Wish the "rear tire blowout" thread had been earlier, and I'd seen Harry Clipper's comments.
I got a new set of 7 8.00x16.5 Coopers not a month ago and had a flat almost immediately but only had the spare put on. I found a front one flat when I went out this morning... and noticed one of the rears has a blister right in the middle of the tread. These tires were properly inflated, don't have 150 mi on them, and haven't been driven over 50.
"Hello... road service?"
Well folks, the "flats" are actually tread separation!!! The service guy said they've seen dozens of Cooper blowouts lately... all the "chopsticks" variety Harry mentioned... and the shop he works for has started refusing to sell any Chinese-made Coopers, and he thinks there's even a recall on them.
Think I'll cancel my dinner reservation at the Golden Dragon. Sigh.
Thanks for the heads up Andy. Bum deal :( best take care of it now, as much traveling as you seem to do, a good set of tires on Fred is very important..
Rodney