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This video could save your life
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After watching this video, I’ve thought about it drawing upon my rather old automotive experience, so I question it’s validity when applied to modern-day automotive equipment. (Like our Prevost coaches.)
I’ve thought about how it might apply to our coaches, and noticed that some responders feel their throttle foot must never be in a relaxed position away from the throttle. I disagree!
It appears to me that Michelin didn’t take into consideration ABS braking? Did they consider cruise control response?
My thinking is this: when a front tire blows it slows the vehicle and puts an additional load on the engine to maintain the speed set on the cruise control, so as soon as you lose a front tire the throttle will open (most likely wide open). If cruise control is on, you won’t have to worry about jamming on the peddle.
If you have ABS brakes: the side with the blown tire will tend to appear to the system as a wheel locking up if you apply the brakes. It seems to me the counter stopping force of the opposite wheel would greatly assist a controlled stop.
Of course this is all speculation based on theory (mine), as I’m not ready to try it on purpose. I’d like to see the Michelin test done on a vehicle equipped with ABS and cruise control with the cruise control engaged.
Please feel free to counter my theory (no offense will be taken). 🙂
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Grizz, I think you might be on to something here, it would be nice (I don’t want to be the test dummy) to see it tested on cruise. The main thing remains though, do not let off the throttle and hit the brakes initially.
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Yes, I agree the throttle should be kept open and brakes not aggressively applied. My comments were mainly directed towards not having to be afraid to enjoy using the cruise control as I believe it will floor-board the throttle if a front tire blows giving the driver a moment to take control.
IMHO: (aside from having very good tires properly inflated and watching for road junk) having both hands on the wheel at all times seem to me, to be a very good safety precaution in case of any emergency, cruise control or not.
i’m quite confident that ABS will help accomplish a safe stop with a blown tire.
Maybe a Michelin rep will pickup on this theory and run a new test using a cruise control and ABS equipped vehicle.
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Grizz,
You might be on to something, but lets back up a little. Most tire failures will happen without any warning.
I think the science of the video is driver education while handling a big rig.
The purpose and message of the video is clearly what not to do….dynamite the brake pedal. We want PC members
to make the right split second pedal choice.
The message is important and PC posting just might save someones life. For this reason it’s posted every month.
At some point with the large membership of PC the odds are ….a positive posting when the unexpected happens.
AL
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It is a great constant reminder and Al gets free dues next year for keeping this video in the forefront.
All the pilots will appreciate the constant reminder and can compare it to doing stalls. By constantly seeing this video it is hoped if a tire fails catastrophically that the reaction to the failure will be immediate and it will be correct. We won’t have time to think when the tire lets go so we need to respond automatically.
Where this video has been helping me is I am now very much aware I need two hands on the wheel and that I need to be holding the wheel. Our coaches track very straight and true, but in the event of a blowout I am sure the wheel is going to be pulled hard unless I am holding it. so for me the steering wheel is more than just a comfortable place to rest my hands.
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I lost a tag while navigating a debris field, slowing from 70mph….damage 8 tires, 2 airbags, shock absorber, mud flap, fender liner, rub rail, muffler. $22,0000@Prevost Dallas for repairs and whilst this was a comprehensive insurance claim and not to be subject to insurance penalties, I was also given a 400/year rate increase on insurance. Be careful out there!
Good job Al!
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You can take comfort in the knowledge that even at today’s reduced interest rates, at $400 per year the insurance company will recover it’s $22,000 in …………NEVER.
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True Jon, but if one factors in the 12 years prior with not one claim they will get close fairly soon….have to wait and see if I get another surprise next year!
Tradewinds Coach
Kyle Bennett (Service)
Brian Miller (Sales) -
The insurance company will not talk about it, but as we age our rates increase. When you ask about why your premiums have gone up, even though the insurance company has less exposure due to depreciation, it is like pulling teeth to get the agent or insurance company to admit the age penalty.
You may carry the qualifications to fly a plane but the insurance company doesn’t think that would apply to aiming a bus down the road.
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Tell me about it! Our 2 twenty something sons moved out and our bus insurance went up $4500. Our agent is as baffled as we are since we have had no claims or tickets! Company claims not having the boys on the policy narrows the risk pool. What a crock!
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Alvie you are absolutely correct. When we insure the current bus I was asked to put my wife on the policy as a named driver. I said no because she does not feel qualified and as a result she drove one of our buses for the last time about 22 years ago.
They said if she is listed the premiums will go down.
I asked if I understood it right. The insurance company will lower my premiums if I list a driver who is not comfortable driving the bus, has no experience with 60,000 pounds and 65 feet of length when towing and has no intention of driving. Yes was the answer. So as a follow up question I asked why my Class A commercial license gets a premium reduction while adding someone who admits to no qualifications whatsoever when added generates another premium reduction. No answer was available for that leap of logic.
I suspect when these folks were done designing the Affordable Care Act they moved over to the RV insurance industry and began writing our policies.
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You nailed it Jon, Leap Of Logic. We have lost Logic in our everyday society.
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I thought there was no politics allowed on this site?
Oops, sorry I forgot, you get owners rights!
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Nothing political here……….we are talking about insurance for our coaches.
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In my next life I am coming back as an actuary, that after I immigrate to the US……..
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