Semi Truck Blowout on Mountain Pass: What to Do Right Now

Mountain Pass is one of the longest sustained climbs on the I-15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The grade alone heats up tires under load, and if you're carrying close to gross, a marginal tire is going to fail right here.

First 60 seconds. Get off the throttle smoothly — don't slam the brakes. Steer gently to the shoulder, ideally as far right as possible. Set your hazards immediately. If you can roll past the apex of the climb to a safer pull-off, that's better than stopping mid-grade.

Triangles & safety. Federal regs require warning triangles within 10 minutes of stopping: one within 10 feet behind the truck, one at 100 feet, one at 200 feet. On Mountain Pass at night, this is non-negotiable — visibility comes around the bend fast.

Call mobile repair before a tow. A blown tire on a tractor or trailer is almost always a roadside fix — no need for a tow truck and a shop visit. Chuy's Towing & Tire Service runs out of Baker, CA and we typically reach Mountain Pass in 30–45 minutes with the right tire on the truck.

Have this info ready when you call: exit number or mile marker, tire size and position (steer, drive, trailer — inside or outside dual), and whether the rim is damaged.

Don't try to limp it. Running on a destroyed casing damages the wheel, the brake assembly, and sometimes the air system. The savings of "just making it to Vegas" disappear instantly when you bend a hub.