Truck retreads on the highway
- Thread starter JHZR2
- Start date
- Status
I see them all the time when traveling almost anywhere. They can also mess up your nice finish on your car and possible put a shallow dent on your bottom end of the car! It's hard to advoid these on the freeways now a days.
If I'm correct here in California retreads are consider to be illegal but that doesn't stop commercial commerce.
Durango
If I'm correct here in California retreads are consider to be illegal but that doesn't stop commercial commerce.
Durango
Originally Posted By: supton
Is TPMS now required for the big rigs? Did not know that, thanks.
Every new Budweiser (NFI) trailer I see at our yard has it...I think it's not just TPMS, it's automatic-inflation! I was told it was required as of 1/1/13.
Is TPMS now required for the big rigs? Did not know that, thanks.
Every new Budweiser (NFI) trailer I see at our yard has it...I think it's not just TPMS, it's automatic-inflation! I was told it was required as of 1/1/13.
Originally Posted By: Durango
I see them all the time when traveling almost anywhere. They can also mess up your nice finish on your car and possible put a shallow dent on your bottom end of the car! It's hard to advoid these on the freeways now a days.
If I'm correct here in California retreads are consider to be illegal but that doesn't stop commercial commerce.
Durango
Retreads are completely legal in Calif. There are at least 10 Bandag dealers in the Los Angeles alone.
I see them all the time when traveling almost anywhere. They can also mess up your nice finish on your car and possible put a shallow dent on your bottom end of the car! It's hard to advoid these on the freeways now a days.
If I'm correct here in California retreads are consider to be illegal but that doesn't stop commercial commerce.
Durango
Retreads are completely legal in Calif. There are at least 10 Bandag dealers in the Los Angeles alone.
Has VERY little to do with retread tires. The reason that most of the tires that throw caps are retreads, is because 99% of trucks and trailers out there are equipped with retreads. It's just as likely to happen with "regular" tires.
The real cause of this is truck drivers pulling heavy loads underinflated tires at too high of speeds.
It can happen to a safe driver that pays attention; it does not take much for the tire to go flat and you can't tell. It heats up and throws the cap.
With that said, there are a lot of careless truck drivers that grab a container chassis (that does not belong to them or the company) and just drag it around, overloaded at speeds over the speed limit. Mots of the caps thrown are from container chassis that no one pays attention to.
My father used to use an inframred thermometer to shoot at the tread on the tire. He had a number that would scare him and he'd stop and cool down.
But - retread or not. Underinflated tire at 60PSI with a fully loaded trailer running at 80MPH on a 100 degree day .. any tire will fail.
The real cause of this is truck drivers pulling heavy loads underinflated tires at too high of speeds.
It can happen to a safe driver that pays attention; it does not take much for the tire to go flat and you can't tell. It heats up and throws the cap.
With that said, there are a lot of careless truck drivers that grab a container chassis (that does not belong to them or the company) and just drag it around, overloaded at speeds over the speed limit. Mots of the caps thrown are from container chassis that no one pays attention to.
My father used to use an inframred thermometer to shoot at the tread on the tire. He had a number that would scare him and he'd stop and cool down.
But - retread or not. Underinflated tire at 60PSI with a fully loaded trailer running at 80MPH on a 100 degree day .. any tire will fail.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: JetStar
Good reason to stay away from semis, especially on hot days. I really stay away if I hear a thumping tire.
I was told that semis do not run retreads on steer axles, is that true? If so why?
I'm not sure if it's related - but look at the left front tire on an 18 wheeler. They get ODD wear patterns.
Good reason to stay away from semis, especially on hot days. I really stay away if I hear a thumping tire.
I was told that semis do not run retreads on steer axles, is that true? If so why?
I'm not sure if it's related - but look at the left front tire on an 18 wheeler. They get ODD wear patterns.
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: supton
Is TPMS now required for the big rigs? Did not know that, thanks.
Every new Budweiser (NFI) trailer I see at our yard has it...I think it's not just TPMS, it's automatic-inflation! I was told it was required as of 1/1/13.
They probably have their act together.
They just need to make the fines enough that it's a business decision to monitor and document tire pressure. They already log the driver, why not log the pressure (automatically?) and condition (cameras?) Walmart and other big fleets already pride themselves on logistics.
If SUVs can have rear view cameras that retail at $79 and wholesale half that, why can't semi trailers? An LED brake light that cuts maintenance costs runs about the same $$$ and they're all over those.
You know those IR temp things? HF has them for $7. Would be easy enough to rig a bunch of those up as well, pointing at the tire positions.
Originally Posted By: supton
Is TPMS now required for the big rigs? Did not know that, thanks.
Every new Budweiser (NFI) trailer I see at our yard has it...I think it's not just TPMS, it's automatic-inflation! I was told it was required as of 1/1/13.
They probably have their act together.
