I had to remove the rear wheels on my dually to install the brackets for a fifth wheel hitch. The passenger side door was tight against the wall and I couldn't find anything to get the hubcap off with. (I know the jack extension can be used for this but the truck was already on the stands and getting to the jack tools was going to be a pain.) I spotted an old chain saw adjusting tool hanging on the wall. Essentially it is a double ended socket with a screwdriver set midway from end to end. A minute with a torch bent the screwdriver tip to the proper angle. It slipped into the notch in the hub cap and popped the cap off with no problem. The socket part provided a convenient grip for a hand that no longer has much gripping strength. The new tool has earned a permanent place for itself in the truck tool box.

CLPF350

 

I found the best tool for pulling hubcabs (and other things) is a drum brake adjustment tool. It's basically a double-ended screwdriver with the ends bent as you described.

 

Scout:

The brake adjulting tool works well on the front or/and single wheel but the duals are so deep and limited in work space that your can't get the proper angle to pop the hub cap loose.

CLPF350

 

I have another one for duals - I took an old srewdriver and bent the last 1" 90 degrees and sharpened the tip to a point. I use it to punch a hole in oil filters to drain out the oil before I unscrew them and tip over a filter full of hot oil on my face. Works good for prying on things like hubcaps too.