Steer tires blowing going downhill or on a curve?

I've had 2 or 3 steer tires go flat in or rupture in 27 years. 2 were just the tire going flat after running over something lije a nail. Those events were just inconvenient, not "hair on fire emergency". The dangerous steer tire peoblem is a steer tire blowout, which isn't common or likely UNLESS your drive with tires underinflated or if tires overheat and fail.

If you don't know what to do in the truck, just go slower. That almost always makes the situation safer.

 

Steer tire blows, grip the wheel and fight the pull. Pull the hand brake halfway down. There’s a good chance that you can prevent the wheel from getting chewed up.

Long downgrade: If you are geared down properly, you won’t have an issue. First things first. When the steer tire blows, you get that SUDDEN hard pull on the steers. Regain control F I R S T!

Example: Halfway down a 4 mile 6% grade, right steer blows. Truck pulls hard right. Right side of tractor drops. Trailer gets wobbly. Hitting the brakes now means sudden death. You pull the steer hard left until you regain control. If you have a hand brake, hand brake it. If you don’t, even if you use the service brakes now, you won’t lose it (I like to try to save the wheel).

 

This is why we shake our heads when we see drivers with their feet up on the dash and a phone in hand, earbuds in.

If a steer does go - you’ll want to have feet on the boards, and both hands free.

 

I had a driver friend, one that didn't make it to retirement, his dads name was Earl, and this guy was a gravelly old dump trucker from way back.( post war) I noticed one day, his thumbs were all bent askew. I said, "Earl what happened to your thumbs"? He said, years ago, before power steering, going off road, if you hit a rock or a hole, the steering wheel would spin out of your hands and if not careful, one of the spokes would catch your thumb and break it. These young punks( including me) got it made,,,he said.

 

But ...But....But.. they look cool...
Annnnnnd.... STUPID
Just for the record.. those aren't drivers they are just steering wheel holders

 

I drove a couple trucks with out PS you watch the road close looking for pot holes or bumps because you braced your self for what was coming and yeah you never put your hand or fingers on the spokes to steer while your were at cruising speed... NEVER

 

Some guys have dreamed of being able to sit in a gynecologist’s chair for an inspection.

 

Trolley valve would be better than popping your yellow valve, granular control too

 

JMHO. but if I was you I would worry more about backing in to a parking spot in a truck stop without ripping somebody's hood and mirror off.. because the odds of you doing that are 1000 times greater than the scenario you presented here

 

My dad told me that he only used one e hand on the wheel. If something happened, he wouldn't be able to hold it with 2, so why not be comfortable.