We had a blow out on the curbside, Marathons. Almost exactly 4 years old from date of mfg.
DW was driving and did an excellent job of getting off to the shoulder of the freeway, eastbound I80 at Baxter, CA, in about 100 yards. No damage other than a shredded tire. There was no say or any other indication of a failure other than the loud bang. Good thing the radio was off. Outside temperature was over 100 degrees. We hit a pot hole about half an hour prior to the failure. I had inspected both tires at a rest stop about an hour prior to the failure and all appeared fine, not too hot to the touch, no signs of cracks or bubbles, air pressure appeared (visual inspection) normal. Tires had been inflated the evening before we started out.
I suspect it was the age of 4 years, the temperature and perhaps the small pothole. From now on, after any pothole I will inspect the tires.
Even though I have a bad knee, I swapped the spare in about half and hour and we were on our way.
Based on a recommendation from my local mechanic, I am putting TowMasters on.
I could not find a tire on the three day weekend, so going home on Sunday we went about 40 miles and left it with a friend in Grass Valley. I will go back to get it either this weekend or next.
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