RE: [A/S] Bambi 16' / traveling 75 MPH

["DT/BW" <dtbw_1999@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dan,
As for heating, I don't think that was my  problem. Immediately (within
minutes) after the valve stem failed on mine, I was able to remove and
handle the deflated tire and although warm, it was certainly not hot. I also
checked the other tire at the time and it too was only warm to the touch. 

When a tire is running hot, it almost always is the result of underinflation
for the load it is carrying (or outright exceeding the max load).  In the
Firestone/Explorer mess the smoking gun really seemed to be Ford
recommending a lower tire pressure in the name of ride quality.  For years I
have run all my tires at or near the max pressure and have never had one
blow or develop tread separation.  A tire run at its rated pressure will
always run cooler as it flexes less and that is what causes heating of the
tire.  

Also, are you aware that the Goodyear Marathons that do NOT have the letter
S after the word Marathon are known to have problems due to the sidewall
flexing excessively (regardless of inflation pressure), causing heating and
ultimately failure of the tire.  Goodyear redesigned the sidewall and that
seems to have solved the problem.

david