I am posting this message for Bill Price and will add pictures:
All:
I realize that some of you are not familiar with what happened to me and some are. Here is a thumbnail sketch of the event.
Oct 31 I had a inside dual on my Prevost explode while airing it up in my barn. The outside dual is what saved my life as the inside dual blew into the outside dual. This was a Michelin tire that exploded. By Michelin definition this was a zipper blowout. The tire has been returned to Michelin for a non-destructive evaluation. I want go into any more detail regarding Michelin for obvious legal reasons. I can tell you NTSB and NHTSA are now involved.
I did occur some slight physical damage to my Prevost which has been repaired. I might add I also have four new Michelin tires on the drive axle.
I did sustain physical injury from this event. I am now being treated for post traumatic stress syndrome and ear trauma. The amount of permanent ear damage and etc is yet to be determined as I am still under the care of a Ear nose and throat Doctor. To sum this up I am being treated as I have been in a bomb blast.
After this incident it became apparant to me we must find some safe way of airing our tires up while out on the road.
After assemblying three different versions I do believe this is the one to use. It is lite and mobile. I like the feature where you can add or subtract air with the push of a button. The dial is large and very easy to read.
I will list part numbers which will be different than those shown below in the Myers add. The part number I will list gets you the 11 ft hose. I was able to purchase all of this from the Dallas, Texas location.
I did add quick releases to all the above which are available at all auto supply houses.
54102 25 ft additional air hose $32.00
I also ordered some additional clip on chucks like those above part # 54809
On these I installed a 90 degree elbow with a quick release so I can reach any combination of valve stems.
Again you must use OSHA aproved impact resistant eye protection and a set of David Clark hearing protectors.
Remain a minimum of 25 ft from the tire at all times regardless of whether it is mounted or not.
Trajectory Trajectory Trajectory This is the key.Stay clear !!
These Zipper blowouts are bombs period!!! Tire brand does not matter!! There is little to NO indication of when these Zipper blowouts can occur.
The RV community needs to be made aware of this immediately. In speaking with many RV owners in the past weeks few if any have ever heard of a Zipper Blowout.
Professional road svc is always first choice but as you all know we don't always have that luxury in our travels.
Sorry about your injury and vehicle damage. Without any knowledge on the subject, it seems this might be a defect since, as I understand it, the tire was cold, and you take good care and maintenance of your coach. I will have to find a air chuck clip on that will work on the outside dual because the air stem points inwards on those and it's almost impossible to get such a chuck to clip on because there is lack of room. Please keep us posted. And thank you.
I know Myers tire supply does make such a clip on air chuck. You could also reverse your valve stems. If you run tire air pressure monitors reversing the stems is the way to go. Good to hear from you and hope all is well with you.
Bill and I have spoken and corresponded at length on this topic and it is an eye opener. I asked Michelin specifically their reco0mmendations for safety procedures when airing up a tire and their answer was ..........NONE. Bill has a copy of that email.
I read the link Ken posted and one thing on Zipper failure jumped out at me and I think every one of us has to attach considerable credence to what we were told by Michelin and Goodyear at two separate tire seminars. Both said and emphasized if we run the tire at a pressure that is 20% less than what is called for the tire is effectively not good for service. On reading the detail regarding causes of Zipper failure that was right there. I am not suggesting Bill did this, but I am pointing out that what happened to Bill could have been fatal and it behooves us to be very careful monitoring our tires and especialy careful filling them with air.
I have never ever seen anyone, professional or otherwise do anything other than lean over and air up a tire.
Michelin in their response to me appears to agree with that, but I think from Bill's experience we need to consider the consequences of doing that.
Sorry to read of your injurys, glad it was the inside. Thank so much for the post.
I will be the first to come out and say it. This scares the hell out of me. I remember the days of split rim wheels, and knew two individuals by name that were killed by worn out split rims.
I will not check or air a tire again until I have a remote air line with clip on chuck and remote valve. Going shopping now.
Bill, so sorry to hear of your traumatic event. I'm glad you are still of this world.
Keep us appraised of the details and analysis as it unfolds. Makes me not want to even wash/wipe the wheels for cleaning. I will wait for you to tell more, but I can't help wonder the circumstances that warranted the addition of air. How much air were you intending on adding to the affected tire, had it been seriously low during use or were you adjusting just a few pounds all around for perhaps a temperature change adjustment.
Serious Tire Experience Please Read
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