old school observation.... tire whacker
Observed this weekend...18 wheeler operator using a metal rod , strolled around his rig... whacked each tire. No TPMS, no digital tire pressure gauge. The man makes a living driving big rigs. Hm...
Forum Discussion
beemerphile1 wrote:
When I went to school learning to drive truck, the instructor warned us we would look like an idiot thumping a front tire. The technique is used on duals because you can't necessarily tell by looking if one is flat. You can sure tell by the difference in sound and feel when they are thumped.
When I first became a Fireman ("Firefighters" now), the Engineers (guy that drives and pumps) would always thump at least the inside duals with a rubber mallet.
Always thought that was a bunch of baloney.
What can you tell by thumping tires?
Then, when I had that job - I did it too....and still thought I was just going thru the required motions....until one morning instead of a thump and a "rebound", I got a flat "smack".
Yep - checked pressure and it was down to about 20 pounds.
Once you've heard the "smack" - you become a believer!..:W
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