Community Forums

gacamp · 04-23-2015, 05:00 AM

A good friend of mine experienced a sudden blowout of his driver side front tire just a couple of weeks ago. He is a long time coach owner with many miles under his belt and is also a very large strong man. He told me that it was incredible how quickly his coach, a 42' CC, was basically shot to the left almost into the interstate median before he could he could accelerate and regain some control and get over to the right. The tire was a five year old Michelin. This Kansas couple were not so fortunate, sad and sobering.

Jamie65 · 04-23-2015, 09:29 AM

One of my great concerns is a front tire blow out, I have installed the Safe T Plus on my coach. I am only in my greatest prayers that I never experience it, but hope that the system will help. Several post have attested to the fact that in a blow out the bus maintained control with minimal effort with Safe T Plus installed, I do know that it has made driving much more comfortable and relaxing.

MSHappyCampers · 04-23-2015, 09:34 AM

This is the reason we installed SteerSafe stabilizers when we bought the MH! Didn't need them for steering problems, only for added control in case of a front tire blowout!

dvmweb · 04-23-2015, 09:49 AM

Sorry to read this.

2013 FleetWood Expedition 38B

Mentor · 04-23-2015, 09:52 AM

What about the highway rigs, the heavy truckers, what about their blowouts?

530ktm · 04-23-2015, 11:35 AM

I had a left front tire blow out on my 1982 30 foot Southwind. The tire ripped out the propane tank line which was right behind the front tire. At no time did the coach yank me to the left or feel like it was going out of control and this was driving at 60mph towing a 20 foot boat. It did however make a lot of bad sounds along with the hissing of the propane spewing out. It also ripped out a bunch of wires going up to the grill of the coach. My family and I were very lucky as I pulled over to the side of the freeway and we exited and moved away as I was sure this whole thing was going to burst into flames. It did not, the tank bled off while the fire dept. stood by and we finally got the whole set up towed into the next town. I put two new tires on the front and drove it home for the rest of the repairs.

ROAquaman · 04-23-2015, 12:13 PM

Our prayers go out to the family and friends of this couple. Tragic.

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timetogo · 04-23-2015, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mentor

What about the highway rigs, the heavy truckers, what about their blowouts?

Good question. This is is from The Tire Rack site:

"If you experience a blowout, it doesn't make any difference if you are driving a sports car, sporty coupe or sport utility vehicle; the same procedures are appropriate. The driver should step on the accelerator for an instant to preserve vehicle momentum (or at least maintain constant accelerator pedal pressure), and offset the pulling caused by the blown tire by gently counter steering to keep the vehicle in its lane. Once the vehicle has stabilized, the driver can gently slow down and begin to carefully pull over to the side of the road."

Same for Motor Homes and trucks.

quad80 · 04-23-2015, 01:08 PM

Sad to hear.

Almost 2 years ago I was pulling our TT just south of Pueblo, Co on I25. I had a tire blowout on front driver side. It pulled sharp left across highway and almost off a steep drop off in center median. Lucky I did not have a car next to me or I would have forced off drop off. It happens very quickly and ones first reaction may be to hit brakes, which is worse thing you can do for it will make vehicle pull harder to front blowout side. I an disabled and drive with a hand controls. I had moved both hands on wheel and fight it to regain control without braking, thankfully. A guy behind me stopped to check on us and said we were very lucky, almost went off road. It was a scary thing and wife was pretty shook up. Like I said, it happens very fast. I am looking into Safe T Plus to add to out new to me MH.

stepside454 · 04-24-2015, 01:07 PM

I drove past the site today on the way to Scott AFB. It was eerie looking. I drive this route often. By the tire marks it made a hard right $ hit that pole dead center . The sign pole & the ground are all black. Just awful