Each day in the United States, there are hundreds of SUV, van and light truck rollovers. Many are caused by tire failures, tread defects, poor stability design, poorly designed suspension systems and inadequate brakes.

“SUVs have a high center of gravity and are the most unstable vehicles on the road. Add the fact that steel-belted tires have a tendency to develop separations of the tread and outer steel belt – especially during high speeds and in warm climates – and you’ve got a recipe for catastrophe,” said Mike Davis.

Why do tires detread?

• Steel belts are made of steel cord wires which have sharp, sheared edges that cut into the tread at the outer edges.
• Some manufacturers fail to apply established countermeasures, such as belt wedges and nylon caps during construction.
• Cost-cutting measures may alter chemical and rubber compounds, resulting in poor performance and decreased stability.
• Some manufacturers do not use effective antioxidants to reduce or eliminate tire-compound degradation.

“When tire manufacturers cut corners, drivers are in jeopardy. Summer vacationers especially should be aware that detreading is more likely to occur in warm climates with tires running at high speeds or with low inflation pressures. These conditions raise the temperatures of tires. Heat is a major factor in tire detreading,” Davis said.

Tire detreading creates especially dangerous conditions that adversely affect a driver’s ability to handle the vehicle. A number of deaths resulting from tire design defects have resulted in high-profile lawsuits against tire and auto manufacturers.

“When tires fail, both the tire and auto manufacturers point fingers at one another. Until each takes all possible measures to prevent detreading and improve stability, drivers of SUVs, vans and light trucks remain at risk,” Davis said.