Why do semi trucks have spikes on their wheels? How often have you been on the highway when a semi-truck suddenly pulled up alongside you, causing you to look directly at the enormous rotating spikes on the side of its tires? You have probably experienced this uncomfortable situation even though not every big rig has tire spikes like this. Do those tire spikes that are so close by causing you any concern? Are truck tire spikes harmful?
Why Do Trucks Have Tire Spikes On Their Wheels?
Truckers fit tire spikes to their large rigs for three main reasons:
- Protection: Typically, lug nut covers serve as tire spikes. One of the tire’s many lug nuts can be found there if you remove the spike. The spikes are intended to guard against normal wear and tear as well as weather-related harm, such as rust from persistent rain. While the wheel is spinning, the spike design also helps to flick moisture away.
- Warning: Spikes on truck tires are obvious right away, and that is deliberate. The spikes serve as a blatant warning when a driver approaches a commercial truck too closely. Although the spikes are harmless, a driver’s natural instinct will be to avoid getting any closer to them. The key is to avoid overcorrecting and cutting into another lane of traffic to get around the spikes.
- Appearance: And finally, truck tire spikes just appear cool. Who doesn’t enjoy making their car a little more unique or more in line with their personality? The same is true for truck drivers, who frequently adorn their vehicles with large tire spikes.
What Do Spiked Semi Truck Wheels Do?
According to the Department of Transportation, semi truck drivers can be on the road up to 14 hours in a work day and up to 70 hours in a work week. That is a lot of time spent on the road in all of the harsh conditions you might encounter.
Protection From The Elements
While maintaining the lug nuts that hold the wheels to the semi truck is one of many aspects of truck driving safety, you might not be aware of it. Many truck drivers use spikes to serve as covers that guard against damage from rust from rain or snow and wear and tear from dirt and debris from the roads that cause lug nuts to loosen. These lug nuts could come loose without adequate protection, endangering the fidelity and stability of the wheels themselves. Dwight Shrute.
Accident Deterrent
But why use spikes? Wouldn’t a straightforward cover that is closer to the actual hubcap of the wheel work?
Yes, it would, but the spike’s elongated shape can also have a benefit. Other drivers driving in the “No-Zones,” or the areas behind and beside a commercial truck where the truck driver has limited or no visibility, is one of the more frequent causes of accidents involving semi trucks.”
Since using a spike discourages other motorists from getting too close to the semi truck, many truck drivers do so. The spikes themselves are made of thin metal or plastic and will shatter if they come into contact with another vehicle.
The sound that is made when contact occurs may serve as a warning to other motorists that they are approaching the semi-truck dangerously close, giving them enough time to reposition themselves and avoid a collision.
Cosmetic Purpose
You can find a variety of intimidating styles if you quickly search for spiked semi truck wheels on Google. If you are still asking why they have to use spikes and not some other design, I have to ask you this: why not? The practical applications of these spikes have already been discussed, but shouldn’t they also serve aesthetic purposes?
Like I mentioned earlier, truck drivers can spend up to 14 hours per day driving. Their temporary home is the truck, which serves as both their personal workspace and workspace. Is there really a difference between a worker in an office who wants to decorate their workspace and a truck driver who wants to decorate their vehicle?
Who are we to pass judgment if ugly looking spikes on a truck driver’s tires help them get through their workday? It’s the little things that get us all through the day.
Are Wheel Spikes Legal?
Spikes are legal to use on wheels. Most wheel spikes don’t extend farther than your fender, rock slider, running guard, or bumper, and most are only four to five inches long. As previously stated, wheel spikes are typically made of flimsy materials that would likely just snap off in an accident.
But according to the law, it’s against the law to leave anything protruding from your car that could harm a pedestrian.
Purchase some wheel spikes by going outside. It will make your car appear more stylish, it will warn other drivers to avoid you because you could easily “Ben Hur” them, and it is inexpensive.
Are There Various Types Of Wheel Spikes?
Wheel spikes come in a variety of types, just like lug nuts, which come in a variety of types. There are some that are very long and pointy, some that are blue and green, some that are shiny, some that are matte, but they’re all designed to help you express yourself as best you can!
Wheel spikes come in various shapes, including blue bullets, castles, drill bits, and plain gold rods. Additionally, since they are so near the center of your wheel, you never have to worry about balancing your wheels. (Usually, one person proves me wrong.)
Do Semi Trucks Have The Only Wheels With Spikes?
No, spikes can be attached to any car with lug nuts. They are merely intended to be lug nut covers to highlight how stylish your car is or to subliminally warn other motorists to avoid you.
They also remind the other drivers to focus on the road ahead rather than using their phones, applying makeup, taking medications, or blow-drying their hair.
If I’m being completely honest, you may also occasionally see trucks with spiked hubcaps, but they aren’t any more or less dangerous. Simply hubcaps with spikes attached to them are what they are.
Are Truck Tire Spikes Dangerous?
It can be extremely intimidating to see a big rig’s tire spikes approaching your car. However, is it prudent to be on guard and steer clear of them? No, it’s unlikely that truck tire spikes will endanger you, but they might dent your car.
The majority of truck tire spikes are made of one type of aluminum alloy or another, but none of them are particularly robust. The spinning spikes would probably scratch your car door a little before they crumpled if the truck were to slowly move into your lane and hit it. The ability of the spikes to penetrate much of anything, let alone a portion of your car, would be extremely unexpected.
However, truck tire spikes are designed to be intimidating. They are designed to draw your attention and tempt you away from the blind spots on a truck, which are located on either side of the vehicle and trailer. The spikes are functioning as intended if your first reaction is to move back and give the big rig more room.
Are Tire Spikes A Factor In Truck Accident Liability?
Does the fact that a truck driver has tire spikes on their vehicle reduce their legal responsibility for a truck accident because they intended the spikes to serve as an additional “warning” or safety measure for other motorists? However, if the truck driver who installed the spikes continues to operate the vehicle carelessly and cause an accident, the tire spikes won’t be of any use. It’s time to consult an attorney if the driver of the commercial truck sideswipes you and tries to blame you for it because you failed to notice the tire spikes.
Conclusion
Nearly anything could be used by semi-truck drivers to conceal their lug nuts. However, they give their truck some personality or at the very least make it stand out on the road. But if you’re going to be in a truck for 70 hours a week, at least personalize it.
Only a small number of states place limitations on these decorations. Hawaii prohibits it from sticking out past the wheel rim by four inches, and Washington prohibits the spikes from protruding from the sides of the vehicle when viewed from above.
But not only semi-trucks can use these decorations. Spikes shouldn’t really be used on tiny passenger cars, but if you want to protect your car’s lug nuts and don’t mind looking a little silly while doing it, go ahead. You can then purchase a set of wheel spikes for your own vehicle (perhaps pickup trucks). And it’s entirely legal!
Now you are aware of the purpose of truck spikes. They were placed there to scare you away, but they also serve to protect the wheels and have a cool appearance. In order to avoid getting the spikes, don’t mess with the trucks.