Bet this called for clean underwear - campervan spins around

[TerryL]

Interesting the comments about too fast. Yes he was obviously going faster than the truck, who estimated 60-65mph, but even if he was doing 70, i.e. the legal limit on a motorway, who on here can REALLY say that they don't, or at least not usually, go that fast? I prefer to stay around 60mph but will admit to upping that to get past a truck or two in a line so that I'm impeding following traffic as little as possible.

50, 60, 70 or even 80, if a tyre lets go with a bang you're in the lap of the gods. Without any confirmation of what actually happened e.g. WAS it a blowout, I'll reserve judgement. No doubt if a puncture is ruled out the authorities will be taking a closer look at that van.

 

[tonyidle]

as the wheel circumference becomes smaller and the back of the vehicle will try to overtake the front

I don't doubt a rear blow-out will cause more problems than one at the front but I don't understand the logic within the phrase I've quoted.

 

[Just smiffy]

I had a four wheel blowout once, got the mrs tights off her and wrapped round the wheels and 150 miles home… no prob”s….

 

[tonyidle]

My two-penn'orth: The puncture caused the van to dip at the off-side rear. That caused the van to move towards the central reservation. The drivers over-correction (no criticism intended) in conjunction with the punctured tyre de-stabilised the vehicle causing the out-of-control swerve to the hard shoulder. It is extremely difficult, in a moment of crisis, to do nothing but that is invariably the best option. Any rapid control input to a vehicle that's already in an unstable condition will make things worse so a gentle and minimal correction to keep off the central reservation without changing speed or braking might have resulted in a different outcome.

 

[TerryL]

My two-penn'orth: The puncture caused the van to dip at the off-side rear. That caused the van to move towards the central reservation. The drivers over-correction (no criticism intended) in conjunction with the punctured tyre de-stabilised the vehicle causing the out-of-control swerve to the hard shoulder. It is extremely difficult, in a moment of crisis, to do nothing but that is invariably the best option. Any rapid control input to a vehicle that's already in an unstable condition will make things worse so a gentle and minimal correction to keep off the central reservation without changing speed or braking might have resulted in a different outcome.

Totally agree, that's what we were taught in our advanced coach driving lessons. But in real life unless you've practiced it and are always ready for it you stand little chance of remembering the correct response in the first few microseconds.

According to traffic police blowouts are the most common cause of vehicles losing control on the motorway. We've all surely seen vehicles of all sizes "parked in the central barrier or off the hard shoulder; the bigger they are it seems the worse it gets.

All we can do is check tyres regularly - at least weekly for a regularly used vehicle - and a quick visual check walk around before every trip.

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[Tonks]

Very glad it didn't turn out much worse for those in the motorhome and the other road users.
Makes me glad I changed all four tyres on my van when I started to notice some sidewall splits. They may have been fine for a few thousand more miles, but they may not. I preferred the peace of mind of changing.

 

[tonyidle]

Totally agree, that's what we were taught in our advanced coach driving lessons. But in real life unless you've practiced it and are always ready for it you stand little chance of remembering the correct response in the first few microseconds.

According to traffic police blowouts are the most common cause of vehicles losing control on the motorway. We've all surely seen vehicles of all sizes "parked in the central barrier or off the hard shoulder; the bigger they are it seems the worse it gets.

All we can do is check tyres regularly - at least weekly for a regularly used vehicle - and a quick visual check walk around before every trip.

My reactions have always been so slow anyway that it works for me . Back in the '60s I had the NS front wheel detach from an Austin J4 people carrier. I was flat out (at 65mph) at the time on the Ambleside to Windermere road. The van twitched, stayed in lane, then came to a standstill 150 yards from where it parted company with the wheel. It did steer but I didn't dare brake - as it was it lost about a third of the brake drum.

 

[tonyidle]

I had a four wheel blowout once, got the mrs tights off her and wrapped round the wheels and 150 miles home… no prob”s….

How long did it take you to remove her tights?

 

[Mclouis700]

Years ago I had a Rear Blowout on The A1 northbound very scary not a lot of room to get off the carriageway then with not a lay-by in sight lucky that it was nearside as it was heavy heavy traffic. Now always check the sidewalls irrespective of the age of tyre. The annoying thing was that we were changing the van the next day for a new van, (I'll let you guess where we were heading!) cost us two new tyres.!!

 

[gwyntaxi]

Scary

Unless a medical situation arose it must be one of three or all three

not paying attention

very badly loaded

TFF

Edit- just read blow out, so now down to TFF he went past the lorry doing 56mph at quite a good few more MPH

Seems like inappropriate speed might be a possible cause as usual.

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[Fat Albert]

Seems like inappropriate speed might be a possible cause as usual.

There’s a thread about 50mph and the consequences of driving at a pace lower than HGV’s. Not wishing to throw fuel on the fire ( thread) I personally think it’s about a perception of risk and I keep a speed of 63 on the sat nav and I’m comfortable with that. Notwithstanding a blowout my risk management might be put in to question by SWMBO. I’m just saying

 

[Fragle]

If you know this road m40 j3 northbound is at the bottom of hills on both sides on that down side lorry’s regularly top 60. Even my empty 7.5 t lorry will pick up speed and exceed the limiter on that hill
Big climb on other side as well to get up. Just saying
Speed. Bow wave. Loading = ?

 

[Tea Bag]

Squeaky bum time

Hi.
Another expression.. Bottom went. " Half a Crown-sixpence "
Tea Bag

 

[Minxy]

Oh I forgot, I once hit a car with my rear hangover in a fuel station, can you add it to the poll please.

Are we talking vehicle or human body?

 

[simplyjimbo]

I don't doubt a rear blow-out will cause more problems than one at the front but I don't understand the logic within the phrase I've quoted.

The tyre deflation causes the deflated wheel to rotate faster than the other rear wheel, causing a twisting effect. At speed it is significantly enhanced. We were informed this on Traffic Patrol Officers Courses and Accident Investigation Courses. I am not a scientist, just a retired cop!

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[DaMoe]

At least this didn't seem to happen on a new "dumb" motorway with no hard shoulder. Coincidentally, I just changed my rear tyres as I noticed cracks in the sidewalls - original fit Michelin Agilis Camping, 10k miles and plenty of tread, but 5 years old. Now fitted Conti Vanco campers to match 2 on front replaced by the first owner last year ( I prefer Contis anyway from previous moho experience)

 

[irnbru]

We were recently spun around whilst travelling at 64 mph,Its scary in a car let alone a motorhome. Just glad, they, like us are here to tell the tale.

 

[knickam]

I once had a front puncture on a Lamborghini going flat out. No real drama, Managed to get into a lay-by and shout for help