Tire Thumpers

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by vanapagan, May 21, 2013.

Page 6 of 6
  1. May 24, 2013 #51
    truckerdave1970

    truckerdave1970 On Probation

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    Rochester, NY
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    I suppose you could buy that CHEAP, "MADE IN CHINA" GARBAGE for less money....:biggrin_25513:
    or


    Just imagine how jealous all your friends and enemies would be if you bought a hand made quailty tire thumper

    by the

    ONE (AND THANK GOD!) ONLY

    WOODCHUCKER DAVE!!!
    :biggrin_25519::biggrin_25519::biggrin_25519:    ​
     
    truckerdave1970, May 24, 2013
    truckerdave1970, May 24, 2013
    #51
    Big Don Thanks this.
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  3. May 26, 2013 #52
    vanapagan

    vanapagan Light Load Member

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    Merrick, NY
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    I had to laugh a bit when I started my first lesson yesterday. The instructor started me out on the script that is tailored to the preferences of the local DMV examiners for the road test for the "Kabuki Theater" pre-inspection of the truck. Ironically they have you thump the tires to check the inflation. The goal of the script is to have the examiner say "OK, let's check the directionals and brake lights" by the time you get to the back of the truck on the first side. I asked why thump the tires instead of stick them and the instructor said the examiners don't want to spend that much time on the pre-inspection. OK! I'll go with the flow for the test and still stick the tires when I am out on the road. Many of the other posters have convinced me that the few minutes more are well worth it.

    I had a great time with my first lesson ecspecially since I had not driven a manual transmission in over 25 years. I just have to break my single clutch habit and double clutch. Seems that I keep alternating between single and double as I climb the gears. I am sure that will come with practice. I spent half the lesson backing up too. Had the trailer fopping around like a wet noodle finally by the end of the lesson it wasn't so bad but I'd never make it down a tight alley yet. This too I am sure will eventually click in. Looking forward to lesson #2. My left thigh aches from all the clutching. I need to make sure my seat is better positioned next time.
     
    vanapagan, May 26, 2013
    vanapagan, May 26, 2013
    #52
  4. May 26, 2013 #53
    The Bird

    The Bird Medium Load Member

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    White Rock, NM
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    The DOT inspectors don't either. During every level 1 inspection I've had, the DOT agent used a hammer to check the tires.
     
    The Bird, May 26, 2013
    The Bird, May 26, 2013
    #53
  5. May 26, 2013 #54
    Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    True that....I have never seen one ever "Stick" tires....
     
    Working Class Patriot, May 26, 2013
    Working Class Patriot, May 26, 2013
    #54
  7. May 26, 2013 #55
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    the road less travelled
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    Gauging a warm or hot tire would not give the cold reading, which is what the suggested inflation pressures are based on.


    If you had been sitting long enough for the tires to cool, like one of the rest area stops some states are fond of, it might be worth sticking a gauge on them.


    Now, for another reason to also thump tires, a tire that is coming apart inside, may have normal pressure, and may even appear normal, but it probably won't sound right when you thump it, and I had one like that, pressure cold on the money, a light load on the trailer and it sounded just plain off, less than an hour down the road the tire blew out, sounded like a bomb went off, all I saw in the mirror was a cloud of gray dust with a few small chunks of tire falling out of it.

    Even a tire properly inflated and inspected can fail without warning.
     
    25(2)+2, May 26, 2013
    25(2)+2, May 26, 2013
    #55
  8. May 26, 2013 #56
    ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Ask my GPS...
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    Will someone go "thump" the rookie who just accused me of being a recruiter??? :biggrin_25523:
     
    ironpony, May 26, 2013
    ironpony, May 26, 2013
    #56
  9. May 26, 2013 #57
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    Arlington Heights, IL
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    Are tire thumpers a very distant and much more accomplished cousin to window lickers?

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, May 26, 2013
    Pmracing, May 26, 2013
    #57
  10. May 27, 2013 #58
    Colorato

    Colorato Road Train Member

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    I don't do it for them. I do it because if a tire blows out I'm the one stuck on the side of the road or in a shop wasting time.
     
    Colorato, May 27, 2013
    Colorato, May 27, 2013
    #58
  11. May 27, 2013 #59
    Rick_C

    Rick_C Light Load Member

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    Mar 11, 2012
    Denver, CO
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    I'm reminded of my experience driving a school bus (and later a city transit bus) in 1984-85 (pre-CDL). The district provided snow brushes or 2-ft pieces of rebar we were supposed to use to check the tires. One of the "little old ladies" who also drove a school bus was seen thumping the front tires, then thumping the rear outside dualy (but not the inside tire). From what I could see, it wasn't much of a thump anyway and I don't know if she would have heard the distinctive thump of a flat outer tire. To her credit, I don't recall her ever calling from the road with a flat tire; I had at least 2 occasions where my "thump" of the dualies revealed a flat or seriously low tire, meaning a bus change.

    When I drove a transit bus for the Denver Regional Transportation District, they didn't provide anything (like rebar) that might be taken and used as a weapon by a passenger. I used my ticket/transfer punch. Wasn't heavy but I could usually tell when I had a low dually. Turned in several buses that way and (to their credit) they never simply offered to fill up the tire while I was waiting to do my run.
     
    Rick_C, May 27, 2013
    Rick_C, May 27, 2013
    #59
  12. May 28, 2013 #60
    airforcetoo

    airforcetoo Heavy Load Member

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    I wonder what the OP decided on ...
     
    airforcetoo, May 28, 2013
    airforcetoo, May 28, 2013
    #60
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