Comments on: Episode 80: Big Rig Myths

By: Bill E

Bill E — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:51:43 +0000

These comments were all VERY interesting. I have been driving truck for about ten years and have well over a million miles under my belt. Therefore, I’m going to give a little information from my perspective. First of all on the drafting, I usually catch a glimpse of the car attempting to draft me. I want the car away from me in case something goes wrong. (It does go wrong on the road, far too often. And I’ve seen WAY too many people die on the road from even the slightest thing going wrong. I’m accident free, and plan on keeping it that way. But if something goes wrong for me, I don’t want someone’s death on MY conscience) As for blowing tires, they can and will blow with lethal force. In September, I had a virgin tire blow on my trailer. The tire was only two weeks old, and my trailer has a self-inflation system, so it was a defective tire. When it blew, it busted the frame of my trailer (totalling the trailer and destroying the load of chicken I was hauling) shot out from under the trailer and destroyed the hood of the truck that was behind me. Thank goodness it was a truck and not a car. The truck behind me sustained over $15,000 in damage. Imagine what it would have done to a car attempting to draft me!

By: Scott M

Scott M — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:23:35 +0000

I would like to see the myth of varying a truck speed from 70mph to 60mph will increase safety by less destruction in a collision.

By: John P

John P — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:25:59 +0000

Would you please provide a dot diagram and equation showing the knight rider problem.
Thanks kindly.

By: John G.

John G. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:09:04 +0000

I was driving a way behind an 18 wheeler when I saw some weird black snake looking thing fly about 150 feet up into the air. I was totally baffled as to what it was until I saw it land right in front of me, it was an entire tire tread. I’ve never seen one thrown straight up before. I suspect he ran over it launching it up into the sky and wasn’t the one who lost it but that it was lying on the interstate.

By: Harmony on the Highways

Harmony on the Highways — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:51:02 +0000

All the myths tested were plausible conditions, though all the elements must be just right for the tire. Nonetheless, I would not want to gamble on this deadly possibility. In the courses we provide several incidents like these are discussed. We usually have no shortage of truck horror stories, from both auto and truck drivers. Bottom line, play it safe and smart around large vehicles. Attend one of courses and be more aware!

By: Blacksmoker

Blacksmoker — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:55:57 +0000

I’d like to see them do the knight rider thing again, getting up the ramp and into the trailer using another rear wheel drive car, but with a convensional gearbox and clutch instead of auto, the auto box makes this stunt very easey in my opinion.

By: CC

CC — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 06:36:24 +0000

In the 1950s I had a 52 Chevrolet that came with stock Firestone Super Champ tires. Over time all four of the original tires separated at the weld or seam. They were replaced under warranty. In all, seven of the eight tires failed at the factory seam. So it is NOT just retreads that blow apart.

By: Austin

Austin — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:40:43 +0000

regarding the tire. I’m a truck driver and they totalled screwed up this myth. they were using a “virgin” tire, its never been recaped. they should of used a recap because those are the tires that blow up and have chunks of tire fly at you. because no matter what you do to a regular tire, you went get it to explode like a recap. and another part of the myth about exploding sideways. it doesnt blow you sideways, you gotta remember the tire is turning really fast, when it blows up it will come out the back or underneith. they need to retest this myth. all the other myths theyve tested they asked professionals or doctors or whatever the case may be about the myths, why not ask truck drivers or tire professionals about this myth? I also think they should do more semi myths, theres alot.

By: Driver's Education Teacher in Michigan

Driver's Education Teacher in Michigan — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:43:19 +0000

I use all these in my drivers education class.

Thank you

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:18:19 +0000

The tire tread chucking dyno speeds were incorrect. The truck they used to spin the truck tire and then the trailer tire in the shop has an open rear. I know this because in one scene the left tire was spinning and the right tire was stopped. That means the left tire was spinning 2 times as fast as the speedometer was reading. That is what an open rear does. It allows the tires to spin at different speeds. If you stop one tire, the other will spin twice as fast. The test they did at 40 miles per hour was actually 80 miles per hour. If you shoot anything heavy at 80 mph it will cause serious damage to whatever it hits. That being said i don’t want to get hit at 40 mph either.

Jim