there is the infamous tire blowout. The damage that can be caused by this horrible event can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars to repair. The thought of losing control of your coach is not only horrible, but it is downright frightening. The best way to prepare for this road hazard is to know what to expect and how to lower your chances of occurrence by educating yourself on the causes.

Causes of the Blowout
Most people believe that blowouts are caused only when the wear on the tires is too much. Bad tread is a cause of tire blowouts; however when it comes to RVs the age of the tire should be a huge concern. Your tires may not show a lot of wear but will still be prone to blowouts if they are older tires. It is important to change your tires at least every seven years to avoid blowouts. When you change your tires you should change all of them or at least change them by axles. Once a tire on one axle blows, the chances increase for the remaining tires on that axle to blow as well. Another cause of tire blowouts is low tire pressure. My suggestion would be to install a tire pressure monitor to your coach. It is the best way to keep track of the pressure at all times. Also, remember the tire pressure listed on the side of your tires is a minimum amount and you can go a bit higher. Also, check your tire for cracks regularly. No matter how far you have driven, cracks can occur and almost always lead to blowouts if not noticed.

Handling a Blowout
When you have a front tire blowout in your RV you will feel your coach turn toward whichever tire has blown. Most people will want to slow down immediately to avoid losing control, however initially the best thing to do is to speed up a little. You will want to slow down a little bit at a time but without braking. At the same time you will want to hold your steering wheel tightly and try to keep it going straight. You will also want to turn on your emergency flashers to let other drivers know that you are having issues until you can slowly pull off to the right side of the road. If you have a rear tire blowout you will handle it exactly the same as you would a front tire blowout. A rear tire blowout will not be felt as much in the steering wheel as the front tire blowout, which makes it seem a lot easier to handle. No matter what type of vehicle you have you will want to handle the blowout the same way. Do not panic, they are not as out of control as they seem if handled correctly.

Being a member of an RV Club when you have an issue like this can also be very helpful. Learn about the 5 Best RV Clubs to Join for New RVers.

Blowout Damage
Blowout damage can be quite costly but is typically covered by most insurance. Selecting RV insurance is an important part of the process in your RV purchase experience. A good company will assist you in the right steps to get a tire blowout taken care of fast.

The worst blowout I have seen was the one that blew a hole in the side of a customer's holding tank. It was a very messy clean-up and very expensive to repair. Avoiding the blowout by following guidelines set by the manufacturer is the best way to avoid these costs. Our body shop takes in at least two coaches per week with blowout damage. The moral of this story is be safe, be prepared, and believe you will be able to control your coach when you need to. Happy Trails!