Tip: Blown Steering Tire: What to do if it happens

[HeavyHaulTrucker]

Sent: 3/15/2005 10:09 PM

Derrek's post made me wonder if most RV'ers actually know the proper action to take in the event of a sudden blow out on the steering axle.  So I, with 30 years of experience and having survived two steer tire blow outs at over 65 mph, decided that this "Safety Tip" for this eventuality was in order.

The first rule of surviving a catastrophic steer tire blow out is to never drive "at the limit" -- always make sure that you can accelerate your vehicle above your current speed.  You see, when a steer tire blows, your vehicle has a natural tendency to drop at that corner of the vehicle.  The resulting drag often jerks the wheel from your hand, allowing the rim to get sideways -- and when it digs into the pavement because of the sudden transfer of weight onto that corner, you usually get a very unwelcome surprise trip.  That trip usually involves the side or top of your vehicle.

The instant you hear the tire blow, accelerate hard; this will help compensate for the sudden weight shift by taking some weight off of the front end due to the torque of acceleration.  You can then gradually slow in a controlled manner, while being able to control the vehicle much easier.

This is a proven method which is taught to all truck drivers nowdays.  It used to be that, if you blew a steer tire at over 50 mph, you were dead meat; since this method has been taught, it is now common for drivers to survive steer tire blow outs at over 80 mph.  In other words, IT WORKS!

John

[drummerboy]

Sent: 3/16/2005 7:36 AM

Thanks John! That's a great thing to know.

[Cooneytoones]

Sent: 3/17/2005 11:11 PM

Right On John...........From another person worth almost 30 years truck and bus driving experiance, IT DOES WORK, just like John said, the main thing is... "DO Not Panic" and forget, for the time being you have breaks....they don't exist there is not break peddle, just decelerate slowly...(after you accelorate) until you come to a controlable speed, then use the brakes lightly..with a blown front even going downhill, it will start to slow down as soon as you let off the gas peddle...even NASCAR Drivers get scared when the front end slides, and if you hit the brakes, in panic, the front end will slide..... and like John said, You'll probably end up...... with the dirty side up.
Timmy