Front Tire Blowout, but Truck is Governed

In a situation like that you'll have no choice but to run about 60 all the time. Not being able to speed up is one of the reasons people label governed trucks a hazard. Its just an example of companies putting profits over driver safety. They should put a delay in the governor kicking in just for these situations.

 

Keep your hands on the wheel, DO NOT HIT THE BRAKES. Coast to a stop. And hold on to that wheel and don't let go. I've done it twice, once on the PA turnpike and another on the Ben Franklin Bridge. You have to E. A. S. E. it to the shoulder. Don't get too crazy or excited. It's not that difficult to get her stopped, it's a matter of knowing what to do and why it needs to be done.

 

Its hard to get a truck with a blowout stopped by going faster. LOL

It would take most drivers a minimun of 2 seconds to react to a blowout, by that time even with the cruise set the truck has more than likely lost 2 to 5 mph pulling hard.

They are trying to keep people from their initial reaction to want to jab the brakes, which would cause the truck to pull, lean and want to tip even more.

Light pressure on the accelerator, while still slowing down, will take the weight off the blown tire and keep it from pulling as bad. As long as you are not completely riding on the rim you can slowly get it under control and pulled over.

It can catch even the most experienced driver off guard, and one wrong move can leave you laying sideways or belly up.

Obviously the problem could be much worse going down a steep hill, but we know enough to be going slow enough already and not pushed past the governer, right?

This is why it is imperative to carefully inspect your tires every single day, and check pressures a minimum of once a week. don't count on any shop to do it for you, whether you're a company driver or owner operator. A tire gauge costs maybe $10, and it takes less than 5 minutes to check all 18. How much is your life worth?

a lot of you guys like to run over stuff, namely curbs, and up damaging the inside side wall. When it goes unnoticed, you can have a recipe for disaster.

I've never had a steer blowout myself, and I hope I never do.

 

I drive a governed truck (68 mph) and I had a steer blow on I-75, less than 30 miles from home. I was in the hammer lane passing an old guy in a pickup. I was running as fast as it would go. The steering wheel started to vibrate real bad, so I grabbed it with both hands. Right then the tire blew, sounded like the proverbial shotgun blast. I bet that old man messed his drawers. I just let off the gas and the pickup dropped back quick. I got it over to the shoulder and there was no tire left on that rim. It also did damage to the fender and tore a DEF line and a coolant line running to the DPF. It was scary, but because I'd had it drilled into my head that you don't hit the brakes, my training took over before I had time to even think.

 

the biggest thing is you have to be paying attention and awake

you know like your always suppose to be

 

One of the key point regarding "don't brake" as was mentioned earlier ... but especially don't brake hard. If you brake hard enough to the point you engage the steer brakes you're going to have issues with only ONE steer tire braking, causing a radical "pull" in addition to the other control issues you already have going on with a blown steer tire. With only one front tire making positive ground contact, you don't need any additional anti-control dynamics going on with "brake pull". So light on the brakes if you feel you must, but coast to a stop if at all possible

 

Just happens that CDL Life (.com) has a video posted on exactly this question. Find it at www.cdllife.com.

The video is narrated by a gentleman I was fortunate to call a friend. I miss him.
Frank

 

Stay on the fuel or accelerate until you are under control, then ease off and coast... slowly moving to shoulder.

There are scarier drivers out there than a blown steer...😱

 

Had a Right Front Tire Blowout on me in a heavy downpour on the Jersey Turnpike between exit 7 and 8. First thing First: Never hit the brakes right away. Grab the wheel with both hands and slowly steer and coast towards the shoulder. The truck will slow down eventually. Forget about the rim because more then likely it will be grounded down. I was lucky because i did not panic, kept a cool head too. remembered everything i was told by the more experienced drivers and i pass it along as much as possible.