Thor Forums

[bigben]

Dragon70 - the negative I meant was to reverse the situation without the stabilizer installed because I have not had a blowout without the part. I will also tell everyone that reads this I have driven thousands of miles in a Class A (about 45k) and 45 years ago drove a heavy equipment hauler for the US Army. So I am fairly experienced.

While I was contemplating the install, (as I indicated) I watched a few news clips of coaches that had blown a steering tire that ended catastrophically. When I installed the stabilizer it was an attempt to get all the help I could get if the worst should happen. I also mentally rehearsed (and continue to think through) what my actions would be if this should happen. Sure enough, it happened and my preparation (both equipment and mental) kicked in. Sequence was - tire blew, foot off gas, begin slowing maintaining control, pull to side of the road as far as possible, gentle brake - come to a stop. This all takes place in about 3 seconds!!! At about second #2, I realized no brakes!!! That is when I began the manual downshift combined with a gentle application of emergency brake.

There is little time to react. It is my belief that the stabilizer (and what others report) lessened the negative impact of the tire pulling to the side of the blowout. However, I also believe that with out my mental prep (and some help from my Guardian Angels) I probably wouldn't have done the downshift and emergency brake application as timely as I did.

So having only gone through the experience armed with the stabilizer, I would encourage anyone that asks it should be one of their first addons. BUT a stabilizer by itself isn't the whole answer. My loss of brakes is testament that if it can wrong it will - so prepare.

PS: I am a practicing Lutheran. Each time we leave on a trip, the last thing I do as we get underway is say a short prayer for steady hands and of thanks.

Not saying this is how everyone should prepare, just how we do.