Question for truckers...

[Locut0s]

I know we have a few truckers here and something I saw while driving on my recent camping trip reminded of a question I've always had. Why do the tire treads of trucks tend to peel off. I see remnants of tire treads on the side of the highway all the time. Usually these look like a 1/4 tire work of rubber tread and some fibbers on the side of the road. I'm pretty sure this is from trucks.

[MiddleFingerMom]

1. What you're seeing are the treads from "retread" tires -- a cheaper way to replace tires.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retread
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http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=540696
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[jmowreader]

2. New tires do it too, but not as often

Blowouts are caused by low air pressure. It heats the tire excessively and makes it separate. On a truck air pressure is 100 psi.

[Locut0s]

6. Ahh good to know thanks...

I've heard of tire retreads but didn't know anything about them. Good to know

[B Calm]

3. Retreads or low tire pressure will do this. It's not a good idea

to drive along side of an 18 wheel truck for long periods. Many times you don't even know you have an inside wheel flat and continue driving down the road. The flat tire heats up and starts falling apart leaving chunks of tire.

[DiverDave]

4. ^^ this one

I tell my wife to STAY away from every truck.
You dont know if the guy took a 3 week course or has 20 years experience.
And, as to your question, recaps are cheaper then new tires.
And sometimes the covering just peals off for various reasons.

I will rant just a bit:
A driver that hangs on someones bumper at 75 miles an hour is a menace.
Take down any phone numbers AND the tractor/trailer number and report them.
One can be explained away, 10 cannot.
We need to change the way the drivers are paid, thety should get hourly wages, yes some will milk it, but isnt that better then a family killed because the guy didnt sleep for 48 hours??

Anyway, I've been driving since 93 and have no accidents (save a bent fence once) I'll never allow my mirrors to be dirty again.

[applegrove]

5. Keep in mind too that it is the big rigs that tear up the highway so it needs replacing.

The wear and tear on a highway is the tiny little cars.