Blown Truck Tires , Littering Our Highways !

As a truck driver, I cannot think of much, that is more dangerous, than stopping on a shoulder and wondering around in lanes of traffic, picking up pieces of a blown tire, which may span 200 yards.

FWIW, I run over plenty of junk, pieces of scrap metal, bottles, bolts, boards, boxes and yes, shredded tires, that come from smaller vehicles.

Most riders of 2 wheeled vehicles are especially alert for any debris in the roadway and react accordingly.

They don't have retread clutter problems on Mexican highways. That seemed strange to me at first, since I don't think there is a tire in the country that isn't a retread. But the thing is that retreads are something people want and need, and can even sell. They make sandals out of thrown retreads down there. As fast as retreads are thrown, someone stops to snatch it up.

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..............I suppose what I should have proposed is that someone(state or private contractor) needs too quickly remove these items from the roadbed . As it stands now , some large pieces will lay around for weeks on the shoulder just off the main driving lanes . They , are , almost as dangerous as those laying in the main traffic lanes . , fordy

I don't know about the possible quality differences in Mexican retreads and those made in the USA. However, I think the problem with so many "road gators" stems from the fact that only the front two tires on the truck are required to be non-retread. The other sixteen tires are allowed to be retreads and due to the difference in costs usually are. I knew one owner/operator who put all new tires on his rig but the price was stunning. Those who do that are in the extreme minority of truck drivers.

I see the latest in tires on the duals of the tractor. Is having only ONE Wide one. Many companies are switching over to a Large Wide one on the set of screws. So now it is not a "18 Wheeler" anymore but a 14 Wheeler.

Agreed and one more factor. The heat! and it will usually happen at higher speeds as well.

Every summer in AZ we have the same issue. Poor tires, not properly inflated = blowout. In a Semi it's easily survivable.. in a car.. sometimes not.

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They are called super singles. They have been around for years but they have never caught on.

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They seem to be catching on now. At least for some trucking companies.

Yep. The basic clue is right there looking at you. Those tire snakes you see, notice the cords in them? If it was a retread failure, you wouldn't see the cords from the carcass of the tire.

The problem is overheating the tire itself, causing ply separation. Then the tire comes apart, tossing the outer plies and tread.

None the less, many will insist it's a retread problem. Even though it's very clearly a carcass failure.

So even on the tires where the tread is practically brand new, if you see the cords (wires) sticking out on the separated/torn end it is from a brand new non retread tire? If that is the case then we as a nation have a serious maintenance problem if the drivers/mechanics cannot properly inflate a tire. I'd really rather it be a retread problem than an incompetent mechanic problem.

Ok, I'll admit to being misinformed. I was told it was retreads that fell off along the road. Instead it is incompetence in 32% of the cases studied by NHTSA. Might account for part of the 30% heat related failures too. But manufacturers defects account for 16% of the failures.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres...thesis9309.pdf

Agreed.

At least around here, state highway workers, eventually make the rounds, to pick up debris.

Tires main cause of failure is heat. Main causes of heat: overspeed, overload or under inflation or any combination of those.

All three are directly related to something the driver did/didn't do.

Had my class A CDL since 1990:

It's a HUGE problem here too, I dodge them daily.

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It hard to even compare Mexican roads to U.S. roads. U.S roads, are actually worse, in many instances.

We have considerably more truck traffic, on our higways, plus our freeze-thaw, weather cycles, murders both concrete and asphalt pavements.

It's potholes that ruin tires, more that anything else. Some roads are nearly "gator free", other's, they are laying everywhere, usually because of potholes.

Our roads, if repaired at all, are repaired so cheaply (quality-wise anyway), that usually about a year later, they need resurfaced again.

I'm glad I have air suspension and an air seat.

Sorry but you must not drove a truck much . With the junk on the road a driver can't check the air every day looking at them don't get it either .Some use a tire knocker this helps as they can go by bounce and sound of hit.

Loaded it is not easy to tell one tire 11/22.5 at 110 psi verses one right next to it at 75 psi .So you loose 35psi in 500 or a thousand miles It is a tough row to hoe .

Buddy of mine been putting new 16 ply on his rig that is some cash Some these drivers put over a 100,000 miles a year on a truck

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A CDL driver is required by law, to ensure that his tires are properly inflated, before driving and to recheck during regular intervals.

Tire pressure is not measured, but "thumping" a tire, can tell if it requires attention or not.

Absolutely no excuse, for not performing this vital function.

You run over road or local with Co. truck ?? You gauge your tires every day ???

I bet Co. Truck home every night .No coast to coast runs No dodging scales

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Doesn't matter. You are failing to do what you are required to do and putting yourself and others at risk in the quise of taking a shortcut.

Turning wrenches for 14 years has taught me that anyone who claims they can inspect a vehicle front to back in 10 minutes is kidding themselves and everyone around them.