Anyone who’s been a trucker for a while has probably experienced a tire blow out.
Even regular motorists have seen tire remnants on the highway or “gators” that are left over evidence of a lost tire.
This short video explains the mechanics of how and why tires explode.
Basically, if the plies are stretched too far, they’ll break, forcing the remaining intact plies to carry the extra air pressure. You’ll know you have some over flexed plies because you’ll hear a popping sound when the tire is filling with air.
When all the remaining plies break, that is when the explosion occurs with tremendous force, about 12 tons! If you happen to be standing nearby when the tire suddenly lets loose, you can be hit with the force of a truck!
Many truckers have seen the damage a blown tire can do to the front fender or trailer. Likewise, some motorists have been frightened by the shotgun sound of a tire exploding on that big rig in the lane next to them.
Here are some other factors that may cause a tire blowout:
Of course, regular maintenance should prevent tire explosions from happening. So make sure you do those pre and post inspections! Now, carry on truckers and stay safe out there!
