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Jul 7, 2010 | 02:37 PM

#21

tedcmiller (Cry Baby)

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Joined: May 2010

Posts: 249

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No one bothered to mention that most big rig wheels (unlike auto wheels) are two pieces that are locked together after the tire is put in place. Failure to properly lock the two pieces together can result in the wheel coming apart with essentially the same result as a blowout.

Jul 7, 2010 | 02:47 PM

#22

slhanks4

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 1,764

Likes: 50

From: Gilbert, AZ

They are all over the place out here in the southwest. Highways, freeways, even surface streets. We call them Arizona alligators.

Jul 7, 2010 | 03:15 PM

#23

2WheelGlider

Road Master

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 930

Likes: 4

From: Jacksonville, FL

I agree with passing with authority. Whenever I come up on one, I stay back until the oppurtunity to pass, and then its hammer down until safely around. The thought of one them blowing out as I was riding beside it is a scary thought. Never mind the thought of them not seeing you and coming over on top of you.

Jul 7, 2010 | 04:01 PM

#24

07RoadHawg

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,788

Likes: 4

From: Here

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedcmiller

Not true anymore. Older trucks do have the rim on one side that locks in to the wheel and is held in place by the tire bead and air pressure. These wheel/tire combos also run an inner tube/liner as well. Modern truck wheels are not like that and are no different than a passenger car wheel (other than the size).

Jul 7, 2010 | 04:13 PM

#25

highwayman1224

Road Master

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,107

Likes: 9

From: Goodyear, Az

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedcmiller

Wow, they haven't used 2 piece wheels in years!! I've been driving for 22 yrs, and they weren't being used back then.

Jul 7, 2010 | 07:40 PM

#26

BLKBAGGER

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 3,450

Likes: 4

From: El Cajon Ca.

Im a truck driver. I had four recaps put on the back of my truck one day. before the day was over 3 of the 4 had blown. I hate recaps but it's not my truck and not my choice. New tires cost big $$$ for the owner but still. For safety sake I wish they would outlaw them.

Jul 7, 2010 | 07:46 PM

#27

JimmySGC

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 544

Likes: 2

From: Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by audettd

Its one of my biggest fears passing trucks...I always pass with authority 80-90 mph....then slow back down...there's no way I'm sitting beside a truck in the passing lane like that.

I do the same thing, I punch it till I'm well clear. I never know if they know I'm next to them or not. I'd rather not chance it.

Jul 7, 2010 | 08:01 PM

#28

Wanna Ride

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 2,543

Likes: 59

From: Chicagoland

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07RoadHawg

True, I was just about to add that. Most wheels today, are one-piece hubcentric design.

I used to work for an outfit that NEVER bought brand new tires, and everything we had used the old three-piece wheels. And we had to change them ourselves, wherever they blew apart. We didn't have any trucks with jakes back then either. Drum would get warm, then the flap got warm, then the tube got warm, and... POW! You'd have to pull it off the drum, pop the ring... what a pita. Can't believe I worked for those clowns as long as I did. We had to always carry a couple spares and tubes everywhere we went. I ended up going through Custer National Forest (don't ask) one time and had a blow-out right alongside a herd of about 50 head of buffalo. Blew another one out coming down into Truckee, one on Grant's Pass, once on Wolf Creek Pass headed to Farmington, and a couple times on Big Sandy in WV.
Yikes... young and dumb.

I haven't driven OTR in three or four years but I've had a CDL for well over twenty years, and before that it was just referred to as a cheuffer's license. Back then, an old guy told me something about tires that I'll never forget... heat puts 'em together, and heat takes 'em apart.

Someone else said it best... "stay back until it's clear, then go like crazy until you're past". Most folks don't realize how dangerous it is next to a tractor-trailer.