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Truck front tire blow-outs
Saw two front tire blow-outs last couple of days. One was on TV–a dump truck in San Antonio blew a front tire, ran off the road and killed one individual and injured another. The other we just saw this afternoon was an 18-wheeler that lost the driver’s side front tire, careened though the median and turned over on the driver’s side. It ended up partially in the opposing lane on I-10 just west of Sonoma, TX. Don’t know if the driver is OK, hopefully so. Having just been through this, I hope fleet owners impress on their drivers what to do in the case of a front tire blow-out. Wouldn’t hurt to reiterate on the forum as well!
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33 Replies
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Al, Perhaps you can repost the video? We all need constant reminders of things that are going to keep us safe and Per is correct in pointing out the wrong procedure in dealing with a blowout can have severe consequences.
And while on the topic of safety there is a Prevost Prouds member who posted on Fakebook about a check engine light coming on while he was driving at 80 MPH. I don’t know who this person is or if he is a PC member, but someone needs to understand driving our coaches at 80 is insanity.
Per’s concerns about blowouts need to be hammered into this Marathon owner, Prevost Proud member’s head. Our tires are rated at a max of 75. Some are rated for lower top speeds. Instead of driving like a damn fool this person needed to leave earlier and slow down. But if he insists on acting like a moron he should self insure so my insurance premiums do not go up when his bus has pieces scattered across three counties.
It is too bad stupid is still legal.
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It’s just like Jon to beat around the bush and not come out and say what’s on his mind! But 80 miles an hour in a Prevost does border on “Crazy Person” if not out right insanity.
I remember reading a post some time ago by a Prevost owner who slammed on his brakes behind an 18 wheeler, (as I remember they were going 50 mph at the time), and the Prevost driver said he had no idea that an 18 wheeler can stop faster than his bus! He missed hitting him by a few feet.
My point is 80 mph significantly lesions your options and like Jon said and I’ll paraphrase here, start your trip earlier and slow the heck down. Almost everything on the road can maneuver and stop a lot better than you!
Just my thoughts,
Harry
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Anyone had the misfortune of having a front tire blow that could speak to how dramatic the experience is?
Can defiantly say I am fearful of not reacting properly in the nano seconds that require the fuel pedal and not the brake pedal. I constantly remind myself, Fuel pedal not Brake pedal.
Chuck
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I agree with you Chuck, going to the brake first is almost an automatic isn’t it? My hope is if the time ever comes that I need it. I’ll remember the videos I’ve watched and the many conversations we’ve had on the forum. I think I’ll remember!
Harry
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And if on the front, hope to have both hands on the wheel as it’s going somewhere and pronto.
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So I’m going to take the opportunity and repeat my question about RettroBand that I’ve posted in other front tire blowout discussions.
This product has gotten a lot of discussion “traction” in Class A forums, but not in Prevost as far as I can tell. I’m not sure if there’s a technical reason it wouldn’t work as well w/ bus conversion …or what.
Seems like a $4000 investment would be worth it given the context of how expensive our buses are and the stakes involved in a blowout.
We pick up our coach in mid October and I’m tentatively planning to have these installed when I get it back to Vegas unless I come across some feedback or reasons not to.
Interested in folks’ perspectives
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Chuck,
Go to my post covering my experience with a blown tire that happened on 11 Aug this year. Still waiting on a replacement fender from Prevost.
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While Al’s video is a tremendous service to this site….Instinct is Instinct and Muscle Memory is Muscle Memory. All who did not previously know this can keep telling themselves this but I’d bet that if it ever happens only about 20-25% will react properly. But, even if just one of the next ones do, it’s well worth it. Because I’ve been racing cars since I was 14yrs old and quickly realized that 98% of the time you were better off with a throttle pedal and a steering wheel than a brake pedal, I could very easily hit the brake pedal instinctively also. So far I have been lucky that I’ve never blown a steer on a bus, but have more than once in the past on our large race haulers. I always reacted properly from the correct instinct that I already had. Just some thoughts. Geo.
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This looked interesting. http://www.tyron-usa.com/
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Reposted this video under ” this video could save your life”
Please post your comments and opinions …are always welcome
AL
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Great video ! Only concern is having cruise control engaged during blowout. Any thoughts ?
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Steve,
I would say don’t worry about the cruise. Hit the accelerator, and get control of the coach. Once you have control of the coach, then you can apply the brake, which of course shuts off the cruise, and you can pull to a safe area as soon as possible.
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Yes and here is Rettroband to compare
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Watch the video with some reflection. First, if you made it to the 11 minute mark and you don’t wear a dirt bike helmet whilst driving your Prevost, it’s a thought to reconsider.
The “solution” is spend close to $5,000 for two steer tires that “may come out of service:. If you have steer tires with TPMS, you are astute to the current tire pressure and heat readings and know when to pull over because readings are not accurate/inconsistent.
But if there is a sudden rupture-why? A piece of rebar? A railroad tie? (Smaller objects will document a reduction in pressure and an eventual run flat condition. It will not demonstarte the unexpected drastic ruptures)….
What do you do? If you watched the video, there is a claim you can continue to drive for several miles… but what happens to the fitted tire as it comes apart over the next 6 miles?
Buyer, beware! Facts do matter.
First, be advised that Retrobands has not reached out to chassis or tire OEMs for their opinion/endorsement about their product.
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I have survived several– two on a bus. 1 on mci and one on prevost. Both just drove thru–don’t get excited until later.Both tires were virgin rubber steer tires. 1 was 3 yrs old. keep your head and plan a safe stop! Then thank god you and everyone else survived. That is in the moment! Keep a eye on your equipment.. Plus everything else everyone suggested. Be Aware if you feel a vibration in steering wheel or differant noise ck it out then not miles down road. My last close call was in July..I dropped front right off side of country road–had a low boy coming other way .Drove a piece while slowing down until I got to a taper in pavement that was safe at the speed to help me back on. Sorry for the rambling—
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