Tire blowout procedure and aftermath

[Richard Cooper]

I just watched a Michelin video in which they say when you have a tire blow on the RV (or any vehicle) you don't hit the brakes, but instead you "mash" the accelerator.  I watched this video closely.  If my front tire went out in a bang my previous instinct would have been to go for the brakes, but they say do not do that!  Instead hit the accelerator and go faster.  Wow!  

This is like that rule we are supposed to know and act on when our car goes sliding in ice --- turn in the direction of the slide.  Do not hit the brakes.  

In both instances all we want to do is stop.  I think it's easy to say yes I will do that, but when it happens will we scare ourselves and our passengers s-less when we go pressing the accelerator (in a blowout)?

[Joel Weiss]

What you have read is what I have been taught by several instructors.  I wouldn't say "mash the accelerator" but "apply power to stabilize the vehicle" then reduce power slowly to bring it to a stop.  It definitely is counter-intuitive, but it's what they say is the best thing to do.

[Joel Ashley]

I have to agree with Joel W.;  "mashing" it is a bit much.  Just keep the power, and the resulting control, going to get you to a safe place/stop.  I've driven enough on snow and ice to understand that locking up wheels with braking takes control out of your hands.  To someone with experience, it easily makes sense to stay off the brake pedal in a blowout too.  To someone who's never experienced a back end sliding out from under them, it will be hard to get away from the instinctive move for the brake pedal.

Some communities with race tracks and other venues offer classes in emergency vehicle control.  Barring that option, I'd say you first have to be mentally ready on the road for anything, as I would hope any responsible driver would be.  Regularly imagine a blowout or ice-slide or accident-avoidance situation, and practice in your mind the right response.  Controlled power to the wheels gives you directional determination.  Just maybe when the real deal comes along, your mentally practiced knee-jerk reaction will save you grief.

Joel

[Wayne Tull]

Having had a right front tire blow out on a 98 HR Vacationer while traveling I90 across South Dakota on our way to Yellowstone on a bright sunny day with moderate winds from the south and the cruise control set to 60 mph.  When the tire blew out the environment inside the RV went from la la land to all hell breaking loose.  The effect was quite disorienting, so having a practiced mental plan that does not include pushing the brake to the floor in panic would be good idea. I don't have a apply brake reaction for this type of condition, but it did seem like it took me awhile to turn off the cruse control.  It was probably "mashing" the accelerator for me.  That experience defiantly changed my RV driving habits to more conservative.

[Bill Brown]

A few years ago, we had a blow out while cruising South on I-5.  Having the cruise control on may have been a saving grace for us, when our right rear inside dual blew.  Our dog usually road on the couch, un-restrained but almost always  asleep.  When the tire blew, naturally there was a tremendus bang, which of course scared the heck out of the little guy and me too.  So where does the dog run to for protection, why to Dad of course.  As I went for the brake to release the cruise, I had a little white cushion between my foot and the brake pedal, which prevented me from applying the brake or power.   On that day I learn a valuable lessons regarding pets running loose in the coach while rolling down the highway, and also about staying more alert while on cruise.  A loose pet can become a real hazard if it runs to the driver for protection, only to be caught between the brake or fuel pedal and the driver's foot.    After that little incident the pup still road on the couch, but he had a short lease attached to his harness to keep him from being able to roam where he should not while underway.  

Wm & Nova Brown
06 Monterey, Laguna IV
C-9

[Richard Cooper]

I found the video from Michelin Tires --- and they say MASH the accelerator.   And look at the video --- they are stomping the gas pedal.  This is what I don't get.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkwOE1yKY5c

[Joel Ashley]

You should have discovered by now that these big diesels don't respond to the "throttle" like a gas fueled passenger vehicle.  Stomping the pedal gives them the maximum power applied quickly to maintain forward motion.  Whether or not stomping or "mashing" is actually necessary will likely be dictated by the specific circumstance, depending on road conditions, severity of control loss, the gear you're in, and of your course speed at the time.  Your control over the steering component is at least as important as the power applied part.