They just need to make the fines enough that it's a business decision to monitor and document tire pressure. They already log the driver, why not log the pressure (automatically?) and condition (cameras?) Walmart and other big fleets already pride themselves on logistics.
If SUVs can have rear view cameras that retail at $79 and wholesale half that, why can't semi trailers? An LED brake light that cuts maintenance costs runs about the same $$$ and they're all over those.
You know those IR temp things? HF has them for $7. Would be easy enough to rig a bunch of those up as well, pointing at the tire positions.
Originally Posted By: Durango
I see them all the time when traveling almost anywhere. They can also mess up your nice finish on your car and possible put a shallow dent on your bottom end of the car! It's hard to advoid these on the freeways now a days.
If I'm correct here in California retreads are consider to be illegal but that doesn't stop commercial commerce.
Durango
Mess up the finish on your car? If you took a direct hit on the windshield with a full sized gator it's going right through the windshield and it will also be taking out the driver....getting hit by one on a motorcycle would also likely result in death...these things are dangerous and more care is needed when inspecting tires for wear, damage, pressure, etc, and it needs to be done more frequently...
I see them all the time when traveling almost anywhere. They can also mess up your nice finish on your car and possible put a shallow dent on your bottom end of the car! It's hard to advoid these on the freeways now a days.
If I'm correct here in California retreads are consider to be illegal but that doesn't stop commercial commerce.
Durango
Mess up the finish on your car? If you took a direct hit on the windshield with a full sized gator it's going right through the windshield and it will also be taking out the driver....getting hit by one on a motorcycle would also likely result in death...these things are dangerous and more care is needed when inspecting tires for wear, damage, pressure, etc, and it needs to be done more frequently...
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Not an excuse. Truckers know when a tire goes out, and should be on the hook for getting it out of the roadway.
That simply isn't correct. If one goes on a trailer it's entirely possible that the driver, who may be 70 feet or more ahead of the trailer tires, in a cab dominated by engine noise and designed to reduce that noise as much as possible, with a radio on, may not hear, see or feel a tread separation.
And even if they did know about it, the idea of pulling a semi over to the side of a busy interstate highway, having the driver leave the vehicle and walk back what may be 1/4 mile or more, then dodge traffic trying to pick up pieces of rubber from the highway is utterly absurd.
Look for road marker, pick up phone, call number, say "I lost a tread at mile marker (insert previously checked marker number)." Continue going on about life.
Yep, sounds pretty absurdly ridiculous to me.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Not an excuse. Truckers know when a tire goes out, and should be on the hook for getting it out of the roadway.
That simply isn't correct. If one goes on a trailer it's entirely possible that the driver, who may be 70 feet or more ahead of the trailer tires, in a cab dominated by engine noise and designed to reduce that noise as much as possible, with a radio on, may not hear, see or feel a tread separation.
And even if they did know about it, the idea of pulling a semi over to the side of a busy interstate highway, having the driver leave the vehicle and walk back what may be 1/4 mile or more, then dodge traffic trying to pick up pieces of rubber from the highway is utterly absurd.
Look for road marker, pick up phone, call number, say "I lost a tread at mile marker (insert previously checked marker number)." Continue going on about life.
Yep, sounds pretty absurdly ridiculous to me.
Even more incredible is the amount of drivers that will spend all day right next to a tractor trailer. The cars could just pass the truck, but the driver is usually to inattentive to be bothered with such menial task. Then the tire blows, and hits the car, and the driver can't figure out how it happened.
My car is at the body shop right now getting the front bumper replaced and the hood repaired after being hit by a tire tread a few weeks ago ($$$). I have hit them a few times, this is the first time it was high enough in the air when I hit it to do damage.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
One time driving to Oregon from the Seattle area I was in my 98 Z28 T-tops removed and lumbering at 68 mph in a 70 behind a large truck could not get over to pass and BOOM a retread goes flying. It went high! I thought that was it for the ex and I. Luckily it landed behind the car, but we did have some debris land inside. Scary.
Originally Posted By: andyd
Yah , I see the 'gators. I also see way more mini gators from car tires.
I typically read the sidewall of those tires and see a DOT number that is over 10 years old, and no major brand name.
Boat and RV trailer tires are even worse.
Yah , I see the 'gators. I also see way more mini gators from car tires.
I typically read the sidewall of those tires and see a DOT number that is over 10 years old, and no major brand name.
Boat and RV trailer tires are even worse.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Not an excuse. Truckers know when a tire goes out, and should be on the hook for getting it out of the roadway.
That simply isn't correct. If one goes on a trailer it's entirely possible that the driver, who may be 70 feet or more ahead of the trailer tires, in a cab dominated by engine noise and designed to reduce that noise as much as possible, with a radio on, may not hear, see or feel a tread separation.
And even if they did know about it, the idea of pulling a semi over to the side of a busy interstate highway, having the driver leave the vehicle and walk back what may be 1/4 mile or more, then dodge traffic trying to pick up pieces of rubber from the highway is utterly absurd.
