M450 Steer Tire BlowOut

[dentmac]

[Thank you Steve.
There are many variables that play(ed) a role in losing control after a front tire failure.
Obviously trying to prevent a failure is paramount. The items here well known.


The cause of one or two crashes in a vehicle type can be just the luck of the draw. But 5 tire failures (with no contribution of road debris) ?

Control loss happens... but 100% would be worrisome.

Just some comments:

Michelins have no known issues.
65 MPH is reasonable
Tire pressure at 130 cold will go to 155 easily.

IFS has a Scrub Radius that changes with suspension compression. The concept is that while in a turn,the outside suspension compresses causing the wheel to want to center (by trying to turn out- understeer effect.) With a tire failure, the suspension on the one side collapses and tries to turn out...wrong way.
Perhaps a composite runflat (Bulldog) would help as the rolling radius would not decrease as much as the Tyrol runflat.
It is reasonable that an anti sway system would help

A steering system has to be designed for a given load, so one designed for 13000 GAW may have issues when pushed to accept 17000 +.

NHTSA may have a role here.

Ross