Bringing a truck onto the roadway represents an enormous responsibility. A typical car weighs 4,000 lbs. compared to a fully loaded commercial truck that weighs approximately 80,000 lbs. Due to that disparity in weight and size, commercial trucks have the potential to endanger other motorists through something as simple as improper maintenance. The vast majority of truck drivers understand this responsibility, and they work diligently to protect other drivers on the road.
DEADLY WHEEL DISMOUNTS
According to data from the National Transportation Safety Board, 750 – 1,050 tractor-trailer accidents occur yearly. This equates to 2 or 3 wheel-off accidents daily. The danger of wheel-offs is twofold: the dislodged wheel becomes a fast-moving projectile, and the truck from which the wheel is dismounted can lose control.
A dismounted wheel striking another driver is, in most cases, lethal. Dislodged wheels can bounce and ricochet into the opposite lane of traffic. Stories of highway fatalities resulting from wheel-offs appear somewhat frequently in the news.
Although the official number of wheel dismount incidents are not tallied by American agencies, experts estimate that several wheel-offs occur per day. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation concluded 82 wheel separations occurred in 2015 on Ontario roads alone. Each case is a potential fatality.
WHY THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY IS UNIQUELY INVOLVED
Any wheel dislodged from a vehicle traveling at highway speed is dangerous. However, the size of a commercial truck necessitates more robust wheels, which prove even more dangerous when separated from the vehicle. In addition, the wheels of a truck experience far more stress caused by the myriad of road and weather conditions through which they drive daily.
The trucking industry is heavily involved in this issue due to the miles accumulated by trucks and the time spent at highway speed. If non-commercial vehicles consistently drove the same distance as commercial vehicles, they would likely experience equivalent wheel-offs.
As it currently stands, this remains a significant issue facing the trucking industry.
CAUSES OF WHEEL DISMOUNTS
On commercial trucks, rust undermines the ability to secure the wheel onto the vehicle, directly resulting in some wheel-offs. In fact, one report states that a wheel stud failure from rust bears responsibility in most wheel dismount incidents.
Wheel refinishing protects the bare steel of a wheel and the mounting surface from damage, including rust. However, if carelessly performed, wheel refinishing can increase the likelihood of a wheel-off. If the powder coating applied during wheel refinishing is too thick, the lug nuts won’t be able to seat correctly, turning the preventative measure into a hazard.
For additional information, read How IMI Solves the Problem of Wheel Corrosion.
Neglecting a proper maintenance regime allows essential upkeep to go unnoticed. Unfortunately, sometimes, maintenance technicians do not focus sufficiently on mounted wheels. To counteract this, experts advise fleet maintenance personnel to adhere to a formal system in which two technicians examine every wheel separately and sign off on their work.
THE IMI ADVANTAGE
Wheel-offs threaten innocent lives and pose a threat to the hardworking fleets that send out trucks every day. While implementing a thorough maintenance system is essential, fleets also require other assistance. IMI offers refined, top-of-the-line solutions to the problem of wheel-offs.
As noted previously, misapplied or inferior powder coating can contribute to a wheel-off. IMI wheel refinishing and powder coating is the most complete solution on the market. IMI’s powder coating process is designed to apply precise volume to the wheels to eliminate the concern of dismounts caused by unseating lug nuts. Additionally, IMI powder coating provides superior protection against wheel rust and corrosion, which as previously noted, represents a major wheel-off catalyst.
The LUG LINX Wheel Safety System visually indicates lut nut movement while also acting as a retainer, providing an increased safety window for maintenance of ending wheel detachment or damage. Its point-to-point design more accurately detects lug nut movement and provides a quick and efficient way to know when your lug nuts move.
If you’d like to discuss how to use IMI’s expertise for your fleet, contact us today!