I don't think this is an issue to fret over, Richard;  just practice in your mind so you don't respond instinctively with the brake, or by removing power immediately.  One other thing you can practice is keeping both hands on the wheel almost all the time.  In my younger years, like many drivers I had one hand on top of the wheel 90 % of the time.  For some, perhaps the habit was a consequence of the invent of power steering and needing one hand free for a turn signal (the good old days) or free to hold a cigarette.  Regardless, over the last 20 years I broke that habit because I don't need a free hand for anything else, and I like the feeling of being ready that comes with both hands on the wheel.  It carries a consequence of making me a tad less relaxed, but I stay awake and alert too.

Joel

[Richard Cooper]

Thanks Joel.  But in all respect, I think my CAT-12 has amazing response pressing the accelerator hard.  

I just love the sound of my Cat when accelerating.  Sounds like it wishes I would just let it go faster.  But everything I've read about towing a Honda Fit automatic 4-down says to not drive over 65 mph.  I drive between 55 and 65 depending on the highway, etc.

Yes, I always drive with both hands on the wheel.....same in the car too.

[Richard Cooper]

If I were to have a blow out with a nice controlled stop safe on the side of the road, how would I proceed from there?  I would call Coach-Net and they would send a repair truck?  My tires are Michelin 295/80R/22.5 XZA2 ENER and were installed June 2012.  Would the service person called by Coach-Net bring one of those tires and charge me some outrageous price for it?  Through Monaco Club I got them installed with taxes and everything for $705 ea.   What would it cost me for another tire at someone's mercy on the highway incapacitated?   Would they replace it there or would they tow me to the nearest Michelin dealer for trucks, RV's?  How does this situation play out in reality?

[Richard And Babs Ames]

We have been through three front tire blowouts with our coach. On the last one the sidewall failed and the tire came off the rim. The Michelin video is correct along with keeping the wheels straight ahead until going very slow.

[Edward Buker]

Richard,

You would call Coach Net and tell them that you had a tire fail on the road. You would tell them which position the tire was, if there was additional damage, and the brand, model, and size of the tire. They would dispatch someone to change it on the road given there was not coach damage involved that disabled your RV. The problem is that there is no assurance that they will be able to get the brand and model of tire that you have so, you may have to settle for an alternate tire to get you to a place where you can wait and order in from a suitable dealer a matching tire if there were differences that were of concern. You can expect to pay what the market will bear for repair on the road and distance of travel will factor into their charges. You are not in a postion to bargain and the cost will not matter much when you find yourself broken down and it is getting dark...

Later Ed

[Joel Ashley]

You will have to establish proof of warranty, and may have to be able to provide the damaged tire to Michelin, to recover some of the cost.  CoachNet may be able to advise you at the time.

Joel

[Joel Buchan]

I have experienced a front tire blow out and never had a loss of control. The coach handled very well but the brake line did not. I had to be towed because of the brake line as the tire replacement was the easyer and cheeper part of the ordeal. Fuel tank had to be droped to replace the brake line.

[David Fischer]

This is scary.  My Marquis and I have been together 16 years now and no blowouts.  Had a 95 Patriot before that and two gas jobs before that and no blowouts.  This is scary to read.  I don't travel like I used to but when I do the tires are the most critical item to check.  I have always kept all tires around 100 to 110 pressure.  i have a Howard steering system on my coach and it supposedly will keep the coach on the straight and narrow in a front tire blowout.  Hope I never have to find out.

[Richard Cooper]

When in a blow out situation does the tire ever catch on fire?

All the debris from trucker's tires on the highway that we all have to try and dodge -- is that from bad quality tires or will a good quality tire do the same?

What damage will occur to the rim?

By the way, I am here at Escapees headquarters in Livingston, TX and have scheduled a weighing of axles and instruction from their experts on what weight distribution to have and proper air pressures.  I'm apprehensive, but at the same time this is why I am here basically.