Blow front tire, what do you do?
If you saw the video last week of the Class A blowing a tire and going off the road. I'd like to hear what is the right way to react. I've heard don't use your breaks, what's the answer?
Forum Discussion
- I had that happen to me. Left front. It really was no big deal, unlike the video. Don't step on the brake, coast to the shoulder. No sudden turns. Most of all...pray.
whporwil wrote:
If you saw the video last week of the Class A blowing a tire and going off the road. I'd like to hear what is the right way to react. I've heard don't use your breaks, what's the answer?
Accelerate! Watch this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkwOE1yKY5c- In addition to learning how to properly handle a blow-out, get a product such as a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer onto your RV ASAP. The videos on this product show front tires being deliberately blown with small explosives to simulate a blow-out. One particular video showed a cement truck, if I remember correctly, having a front tire deliberately blown-out. The driver was sweating bullets, but ended up being simply amazed at how well he was able to control the truck by having the Safe-T-Plus on the truck. I think it's money well spent, myself. Again, you just don't know how much of the videos, etc, are sales hype and how much is true, but it looked to me like having the Safe-T-Plus was certainly going to be an asset in the event of a blow-out. We had one installed on our RV several years ago.
- That is right, you do not touch your brakes. Hit the accelerator and then as soon as you have directional control, slowly back off of the gas to come to a safe stop. Do not pull off of the paved surface until your speed is below 10 mph as the drop off of the pavement could cause you to lose control. Don't panic, don't make any excessive quick moves, and don't worry about any damage to your coach.
If you watch TV very often there have been several police chases where they were chasing a Class A, Class C, bus, etc. All of the vehicles being chased are able to continue fleeing from police even after the spike strips have blown one or both front tires.
I grew up where a new tire only had a 12,000 mile warranty but I could only afford recaps. After awhile a blown tire is only a minor inconvenience to be dealt with and not something to fear. They rarely happen with today's tires but it is always good to be prepared.
There will be some people that have survived a blowout by jamming on the brakes and doing various other maneuvers but it is best to watch the video and go by the experts rather than someone who happened to get lucky, once. - Every year I see news video of people slamming on the brakes on icy hills, losing control, and skidding into parked vehicles. No matter how often you tell them, they still apply the brakes.
- If you have ABS using the brakes in icy conditions is not a problem as you maintain steering. Basically the main function of ABS.
Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
..sure, as long as the wheels don't lock up.
If you have ABS using the brakes in icy conditions is not a problem.- With ABS they should never lock up.
Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
If you have ABS using the brakes in icy conditions is not a problem as you maintain steering. Basically the main function of ABS.
Yep, that all seems fine with all tires still inflated. When you blow a front tire, the coach wants to steer in the direction of the blown tire and no amount of ABS is going to overcome the basic laws of physics.
Of course there is always a good chance of the shredding front tire taking out the ABS sensor wiring and you losing your ABS braking.
Use the accelerator and keep off of the brakes and you stand a better chance of survival with a blown tire.
