Highway debris leading to coolant leak/gush

[vsayler]

Driving on Interstate 40 yesterday. large portion of a tire right in the middle of the lane right in front of me. Only time to brake some (and then let off just before I went over it). Made some noise. Figured we would get off to check. 1 mile later, same thing with a smaller piece. Lots of traffic so again no time to avoid! So 1 mile later got off interstate and pull into a Loves. Walked around back, lots of coolant on ground.

Got Love’s tech to come (none at the one I was at, but another site 20 miles away had a tech). We waited 6 hours to get fixed, but in a decent parking place.

The first or second tire piece knocked a metal coolant pipe (it hangs down a lot) out of its rubber attachment point. See pictures. Also loosened/bent the Pitcock (spelling?). Hose clamp was missing. Tech checked pipe and said no tears and reattached and was able to tighten the Pitcock. He then proceeded to add about 13 gallons of coolant! It drained almost all of it. We were very lucky to have a exit because we probably couldn’t have gone another mile.




They have covered up the radiator pretty well so that debris won’t hit it, but I am thinking a 4 inch strip of steel could be used to partly cover this pipe hanging down, attaching to the brackets that hold the radiator protective shield in place. It’s to the side of the pipe but I think it might help avoid this in the future.

Van

[palehorse89]

On my Spartan Chassis the coolant line is a hose, hanging down in the same BAD location, made this bracket and mounted it to the frame rail........ to protect the hose from road debris.......
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/acc...se-584376.html

[vsayler]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

On my Spartan Chassis the coolant line is a hose, hanging down in the same BAD location, made this bracket and mounted it to the frame rail........ to protect the hose from road debris.......
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/acc...se-584376.html

Good info. Thanks!
I am going to Spartan next week for annual service and will discuss options with them.
Van

[Gary.Jones]

Van
Sorry to read about your experience with the tire remnants on the highway.... they can be catastrophic to our coaches as our coaches don't sit that high above the concrete. Did your toad also suffer damage? Sorry to see and read about your damage, but there is another useful concept in your experience that most can profit from.

I try never to follow anyone/anything at a close distance. Success in avoiding road trash and road debris is having enough viewing distance in front of us that we can make meaningful lane changes, berm escapes, etc. etc. to successfully avoid the junk! It's easy to get lulled into running too close to any vehicle in front of us particularly if we let our cruise control do any of the driving. I've gotten too close for too long and paid the price by hitting road junk just like we all have.

However, I now really seriously try to avoid any situation where I don't have a long, clear visual view of the road in front of me so if I have time to avoid, and I have the distance to be successful. In many ways, defensive driving, for me, is maintaining enough visual distance to avoid problems and objects. Sometimes getting too close can't be avoided.... but for me, it is something that I try to always be aware of and avoid. I'm sorry you are feeling the pain this time and good luck on the repairs and hope that you don't run into anything else.

Gary

[brobox]

Van, Thank you! for your heads up. I am going to look at mine for attaching some addition protection. We have a lot of scrap aluminum up at the hanger

Not saying everyone needs to do this, but ever since Wineman, a previous member here, had the same thing happen in NM, I have run Waze in some form to warn of road debris. It's now my main nav on the overhead TV. That is the big plus, I can now hear the road debris warnings and see the logos where I couldn't see the logos on my phone while traveling. It has saved me more that once from the same situation Van just experienced, nice to have the 1/2 mile warning. Road gators are super destructive.

[vsayler]

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

Van
Sorry to read about your experience with the tire remnants on the highway.... they can be catastrophic to our coaches as our coaches don't sit that high above the concrete. Did your toad also suffer damage? Sorry to see and read about your damage, but there is another useful concept in your experience that most can profit from.

I try never to follow anyone/anything at a close distance. Success in avoiding road trash and road debris is having enough viewing distance in front of us that we can make meaningful lane changes, berm escapes, etc. etc. to successfully avoid the junk! It's easy to get lulled into running too close to any vehicle in front of us particularly if we let our cruise control do any of the driving. I've gotten too close for too long and paid the price by hitting road junk just like we all have.

However, I now really seriously try to avoid any situation where I don't have a long, clear visual view of the road in front of me so if I have time to avoid, and I have the distance to be successful. In many ways, defensive driving, for me, is maintaining enough visual distance to avoid problems and objects. Sometimes getting too close can't be avoided.... but for me, it is something that I try to always be aware of and avoid. I'm sorry you are feeling the pain this time and good luck on the repairs and hope that you don't run into anything else.

Gary

Tow vehicle is a lifted Jeep Rubicon, so it was fine.

[vsayler]

Originally Posted by brobox

Van, Thank you! for your heads up. I am going to look at mine for attaching some addition protection. We have a lot of scrap aluminum up at the hanger

Not saying everyone needs to do this, but ever since Wineman, a previous member here, had the same thing happen in NM, I have run Waze in some form to warn of road debris. It's now my main nav on the overhead TV. That is the big plus, I can now hear the road debris warnings and see the logos where I couldn't see the logos on my phone while traveling. It has saved me more that once from the same situation Van just experienced, nice to have the 1/2 mile warning. Road gators are super destructive.

Didn’t know waze did the road debris, I will have to start keeping it on for more than traffic Jams which is where I mostly use it. I did see a vehicle swerving ahead of me before this happened and I was thinking it was an erratic driver. I then found out it was the tire!

[VanK]

Van,
Had to reply. There aren't too many Vans out here. Glad you didn't have more damage. In heavy traffic there isn't much you can do to keep the road in front clear since as soon as you do someone will pull into the clear area.
Van
2008 40' Ventana
no toad

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by brobox

Van, Thank you! for your heads up. I am going to look at mine for attaching some addition protection. We have a lot of scrap aluminum up at the hanger

Not saying everyone needs to do this, but ever since Wineman, a previous member here, had the same thing happen in NM, I have run Waze in some form to warn of road debris. It's now my main nav on the overhead TV. That is the big plus, I can now hear the road debris warnings and see the logos where I couldn't see the logos on my phone while traveling. It has saved me more that once from the same situation Van just experienced, nice to have the 1/2 mile warning. Road gators are super destructive.

Hello Chuck, also thought of making the bracket out of aluminum, but thought it would never hold up to a road gator........ Steel and grade 8 bolt's.

[bevandtomH]

The lower radiator hose is really exposed. Not sure what could be fashioned to protect it. But like Chuck, WAZE is on all the time. If folks are active in the area you are driving, it can really help avoid stuff.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

Hello Chuck, also thought of making the bracket out of aluminum, but thought it would never hold up to a road gator........ Steel and grade 8 bolt's.

I was thinking hopefully a diversion. I will look at mine more closely. As for Waze, it not only gives a verbal warning, but an icon of the location. Big help to know what lane to be in. It's not 100%, but enough I have avoided some serious debris and why I moved it to the overhead TV. Truckers are great keeping it updated.

[Gary.Jones]

I ALWAYS have "Waze" running on a separate Visible cell phone ($25 for everything) when moving in the Cornerstone (actually running continuously in any car I drive).

Its not much good on many 2 lane back country state and federal roads (other than big federal interstates) but I have it running all the time.

And yes, if another car or truck passes me and pulls in front of me, then they can block my view. If safe however, I then move into the passing lane to regain my clear view. If I cant do that, then I fall back. What I try to never do is drive for long up close to anyone.... I try my damndest to always have sufficient forward "view" to successfully avoid any trash. Not always possible, but always my intention!!! This one of my objections to a crowded 2-lane highway...

Gary