We had never spoken about it before. But, when it happened, my husband and I both said that it had always been our biggest fear: a blown out tire on the highway at 70 miles per hour–with our kids in the car (or in this case the motorhome).
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It was about 7:30 in the evening and we were driving along the I-44 in Missouri. We were approximately 35 minutes from our destination that closed in a half hour. It was just going to be a quick stop to pick something up, but since they didn’t open again until noon the next day we really wanted to make it.
I was about to call and let them know we were on the way and ask if they’d wait. But I just wanted to settle my daughter into a game of tic-tac-toe first. She got up to go and get some paper, and then BOOM!! I quickly grabbed and held on to her. I had no idea what happened. It felt like we were in an accident. We were in the left lane and my husband pulled over. We were all ok. He said it was a blown out tire. Almost simultaneously, we both said that had always been one of our biggest fears!
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Later, we realized that what had actually happened could have been much worse. Worse than our “biggest fear”. The [large motorhome] blown out tire was right next to our propane tank. Furthermore, when it blew, it broke off the metal bar holding the mudflap. The bar went flying across the highway. Thank G-d it didn’t hit the propane tank or any other car. Imagine the explosion!
He was able to pull over through the traffic to the shoulder (even though we still stuck out). There was a car that pulled over about 100 feet in front of us as well. When we got out to assess the damage, the car didn’t leave. I thought maybe we had hit it too. It finally did leave; we found out later that they had called the state troopers.
At this point, I call our Good Sam roadside assistance. They were going to get someone out with a new tire as soon as possible. But it was after hours (and we were kind of in the middle of nowhere). So it was going to be a while.
Silver Linings to our Blown Out Tire Situation
You have to be able to find silver linings when you’re STUCK WITH YOUR KIDS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE FOR ALMOST 5 HOURS (no offense Missouri).
So here goes…
1-We saw there were some of those big construction cones (later learned they’re called “plastic channelizer drums”) left behind on the median.
2-And my husband was able find a break in the traffic to cross the highway to get one.
3-And cross back.
4-The state trooper showed up and helped us move further over to a safer place and brought us more cones and lights. But he also called to make sure the roadside was coming and got them to come more quickly.
5-He stayed for a while and came back a few times to check on us.
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Silver Linings to our Blown Out Tire Situation–in an RV
Yes, we were stuck on the side of the road until midnight with two little kids. But we were stuck on the side of the road in an RV! So? Why is that any better?
1-They had space to get up and walk around.
2-We could use an actual restroom if necessary.
3-We had boardgames, coloring, and other activities (including several TVs if you use them).
4-We had our full fridge and freezer available as well as our kitchen.
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So, I was still able to cook dinner, bathe the kids, and get them to bed at a normal time–and then “date night” while waiting for our tire to show up!
We had already done well over 35 thousand “hard” motorhome miles combined by this point. We had had many mishaps along the way as well. But a blown out tire was a fear we both harbored. I was so grateful that I wasn’t the one driving. Another silver lining since I did most of the driving on this particular cross-country trip.
A blown out tire can be extremely dangerous and disastrous. But, like in any other situation, there are silver linings. Some are seen more clearly than others.
What have been some of your travel silver linings? Share them with me.
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