She'll hold a straight line

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Last Friday I was whippin' along at 80 across southern Idaho, about 70 miles west of Twin Falls. All of a sudden we hear what sounds like a 747 accelerating at the rear of my truck, a loud thundering roar. Could my new canopy have come loose? Rearend failing? I let off the throttle and quickly check my gauges. All is in order. The engine sounds good. Check mirrors. . . huge cloud of blue smoke is observed coming from right rear. Not good! Time to pull off and investigate!!



We get out and find the right rear failed catastrophically, with large pieces of rubber missing from the sides It was a goner, but at least it stayed on the rim to protect the aluminum wheel. That thing was smoking still when we got out, and any gravel it touched on the ground became part of the tire.



Since the spare has lots of tread and the stock tires are almost worn out, we had to do a 2-for-1 swap and put the spare in the front (due to LSD axle). Even after sitting several minutes, that tire was too hot to handle! After laboring with the POC stock jack, we were on our way again. I was impressed with how stable the truck was when the tire blew. I don't remember feeling any mushiness or wandering from the back end at all. I don't know if anyone has had a similar experience, but it's good to know the truck will hold a straight line when the tire goes, at least on the back anyway.



Vaughn

 

[LSMITH]

Vaughn, had a very similar thing happen to me last Thursday night. Blew the right rear at about 80, catastrophic failure, and no wander or pull. I also had to do a two tire swap, 285's on the truck and a 245 spare. I was happy with the stock jack, worked well for a stock jack IMO. I had heavy leather gloves to handle the hot tire and wheel though. I am still leary of a front end blowout though, has to get scary with all the weight the front carries.

 

[Archive]

Vaughn... sorry to hear about this, but glad you and the Ram are OK. Any sign of it on the inside of the fender well?



What is the latest on your idle?



Are ya going to Spokane?

 

[AggieJustin]

Surprisingly stable

These trucks are surprisingly stable with a blowout on the rear. I lost my left rear a couple of months back. Completely seperated the full ring of tread from the sidewalls. Left just enough sidewall on the rim to protect it from the pavement. No wandering or pulling at all.



I was also surprised at the stock jack... performed quite well considering I had nothing to put under it. Quite a bit of extension for a stock jack. Also had to do the 2 for 1 swap... no more of that. Opposite tire became new spare when two new tires went on. That 285 just barely fits, but it's there.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Hey Rob, I know what you're thinking. . . "slow down"! LOL



When is the Spokane shindig? I'm going if I am free, hopefully you can make it too. I have to run up to Spokane in about 2-3 weeks go get the canopy I ordered. I want to get on the dyno since I couldn't get on Diesel Dynamics dyno on Monday, Lawrence was swamped & booked big time.



I did make a bit of progress on the idle issue. . . I'm posting on the old thread I started on that.

 

[Matt42]

Straight Line

Ah, what brand is or was the tire?

 

[DarrellB]

Did you guys take those tires that blew off Explorers or Mountaineirs?



Don't you hate a smart a$$.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Mine was the stock Michelin A/S. Since my tires are about worn out at 46,000 miles, I ordered up a set of BFG All Terrain KOs to be installed next Thursday.



Vaughn

 

[Archive]

Vaughn... can't wait to see how you like them new tires... I am starting to shop now!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Rob, do you have your eye on anything specific? I love the looks of the BFGs because of the solid white sidewall lettering, and the tread pattern. I don't care for white outlined lettering too much, black sidewalls are OK but solid white lettering adds a nice touch.



Some other brands I considered was Kelley Safari AFR, Wild Country, Cooper, Bridgestone Dueler AT, Dunlop, etc. but there was something I didn't like about each one. The BFGs are spendy but worth it IMO. These are 8-ply load range D.



When shopping I got a list of all the dealers in this area for BFGs. I called Costco, Wal Mart, Sears, and 2 other tire dealers. Then I called Perfection tire in Pasco ( the Cooper dealer, NOT a BFG dealer) and their total installed price was $30 LESS than any other place I called. Everyone else was more expensive or didn't carry the All Terrain KOs. I have had tires at a few places in town and keep going back to Perfection Tire. They've always treatmed me great there, they even rotated & balanced my stock tires 5 times for a total of only $50. Pretty amazing considering I didn't buy the tires from them and everyone else wanted at least $40 PER rotation/balance. They've won my business!



Vaughn

 

[Archive]

Vaughn... I really like the ones on timthe toolmantaylor's truck... but I will probably go with one from Les Schwab due to the fact they are everywhere I travel. From here to montana to pendleton. I love the michelon tires, but I am tired of searching for them, getting them shipped the next day, etc.



I want to go with more of a grippy tread this time.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Radial RTVs

Rob, the Wild Country APs should be a good tire, I've seen Duallys with them and they look good, I think your truck would look great with them. A lot better than what you have on there. The TXRs are kinda large block tread so you may not want those. The rain tires, APTs, probably aren't too bad either. A tire that should have great traction & looks good is the All Terrain SXT.



Here's the link to Les Schwab's lineup of pickup/SUV tires



SUV/Truck tires

 

[LSMITH]

The tire I blew out was a BFG A/T KO. It got a serious hole in the center of the tread from something and I did not know until it was flat. At 80 they get hot in a hurry! The sidewall seperated by the time I got stopped.



Anyway I really like the A/T KO, they are quiet, good traction in all conditions and they really last a long time. I have over 40K on them and have at least 20% left. I will be buying these tires again.