Steering Tires Overloaded in Driveaway/Towaway (DATA) Operations
| Entry Date | March 2, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Issue Number | 09-014-SWC |
| Name | Doyle Watkins |
| Agency | Wastow Enterprises |
| Address | 8140 Laberdee RoadBritton, MI, 49229United StatesMap It (opens in a new tab) |
| Phone | (517) 447-3952 |
| Fax | (517) 447-3952 |
| [email protected] | |
| Committee | Size and Weight Committee |
| Status | Closed |
| Summary of Issue | In the drive-away-haul-away business there is a boom trailer being used that carries the drivers personal pickup on top of the trailer while pulling a semi tractor backwards with the rear wheels of that semi off the ground. This grossly overloads the steering tires of the backwards semi because in this configuration the total weight of the backwards semi,the trailer and the pickup truck can exceed 37,000 lbs. The steering tires of the towed semi carries more than 50% of that weight therefore, overloading the steering tires. Most semi's use a load range G tire that specifies a weight no greater than 6175 lbs. Depending on the configuration, these tire limits are exceeded by more than 6000 lbs. If these tires blow, the truck being towed backwards will violently change lanes. |
| Justification or Need | To enforce the weight limits on the steering tires would prevent tire blow out and prevent a fatal accident. |
| Request for Action | To enforce the weight limits on the steering tires. |