Community Forums

kketterling · 03-15-2014, 02:47 PM

I know what I need to do if I have a blow out. But my question is if I have the cruise control on and a blow out occurs will the cruise disengage based on the blow out impact? Knowing I initially need to hit the accelerator and then once under control slow it down, the idea of also trying to remember to to disengage the cruise control without initially stepping on the brake, may be a challenge.

Any thoughts? Been a bit reluctant to run with the cruise.

chuckinthebus · 03-15-2014, 02:53 PM

I know there would be a lot going through your mind at that instant, but couldn't you turn it of on the wheel without hitting the brakes? May also want to see if while the cruise is on, can you accelerate.

Traps90 · 03-15-2014, 03:18 PM

Accelerating with the cruise on is no problem, when you go to slow down lightly press on the brakes to disengage the cruise.

NotSoBadBob · 03-15-2014, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnkinthebus

I know there would be a lot going through your mind at that instant, but couldn't you turn it of on the wheel without hitting the brakes? May also want to see if while the cruise is on, can you accelerate.

Agree.

wildtoad · 03-15-2014, 04:04 PM

I personally think there should be a steering wheel mounted switch that must be continuously pressed for the cruise to remain engaged. How many cars have continued to run after the driver has fallen asleep or had a medical issue?

sirpurrcival · 03-16-2014, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traps90

Accelerating with the cruise on is no problem, when you go to slow down lightly press on the brakes to disengage the cruise.

I agree. The procedure for dealing with a blow out is to accelerate first and then focus on slowing down. That should give you time to either tap the brake or disengage at the wheel. I think the biggest issue with the cruise, is that many folks don't have their left foot anywhere near the gas pedal in case of such an unforeseen emergency.

Wizard · 03-16-2014, 06:55 AM

Not sure about everyone else but for me when something like a blowout happens, I'm going to first touch the brakes before my mind tells me to do anything else and that will disengage the cruise.

I guess instinct just takes over first.

obwahn · 03-16-2014, 07:45 AM

Left foot for brake? You drive weirder than I do. :-)

obwahn · 03-16-2014, 07:46 AM

Oops. You said gas, but same diff.

vsheetz · 03-16-2014, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard

Not sure about everyone else but for me when something like a blowout happens, I'm going to first touch the brakes before my mind tells me to do anything else and that will disengage the cruise. I guess instinct just takes over first.

Me too.

chuckinthebus · 03-16-2014, 12:38 PM

May want to watch this over and over to keep from injuring yourself or others.

How to Handle a Tire Blowout in Your RV - YouTube

Dutch Star Don · 03-16-2014, 01:09 PM

X3...My programmed muscle movement will be to tap the brakes before I realize I need to accelerate out of danger.

Loren Rice · 03-16-2014, 05:03 PM

I had a front tire blow out. I expected terrible things to happen. In my case I was going 60 mph but straight at the time so off the throttle since nothing worse was going on, guided across several freeway lanes to get to the side, while watching for traffic and it was over. Used the brakes very gently but did try to stop rolling asap so hopefully the alloy rim might survive.
Wether momentary acceleration is necessary might depend on some specific conditions, in my case it wasn't necessary. I was touching the brake almost instantly and of course the cruse went right off.
It turned out my tire had stayed on the rim and so my alloy wheel was ok- but the disingerating tire did rip the metal shields in front of the front and rear air bags off and about a foot square piece of fiberglass. Talk about loud--- it scared me yet when you have the responsibility of those in the coach with you, plus the safely of the vehicles around you-- I just had to think fast and get safely off the freeway

I'm thinking a rear blow out might be less noticeable in the driving of the vehicle but also very damaging because of all the soft materiel's around the tire in the wheel wells that motor-home's typically have. You would in most cases have one tire still carrying the vehicle-- you probably would mostly hear the loud explosion then the sound of a tire carcuse slapping and tearing stuff loose from the motor-home-- something I hope to never experience! In this case I believe again getting stopped as fast as you can will help to minimize physical damage to your rig.
Loren

Coma · 03-19-2014, 06:53 AM

FWIW. It has been shown in aviation simulators that mental rehearsal of a procedure produces nearly the same result as actually doing it. Muscle memory is mostly mental. Sit in a chair and practice. Fuel first while you lock the steering with your arms, disengage cruise. When under control, decelerate slowly.

Rehearsing procedures in a chair, chair flying, served me well for 38 years of check rides.