Running with tire missing.

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by m16ty, Aug 31, 2016.

  1. m16ty

    m16ty Road Train Member

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    I was coming back from East TN today and had a blowout on the trailer. I was running empty. I called around and couldn't find a spare locally and I had some tire irons so I removed the tire from the wheel and drove on home.

    I was more than a little worried that I'd see a state trooper and get stopped but I'm wondering if this is even against the law? It was a 3 axle trailer and being empty the good tire on that dual wasn't overloaded, I don't see it any different than somebody running super singles. Any thoughts?
     
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  3. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    If I was empty, and the rim was not sparking, I would take it to a shop or yard.
     
  4. stayinback

    stayinback Road Train Member

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    Your Fine- I see guys single out axles if they aren't hauling much- or empty- As Long as the COMPLETE junk carcass is removed ( No tire rembrants of any kind left on wheel)
     
  5. swaan

    swaan Road Train Member

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    Totally fine .
    As long as the remaining tire is not overloaded .

    People have been doing this for years.

    Back in the bias ply days of trucking, when you had a flat on the steer they would single out a drive and run it on the steer.
    No diffrence really .
     
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  6. tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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  7. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    I've done that with my stud-piloted wheels. Cut a steer down on a jobsite, so I rolled my inner drive up onto a block, jacked up the steer, and swapped the outside drive up onto the steer and the flat steer onto my catwalk. Got my load dumped and drove to a tire shop to have a new steer mounted and the drive tire put back where it belonged.

    But yes, as long as the single tire isn't overloaded, you can run with it singled out as long or as far as you desire.
     
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  8. HotH2o

    HotH2o Road Train Member

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    Wtf? That's all I got to say
     
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  9. tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    Not in the Biz yet . But been following you guys for 3 years and still on the Fence.

    I am very mechanical

    I have a 1200 lb 3/4 inch impact and a 10 ton jack , both pennies.

    Why not carry a spare on a rim on these trucks and hit the next safe area to change it out.

    To be honest I have always been a advocate of new quality tires on my vehicles ,so have only suffered one failure after running over a big bolt in the road.

    Quite a few nails and screws over the years in my growing town. A good reamer and plug and always have air onboard.

    Soo Why not be self sufficient?
     
  10. Mr. Premium

    Mr. Premium Bobtail Member

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    The tools required to do this properly would not be a part of a company drivers truck. Liability, pay to the driver, etc, just prohibits having the essentials on-board to even replace a tire.

    As such, mobile tire guys are called out.

    I own my own truck, but would still have to call a tire guy, since I do not carry the required gear to fix a tire.

    In fact, my day cab doesn't have room for all the required items to replace a tire! I don't even have a space for a spare!

    So, you build it into your business plan to accept these expenses, should they occur.
     
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  11. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Company trucks do not carry tools to be self sufficient.

    I packed in my own tools, valves, parts, fluids etc. A spare wheel is not part of that kit. There might be a wheel under the trailer sometimes, otherwise take it off and transfer to Steer axle if need be. Otherwise limp to a shop.

    When you get that boom, after the first few times of being scared out of your head you will see what is possible on that second dual should it survive. Now super singles I wont touch for a variety of reasons not really related to here.

    You can get self sufficient if you like. It will cost you in weight first then the wallet second.

    There is a large difference in wheels during my time. Back in the 70's you had tires on rims on wheels with spoke. 5 bolts and it's off the outer. The inner requires a bit more work. Today's aluminum or steel wheels have their own bolts and usually a axle hub over it. There isnt much value in taking them off yourself.
     
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