First front tire blow out....

Blaster Man wrote:
We had a right front blowout several years ago in our previous coach, a 41' DP, on a very busy interstate south of Chicago.  We were cruising at 60, with the cruise control on, well within the tire's weight limit, it was properly inflated and had not aged out.  We had just crossed a small bridge, and the emergency services driver thought we had run over something that caused the catastrophic failure.  When the tire failed there was a loud boom and the steering wheel started vibrating rapidly back and forth with a slight pull to the right.  I immediately tapped off the cruise control, did not brake, and, as we slowed, gradually moved to the shoulder.  The biggest problem we had was that the shoulder was very narrow, with a 45 degree angle drop off.  My Velvac mirrors had three lenses, the bottom was oriented on each respective front wheel, so I could see exactly how far I needed to get off the hard stand before I started down the embankment.  Even getting as far as I could into the grass left us dangerously close the highway.  Every 18 wheeler that went by, shook the entire coach.  The emergency services driver managed to get the remnants of the old tire off, and the new tire on, without removing the rim.

As I look back on this experience, several people have mentioned the Michelin video, where they preach immediately adding full throttle/thrust.  The last thing I wanted (or needed) was more speed or thrust, it would have caused more damage and exacerbated the problem.  At no time was I in danger of loosing control of the coach or was the vibration or pull to the right severe.  Attempting to accelerate or increase thrust never entered my mind.  The only thoughts going through my mind were drive/control the bus, slow down and get off the road.....as I inched my way off the interstate.  And that's what I did.

Here are some extra comments regarding the Michelin video.  It sounds good and looks good, however, all the scenarios are scripted with safety the primary consideration.  It's like a lot of "school solutions," every aspect of the demonstration is planned.  However, based on my experience, regardless of the physics, when doing it for real, I doubt it's merit, it just doesn't make sense.

I agree. The Michelin video is scripted and produced using a driver that knows a blowout is coming. None of us are in that scenario; no one.

I have had at least 3-4 blowouts since I started RVing 35 years ago. One was even a right front tire while starting down a downhill offramp, still traveling at 60-65 mph. Never stomped on the throttle nor the brakes. Yes, it pulled to the right, but never to the point of losing control. The key was to maintain steering while "gently" slowing the rig. Stomping on the gas simply delays the entire process of getting your rig stopped.

Sorry; I've watched the video multiple times. I've actually experienced RV blowouts. And I've argued the points on this and other forums several times over the years since that video was posted. Didn't agree with it then, don't agree with it now. But hey, it's on the internet, so it must be true, right?:R Do what you want, but IMO, the only valuable takeaway from the video is to NOT stomp on the brakes.