First Day Solo

Do you have a code section for that? I know the federal prohibition that doesn't cover things like that, I haven't seen anything different for those state laws.

 

I read about it in Land Line magazine a few years ago. OOIDA was trying to help another driver that was arrested in Oregon or Washington for drug possession. He lost his license and his job right there at the scales. The DOT searched his personal belongings and found a package of over-the-counter cold medicine he bought at Walmart. The DOT clown read the ingredients list and found something that is illegal in that state. Honestly, I thought it was a joke when I read about it, but it was true.
Anyone that's been driving for a few years knows DOT officers don't always follow the law and one reason is they have quotas to meet even though they deny they have quotas. If they don't write lots of tickets it looks like they're not doing their job, so they lie and make up their own rules.

If I remember correctly, the same article was in another publication; The Trucker.

 

I need to look this up for myself, it's very important. The refresher course I took used 70psi minimum inflation, below that was a flat tire.

About the "manufacturer's recommended pressure?" That's not a valild viewpoint. Tire manufacturers put an inflation number on the sidewalls, and if you read the fine print: "maximum inflation is..." They do not state a minumum, they do not state a fuel economy number, and they don't include a recommended inflation. Just the maximum inflation, and I'm sure that's for their liability in case of a tire related issue.

I use a good tire shop in Joplin, MO, Allied Tires, they have other locations. Their managers, 30 years in the business, use 100psi as a good cold inflation. I use that. I do tend to inflate supersingles to 105 - 108, though that's because I think they have more sidewall flex than dual tires and I just can't see a tire rolling off a rim as being good for my driving day. So far, the legalities and actual details escape me, too much variation, so I really do need to get some specifics. I'll share when I do.

We still don't know what the DOT told Thull the actual pressure was, or what their parameters were. Like I asked before, 4lbs below what, exactly? I'd like to know that, for my own information if nothing else.

 

Most tire manufacturers recommend treating a tire that is 20% or more underinflated as flat, that is do not drive on it. The FMCSR's (393.75) doesn't state a pressure and the CVSA North American Standard Out Of Service Criteria Puts the OOS at "fifty percent or less of the maximum inflation pressure marked on the tire sidewall."

 

So what if that tire lost air while he was driving from driving over a nail or something? The inspection guys can still give a ticket? #### what if it just happened.

 

I'd wager a ton of money Swift runs their steers at 110 and everything else at 100. The truck compresser should be plenty.

 

Well, 1278, if that's the case, it's similar to a light going out, one of those "That's trucking" things. Although a low or flat tire is a lot more dangerous than a light being out.

Truck compressor should do it, it just takes a bit longer. A heck of a lot faster than calling road service for a flat, or worse, losing control like on a steer or something.

 

See? Right there. dibster says 20% underinflated, that would be @ 80psi, and Rule 393.75 "fifty % or less of max," or @50psi. It's not exactly clear. I just know checking inflation on every trailer you pick up is smart truck driving, and checking your tractor tire inflations (at least) once/week is also good form.I'd wager the insurance companies have their own standards for liability.

Even then there's gray area. Like, you're in Montana/Wyoming in April. It's 30 degrees overnight, and you're delivering in Seattle. 65 in Seattle. Tire pressures are up 10psi, 55 overnight. You pick up a load for Calexico, it's 92 in Calexico day after pickup. Tire pressures are up, 68 overnight, inflation increase another 12psi. Now your tires are way overinflated, gotta let some air escape. Pick up a load for Twin Cities, 30 overnight in St. Paul, back the other way. Same fun in autumn, temps up and down, pressures up and down. "That's trucking," and we still gotta stay after it, maintain control of our vehicles and our safety practices. No excuses.

I wonder what Thull's warm inflation numbers were?

 

Quoted for truth.