Motorhome Crash 5/11/2015

[mlh]

http://www.fox8live.com/story/29036795/dash-cam-video-motor-home-blows-tire-slides-on-side-across-i-10

This happened not far from here this morning. Watch the video. It happens extremely fast.

[turbojimmy]

Looks like the left front to me. And it doesn't look like he braked until he was well into the median. Makes me scared to drive mine now.

[hoopers]

I watched the video...as a new class A driver, good to watch.
Although it wasn't specific in the video, I assume after ones pushes the accelerator, one can slowy coast or brake to a stop? They didn't really say what to do after pushing the accelerator. Is it just a matter of getting control of the situation at that instant, and than everything after that is pretty obvious what to do?

[C-Bears]

I suspect the right front tire blew. I am only guessing but I suspect he was going 70 or faster. Just because the speed limit is 70 doesn't mean you are actually driving a vehicle combination that should safely be going 70.

On commercial vehicles (trucks/buses) they can not have re-treads or worn tires on the steer axles. Any violations on the steer tires will put them "out of service" until it is corrected. The video demonstrates the reason for these strict rules. A unit that heavy, going at that speed, is very hard to control when a steer axle tire blows.

I agree with what has been stated.....they were very lucky along with everyone else sharing that part of the interstate with them that day!

[azrving]

Can you imagine the pucker factor as that happened. Doesn't matter how it happened, he's forever tagged as having rolled his motor home. I wonder if the wife is agreeable with getting a new rig or are they shopping for a condo?

[et2]

After further reviewing it, the right front drops pretty good. He could have over corrected for it and lost control too.

[et2]

Knowing how to react and actually doing it in fractions of a second are two different things. By the time it blows and drops and the brain realizes to react it could be too late. That guy was off the road and in the dirt on the blown rim before he could understand what was taking place. The wheel acted as a rudder in the water on a boat.

But it does look in comparison like he was moving pretty good ( just guessing of course). More speed carried in a situation like that certainly can add to the problem as more forces are applied to the wheel digging a trench in the dirt. Think about it, if he was going 5 mph would it have flipped or lost control like that? I doubt it.

But as someone else here pointed out, after seeing that a Blue Ox Tru center is probably in our future. Been wanting one anyways, but it should help keep control in a blow out.

[Roadpilot]

I thought for sure he hit his brakes, which is the wrong thing to do. I know two people that went off the road when a tire blew. One was a fatality. In fact they were the only folks I know that blew a front tire and both lost control. That's why I always measure tire pressure and keep new tires on the steer axle.

[turbojimmy]

korbe wrote:
Okay. Passing an 18 wheeler. And the 18 wheelers drive between 55 and 65. Goin pretty darn fast while pulling a toad.

I was thinking the same thing. That dude was moving. If he had been going a more reasonable speed would have had regained control? No one will ever know.

[sch911]

Speed was not the cause here. IT really came down to being able to handle the emergency situation when the tire blew out. This driver did poorly. The same thing could have happened at 55 MPH.

[Scottiemom]

Dennis M M wrote:
Here's a link to the actual video

Only stupidity involved is not knowing how to handle your rig in an emergency.

WATCH THE VIDEO!!

Always timely. I hope if I ever had such a situation I will respond appropriately. I try to watch this a couple times a year just to keep me reminded.

Dale

[the_vfox]

The only time I pass an 18 wheeler is when its going below 60. My comfort zone is 60 on the interstate.
I have been passed by some hauling DP's doing 70 and 80 on the interstate and wondered what would happen if it had a problem. I think I have just seen it.

I wonder how the driver is going to explain that to the insurance agent?

Glad no one was seriously hurt.

[mlh]

There were cables that were recently installed that kept him from crossing into the other lanes. He did wind up sliding out blocking both lanes but you can't see it in the video.

[2gypsies1]

He at least tried to keep it in the median it appears. He was lucky it was a grass area which probably slowed him down instead of going into the opposing lanes. They sure were lucky they survived.

[Dennis_M_M]

Here's a link to the actual video

Only stupidity involved is not knowing how to handle your rig in an emergency.

WATCH THE VIDEO!!

[bgum]

Speed limit here is 70mph for 18 wheelers and cars. I expect the 18 wheeler was going 70 to 75 mph. Which means he was going much faster. He is very lucky as were others on that section of highway.