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Fun on the road

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/15/2010 : 19:48:54

I had planned to leave for Fl yesterday, but some home things delayed me until today at noon. Nice day for a drive until I had a blowout on the trailer about 30 miles from Louisville. I should have checked the pressure in the spare before I left, but the late start led to missing that step. I crept along the shoulder to a gas station, filled the tire, and I was on my way, I thought. About 5 miles down the road, I noticed a little sway and a low tire. Gas station at the next exit, and the spare was down to 20 psi again. Several more stops since the tire wouldn't hold more than 20 psi, and I made it to Louisville where I hoped to replace the tire and spare. I found a dealer who had trailer tires, but not my size. He did say that he could have them in monday morning! Anyway, with the hotel internet I found a dealer (Mike's Tire's) who was friendly, helpful, and specializes in equipment and trailer tires. He says he'll have my tires tomorrow at 0830. It looks like Pearl won't see palm trees until sunday.

edit: Google said "Mike's", but its really "All About Tire and Trailer Repair"

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

Edited by - Dave5041 on 01/15/2010 20:02:19

Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2010 : 21:26:58

Better luck on the rest of the drive!
Trailer tire problems have become like one of the family on our last several vacations - that in spite of the fact that I buy new tires whenever I come to doubt one of the old ones. Stands to reason though, if the Almighty had meant for us to trailer He would have covered 2/3 of the earth with land, not water. Obviously, the earth was made for sailing.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2010 : 22:24:33

Wouldn't fix-a-flat get you through in a pinch? I once drove for about 6 months on a tire loaded w/ that stuff.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2010 : 22:30:06

Dave, glad it was just an annoyance and not a true blow out. Also glad you were able to find someone willing help you on a weekend.

We have a good spare on our trailer, but I've never had to try to jack it up. I know that the screw jack for my truck will fit, but I still want to get a hydraulic jack for it as well.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2010 : 07:12:27

Have to ask... do you have the boatus trailer assist?

and

Would they have been any use in that situation?

Paul

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2010 : 18:51:41

I do, but I didn't think they would be much help; I probably should have tried though. I called Mike at 0830, and he had the tires and would open at 0930. I got there at 0915 and they were waiting for me. They broke down the old, mounted the two new ones, and I was on my way back to the motel at 1015. I was never a believer, but he convinced me to go with trailer radials; I'll put two more on in Florida and see if the lower resistance makes a measurable difference in milage and if they feel any different. I was very impressed with their service and price ($186 including mounting, tax, disposal fee, and valve stems) and would have bought 5 tires, but they only had two in their warehouse.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2010 : 19:40:19

Finished an uneventful day and am relaxing in Destin. I plan on relaxing tomorrow before Pearl gets a cleanup and wax, but I might figure out where to splash her - I would like it to be close enough to walk back to the car after I bring her to our dock. The bad news for a guy with more time than money is a new West Marine within walking distance. 61º to 69º this week - I love being able to head south for the winter. I did get a good look at my tire - the outer sidewall was scuffed with one deep scrape from getting off the road and stopped, but the inner sidewall had a 3" x 4" triangular flap blown out. That will deflate a tire pretty quickly.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.