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This video could save your life
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I believe they are named Rettro Band.
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I like it!
Could be that there is maybe a better “mouse trap”.
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I’am thinking the jury is still out on the Rettro Band.
Watching the Michelin video shows what happens when air is lost on a steer axle tire. Driver still needs to act on pushing the correct pedal.
Note the Rettro Band parts to complete the band installed on rim inside your front axle tire.
Mike Harper
2004 Marathon XLII -
This video could save your life is dated but the message is not.
Please watch the video, post your comments, tour this thread as a lot of stories, opinions are documented.
Go back to first post on this thread to watch video. 636381
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I understand about not stomping the brakes (or, touching them – even if ABS). And, to keep your hands on the outside of the wheel – 10 and 2 o’clock to help with steering.
What I haven’t seen (unless I missed reading it somewhere) is whether a Transmission Retarder or Jake Brake should also fall into the DON’T USE category with a front wheel blowout. Would seem to make sense, but not sure this aspect has been covered?
Sorry if this question seems ignorant…we haven’t taken delivery of our coach yet (w/Transmission Retarder) and although we’ll have new tires – there are still objects in the road, things that go bump in the night that could cause tire trouble!
Have not previously had a coach with Transmission Retarder or Jake Brake…therefore, asking.
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The video is about what to do in case of a blow out at highway speeds. We’re talking micro seconds when it happens.
Watch the video over and over as your actions make the difference ending in the ditch or the shoulder.
Safe to say …you won”t have time to think about Jake or retarder. 636381
Ive seen 18 wheelers safely on the shoulder with a blown front steer. To me that represents a professional.
Go back to first message on this thread…blue letters are hot. Sorry forgot to post that info.
AL
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Thanks Al. Wasn’t sure whether either system could be used once back in control of the coach/wheel after the initial blowout…to help slow down when maneuvering over to the shoulder further down the road? Or, do you just let the vehicle glide to a halt?
Thought using Transmission Retarder or Jake might be preferable to touching the brakes at any point in bringing the coach to a full stop.
(Not to jinx us…but, so far fortunate enough to never have experienced a blowout or flat.)
Will definitely watch the video, again. Don’t believe the server could be found on the first forum Post. Will scroll through the above Posts for an active link.
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If you have a blow out the first reaction should be to apply power to stabilize the situation. The application of power disengages the jake or retarder so if you do what is needed initially neither is a factor.
Then once stabilized reduce or remove power appropriately to begin slowing while maintaining control. Neither the jake or retarder will be on if you are still applying a small amount of power, and if you take your foot from the pedal, engaging either, if the coach starts to exhibit some unwanted actions, add back in a little power or disengage the retarder.
Nothing should be done suddenly except the application of power and then only to maintain stability. After that anything that is done can be done gradually and smoothly.
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Excellent response, Jon. Exactly the description I was needing.
Also, sorry – the Benny Parsons link is active (watching it now).
It was the 2nd link in your 3rd Post that couldn’t identify the server to open.
Grateful for your and Al’s advice.
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Thank you for your comments, Greg.
As you tour this thread the postings go back to 2013 with lots of info and stories.
My favorite is the poster who “bragged” about his front axle blow out and how he handled his RV nearly killing his entire family plus dog. This driver did everything wrong.
AL
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It was educational to learn that if (once we finally take delivery of our coach) I were to be using the Cruise Control with the Transmission Retarder and experience a blowout…by accelerating that would disengage the Transmission Retarder. And, that by letting off the pedal (once re-establishing control) should be able to steer the coach over to the shoulder – as traffic allows.
Would I have to manually disengage the Cruise Control to slow down? In our cars, if the Cruise is on you can accelerate…but, once you let off the gas, it returns to the set Cruise speed. Would expect the Prevost to do likewise. Since we shouldn’t touch/tap the brakes during a blowout…will need to be cognizant to manually disengage the Cruise Control.
Sorry, just trying to play out the entire scenario in my head (hopefully/praying to never actually encounter while driving!).
That video is quite timeless, exceptional and enlightening!
Thank you again, Al and Jon!
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Years ago i had a front right blow out . It happened so fast the only thing I could do was hold that wheel in a death grip . After what seemed like forever i applied the brakes . Since then I replace steer tiers every 3 years and do my best to keep thumbs out of the inside and be alert . Can’t do it all the time but I try . Especially on bad roads and driving over 65 . just sharing my experance .
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Rule #1. Don’t get blowouts. I am not being a smart ass but I am trying to deal with the problem by not allowing it to happen. Inspect the tires before each trip. Never run at a lower tire pressure than is required for the axle weight. If you do not know the history of the tires get them inspected to be sure they were not previously run at a low pressure.
But we all know stuff happens so Al’s posting of the video is very important. A blowout is going to be a sudden shock so repeatedly reviewing the process of dealing with a blowout is important because it locks the procedure in your brain and should allow you to respond automatically and correctly.
As soon as you make the initial application of power your brain has taken over and anything that is needed to allow you to slowly and while under control bring the coach to a stop can be taken care of. The cruise, retarder or jake can all be dealt with as you sort out what has to be done.
There are a lot of side issues that are specific to the problem, not only deciding how to handle the cruise, jake or retarder, but how to get the coach to a safe spot, something made more or less difficult depending on traffic, which lane you are in and the availability of a wide safe stopping spot. If you are on a long bride, in the fast lane or bumper to bumper traffic you have a lot of things to consider
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Thankfully, I had watched this video several times since it was first posted. Today it likely saved our lives. This morning while traveling on I-95 (on a clear and dry road surface) at 60 mph and in the right lane, our 6 year old curb side steer tire experienced a catastrophic “blow out”. The tire had been visually inspected 3 hours earlier, with air pressure (110 psi) verified. I followed the instructions in the video, maintained control of the coach, and was able to bring it to rest just off of the shoulder of the highway. Crisis avoided. What I learned from this experience is as follows: I am 100% certain that had we been going faster than 60mph, (or had the cruise control on) or had I not had a very firm grip on the wheel at the time, I likely would not have been able to control the coach and would have gone off the shoulder of the road. Here is a couple of pictures. I will try to figure out how to post the dash cam video after a couple drinks.
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Michelin now backs tires based on tred depth up to 10 years. I would try to see if they can do some forensics on the tire.
Without seeing the inside I will stick my neck out and say it looks like a “zipper” failure that usually results from having been run at a low pressure at some time in the past. I do not know if you are the original owner of the tires and know their history.
Running tires at less than the required pressure can damage the cords and can be determined by looking at the inner liner to see if it has a dark color at the point of failure due to heat from low pressures.
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