Unidentified rolling objects

Nov. 8, 2016
Wheel-off dangers can be minimized with proper inspections

Years ago, I was asked by a major tire manufacturer to develop a training video on wheel end safety. After working with this company’s engineers for a few months, we decided that we would attempt to film a wheel-off in order to document what happens when a truck tire and wheel assembly separate from the axle.

The test vehicle that was used for the video was an old car that the manufacturer had on its test track. We then added a target to further demonstrate the amount of force that is unleashed at highway speeds.

Having limited math skills, there is no way that I could calculate the odds of controlling a wheel-off to the point where it hits a stationary object while the cameras are rolling. Getting the wheels to come off on command was difficult enough, so the added dimension of hitting the car seemed impossible at the time. After a dozen or so tries, we achieved the impossible and forever reminded the industry of what happens when an inflated truck tire becomes an unguided missile.

There have been a number of wheel-off accidents over the past 12 months. Most have involved other vehicles on the road where the drivers were lucky to escape with nothing more than some property damage. A recent wheel-off struck a house in Oklahoma, and one earlier this year resulted in serious injuries to a jogger in Miami. It doesn’t matter where you are.  When the wheels come off a truck at highway speed, bad things are going to happen when they hit something.

In some cases, the driver of the vehicle is located and typically gives a statement that they had no idea the tires had become loose.

I don’t have any data to support my theory, but I’m guessing that the majority of wheel-off accidents involve trailers because they are traditionally the most poorly maintained in the commercial motor vehicle universe.

Another unsupported theory is that some of these accidents could have been prevented had drivers conducted pretrip inspections on a regular basis.

I know what it takes to get a pair of dual wheels to separate from a trailer, and it’s not something that happens in a short period of time. We had to remove studs, cut down the pilot pads, and add a hydraulic actuator under the trailer to force the tires off the axle. I have to think that if drivers took the time to visually inspect the wheels and fasteners before driving the vehicle, a few of these accidents could be avoided.

The gadget business has released countless devices that claim to prevent wheel-offs. Everything from wheel locks to plastic arrows that indicate movement in the fastener have been introduced to solve the problem, but the fact remains that when the wheels become loose, there is nothing that can keep them on the end of the axle if they are ignored by the driver. Nothing can replace a visual inspection.

It’s just a matter of time before an unidentified rolling object gets national attention. Even with my limited math skills, I know that the law of averages will eventually catch up to the industry, and a high profile accident could force the government’s hand. And while I couldn’t even begin to guess what that would mean, I’m fairly certain that legislators and agency officials will come up with their own solutions—or deterrents.

Besides the obvious need for proper wheel installation procedures (including torque), drivers must play a greater role in preventing wheel-off accidents. A quick visual inspection of the fasteners on the entire vehicle will definitely identify some problems before tragedy strikes.

About the Author

Kevin Rohlwing

Kevin Rohlwing is the SVP of training for the Tire Industry Association. He has more than 40 years of experience in the tire industry and has created programs to help train more than 180,000 technicians.

Sponsored Recommendations

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

How Electric Vehicles Help You Prolong the Life of Your Fleet

Before adopting electric vehicles for commercial/government fleets, prioritize cost inquiries. Maintenance is essential; understand the upkeep of EV fleets. Here’s what you need...

How to Choose the Right Route Planning Solution

This free buyer's guide will help equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to analyze route planning software and vendors in the market and, ultimately, make an informed...

How to Put Your Trucking Data to Work

How fleets can overcome data overload to optimize operations and get ahead.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!