A thoughtful insight when doing a rebuild

[Lakota Wolf]

Ok,, Im back to bringing up something that apparently has been overlooked by even the most seasoned RV'er. Just when we think we have a grasp on the concept of What else can go wrong, even tho, you have checked, double checked and even triple checked. Ok, Lets back up for a minute,

Most of us, have experienced a trailer blow out, Never good,, Tire blows,, rubber shreds, and flaps around like a whirlygig,, destroying anything and everything. Fender skirts,siding, and the unseen fender well. You know,, that paper thin piece of press board they put up in there and usually under the dinette that ya bump your feet on while trying to have a lunch with family.Or its hidden under the kitchen cabinet where there is LOTS of plumbing. Ok you got the visual jist of that. Recently there has been some chatter on other web pages about an RV tire blowout and the owners take a looky underneath and see that the fender well is shredded like a meat grinder went thru there,,and they inspect even further and see plumbing lines and fittings and the such obliterated  as if a toddler went ballistic on his lego toys during a temper tantrum. Now I didnt bring up the damage to the sewer drain assembly.

Now I thought I would drop down an IDEA, (lil light bulb blinks over head).(12 volt light BTW). It wouldnt take much to put in an ADD ON panel,, I was thinking 3/4 inch,, beefing up the vulnerable area ,a.k.a. the inner fender well. I was thinking it would serve as a better *impact area for when the tire blows or tire slings the tread and that flapping wouldnt rip through than thin panel board that the manufacturer uses as a box fender well. Of course they make it LOOK tough by throwing in some thin sheet metal. 

If you have any good ideas,, add to this discussion and maybe we can get some good tips on this over looked problem.

I pondered putting heavy guage poly plastic,,, let me explain the visual,

Take one of those Blue or white plastic 55 gallon,, or even the 35 gallon plastic barrells,, with it already having the curve factor and cutting it to fit, The arch has its advantage and would also deflect water, I got the idea looking at Cargo trailer external fenders being curved. A little measuring and cutting and trimming and some self tapping screws and that would help *reduce,, inner fender well damage.  (Plus if you extended the back portion a little  would make a good Mud flap.).

Anywho,,, Drop your ideas and lets see what we can come up with,

Be safe,happy trails,dont sweat the small stuff and dont forget to smell the flowers along the way.

[Drew]

I've towed quite a few miles without a blowout but I'm anal about my tires. Every two years they are getting changed no matter how they look. Now they do get saved for use on other trailers but I'm putting on new st radials every two years. Im also one of those dont tow over 65 to 70mph kinda guys, which is a preventive measure on a tire rated for 65mph. Have been passed by several fifth wheelers at high speed only to see them with a blow out in 10 or 15 miles. No doubt a blowout can be devastating but I'm afraid many are avoidable with proper care. On my trailer I wouldn't have room in the wheel well for any renforcement other than some angle in the corners. After my latest ordeal with road debris (hit debris at night on a two lane in a construction zone) my attention is now turned squarely on making a rock tamer for the hitch. I refuse to pay 400 bucks for some steel and rubber mat so my build will be posted in pics in a day or two.