Suspect: Mr Donut Charge: Tire Abuse Verdict: Guilty or Not Guilty?

[freewill2008]

I like to check tire pressure regularly with a gauge, but an even
quicker way to prevent driving off with a soft rear tire is the
hammer trick that is quickly learned by watching truckers at a rest
stop. Bounce a 3-4 pound hammer off the tread a few times and you
will quickly learn when the rebound is "soft".

This is not a substitute for maintaining the correct pressure with a
gauge, but since it is fast and convenient it can keep you from
missing a soft tire. It also makes you walk around the vehicle and
observe everything else.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mrdonut12" <mrdonut12@y...>
wrote:
> I had tire pressure problems from the day I got my bird, a year and
> a half ago. I was constantly airing up the tires. They'd lose a
few
> pounds a day.
> The fronts were new and no problem. The rears were Michelin
> 11R 22.5 LRH and lost air. I went to a truck tire place last Fall
and
> had all the valve stems replaced and that fixed the leaks. I rarely
> had to add air after that.
> Took a trip a month ago and aired tires before I left.
> Went 1400 miles round trip. Tires were fine. I always check
> tire temp when I stop. No problems.
> Left for a 170 mile trip Friday, didn't check tires before I
> left. Mistake #1, won't make that one again. ;o)
> 23 miles into the trip, wife wants front heater turned on. I
> have to crawl under front to open valve. Notice right rear inner
> dual appears to be flat. It is!
> Air it up from on-board compressor, have new hose and tire
guage.
> It was flat. Zero pressure. Push in sidewall easily with hand.
Flat.
> Checked it with soapy water. No leaks found. Held air fine
> for the next 2 days.
> Cause for low pressure unknown, no cause can be found, unless
> someone let the air out, in which case they laid there for nearly a
> half an hour, pushing in the valve stem.
> The question is, these are 4 years old, due to be replaced next
> Fall. Have I damaged the tires with my actions? I'd rather wait
> until Fall to buy tires. I need to drive to Rhode Island in June.
> So, Guilty or Not Guilty?
>
> George Witt
> 81 FC 35 WLSB
> Lincoln, Nebraska--Huskers