What happens when a fifth wheel RV tire blows out?

When a fifth wheel or travel trailer tire blows out, the flapping tread and steel belts whip against everything above the wheel, often tearing out the fender, wiring, plumbing, skirting and trim within seconds. The tire is the cheap part; the repair to the body around it is what costs the most and keeps the RV out of use and adventures on pause.

Trailer tires are hard to watch from the cab, and on a tandem or triple axle the other tires keep the trailer rolling, so a blown tire can spin for miles before the driver notices. The longer it runs, the more it destroys.

Common damage from a single blowout:

• Fender and wheel-well liner, sub-flooring damaged ripped apart

• Electrical wiring, brake lines, sewer, gas line, and water lines pulled loose

• Damage to appliances, water heater, furnace, refrigerator, cabinets, and more

• Skirting, trim and sidewalls/slides ripped off or severally damaged

• Damages to the tire next to it

ARMIS RV Guardian is a protective shield that bolts over each wheel so the tread hits ARMIS instead of the RV. One owner drove at highway speed for miles on a blown tire with no way to stop safely. The RV had zero damage, not even to the trim above the tire; the fix was four bolts and a new rim & tire.

• Can a trailer blowout damage the RV body? Yes. The loose tread and belts strike the fender and everything above it, often causing significant damage substantially more than the tire is worth.

• Why don't drivers notice a trailer blowout right away? On a tandem or triple axle the other tires carry the load, so the trailer keeps tracking and the noise is easy to miss. Road conditions, such as construction, can make it difficult to tell there is a problem during rough conditions.

• How do I prevent blowout damage? Keep tires inflated and in good condition, check frequently for damage, and employ a solution like ARMIS so if a blowout happens it can't damage the RV. See How do I protect my RV from tire blowout damage?

• Does Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) prevent blowouts? TPMS systems monitor tire conditions (pressure and heat). In the event of a rapid loss of pressure or increase in heat, if you can get pulled over quickly you can possibly get stopped before a tire failure. In the event of a rupture from road debris TPMS can not prevent a blowout. Armis is not designed to prevent a blowout, it is designed to contain the carnage blowouts can cause.