NHTSA Complaint #10059096 — 2000 ROADTREK MOTOR HOME

RE: FIRESTONE LT245/75R16; LOAD RATED 'E'; MOUNTED ON A 2000 ROADTREK CAMPER, CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 CHASSIS. WHILE TRAVELING ON I-95 @ 70MPH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE REST OF THE TIRE SIMPLY SHREADED. THE IMPACT OF THE TREAD ON THE WHEELWELL PUNCHED A HOLE (APPROX.14" X 20") IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE WHEEL WELL. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT ALSO BENT THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE STORAGE ACCESS DOOR FLINGING IT OPEN AND ALLOWING THE CONTENTS OF THE BIN TO BE PROPELLED OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE ONLY PROPERTY DAMAGE SUSTAINED WAS TO OUR VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC AROUND US THEY ALL WERE ABLE TO MANUEVER AROUND THE FLYING DEBRIS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS WAS A VERY HARROWING EXPERIENCE. *AK