Sorry about the blowout. I would add repack wheel baring every spring too. We had one go dry in Maine. I am interested inDevin’s wh/mile at highway speeds.
Thanks for the reminder to repack the wheel bearings. We haven't done that yet and you're right--it needs to be a top priority for us! We're averaging 2.8 mpk so that works out to 357 wh per mile.
We are looking to buy a runaway camper ( range runner j that weighs 750 pounds. I want to tow it with my model S tesla. If I can come close to your numbers then we are going to take a trip to Calgary Alberta Canada next summer. I fallow your journeys to get insight. We also have a 2017 bolt. Merry Christmas
Of course, I haven't tested the Model S, but given its specs, I think it would be about the same as the Bolt with a bigger trailer. The Model S shouldn't break a sweat towing that little trailer. I'd expect it to use about 15 to 20% more juice per mile on average than when not towing.
Great article on this scary experience. I'm glad you we're not hurt. Also, glad for the kindness of strangers on the freeway to point out the problem while driving!!
You're right. If someone hadn't flagged us down, it could have gotten much worse. I once saw a dude pulling a trailer with a badly flat tire. It was throwing off a stream of sparks that began burning the trailer! I'm grateful we got alerted before that happened.
Gail, Your point on replacing tires is so On Target! Consider the small patch of each tire is on the road at any one point in time. Many people do not realize that the manufacturing date is on car tires. This date makes it easy to decide to replace tires every 3 to 4 years.
Since we live in Park City, UT, our snow tires are on our car longer than our summer tires. We replace our tires, at the maximum, every 4 years. Rarely are they at the tire mileage maximum (although there was a time they were).
I learned a lesson when they were near their maximum mileage. I was driving our Subaru with all-wheel drive in Frederick County, MD. It was snowing and the roads had a light covering of snow. I had to cross the small mound of snow in the center of the road. When I returned to my lane, the rear end began swaying back and forth, finally pulling a 180 degree turn on the side of the road. Fortunately. I did not hit anything, especially the telephone pole about 20' away from where I stopped. I drove directly to the tire store to buy snow tires. Then continued on my way.
So sorry that Devin had to experience this blow out. The explosion of a blowout can be far more destructive than anyone can imagine.
Bill, thanks for your kind note. It sounds like your experience was even scarier but drove you to the same conclusion. Tires age! And that age isn't perfectly correlated with miles driven or tread wear! Thanks for confirming our analysis!
Appreciate this article. And, while you’re at this part of the ALiner’s anatomy, please make sure the trailer axels/wheel bearings are also well maintained. This kind of “blow out” is no fun on the road and could lead to very costly repairs - and ultimately a whole new axel. Boondocking at a truck stop while you wait for a tow or parts and roadside repairs on a holiday weekend is memorable, to say the least. Learned my lesson with my friend’s Winnebago… 😊
I'm sorry you had a similar experience. Thanks for the reminder about the axel/wheel bearings. We've been ignoring that. If we don't get this addressed it could have the same sort of catastrophic impact for us! Thanks!
Sorry about the blowout. I would add repack wheel baring every spring too. We had one go dry in Maine. I am interested inDevin’s wh/mile at highway speeds.
Thanks for the reminder to repack the wheel bearings. We haven't done that yet and you're right--it needs to be a top priority for us! We're averaging 2.8 mpk so that works out to 357 wh per mile.
We are looking to buy a runaway camper ( range runner j that weighs 750 pounds. I want to tow it with my model S tesla. If I can come close to your numbers then we are going to take a trip to Calgary Alberta Canada next summer. I fallow your journeys to get insight. We also have a 2017 bolt. Merry Christmas
Of course, I haven't tested the Model S, but given its specs, I think it would be about the same as the Bolt with a bigger trailer. The Model S shouldn't break a sweat towing that little trailer. I'd expect it to use about 15 to 20% more juice per mile on average than when not towing.
Great article on this scary experience. I'm glad you we're not hurt. Also, glad for the kindness of strangers on the freeway to point out the problem while driving!!
You're right. If someone hadn't flagged us down, it could have gotten much worse. I once saw a dude pulling a trailer with a badly flat tire. It was throwing off a stream of sparks that began burning the trailer! I'm grateful we got alerted before that happened.
Ugh! I hope the repairs are neither too costly nor take too long! May you both be back on the road soon for new adventures!
Thank you so much! Fingers crossed! I think we've crossed the biggest hurdel--finding someone to do the work!
Gail, Your point on replacing tires is so On Target! Consider the small patch of each tire is on the road at any one point in time. Many people do not realize that the manufacturing date is on car tires. This date makes it easy to decide to replace tires every 3 to 4 years.
Since we live in Park City, UT, our snow tires are on our car longer than our summer tires. We replace our tires, at the maximum, every 4 years. Rarely are they at the tire mileage maximum (although there was a time they were).
I learned a lesson when they were near their maximum mileage. I was driving our Subaru with all-wheel drive in Frederick County, MD. It was snowing and the roads had a light covering of snow. I had to cross the small mound of snow in the center of the road. When I returned to my lane, the rear end began swaying back and forth, finally pulling a 180 degree turn on the side of the road. Fortunately. I did not hit anything, especially the telephone pole about 20' away from where I stopped. I drove directly to the tire store to buy snow tires. Then continued on my way.
So sorry that Devin had to experience this blow out. The explosion of a blowout can be far more destructive than anyone can imagine.
Fortunately, Devin was not injured.
Bill, thanks for your kind note. It sounds like your experience was even scarier but drove you to the same conclusion. Tires age! And that age isn't perfectly correlated with miles driven or tread wear! Thanks for confirming our analysis!
Appreciate this article. And, while you’re at this part of the ALiner’s anatomy, please make sure the trailer axels/wheel bearings are also well maintained. This kind of “blow out” is no fun on the road and could lead to very costly repairs - and ultimately a whole new axel. Boondocking at a truck stop while you wait for a tow or parts and roadside repairs on a holiday weekend is memorable, to say the least. Learned my lesson with my friend’s Winnebago… 😊
I'm sorry you had a similar experience. Thanks for the reminder about the axel/wheel bearings. We've been ignoring that. If we don't get this addressed it could have the same sort of catastrophic impact for us! Thanks!