RV Tire Safety
with RV tire expert Roger Marble
Following are the steps you need to take ahead of time to be prepared in case of tire failure, as well as how to file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a claim for possible compensation in the event of tire failure.
1. Be sure you have the full DOT serial number for each tire written down somewhere.
2. With ANY failure, other than puncture or valve failure, you should file a complaint with NHTSA. They need the FULL DOT serial.
3. Take pictures in full sun, close enough so only half the tire fills the frame. Ten feet away under the RV just isn’t useful. Get tread, sidewall failed area, and non-failed area. Make sure the pictures are IN FOCUS and at the highest quality possible for your camera.
4. Let NHTSA know you have pictures when you file your complaint.
5. Contact the tire dealer, RV dealer and RV manufacturer of the failure and the NHTSA complaint number.
6. KEEP THE FAILED TIRE. The tire company may be willing to compensate you but you must have the failed tire. Carry an heavy-duty trash bag if you must. A folded trash bag doesn’t take space and is only a few ounces weight.
 No tire = no possible compensation.
Note: I have posts and video on how trailer owners, Class B and Class C owners can inspect your own tires each year for belt/tread separations. Running a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) will give you an advanced warning on Run Low Flex Failure.
Having the actual scale load on each tire as covered in the owner’s manual will help substantiate your claim. Always run the tire pressure on the tire sidewall for your CIP (cold inflation pressure) if you are pulling a trailer. Motorhome owners need a scale weight printout and a copy of tire load tables. 
IMO, if you don’t do all of the above I am not interested in hearing your complaints.
Read more from Roger Marble on his blog at RVtiresafety.net.
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Last summer I had a Goodyear Marathon (4 years old) blow. I had it replaced with a Goodyear Endurance at a cost of $300.00 I did not save the old tire. Less than 200 miles later another blow out this time wiser. Both sides of my 5er were damaged. Contacting Goodyear as I was a repeat customer and as a goodwill jester they refunded 1/2 of my first tire. For the second tire a courier collected it and was taken in for inspection, the result the damage the second tire did I was fully compensated for at over $1,100.00! Yes find space save the tire it paid off for me.
You really think I can carry a 275 /80 22.5 tire until I can make a claim?
Not interested indeed
See Al’s comment above. For $1100, I’ll come carry it for you if I’m anywhere near.
Yes, not everyone has space to carry the failed tire. You might be able to work something out with the tire service company. Only you can decide if the potential for compensation is worth some effort.
Think for a moment if you had a TV or refrigerator or alternator fail. Would you expect the company (Sears, Best Buy, AutoZone or whoever) you bought the item from to replace it without you having to return the failed item?
Even if you can’t carry or return the failed tire you still need to file a complaint with NHTSA (with the DOT serial and vehicle VIN) if you want to help all RV owners to ever see an improvement in tire quality. NHTSA will never order a recall without an investigation and never start an investigation without a number of complaints with the appropriate details on file.