Wolf's Bus lines of York Springs's PA had a Steer tire blowout accident resulting in a bus ending up on it's side last night coming home from DC to Carlisle.
Several injuries, no fatalities, ruined bus
Tires were leased tires and were in very good condition.
This brings up a question: For several months there was a company advertising in Bus ride magazine that had a contraption that went inside the tire perhaps wheel mounted that in theory is supposed to add drivability in blow out situations.
Anyone know anything about these?
I had steering stabilizers on my motorhome an last bus. In theory, they allow you to still maneuver the vehicle after a blowout. I do not know if they have it for my MCI.
I found the info......just wanted to know if anyone had any experience.
the things are quite popular in Europe so it seems
Well Doug...are you going to share the information? ;D Like they say, "Inquiring minds want to know!"
Thanks
Jack
www.runflat.com
is one of the many manufacturers of these things.
most I found are parrented by English companies
I've seen an item on TV about a product that I believe the British Army use in their Land Rovers (or at least, it was being demonstrated in a British Army Land Rover). It appeared to be a solid plastic ring fitted inside the tyre which would support it if the air disappeared. I remember they did some pretty hard / high speed cornering with no ill effect. I suspect the ring was inserted into the tyre in sections somehow, which locked together when in place.
I know there is also what is called the 'mousse system' universally used by rally cars nowadays - not really sure how that works, except the name suggests some kind of foam substance inside the tyre
Jeremy
I do know that there was a company here in the States that had such a product. They would put on a test show at the "Big Rig" races that were held around the Carolinas several years ago. I've actually seen it work several times. They would have a Big Rig go around the track at highway speeds and blow out one of the steering tires via remote control. Every single time the Big Rig was able to steer the rig to a safe stop. Sorry but I can't remember the company that provided the test or the product but do know it was available here in the US.
the above company has a US branch, I have not been able to locate others in the states though.
Likely could be the same company that put on the demostration......I know they were spending some good money on advetising.
Only bad thing is that the internal tire pressure monitirs look like they would not be compatable
Saw a piece on CNN, I believe, last week about automobile tires that look fine at time of purchase but can actually be up to four or five years old. Wonder if the same is true of bus tires.
http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_9321207?source=most_viewed
http://www.eveningsun.com/news/ci_9322117
http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2008/05/20/news/local/doc483319e5c9fb4714447900.txt
The automatic response to a blowout is to rapidly apply the brakes. The correct response is to "floor it", and then slowly let off the "gas" and only when speed is reduced, LIGHTLY apply brakes to stop.
Both the Steer Safe and Safe T Steer claim to help in the event of a blowout with the added benefit of dampening the steering while you ride. The question is whether they or similar are available for buses. I had a the former on a motorhome and it improved the driving of it quite noticeably. I would say the same for the stabilizer on the last bus which was a different brand. Basically it overlaid a shock absorber on the steering system. In the event of a blowout, the shock absorber would limit the wheels from being jerked in a particular direction. One of the companies did the same exploding tire blowout demos to promote sales. Some of you guys are skilled enough to build your own and even offer it to other busnuts (if you'd risk the liability) since it just amounts to a heavy shock and some mounting system.