I was wondering, how to truck drivers change a flat? I saw an 18-wheeler blow out a tire last week and pull over, then I started thinking, how do they change it? They are so big and heavy, and I can't imagine a Jack could lift up the tralior or the truck.
My only guess is that the wheels themselves can be lifted up individually somehow
2007-01-18 17:53:30 · 12 answers · asked by JT_comic_wiz 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Most of the axles have double wheels on each side. If one blows, there is enough strength in the other to get the truck to a shop. Drivers cannot change them themselves without a 80 tonne jack and a huge air gun.
2007-01-18 18:01:33 · answer #1 · answered by Lab 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume you are talking about changing a spare?
I am not familiar with split rims. However, I have changed many of the others by myself using a 20 ton bottle jack to lift it and a 3/4 inch drive breaker bar and socket. Sometimes I would have to heat the nuts/studs with a torch in order to break them loose and always had to use a 4 or 5 foot long "cheater bar" as an extension on the handle for more leverage. I bet I looked a bit foolish jumping up and down on the pipe. Hehe. Anyway, itt is not a wise practice to pick them up by yourself to place them back on... but if you do it right (face away and lift it behind you) you will be ok.
2007-01-18 18:16:39 · answer #2 · answered by who's to blame? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know that when i was in the air force and drove in those big trucks that we would change them ourselves (but i was also in vehicle maintenance so that was our job --- the other people in our group, if they had a flat, we had to stop and change it for them)
For the big rigs you're seeing, the drivers are not allowed to change the tires. The main reason is because they're split-rim wheels and are extremely dangerous when underinflated --- they can easily explode and kill anything in it's trajectory.
Plus, they're huge and heavy - easily weighing 500lbs when inflated, about 300lbs when completely flat (those rims are HEAVY!) so special equipment is needed that is not on the trucks (which is on purpose to an impatient driver does not simply do it himself and get all killed and stuff).
SO - when an 18-wheeler has a flat, they call their roadside assistance (i used to work for Ryder roadside assistance dispatch) which dispatches a service truck to go to them to change it or tow it to the nearest service station to repair/replace the wheel.
and yes, a jack (a very heavy-duty one) can lift the truck and/or trailer enough to do it, it's just too dangerous to do on the side of the road like you would a passenger vehicle.
2007-01-18 18:04:38 · answer #3 · answered by mx_hart 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can lift one axle at a time then you can change the tire with the rim still bolted to the truck if it's the outside tire. Also if you have a flat on an out side tire on a set of duels you can simply drive onto a block of wood with the inside tire lifting the outside clear of the ground.
2007-01-18 18:00:32 · answer #4 · answered by misc 75 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not, they call the tire man. And it is for that reason. They are heavy and big. My husband is a truck driver and there has been a few times that I was with him that a tire blew. Be careful not to be to close to the trucks when they do blow a tire. The shreds can bust your windshield real easy. Thats why most drivers don't like cars by their back axles. Its dangerous.
2007-01-18 18:00:29 · answer #5 · answered by Deb 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
To lift one tire isn't such a problem for them as long as they have a strong enough jack(3000-4000 lbs.). The trick about it is that there is no tool to pull the old tire off the rim. They have to use pry bars and litteraly hammer the tire off and the new one on. Then they have to make the rim seal to the tire bead. Most guys simply use a minor explosion like spraying alot of ether in the tire and setting it aflame. then the tire takes its form and is then aired up.
2007-01-18 18:05:28 · answer #6 · answered by D.W. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
truck drivers normally call tire shops to come to us. If we are at our own shop, each axle lifts separately with a 5 or 10 ton hydrolic jack so it can be serviced much like your own car, just on a much larger scale. I am a tractor trailer driver as well as a tow truck driver.
2007-01-18 18:01:40 · answer #7 · answered by prideroc1962 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless the driver is the owner of the company that dispatched the truck, it is considered good form and manners to offer a tip. I would suggest $ 5.00 as a good tip. If the driver refuses the tip, just be gratious and thank him. I would perhaps write a brief note to his employer stating that he did a good and professional job.
2016-03-18 00:15:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My man works on semi trailers and the send a truck out to take care of the broken down trucker!
2007-01-18 19:21:29 · answer #9 · answered by LSD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-27 17:52:16 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