shortbus4x4
Expedition Leader
At least the wreck happened at the end of the vacation instead of the beginning. Nice to hear everyone was ok especially the kids. Looking at the pictures of the wreck its amazing there weren't any injuries.
Almost Didn’t Make It Back….
- Thread starter car-car
- Start date
KC Cruiser
Adventurer
I remember hearing about this story before but the images are just amazing! I drive an 80 series almost identical to yours and my kids are 5&3 now and we do the same trip in Colorado every July. My wife always complains about the truck being too tall, uses too much gas, etc. etc. but the fact that you all made it out is truly amazing!!
Nice report with great pics, thanks for sharing your story.
Nice report with great pics, thanks for sharing your story.
James86004
Expedition Leader
Great photos! Glad to hear everyone is okay. Do you have any idea why the tire blew? They look like BFG ATs?
SilverBullet
Explorer
Wow, what a great report. Sorry to hear about the return trip though. It was a pleasure to meet you guys on the trail. The 4Runner you saw me in now lives in San Diego with Marc P (also on here, posted earlier). I told my wife about your trip that day and even she said it sounded like fun.
Glad you guys are all okay.
Glad you guys are all okay.
jrose609
Explorer
X2. What tires were they ?
car-car
Observer
Yes, they were Treadwright Warden AT's (BFG carcasses). Less than 14k on them.
Thanks.
car-car
Observer
Absolutely.....honestly, that's the only way we walked away without any significant injury. Being in the Cruiser helped, but there was so much gear and everything from being on the road for two weeks, I'm shocked not more stuff flew around as we were going over and over. One thing I will be doing on my next build (my '95 LC), will be a cargo barrier, and I would recommend one for everyone else that hauls gear. We got lucky this time. Also, always wear your seatbelts, you just never know.....
Thanks again for everyone's kind words.
Terrainist
Explorer
I think I remember seeing a write up on this accident on another forum. Glad you all made it back and thanks for the pics and story line.
Many people use or are considering buying Treadwrights. So it would be good to get some information. Not to play the blame game, just so the facts are known.
1. What brand tire? If I remember correctly they were Treadwrights, might be wrong though.
2. What load range were they?
3. Where they properly inflated to the best of your knowledge?
4. Was the tire showing any damage? Cuts, gouges that you are aware of before it blew?
5. Was there any sign of a tire being severely out of balance before the accident? Thumping, wobbling, shaking?
5. How much gear, supplies and people were you hauling? Do you know the weight of the vehicle when the accident happened?
6. Did you contact the manufacturer? and if so, what did they say?
If you could answer these questions it would go a long way in making people aware and perhaps ease the mind of said tire users. None of us need a blow out when we are cruising 70 loaded to the gills.
And again, glad everyone was alright! Thanks.
Edit: I see you posted as I was writing and answered some questions. If you could answer the rest it would be a big help, thanks.
Many people use or are considering buying Treadwrights. So it would be good to get some information. Not to play the blame game, just so the facts are known.
1. What brand tire? If I remember correctly they were Treadwrights, might be wrong though.
2. What load range were they?
3. Where they properly inflated to the best of your knowledge?
4. Was the tire showing any damage? Cuts, gouges that you are aware of before it blew?
5. Was there any sign of a tire being severely out of balance before the accident? Thumping, wobbling, shaking?
5. How much gear, supplies and people were you hauling? Do you know the weight of the vehicle when the accident happened?
6. Did you contact the manufacturer? and if so, what did they say?
If you could answer these questions it would go a long way in making people aware and perhaps ease the mind of said tire users. None of us need a blow out when we are cruising 70 loaded to the gills.
And again, glad everyone was alright! Thanks.
Edit: I see you posted as I was writing and answered some questions. If you could answer the rest it would be a big help, thanks.
car-car
Observer
My son (6) still talks about the "shredded tire", but he seems good. We've taken my '95 Cruiser out camping, and he was fine. That was a big fear of mine. Thanks.
car-car
Observer
Thanks. My daughter (2) was in a Britax Roundabout and she was fine; my son (6) was in a Graco booster with the backing, and he got the worst of it. We ended up going to the hospital with him to check out a possible concussion, but he checked out fine, thank goodness.
jeff parker
Observer
Retread + desert heat + 70mph = BAD IDEA
I wouldn't use retreads for anything other than a dedicated offroad vehicle.
I wouldn't use retreads for anything other than a dedicated offroad vehicle.
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
Please don't bring your agenda into this thread. What you basically just said is that it's their fault for poor tire choice.
This is honestly the first report I've ever heard of a treadwright blowing out. They are not like big rig tire treads of the 80's-90's. They're fairly highly engineered products. I ran 3 sets on 2 different rigs with nary an issue. I'd still choose them.
I've heard lots of stories of other new brands, having high speed failures, however.
There were many things that came into play here:
-fully loaded rig
-possible damage from offroading
-high highway speeds (not to say he was speeding, 70 was probably the speed limit out there)
-possible over-correction (by no fault of his own)
-Sudden violent/unpredictable movement by the damaged/wheel tire.
This could have happened with any tire, dude.
This family did everything right, were blessed with the outcome they had, and are back on the road without much drama. Pure awesomeness.
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Wow! With 3 kids 7 and under, your story really hits home. The fact that I've rolled an off road rig brings it even closer to the vest. SOOOO glad you guys escaped! Yeah, lots of luck for sure - just wasn't your time, thankfully. Course the LC did help, too.
Same reason we use Britax seats for our boys - bombproof. Also one of the main reasons my wife's soon-to-arrive "new" car is a 100 series. If we cracked up in my 110 like that, we'd be goners.
Love the trip report, too. My dream vacation - you're lucky your family is willing to do the long-distance car-camp thing. Glad you'll be able to enjoy future adventures together.
Same reason we use Britax seats for our boys - bombproof. Also one of the main reasons my wife's soon-to-arrive "new" car is a 100 series. If we cracked up in my 110 like that, we'd be goners.
Love the trip report, too. My dream vacation - you're lucky your family is willing to do the long-distance car-camp thing. Glad you'll be able to enjoy future adventures together.