Steer tires blowing going downhill or on a curve?

1st, let me say, steer tire blowouts are extremely rare, in 35 years, I never had one let go, and that includes tube type. A blown steer tire, I've heard, is not an automatic wreck, you have a little warning and the reason no brakes, is even blown, the wheel is still turning, and you can usually stop. One thing for sure, if drowsy, it will wake you up. You''ll be fine.

 

If it happens just death grip the wheel as it’s gonna pull hard to whichever side and get the truck stopped best way you can.
It’s really not something you can plan for just stay calm and hang on for the ride.

 

Years ago before power steering, I heard it would yank the steering wheel out of your hands.

 

I heard of drivers getting a arm broken from that

 

It's not gradually breaking that's the problem. It's panicking and slamming on the breaks that can cause issues.
I blew a steer running 80,000lbs and about 70mph. Felt the tire go down, grabbed the steering wheel tight and used the breaks to come to a stop quickly as I could without really hammering the breaks. No problems keeping it on the road. Fender was fubared though

 

While it may not help in a curve, down hill you should slightly accelerate and pop your yellow valve.

In both situations the reason you don't have spring brakes on steers is so that you maintain steering while applying them in an emergency.

Next chance you get on an empty road with lots of room I highly suggest you try popping your yellow valve while moving at about 30mph.

Knowing how that feels and learning to trust that they work and not violently is important so that you are comfortable using them in an emergency and don't delay doing so when needed.

Going down hill you should mostly be depending on engine braking, be in the right gear and not depending on your service brakes only anyway.

 

I actually found this old campy video I remember seeing a long time ago.

It will cover the corner question, and also explain why accelerating is the appropriate immediate response to a tire blow out, even in a curve.

 

Ive had a steer go flat almost instantly hitting huge bridge/road transition on straight road wasn't much of a thing, but going around a curve at speed could get seriously ugly. Best thing is to always have a nice set of steers.

 

Go down the steep grade slow enough that you are not gaining speed because your gear selection, and engine brake if you have one, are keeping vehicle speed steady. If you don't have an engine brake, or if your engine brake isn't very effective, then you have to go THAT MUCH SLOWER than the posted speed limit or the posted truck at a given weight advisory speed. .