B190 Enthusiasts

Sorry, not sure where to post this...

It is with a heavy heart that I have to let this group know that as of Thursday June 17 our 1997 B-190 is no longer part of the B-190 community. Thursday morning, heading to our yearly trip to Las Cruces, New Mexico from Tempe, Arizona the driver side rear tire blew approximately 11 miles east of Willcox, AZ. My wife was driving and it seemed like she had regained control but it acted like we had hit something again and the van went into some kind of roll. The tow truck driver told us that the cord from the inside of the tire wrapped itself around the axle and locked that up so there was really nothing we could do. We ended up on the driver's side in the median. Within seconds there was a bunch of people who helped get us and our six chihuahuas out. We all are okay - only minor bruises and cuts. It is amazing after seeing what is left of the van, which is very little, that we came out with no major injury. Someone was looking out for us.

We put in the antisway bars, both front and rear, and new shocks a few years ago based on information from this forum. That helped the ride tremendously and if you haven't done it yet, do it as soon as you can. More importantly, the tires are very important on this van - ours were not old and had very little mileage but with the weight, tires age much quicker than on a normal car.

Enjoy your B's but be very safe out there.

So sorry for your loss, I know you must be heartbroken and in shock. I have a 1997 also and ordered tires from Costco about a month and a half ago and they did not ship so had to reorder a week ago and still waiting. I did not feel comfortable letting my family go with the current tires which look fine with lots of tread. Savero brand made in Indonesia so they went on a road trip from Florida to Wyoming in the Toyota minivan instead. Glad you were physically able to provide the update to the loss in our community with no loss of life or limb. Please share photos if possible so we can see how they fair in this type of situation

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm glad you and the dogs are okay, though!

Is there anything salvageable for sale?

Thanks for the thoughts. There really wouldn't be much salvageable on this. Everything inside except for the bench seat detached itself and the wood splintered. All glass, like the oven front, etc. was shattered. It's been turned over to the insurance company anyway so what ever happens to it is up to them. We were allowed to get our personal items out but that was all.

WOW. I'm glad you all are OK. Those are the saddest B190 pics I have ever seen.

I recently increased the stated value with the insurance company and the increased premium was like $18 higher . For example you can say i want to insure it for $30k or $40k or $50k. Those photos show the B190 gods were with you

Holy Cow!
Glad you are OK.
Was that rear tire a re tread?

Thanks -

No, it was a Michelin. No retread. It was driverside rear. Luckily we both were wearing seatbelts and the dogs were in a large softsided crate. The outcome would have been a lot different if we hadn't been.

Wow, that’s really bad. Glad the dogs were safe, too.

Would you please send me the VIN (the Ford and ideally the B190 one, if you have it) so I can note it in the database?

So happy to hear you all are ok! What a sad event indeed. Not sure if interested or just too soon but I’m going to be putting our 1999 with 81,053 miles on sale shortly. Over the pandemic we didn’t use it and then my 14 year old son out grew us in size and interests. To add, I got a whole soup to nuts U-joint 4x4 proposal from Chris and the bride pulled the plug as our family dynamics have changed. I’m recuperating from double hernia surgery and a mild case of Lyme so I have not even de-winterized or did the summer shakedown yet. I have local unsolicited offers from NYC glampers at a premium but prefer to pass on to the B190 community/interests first. You all can PM now but I’ll be sure to officially get on the official FOR SALE with all specifics/details shortly.