Please outlaw retreads!

So sick of flying chunks of semi truck tires. Damn retreads are a menace. Damage at best, crashes at worst!

 

That sucks!

I got a chip on my windshield the other day, while driving behind a dump truck carrying gravel. I literally drove his ass down. Pulled up beside him, hit my horn. He rolled down his window and I then told him that he just chipped my windshield. He acted as if he didn’t know what I was talking about until I told him that I had a dash-cam (which, I didn’t, of course. ). So, he pulled over and got out of his truck. He then looked at the chip and we exchanged information. His company called me the next day to get the chip fixed. I told them that I wanted an entirely new windshield and they agreed to it. A few days later they sent Safe Lite Auto Glass out and they replaced my windshield.

The point that I am trying to make is, if you actually know and saw the tractor trailer peel its tire(s), you can get them to pay for any damages to your vehicle. Hope that you can get that grille replaced at a very affordable price.

 

It’s estimated that 50% of all trucks have retreads. However, from personal experience I think it’s wrong to use them. I’ve seen two severe car accidents from the tread separations from the carcass. That doesn’t happen on non retreads. Not to mention the countless “road gators” on the road every day point to a real problem. That doesn’t mean that a non retread won’t fail too, but they fail differently.
It also sucks that the semi truck drivers just keep on driving while all the cars behind get the carnage without an opportunity to hold them accountable for the damage. I have a dash cam, but will be upgrading it to a higher resolution as the video can’t read the license plate.

 

Well. .. with trucks that large, most drivers wouldn't know if there trailer tapped your vehicle, let alone a tire on there truck coming off unless it's one of the two up front. I understand the disappointment of having your tire damaged and I'm not saying that there isn't one truck driver out there that hasn't continued to drive knowing sometimes not right. I'm saying that the majority of them have no clue until you are flagging them down. Then I'm sure initially they are wondering why a crazy person is pulling up next to them. Remember we are all human and make mistakes.

 

And yes. ..I have personal experience here with being in a truck(rider, not driver) and investigating accidents.

 

They’re hit and miss, I’ve never run them but a few friends have. A few sets did fine (apart from balancing issues) and others have been completely shot in 10k miles or had blow outs. I’ve had a few sets of Chinese tires and finally decided that name brand tires are worth the added cost. They balance better and last longer in most cases and for just a bit more cash.

 

I use to drive truck and only had problems with new tires coming apart never recaps on the trailers.

 

Or death if you are on a Motorcycle and one blows out next to you.

 

I have been a truck driver for 13 years and trust me I would love nothing more than to ban retreads. It will never happen as they cost about half the price and save companies tons of money. Large cooperations write laws through lobbyists. Not to get to political but we the people have been sold out and just have to deal with it.

 

I've had two sets of Treadwrights and I would suggest you steer clear. Not only did I have the common balancing issues, I faced one blowout and multiple tires shedding chunks in the two sets I owned.

 

Had this happen to me many urs ago on a Honda 900rr I had .Lucky I was behind it and far enough back to get out of the way. And lucky no one was in the lane beside me because I got over their in a hurry.

 

I'm sorry this happened. But....... being on the other end of the equation it's all down to $$$. Retread cost $200 new cost $800. The fronts on my truck cost $1300. Not all retreads are the same. Over 90% of trucks you pass on a daily basis are running retreads. That's why there is insurance.

 

..and airlines. A huge user of retreads.

 

Treadright is a big supplier and has great deals on off road tires....but I'd only use them off road on a beater crawler.

 

A beater meaning an MGM?

 

Yep....beating everyone to the top..

 

Yep. Straight to the top of the heap . . .

 

That’s why there’s insurance? How about the truck drivers insurance pay for it instead of mine? I’m glad my damage and my pain in the a$$ saves you money. I guarantee if passenger cars and trucks were blowing tires on a regular basis (and then just drive off) so we could save money and damaging semis, you would change your tune.

 

Pa is a no fault state. We swap info and the insurance companys fight it out. If I damage your vehicle I sure want my insurance to pay for it.

 

I hate typing. Is difficult to convey the proper message. I'm sorry that your vehicle received damage from a big truck. So, please don't assume that all truck drivers are gear jamming diesel jockeys.

 

You haul liquid?

 

I could write a book on this! Ive been forrunate to run for the right companys. Ive never ran with a retread. Best advice I have for everyone is watch your following distance. Do not tailgate so you have time to react SAFELY! Always stay back so you can leave yourself an out.