I'm driving into work this morning on the interstate, behind an 18-wheeler. I can see some pieces of tire flying around on the road, but I can't tell if they're coming off the truck ahead of me, or if they were already on the road and he's just picking them up with his own tires. I get up close enough where I can see that it is his tire coming apart, and BAM!! the tire explodes. OH MY GOD!!! I thought a shotgun went off inside MY truck! Pieces of tire carcass are hitting my truck, I'm trying to get into the other lane while he's trying to pull over. First time that's ever happened to me, and I sure hope it's the last.

Anyways, it occured to me later that if I'd had enough time to get up alongside and warn him, I wouldn't have a clue as to what to do. So how do you warn a trucker that he's about to lose a tire? You'll excuse me now- I have to run over to K-Mart and get some new underwear.

 

That's one reason I run a CB. If you don't have one, I usually try to speed up, get them to look at me, make a circular motion with my hand, like a tire rolling and then point to them. Sometimes they don't get it, but at least you try. I can ask my drivers how they have been warned, if you would like.

 

I have a CB installed in my truck, which works pretty well - channel 19. Failing that, if the driver does not respond, flashing your headlights as you come up to the truck, and and pulling infront with your hazzards on will make most drivers check their mirrors to see which bit is falling off.

Not all drivers will stop, hijacking is a problem, but all will slow down and look at their rig.

 

Telling a trucker that he is having a problem with equipment from your vehicle is much like playing charades with your in-laws.

The deer in the headlights look is popular.

I have to agree with Theo & JB though.
It's the :
get the driver's attention
do a 360 with your hand & arm
add a slit the throat
reach the arm out the window as your pulling in front of the truck
and pointing your finger toward the side of the road with my hazards on.

It's quite a show to onlookers !

If your in another truck it's:

a call on the radio
or
3 short <> 3 Long > 3 short <> blasts of the air horn signifying SOS.

 

This happens all the time. My father got a black streak all the way down the side of his white dually from a truck driver's retread flying off and hitting his truck. There was a post on here yesterday about someone who almost lost their windshield to flying tire debris. If a trucking company can't afford to buy NEW tires for their trucks and trailers when they wear out, they don't have any business being on the road in my opinion.

I use my CB quite a bit. It seems to be the best way to get their attention.

 

Wow- I haven't had a CB in my vehicle since 1983! I'd forgotten all about them. Guess I should get another one. Now don't start thinkin' I'm some sort of high-tech gadget "snob-" I don't have a cell phone, either. Can't stand those things ("can you hear me now ? good...").

 

The easiest way to hear of road problems, police presence and wrecks is turn on a CB. If everyone had one, the quality of driving would change, either the car drivers would know what the truckers thought of them, and improve, or they would get even worse.

I use the CB often, on a long journey, it can be entertaining, Every trip it helps in construction and accident zones, and on occasion I have used it to save somebody's life.

Theo

 

Here's a different perspective.

The truck driver is likely aware of the problem. If not, losing one tire on a rig that has 18 isn't really a big deal, though I realize that the flying debris is very dangerous.

The worst thing you can do is get all panicky and start trying to pass or play charades with the driver when it isn't safe.

I had a guy whip out, pass me, and then slow right down in front of me so fast that I nearly creamed him because he saw that one of the tires on my duals was flat and he was "doing his duty for safety". I nearly punched him out, but in the interest of my business and job, I politely thanked him and went on my way.

I knew the tire was flat, quite honestly it doesn't affect the truck to any great extent, and I was in the middle of a job. It got fixed that night when the I got back to the shop. (Flame away about safety if you will)

I've had people panic and do crazy things to "warn" me of everything from that, to my headlights not being on, to having a tail light out. I had a guy nearly have a coronary passing me and flailing about because one of the taillights on my trailer was burnt out.

So my point, (after much useless rambling).

Worry about yourself. Take the necessary steps to protect yourself from possible damage from the tire and leave the rest up to the truck driver. NEVER do anything that might put you or the truck driver in danger.

Waxy

ON EDIT: The best way to communicate with an 18 wheeler is to make sure that you can see the driver in his mirror. If you can see him then he can see you. Flash your headlights or brights. 90% of the time this should alert the driver that there is a possible problem, even if he isn't exactly sure of what it is, he'll likely take a good look around to see why he's being flashed at.

 

Hmmm...Maybe next time you could stick your arm out the window to catch a piece of his tire as it's falling apart and race up to his cab to wave it in front of him? hehehe

Or a more likely attention getter is flashing your high beams. I've noticed that when the big rigs change lanes that they have some kind of communication system that utilizes flashing of the bright lights and the rear brake lights.

 

Flashing your high beams lets the driver know that they are clear of you. They flash either their brake lights, or running lights to say "Thanks."

 

That's why I asked if there was a signal to let a driver know that there's a problem with his rig. I picked up on the "dimming of the lights" signal for lane-changing years ago. I use it myself to let a trucker know if he can pull back in front of me; I figure they get a kick out of a 4-wheeler that extends them this small courtesy. I wasn't too concerned about the safety of the truck, because I know the loss of one tire is no big deal when you have 17 left. My concern was for vehicles behind him, and after seeing (and HEARING) that tire blow, I figure anytime you can help a trucker avoid a lawsuit, so be it.

 

I am a trucker myself. It does happen all the time. Many of these companies use recap tires and when blown they will leave a "a gator" on the road. Unless its a steer tire it isn't that big of a deal.

You are supposed to check your tires whenever you stop. Some guys do some think they might make it a few more miles on a tire.

I would say the CB is the best idea. Although I usually don't run with it on most do and that would be your best bet. I would also suggest flashing your lights at him where he can see you in his mirrors.

a blown tire is another good reason to keep at least a 3 second distance between you and the rig in front of you.

Bill

 

NOW you tell me!

 

i agree with jbalestri
I also run a CB and over the years have grown to know a few truckers that come through our small town...Truckers are good guys and I often buy them a burger or something....Anyway a cb is a great way to warn a truck...cause I sure ain't going to try to speed up and get infront of them lol

 

> afford to buy NEW tires for their trucks and trailers
> when they wear out

By the time a tire is visually in bad shape (while driving) I think it is better off that it blow (except steer tires) while the truck is moving then having it blow on the driver when he gets out to inspect it. The latter choice could kill him. There is really nothing he can do at that point except drive it.

Most gators are caused by low tire pressure, not baldness.