This is a first but absolutely agree with PR here. While gators can be a hazard and potentially damaging, unfortunately they are now one of the risks of the open road one assumes.
Also, while 'some' truckers may hear/know when a tire blows on a trailer I'm quite certain there are many that don't know. And having recently seen an NCDOT interstate worker in a service truck with two HUGE flashing arrows attempting to pick up a gator in the middle lane while cars whizzed by on both sides and coming up fast from behind, I can attest to how dangerous it could/would be to stop a semi in the breakdown then 'attempt' pick up. When I got by the DOT worker my thought was I wouldn't want his job and I hope he lives to tell about it.
Yes it would be courteous for a truck driver recognizing a blown tire/gator to call DOT to report. But otherwise it is what it is, one of the risks of road.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Not an excuse. Truckers know when a tire goes out, and should be on the hook for getting it out of the roadway.
That simply isn't correct. If one goes on a trailer it's entirely possible that the driver, who may be 70 feet or more ahead of the trailer tires, in a cab dominated by engine noise and designed to reduce that noise as much as possible, with a radio on, may not hear, see or feel a tread separation.
And even if they did know about it, the idea of pulling a semi over to the side of a busy interstate highway, having the driver leave the vehicle and walk back what may be 1/4 mile or more, then dodge traffic trying to pick up pieces of rubber from the highway is utterly absurd.
This is a first but absolutely agree with PR here. While gators can be a hazard and potentially damaging, unfortunately they are now one of the risks of the open road one assumes.
Also, while 'some' truckers may hear/know when a tire blows on a trailer I'm quite certain there are many that don't know. And having recently seen an NCDOT interstate worker in a service truck with two HUGE flashing arrows attempting to pick up a gator in the middle lane while cars whizzed by on both sides and coming up fast from behind, I can attest to how dangerous it could/would be to stop a semi in the breakdown then 'attempt' pick up. When I got by the DOT worker my thought was I wouldn't want his job and I hope he lives to tell about it.
Yes it would be courteous for a truck driver recognizing a blown tire/gator to call DOT to report. But otherwise it is what it is, one of the risks of road.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
The trucker could dial sp or 911 to report.
How do you know the trucker didn't call it in? Maybe he did, and the state/city is under funded, and doesn't have the man power or time to dispatch a truck to clean up the mess.
The trucker could dial sp or 911 to report.
How do you know the trucker didn't call it in? Maybe he did, and the state/city is under funded, and doesn't have the man power or time to dispatch a truck to clean up the mess.
Originally Posted By: whip
Even more incredible is the amount of drivers that will spend all day right next to a tractor trailer. The cars could just pass the truck, but the driver is usually to inattentive to be bothered with such menial task. Then the tire blows, and hits the car, and the driver can't figure out how it happened.
I see this a lot in the rain...why people would rather park next to a semi where the visibility is next to nothing because of the spray is beyond me...I go around them as quickly as possible and when I get these jack butts in front of me who just want to drive next to the semis I flash them my brights until they speed up and go around the trucker...there really are a lot of idiot drivers on the roads these days...
Even more incredible is the amount of drivers that will spend all day right next to a tractor trailer. The cars could just pass the truck, but the driver is usually to inattentive to be bothered with such menial task. Then the tire blows, and hits the car, and the driver can't figure out how it happened.
I see this a lot in the rain...why people would rather park next to a semi where the visibility is next to nothing because of the spray is beyond me...I go around them as quickly as possible and when I get these jack butts in front of me who just want to drive next to the semis I flash them my brights until they speed up and go around the trucker...there really are a lot of idiot drivers on the roads these days...
The L.I.E is littered with them. I like the idea of the trucker being ticketed and held accountable for it, but that's a pipe dream. The problem is catching them. If by luck the police are involved the trucker should be fined for every bad tire on his rig.
Most factory bellypans are worthless. They prevent water from being sprayed up onto belts and other components in the engine bay. Some provide aerodynamic and/or cooling benefits. There's a decent aftermarket for sturdier metal ones. I had considered getting one after destroying the plastic one during autocross (hit a cone, dragged it, and that somehow dislodged it enough).
But hey, this is America, and no one takes responsibility for anything anymore.
But hey, this is America, and no one takes responsibility for anything anymore.
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
The L.I.E is littered with them. I like the idea of the trucker being ticketed and held accountable for it, but that's a pipe dream. The problem is catching them. If by luck the police are involved the trucker should be fined for every bad tire on his rig.
If a driver gets pulled over and inspected, he will be fined for the bad tires. I wish the general public was also held to that standard.
The L.I.E is littered with them. I like the idea of the trucker being ticketed and held accountable for it, but that's a pipe dream. The problem is catching them. If by luck the police are involved the trucker should be fined for every bad tire on his rig.
If a driver gets pulled over and inspected, he will be fined for the bad tires. I wish the general public was also held to that standard.
- Status
Similar threads
