Blowouts do happen to “big rigs”. I had one on my 48,000 lb Signature. The tires were only 5 yrs old and looked in good condition and were at the proper inflation. I have been driving large rigs for over 40 yrs so I have some experience. I was only going 50 mph as I had just gotten off the interstate. The explosion was loud and destructive. It was so violent we never did find the fender that blew off when the tire came off the rim. It then went the other way and was lodged between the wheel and the frame of the motorhome. On the way across it cut the hydraulic lines to the the right front slide causing this to dislodge and come out. All This rendered steering next to impossible. The sudden deflation dropped the front right side transferring the weight which caused the left rears to come off the pavement according to the driver behind me. While I was up on the wheel and regained somewhat controll over the rig I was approaching an over pass and had to turn down the hill on the right to keep from rolling. We cut 1/4 inch ruts in the concrete with the rim for several hundred yards. This was not a slow leak but rather an explosion. We are lucky to be alive.
I finally have my rig back after a year in the shop and have almost all things are repaired to better then before. I was fortunate to have good insurance and a great set of adjusters who found me a very good repair facility. I now have eight new tires and Tyron bands on the steer tires. I had a lot of time to research tires so I got what seemed best for my application. I already had a Safe T Plus. The only thing I have left to do is install tire pressure monitors. My wife asked me if we really had to spend money on the bands? I told her we spend the money or sell the coach as I’m going to be safe. We have put about 6,000 miles on the coach since late August and all seems well.
Dont think this can’t happen to you.
Ron
