When we started this journey, MFI said she would do all of the driving. She claimed to be a much better driver than passenger and said I was the better navigator. No argument from me on either point. Before hitting the road, her routine always includes checking the tire pressures on both Sid and Arthur, and this was the case when we left Mosca CO.
After a stop in Alamosa, CO for coffee at Starbucks, we turned onto U.S. 285 south, which would take as all the way to Santa Fe. About 10 miles north of Antonita, CO, we got a warning message on the heads-up display indicating the front passenger side tire on Arthur was at 28 psi. This wasn’t good since we normally run the trailer tire pressures at about 78 psi. MFI pulled over so I could do a visual check, and sure enough, the tire was going flat.
We have insurance on all of our tires and wheels, and it includes roadside service or towing if required, but we decided to change it oursleves since we weren’t really near any sizable towns to call for help towing. The spare is easily accessible beneath the A-frame, and we carry a 3-ton hydraulic jack in the front external locker just for this purpose. Despite being prepared, MFI later recounted how there was a considerable amount of swearing on my part. Who me? It was hot, and the semi traffic on this two-way road was uncomfortably loud, fast, and close. We were back on the road in about 90 minutes but needed to find air to match the pressure of the other tires.
We stopped in Antonito (population 647) for gas and luckily found Atencio Tires on Main Street. The shop owner was extremely helpful and filled the tire in short order. When asked how much, he responded, “Whatever you think is right?” I handed him a $20 bill, and he looked grateful. I know we were.
Once we arrived and got settled in Santa Fe, I called the insurance service number and took note of the steps and documentation needed to submit a claim. All was pretty straight forward. We made an appointment at the nearest Discount Tire. They checked the flat and said it was unrepairable, so we got a new tire mounted on our rim. I took pictures of the damage as required by insurance policy and electronically filed the claim on 14 September. Oddly, the flat was caused by the rubber delaminating versus a puncture. We shared that we’d never heard of that, but the tire techs claimed it is not uncommon.
EPILOGUE: Four month after submitting our claim, we received a letter denying it because the flat was caused by a manufacturing problem not a highway incident, such as flat or accident. Well once again, we’re bitten by details hidden in the small print.
We’re having the remaining tires replaced by Discount Tires in Irving, TX on 1 May. Airstream addicts strongly recommend tires be replaced every three years as a minimum, and we’re already at 3-1/2. Plus, we figure whatever may have caused the delamination on one tire may be impacted the rest. Arthur’s tires only have 22,000 miles on them, but why not be cautious first. Plus, we’re planning on heading to Alaska in 2024.
