skippythedog
Observer
Was tiddling along last night on a 2 lane freeway at about 60mph when my left front tire (Hankook 37x12.50x17) had a catastrophic failure. The event that ensued was pretty violent. My initial thought was that someone had hit me in the right rear. The truck veered violently to the right. The rest was a blur but I know that at as the truck violently skewed, twice I was at a 45 degree angle on only two wheels, finally crashing into the jersey barrier and sliding for about 40 yards against the barrier. The tire peeled off and was found under the back of the truck with a huge vertical gash/blowout. The axle is knocked back, rim destroyed, shock bent, bump stop gone, gear shift all floppy and more. The whole even encompassed about 150 yards.
One thing I can tell you. I was alert, paying attention, had a grip on the wheel. The event was entirely uncontrollable.
A 2 mile tow to the dealer was $925. The dealer (a large one with 2 locations) is pretty useless, has no real relationship with any shop that can do the bodywork. They suggested I have it taken to a Freightliner dealership. I don't know about that....probably totaled anyway....I may have some misc stuff for sale: 4 super single wheels w/ tires and a complete set (4) of unused gnarly chains etc....Heartbreaking; spent 2 years looking for the truck and 2.5 years getting it done exactly as I wanted it......
One thing I can tell you. I was alert, paying attention, had a grip on the wheel. The event was entirely uncontrollable.
A 2 mile tow to the dealer was $925. The dealer (a large one with 2 locations) is pretty useless, has no real relationship with any shop that can do the bodywork. They suggested I have it taken to a Freightliner dealership. I don't know about that....probably totaled anyway....I may have some misc stuff for sale: 4 super single wheels w/ tires and a complete set (4) of unused gnarly chains etc....Heartbreaking; spent 2 years looking for the truck and 2.5 years getting it done exactly as I wanted it......
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