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Old 04-03-2016, 08:17 AM   #1
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Safe T Plus Experience After A Blowout?

A friend that we spend winters with in FL was returning home last month when he had a blowout in GA, causing the coach to crash into the Interstate concrete divider. It caught fire and destroyed both the 45' coach and their tow vehicle. He had tires that looked new, but were well beyond their safe age.

The thought of having a steer tire blowout has been on my mind for the past 20 years, so I decided that I would not leave Florida without some kind of steering assistance installed. I opted to have a Safe T Plus installed. After leaving the FL installation garage and driving to NC, I found it to make a great difference in my motorhome handling in numerous ways, however, I purchased it mainly for additional assistance in the event of a blowout.

My question is has anyone had a blowout after having a Safe T Plus installed and how did your coach respond?
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Old 04-03-2016, 08:25 AM   #2
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This video shows how to handle a blowout, not sure a Safe T Plus will save you, it might help, but YOU need to be prepared.

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Old 04-03-2016, 08:33 AM   #3
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Thanks Bob, yes, I have watched this or a similar video several times over the years and it's always on my mind while driving. My main concern is will I react as I should in the split second of reaction time in the event of a blowout. Hopefully, the Safe T Plus will give me another second of reaction time.
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Old 04-03-2016, 09:37 AM   #4
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I know lots of people like the Safe-T Plus system. However, as long as the power steering works, I don't see where you would need anything else...read on...

Regarding the Michelin video, I had a right front blowout last May on a very busy interstate, in a different coach. As I look back on this experience, the last thing I wanted (or needed) was more speed or thrust, it would have caused more damage and exacerbated the problem. At no time was I in danger of losing control of the coach or was the vibration or pull to the right severe. Attempting to accelerate or increase thrust never entered my mind. My only thought was to slow down and get off the highway. And that's what I did.

The Michelin video sounds good and looks good, however, all the scenarios are scripted with safety the primary consideration. It's like a lot of "school solutions," every aspect of the demonstration is planned. However, when doing it for real, I doubt it's merit.
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Old 04-03-2016, 10:05 AM   #5
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Your first instinct is to slam on the brakes but after seeing several post on this subject I knew better. My front tire blow out went straight, it was very noisy but never felt a lose of control.
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Old 04-03-2016, 10:35 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarheel View Post
A friend that we spend winters with in FL was returning home last month when he had a blowout in GA, causing the coach to crash into the Interstate concrete divider. It caught fire and destroyed both the 45' coach and their tow vehicle. He had tires that looked new, but were well beyond their safe age.
How old were they?
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Old 04-03-2016, 01:50 PM   #7
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A blow out is a tough thing to prepare for. Roads have a lot of different conditions. Uphill, downhill. right turns, left turns and a combination of any of these.
The best advice I could offer is to keep calm and cool making direction changes smooth and calculated. Your natural reaction may be to pull far to the right as soon as the blowout occurs but you may be in a heavy traffic situation. Keep a steady wheel and blend to the shoulder when you can.
Some steering aids can help keep the wheel controllable but it is you who is in charge of where you end up. Keep the panic to a minimum and you will be fine. Blowouts happen daily on big trucks. You seldom hear of them crashing because of it. The drivers have to be alert but have not practiced blowing tires at highway speeds. Why should you be any different?
You have to have the mindset you can handle it and you will be better prepared if it does happen. Hopefully it won't. It is all about self control. IMO.
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Old 04-03-2016, 06:38 PM   #8
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Pete-
I believe his wife said they were 8-9 years old. Unfortunately, it was early morning and she was lying in bed because she wasn't feeling well. When the tire blew and hit the divider, everything in the kitchen area came loose and she was trapped in the bedroom with their dog. She had a difficult time getting the escape window open, so she let the dog loose while she got it open. The dog disappeared and was burned up in the fire. She was lucky to get out in time.

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Old 04-04-2016, 05:16 AM   #9
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I think having tire pressure monitors installed is a huge advantage to catch a low tire.
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Old 04-04-2016, 05:31 AM   #10
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That is horrible Dick, just horrible. Glad she got out the emergency window, but so sad the dog did not make it.
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Old 04-04-2016, 05:41 AM   #11
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I had a front tire blowout on a tire less than four years old. Ironically, my Blue-Ox TruSteer steering stabilizer had failed and been sent back to Blu-Ox for replacement, so I did not have a stabilizer. I followed the advice given in the Michelin video and sucessfully stopped the coach on the shoulder. It did not cause me to gain speed as I only used the engine power for a second or two to maintain direction. The Michelin video does not advise that you stay on the power, just a short burst will maintain your direction. I think that procedure worked well for me.

P.S. The tire was badly shredded and it caused $10,000 in damage to the coach.
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Old 04-04-2016, 02:00 PM   #12
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Have a tire pressure monitor is a good add on but is of no use in the case of a catastrophic tire failure which is the case in about 99% of the blow outs where a bad accident is involved. A lot of it boils down to the fact that we're comfortable and relaxed as we drive and and blow-out takes us by surprise and sometimes before we can react it's too late.
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Old 04-04-2016, 02:15 PM   #13
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I agree with D Lindy, A TPMS can keep you up on pressures and temperature, but a tire failure can happen with no warning.

While I feel for the folks who had the accident, iwth loss of property and pet, I was haunted by the statement, "He had tires that looked new, but were well beyond their safe age. "

If he knew the tires were beyond a safe age, 8-9 years old, in the Florida sun, it's a lesson everyone should learn from. RV tires most likely will age out before they wear out. It's just not worth the risk, replace tires when it's recommended, don't go by appearance.
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